Instructors
Marcus Gonzalez
Schedule a private lesson: marcusg404@gmail.com
A name in the world of Mambo on 2 that has become synonymous with grace, perfection, dynamics, invigoration, poise, and talent. As founder co-owner, and instructor of Salsa Salsa Dance Studio, Marcus Gonzales has certainly earned his reputation as a phenomenal dancer, magnificent mentor, and sensible and successful businessman. Marcus has an impressively artistic resume founded in his birthplace of Brooklyn, N.Y. and dating back to his teenage years when he began taking Jazz and Modern dance classes in a local studio. The streets of Brooklyn certainly expanded his dance skills as it is there he was exposed to House, Hip Hop and Freestyle music and dance. Possessing a profound concept of body movements, an ear for good music and an all around passion for dance Marcus began to gravitate to the sounds of Classic Salsa music, a genre to which he had been exposed as a child but could not truly appreciate until the early 1990’s. Hence was born Marcus’ desire to learn to dance Mambo.
Marcus began his Mambo training in 1998 at La Salsa De Hoy Dance Studio in Brooklyn under the instruction of the studio’s owner, Carlos Vasquez. One year into his training Marcus sought after Raymond Colon for instruction, with whom he continued to train for an additional two years. In 2001, Marcus’ thirst to expand his Mambo dancing expertise lead him to Eddie Torres for additional instruction. Being a natural dancer and constant seeker of self perfection in his art, Marcus continues to take a wide variety of classes to consistently improve upon his seemingly flawless talent.
Throughout the years Marcus has graced many stages, screens, and newspapers in New York and New Jersey. Beginning with him joining Arelis Baeto’s Tropical Image Dance Team in 2000 and partnering with Marisol Ramirez, owner of Latin Fever Dance Studio, he has been a creative force performing at various salsa socials, local Restaurants, & Lounges as well as other private and public venues such as the South Street Seaport, and G&G's. He has danced for salsa greats like Rey De La Paz and Orquestra Dee Jay. In fact his dance skills have propelled him as far as Cozumel Mexico when he took a well deserved 1st place prize cruise in a Daily News competition in 2008 at McCarren Park in Brooklyn.
Naturally capable of putting any student in their comfort zone, no matter what their history, background or skill-set, Marcus devoted his talents to the founding of Salsa Salsa Dance Studio in 2004. Marcus is known and loved for his ability to maximize the potential of any student who trains under his instruction. His instructors and Salsa Salsa Dance Studio as a whole is a reflection of the amazing efforts he puts forth to share his talents with all who come to Salsa Salsa for Mambo on 2 dance training. To continue spreading his love of dance throughout the Brooklyn and Tri-State Marcus aspires to open another studio in Brooklyn, as well as a Lounge. As perfectly stated in a 2008 interview with BCAT television, “Whether you’re a mambo master or a salsa square, Marcus Gonzales has the right moves to set the inner dancer within you free.”
*Special thanks to God, Family: Lucy Gonzalez and Ivan Gonzalez (Mom & Dad). (For your Love & Support), Friends: Dennis Campanella, Felipe Pedraza, and Wendell Knight. (For All of Your Business Advice & Guidance)
Jose Rivera
Schedule a private lesson: jrivera1053@aol.com
Jose is one of the hottest and dynamic dance instructors in the world of Salsa. Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York his parents stressed the importance of embracing his heritage. As a child people would come see Jose dance to the sounds of music emanating from his neighborhood. The crowds would gather just to watch him perform, and this was before he had any formal training. It soon became clear that this was a path he had to follow.
After several years of self-teaching, he sought instruction from some of the top instructors in the world of Salsa. Jose focused his attention into not only improving his own technique but in learning the secrets of breaking down steps. Years Of dancing have prepared Jose to break out on his own, and share his joy and passion for Salsa/Mambo with others. Jose compliments the technical aspects of dancing on 2, with a smooth and fluid style that'll make you the center of attention on any dance floor. After learning from Jose, your dance card will definitely be full whenever you go out.
Kelly Barrios 
Schedule a private lesson: kelly_alpfa@yahoo.com
is a New Jersey native and very proud of her Salvadorian roots. She has always had a deep interest in the media, entertainment, and of course the dancing world. As a child, her guilty pleasure was reading all the gossip magazines, which naturally led her to earning a B.A. in Communications from Pace University, NYC Campus. Even today, she admits to checking the daily celebrity sites prior to opening any emails. Her current role in People en español magazine’s Edit and Promotions, where she assists with monthly press outreach and facilitates media partnerships, allows her to do just that.
Always taking on new challenges and roles, she landed her life changing opportunity as “Kelly B.” working with J.I. Starr “El Sonido de New York” Sunday nights on 97.9 La Mega. Living a dream she did not even know she had, she researches and writes entertainment segments for the radio veteran and is blessed with the opportunity to have on air time on New York's #1 Latino radio station. This experience has led her to further pursuing a career in both radio and television.
In her true nature of being a jack of all trades, Kelly lives out her true passion on the dance floor. Since the time she could walk, she was always the first and last person on the dance floor at all her family gatherings. She has taken classes in many forms of dance including ballet, hip-hop, and belly dancing, but it was the salsa on 2 scene that took her breath away. After her first experience of being a wall flower at a social she quickly enrolled at Salsa Salsa Dance Studio, where learned her hair whips and hip shaking and molded it into her own elegant and unique style. She quickly rose from being a student to an instructor, after the owners Marcus Gonzalez & Jose Rivera recognized her natural talent and undeniable love for the art form. As an instructor for Salsa Salsa Dance Studio Inc, in Park Slope, Brooklyn, she is able to express her passion for music and teach students from all different backgrounds the intricate and sensual moves of the Salsa on 2 scene.
Ydhelca Perez
Schedule a private lesson: ydhe918@yahoo.com 
Ydhelca has danced all her life. Born in the Dominican Republic, Ydhelca was exposed to the rhythms and sounds of the “guira, tambora y accordion” from a very early age. She trained and got her degree from The Hunter College Dance Program under the direction of Jana Feinman and Kathleen Turner. She graduated with honors in choreography and went on to study and teach other genres.
Since then, Ydhelca has performed at Temple University as part of the DaCi (Dance and the Child International), City Center as part of the Fall for Dance Festival, The Kaye Playhouse, Project HAPPY, Dixon Place, Medgar Evers College, The Green Space, Triskelion Arts, Wings Theater and overseas in the Dominican Republic. Ydhelca has performed with Barbara Mahler, the IndoRican Dance Project, Larry Keigwin and Company and Charles Moulton amongst other artists.
She fell in love with salsa in 2006 when she attended Marcus Gonzalez' class at Salsa Salsa Dance Studio. Six months later she was teaching and could not stop salsa dancing. She has taught Salsa on 2, ladies styling, choreography and performance in different venues in Brooklyn and Manhattan. Aside from her choreographing and performing; Ydhelca is the Coordinator for the Upward Bound Program at Medgar Evers College where she teaches High School students Dance, Performance and Production. Ydhelca also choreographs for private events.
Currently, Ydhelca is choreographing a modern dance piece which will be shown at WaxWorks in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. She is training at the Mark Morris Dance Group School and the Alvin Ailey Extension. This summer, she will be dancing and training at La Bella Vita Arts in Tuscany, Italy and is excited to be back teaching at Salsa Salsa Dance Studio, the place where it all started.
Joseph Medina
Schedule a private lesson: jmedinaon2@gmail.com 
Joseph was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. Coming from a family of musicians and singers, he was exposed to the sound of Salsa, Mambo and Rumba from his early childhood years. His father was a percussionist in several Latin bands and his mother was a singer. Seeing his parents perform sparked his interest as a young teenager to follow in their footsteps. During his high school years, Joseph decided to explore the art of music as he was scouted and then drafted into the high school Latin/Jazz band. Soon enough, he was found singing and performing in various talent shows in school and could always be found dancing in the streets battling other dancers. By the age of 21, he took his dancing skills to the most popular clubs in New York City, break dancing and pop locking to the sounds of house music, free style and rap of the 80's & 90's. This indeed has given him all the inspiration and fire that is reflected in his dancing today.
Andy Mata
Schedule a private lesson: andyandy83@gmail.com
Brooklyn born and raised, Andy Mata has been a member of Salsa Salsa Dance Studio since 2005. His vibrant personality and non-stop work ethic gained him respect among his peers and the owners of Salsa Salsa Dance Studio. Andy’s talent has catapulted him into being one of Salsa Salsa’s latest instructors.
As an understudy of Jose Rivera, Marcus Gonzalez, and Ray Colon, he quickly picked up material and applied it into his own style. He brings a fiery passion, strong voice, and a unique teaching method to the Salsa Salsa family. With a memory like no other, if you ever forget a salsa step, he is your go-to guy. Currently a member of the dance team “Oroana”, you can catch him performing all over New York City.
Noel
Schedule a private lesson: mamborican@yahoo.com
In 2005, Noel decided to take a salsa/mambo classes at La Salsa De Hoy Dance Studio (LSDH). Little did he know, the impact this decision would have on his life. He studied at LSDH with instructor Abner Diaz and was immediately hooked on his classes. Salsa quickly became his passion. In 2006, he began taking classes at Salsa Salsa Dance Studio under the instruction of Ray Colon and Marcus Gonzalez. Shortly after, Noel also sought instruction from Frankie Martinez of the Abakua Afro Latin Dance Co. and the “Mambo King” himself Eddie Torres, both of which he continues to train with.
Noel’s dedication and drive to dance led him to learn very quickly. In less than one year after joining Salsa Salsa Dance Studio, his hard work was rewarded when he was asked to become an instructor and join the Salsa Salsa team. During his time at Salsa Salsa, Noel has matured into an accomplished dancer and instructor. His vibrancy and charismatic personality create the type of fun and inspiring atmosphere in which you would want to learn to dance. His students admire his patience and humble attitude, which has contributed to his success at the studio. So whether you have an event coming up or you just want to show off at the clubs, Noel will help prepare you for whatever your dancing needs may be.
