Mambo Women Of New York
-by Manny Siverio Introduction:
SALSA/MAMBO DANCERS "are" one of our most precious resources yet unfortunately
they also "are" one of the most neglected elements in the Salsa Scene. People often over
look the importance of the dancer. Everyone is guilty of this crime ranging from Club owners, bands, radio stations, promoters to even the general public. Yet without the dancer, there
would be no need for "SALSA CLUBS, SALSA MUSIC or SALSA BANDS". One cannot exist without the other. Its like saying who came first, the chicken (salsa music) or the egg (the
dancer). Bottom line its the Salsa/Mambo dancer who makes the music come alive. The goal behind Salsaweb was and still is to produce a site for all Salsa/Mambo dancers. I've seen the work, effort and expense which these dancers put into their craft first hand. The public
just doesn't realize the blood, sweet, tears and expense that dancers put into perfecting their skill. I hope that THE WRITER'S FORUM and SALSAWEB NY have become the beacon to shed the spotlight on the SALSA/MAMBO Dancing Community. Whether you are a mambo instructor, mambo performer or a social dancer, this site is for you. The MAMBO Women of New York
If I've said that dancers are neglected in general, then I think that female dancers have it worse than their male counter parts. New York Mambo Women work just as hard (in some cases even harder) as the men. Yet most women have a hard time teaching on their own, getting credit as choreographer, getting gigs to perform, etc. Its the men for the most part that get all the credit (not that they don't deserve it). Most women find it difficult to teach on their own because the general public (at least in NY) tends to think that men are better qualified to teach than women. Some women are fortunate enough to find counter-parts that recognize their true potential and showcase them as much as possible. For example, Maria Torres works with her famous husband Eddie, RMT instructor Addie Rodriquez works with her husband Angel and Side Street Kids Instructor/Director Toni Mendoza works with her husband Carlos. But women are not easily put down. There is a breed out there fighting the battle of the mambo-sexes on their own. Women like Evelyn Leon (deceased) helped pave the way for others like Evelyn Ramos who has been teaching on her own for a while now. Others like Addie Diaz, Iris Cruz, Jorday Rivera have also invaded the instructor circuit in what was once primarily a male dominated business. Then you have those who still perform like Maribel Maldonado. Finally, there are those that teach classes & privates; have traveled to teach workshops and still perform on stage as mambo dancers like New York's Addie Diaz and Addie Rodriquez. In New York its said that the woman makes the man look good on the dance floor. If you don't believe me just take a careful look the next time you seen a mambo performance and you'll understand what I'm talking about. WHAT'S ON THIS PAGE
Being a gentleman, I've focused first on the Mambo Women of New York. Next Month the Men will have their turn. Below please find a list of all the women featured on the New York Page to date. Each name provides links to material written on them so far. The list will be updated periodically. Names appear in alphabetical order according to last name. I dedicate this page to all the lovely women that grace the dance floor in the name of Salsa/Mambo.
sincerely,
Manny Brenda Bryd (Mambo Dancer/Performer) Audrianna Correa (Mambo Instructor) Addie Diaz (Mambo Instructor, Choreographer, Dancer/Performer) Edie Lewis (Salsaweb Editor-In-Chief) Toni Mendoza (Mambo Instructor) Maribel Maldonado (Mambo Dancer) Evelyn Ramos (Mambo Instructor, Dancer) Jorday Rivera (Mambo Dancer, Instructor) Addie Rodriquez (Mambo Instructor, Choreographer, Dancer/Performer) Jeannette Rosario (Cable TV Host a.k.a Diamante) Cecilia Williams (Mambo Dancer) | 