Melanie Torres was born and raised in Spanish Harlem.  As her mother’s only child, she was encouraged to pursue a career in law or medicine.  While she always excelled in school, Melanie’s passion for dance could not be ignored.  All throughout high school and college she constantly took dance classes, but she did not discover her true passion, Salsa, until she was a freshman in college.  It was then that she was asked to perform a Salsa routine with her father.  Not wanting to admit that she did not know how to dance Salsa, Melanie called her father and asked him to teach her choreography in just two weeks.  She recalls that day as if it were just yesterday, “I’ll never forget my first performance.  It was at the Alpha Phi Alpha Semi-formal at Binghamton University.  I think my Dad chose one of the fastest Tito Puente tunes, or at least it felt that way.  But no other music had ever spoken to me like that before.  It was an instant connection and I quickly fell in love with this beautiful music and dance”.

While pursuing her law degree from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, Melanie performed with such Latin legends as Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, El Gran Combo, Ruben Blades and many other noted artists.  After passing and being admitted to the New York State Bar Association Melanie practiced law for a little over four years.  This was not enough for her.  Towards the end of her law career, Melanie met someone else who changed her life, writer/director Lee Davis.  With Davis, Melanie co-wrote and sold her very first screenplay to Miramax called “On 2”.  On 2 is a fictional story inspired by her father, Eddie Torres.  A new creative world was opened to her and she also landed a role in her very first feature film starring Danny Glover, Pam Grier, and Michelle Rodriguez. 

Shortly after selling her screenplay, Melanie opened up her own dance studio, Dance On 2, and has weekly Salsa lessons including Open Shine, Turn Pattern, and her very unique Ladies’ Styling classes.  “I never thought that I could affect so many people in a positive way doing something that brings me so much joy”.  She is also the Director of the world famous Copa Girls at the legendary Copacabana performing Tuesday and Saturday nights.  Melanie can also be seen at the Apollo Theatre this coming October as the choreographer and lead dancer of the very first ever play starring El Gran Combo. 

You can call Brenda a veteran in the Mambo community. She has been learning, performing and teaching for 11 years and has worked with New York’s best and most internationally recognized groups. The timeline starts with Ismael Otero. He was Brenda’s first instructor. She was there at Caribbean Soul’s inception and even gave the troupe its name. Fuerza Latina, under the direction of Luis Zegarra, was next for Brenda. It was with Fuerza Latina that she gained tremendous exposure throughout the US and abroad. Later, Brenda worked with Nelson Flores and members of his group Descarga Latina. She also performed in the Off Broadway sensation “Latin Madness” as a member of Santo Rico, directed by Thomas Guerrero. Brenda then taught and performed with Mario B before becoming a principle Copacabana dancer.  All roads lead to meeting and working closely with Melanie Torres both as a “Copa Girl” and now as an instructor at her school “Dance on 2 Studio”.
When asked what her philosophy is on Mambo dancing and instruction she states, “For me Mambo is about connecting to both your partner and the music. You’ve got to focus on the balance between feeling the music and making your partner look goooood. Don’t overthink it just FEEL it”.
“Dance with elegance, exude confidence and be sexy.”
Brenda Ramos

*Brenda can also be found teaching the 2nd and 4th Sunday every month at Mario B’s studio in New Jersey. For more information go to www.salsafeveron2.com. 

 
Jai Catalano is a salsa dancer, film and theater actor.  As a dancer he has performed with artists such as Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, Jose Alberto, Tito Nieves, Spanish Harlem Orchestra, and most recently at the Latin Grammy's at Madison Square Garden.  A few years ago Jai owned a salsa studio in New Jersey, created instructional dance videos and traveled the world gracing stages all over America, Europe and the Middle East winning several awards. Jai's was in the off Broadway show Latin Madness, a salsa dancical, that sparked his interest in acting. He is also the ESPN commentator for the World Salsa Championships.