2002 Inductees

Razz-M-Tazz

SalsaNewYork

Side Street Kids

Starlite Dance

presented to:

Abbey Plotkin
Director

• First group dedicated to plus-sized dancers

• Ten year veterans

• Dynamic, challenging choreographies

• Internationally known

[commemorative plaque text unavailable]

presented to:

Ismael Otero
Director

• World renown instructor

• 6 year veterans

• Innovative choreographies

• Internationally known

[commemorative plaque text unavailable]

presented to:

Addie Diaz
Director

• Pioneer in ladies' styling

• World renown instructor/choreographer

• Ten year veteran

• Vibrant choreographies

• Internationally known

[commemorative plaque text unavailable]

presented to:

Eddie Torres
Director

• THE pioneer in mambo instruction, choreography and performance.  Formulated the "On 2" method which is used by nearly every dancer, instructor and performer in the world.

Commemorative Plaque
There is no other way to describe Eddie and Maria Torres.  They are Mambo’s King & Queen.  Through their instruction, choreography and amazing talent, they have created what mambo is today.  Furthermore, they have become our ambassadors, spreading this art form to a worldwide audience.

This evening, dancers from NY’s top schools and companies have joined with the mambo community to pay tribute to our greatest dancing couple, Eddie & Maria Torres.

 On behalf of the NY mambo community, I would like to express the deepest of gratitude to Eddie & Maria Torres for sharing their incredible gift with us.  Thank you, Eddie & Maria, for creating, teaching, sharing and continuously shaping the world of NY mambo.

 On behalf of the performers, I would like to extend the sincerest of appreciation.  Your professionalism and constant dedication to our craft has allowed us to grace stages worldwide.  If we are able to perform around the world, it is because Eddie & Maria Torres paved the way.

 Eddie & Maria, I wish you much continued success.  Your journey is far from over.

presented to:

F. Thomas Guerrero
Director

• Pioneer in spinning technique

• World renown instructor/choreographer

• Seven year veteran

• Elegant, challenging choreographies

• Internationally known

Commemorative Plaque
Tonight, I am honored to announce that we are showcasing the best company in New York – Santo Rico.

What makes Santo Rico the best?

I could go on and on about the dance school and its many accolades.  I could also go on and on about the dance company and its worldwide success but I won’t.

Instead, I would like to focus on the driving force behind Santo Rico’s success:  Thomas Guerrero.

Through sheer force of will, Thomas has kept the Santo Rico dance school and company going.  It has been his determination and tenacity that has been the backbone of Santo Rico.

Over the last seven years, Santo Rico has had its trials and tribulations but through it all Thomas kept constant the vision that Wilton Beltre had when he founded the company.

Through his undying loyalty, his perseverance and his consistent improvements, Thomas Guerrero has lifted Santo Rico to heights no one ever dreamed.  In his humility, he will undoubtedly thank the many dancers, instructors and students that have been a part of Santo Rico’s seven-year history.  Yes, many people have helped along the way, this is true.  But it has been Thomas Guerrero that has led the way.

I would like to extend my congratulations to the most amazing person I know.  Thomas, you are an inspiration to us all.

presented to:

Nelson Flores
Director

• Co-Produced "Latin Madness" - NY Mambo's first "dance-ical"

• World renown instructor/choreographer

• Ten year veteran

• Elegant, challenging choreographies

• Internationally known

Commemorative Plaque
Tonight, I am honored to announce that we are showcasing New York’s true pioneers – The Descarga Latina Dance Company.

Since its inception in 1997, Descarga Latina and its founder, Nelson Flores, have continuously pushed the envelope – taking our dance further and further.  Last year, Nelson Flores and Carlos Mendoza helped mambo take one giant leap forward.  Love it or hate it, Latin Madness is a groundbreaking and pioneering labor of love that is taking mambo one step closer to the limelight.

Descarga Latina collectively is the embodiment of today’s best dancers –a living, breathing fabric woven of the best talents of salsa, rumba, cha cha, hustle, ballet and hip-hop.  Individually, they are the finest people you will ever meet.

As its founder and director, Nelson Flores has harnessed a creative force that simply cannot be equaled.  A dance team is a reflection of its director.  That being said, Descarga Latina is one of the finest dance companies today and even though he will heartily disagree, Nelson Flores has had a lot to do with that.

Please join me in wishing much continued success to this exceptional group – que siga la Descarga!

presented to:

Vittico Pacheco
Director

• Pioneer of the "Dominican" style of mambo

• World renown instructor/choreographer

• Ten year veteran

• Internationally known

Commemorative Plaque
Desde los anos 90s, Vittico y Marino han presentado una forma de baile tan especial, tan ritmico, tan encantadora que todos los bailarines aspiran.

 Personalmente, ellos son dos de la mas bellas personas que una pueda conocer.  Dos personas honesta y humilde con un monton do sabor.

 Gracias, Vittico y Marino por su talento y su presencia.  Ustedes de verdad son el orgullo dominicano.

Since the 1990s, Vittico & Marino have presented a form of dance so special, so rhythmic, so enchanting that all dancers aspire to.

Personally, they are two of the most beautiful people you will ever meet.  Two honest and humble individuals with a ton of flavor.

Thank you, Vittico & Marino for your talent and your presence.  You really are the pride of Santo Domingo.

presented to:

Lilly Diaz
Director

• World renown youth team

• Thirteen year veterans

• Award winning team

• Internationally known

Commemorative Plaque
Tonight, I am honored to announce that we are showcasing the best youth company in New York – Young Ambition.

What does it take to make a Young Ambition dancer?  That’s easy – take equal parts talent and personality and add a huge helping of charm and you’ve got a Young Ambition dancer.

Over the last thirteen years, Lilly Diaz has developed a top-notch team.  Through rigorous training in many dance genres, the dancers of Young Ambition are able to meet the challenge of extremely challenging and fast choreographies.

I first met Young Ambition in 2000.  Over the last three years, I have had the privilege of watching these very talented and charming children grow up into lovely young ladies and fine gentlemen.  Please join me in congratulating New York’s favorite youth company – Young Ambition.

presented to:

Addie Diaz
Choreographer
Addie-tude's
"Cachao Medley"

Michelle Santana
Choreographer
Young Ambition's
"Fosse Medley"

F. Thomas Guerrero
Choreographer
Santo Rico's
"Anniversary Medley"

• Audience favorites in 2002

Tonight’s showcase is dedicated to the choreographers.

Commemorative Plaque
This evening you have been witness to some of today's’ most innovative and technically diverse choreography.  While it is the role of the director to shape the creative direction of the dance company, the choreographer sets the tone and character of the company through movement and expression.

In “Cachao”, Addie Diaz explores our dance’s cultural roots while expressing the story of the song.  In the “Fosse Medley”, Michelle Santana highlights Young Ambition’s technical speed with a dramatic “Broadway” staging.  In the “Anniversary Medley”, Thomas Guerrero dazzles us with technically intricate movement while taking us on a dynamic rollercoaster ride highlighting seven years of choreography.

Please join me in congratulating three truly gifted choreographers.  It is through their creative vision that our dance and culture will continue to grow.

presented to:

Mario J. Gonzalez
Entertainer

• Meteoric rise to fame

• World renown instructor/dancer

• 5 year veteran

• Internationally known

Commemorative Plaque
Tonight, we are here to honor an individual who truly embodies the meaning of the word “celebrity”.

If you look up the word celebrity in any dictionary you will get a very simple definition.  A celebrity is a person who is famous or well known.  What the dictionary doesn’t tell you is how much?  How famous or well known do you have to be to be considered a celebrity?

Now there are those who insist that fame is an issue of seniority.  You have to “established” in your field to qualify as celebrity and that Mario B is simply too new in the scene.

There are others who insist that fame is an issue of accomplishment.  Some significant accomplishment has to have happened and that Mario B has not done enough to qualify as a celebrity.

Well consider this:  few artists in our field have had such a meteoric rise.  In less than three years, Mario B has performed and toured with 3 companies and 2 partners, toured Europe and the Caribbean, taught both locally and internationally, has established a very well-attended monthly social and is one of the original cast members of the Off-Broadway production “Latin Madness”.

If that isn’t enough, try this: he is probably the most memorable character you will ever meet.  His charm and good nature makes him a favorite of anyone who has ever had the pleasure of meeting him.

So, in true Mario B style, please join me in saying “Whatup Son!” to our most cherished celebrity.

presented to:

Jimmy Anton
Entertainer

• Producer of NY's longest running and most attended dance social

• Leader in bringing NY mambo to Asia

• NY's most popular DJ

• World renown instructor/choreographer

• Twelve year veteran

• Internationally known

[commemorative plaque text unavailable]

presented to:

The Con Sazon Family
Michael Clarke
Damaris Colon
Linette Colon
Christian Figueroa
Michael Figueroa
Eleanor Lopez
Faith Parris
Bud Rivera
Franchesca Rivera
Bridget Roque

• A special showcase presenting the history of The Con Sazon Dancers in a "dance-ical" format

Commemorative Plaque
Tonight, we have presented the story of the Con Sazon dancers – the best of the best.

Three years ago, if anyone had told me that I would be on this stage tonight…I would have never believed it.  Every morning, I give thanks to god for the journey I am on – where it has taken me and where it is leading.

I am truly blessed to be surrounded by the warm, giving and downright exceptional dancers on this stage.  When I did not have faith, they had faith in me.  When I was down, they picked me up and when the journey seemed too long, the light at the end of the tunnel too far away – they grabbed my hand and said “Together we will find our way through.”

There’s the family you are born into and then there’s the family you choose.  It is an honor and a privilege to open up my heart and call you all – my family.

I love you dearly.  May you always live happy, healthy and con sazon!

Angel Rodriguez
Director

• Pioneer of Power On 2

• Eighteen year veteran

• Pioneers in video marketing of NY On 2

• Internationally known

Stephen Shaw/Manny Siverio
Web Masters

• Developers of largest website dedicated to the On 2 lifestyle

• Set the standard for web-based salsa information

• Document and promote nearly 200 On2 instructors, performers, promoters and DJs

Carlos & Toni Mendoza
Directors

• Youth team & non-profit organization

• Co-producer (Carlos Mendoza) "Latin Madness" - NY Mambo's first "dance-ical"

• Winners of Tito Puente Scholarship Fund

• Internationally known

David Melendez
Director

• Director of numerous youth teams including The Heartbreak Boyz, Junior Heartbreak Boyz & The Sweethearts

• Producer East Coast Salsa Congress

• Producer NY Salsa Congress

• Founder & Director of NY's largest mambo dance school for children

• Eighteen year veteran

• World renown dancer/instructor

• Internationally known