One of our own Salsaweb World Correspondents for Connecticut, owner of the Starlite Dance Studio and director of the Heartbreak Boyz, David Melendez has developed what is called in medical term a Malignant Mesenchymal Tumor. In laymen’s term he has Cancer.  

It is unfortunate that anyone has to deal with a disease that people understand can end your life, but it’s even worst when you know the person very well as we know Dave. 

David has been part of the Latin scene for 25 years as a dancer, performer, instructor and choreographer. He created the Starlite Dance Studio in 1992 and has been teaching children since the doors were opened. He has been a mainstay of our mambo scene and is one of our elder statesmen in New York City. He is cordial, and very respectful and he is one of our true gentlemen and it’s a shame that someone who is such a good person has to receive such a devastating disease. We know that David is very strong and he has a very positive attitude about this illness, and he will fight this disease with everything he has. In a couple of weeks he will begin chemotherapy and for most of you who knows someone that has gone through chemo you know that David will have a battle on his hands. He may lose his hair and feel weak but you can count on David still being very active in our Mambo Community as MC, promoter, dancer and his continue success of the Starlite Dance Studio.

It will be a rough year for him, so send a prayer and light a candle for a successful and speedy recovery.  David can be reached at Dmelendez@aol.com