Mike Rodriguez

Mike Rodriguez embarked on his Salsa journey in the vibrant heart of Sunset Park, Brooklyn, NY, at La Salsa De Hoy Dance Studio. Under the guidance of his inaugural instructor, Mr. Carlos Vasquez, a luminary hailing from the prestigious Mambo Elite Dance Company, Mike immersed himself in the world of On2 Salsa. Beyond mastering the fundamental shines and leads, he acquired the art of infusing dance with the signature flavor, spice, and seamless grace for which Carlos was renowned.

After a year of dedicated learning with Carlos, Mike transitioned to training under the mentorship of Mr. Ray Colon, also at La Salsa De Hoy Dance Studio. Ray, known for nurturing the talents of Brooklyn dancers who would go on to establish their own dance studios, left an indelible mark. The studio served as a haven for creativity, housing the La Salsa De Hoy Dancers and later the Revelation Dancers, whose presence fueled Mike's relentless pursuit of improvement. Ray's tutelage introduced him to intricate footwork and smooth turns, enriching his repertoire of moves.

A year later, Mike's journey took a new direction. He founded his own dance group, Latin Reflections, crafting routines that showcased their acquired shines, turns, and creative ingenuity. This marked the genesis of his venture into choreography, igniting a passion for creativity and the development of a comprehensive dance moves syllabus. The art of choreography demanded immersion in the social dance scene, an unending process of learning from other teams, and understanding audience preferences.

In April of 2003, Mr. Carlos Vasquez presented Mike with the opportunity to teach at La Salsa De Hoy Dance Studio. This pivotal moment allowed him to refine his skills in shining, leading, and following, while honing strategies to effectively impart dance knowledge to students with diverse skill levels, abilities, and learning styles. During his tenure at La Salsa De Hoy, he had the privilege of visiting other instructors in the school, further enriching his dance education.

As the years unfolded, Mike seized the opportunity to train with other esteemed Brooklyn Dancers, including Arelis Beato of Tropical Image and Marisol Ramirez of Latin Fever. Collaborations with Arelis, including a performance at the Montreal Salsa Congress in 2002 alongside his dance partner Melody Andino from Dance Atlantic Studio, left lasting impressions. This period also marked the beginning of a long-lasting friendship and collaboration with Jessie Yip, formerly of Signatura Dancers and Tumi Mambo, and currently associated with Step Up Dance Studios.

Mike also underwent training and performances with Marisol's Latin Fever Dance Company, gracing various venues and congresses with their artistry. His tenure at La Salsa de Hoy Dance Studio also included teaching at Latin Fever Dance Studio for a couple of years, allowing him to collaborate with Marisol's son, Mr. Adriel Flete, a highly skilled dancer across multiple genres. Adriel's influence on Mike's choreography, particularly in executing breathtaking moves to captivate audiences, was profound.

While at Latin Fever, Mike crossed paths with Mr. Sekou McMiller, an invited choreographer, advisor, and collaborator in numerous Latin Fever routines. Sekou's guidance in executing moves and bringing a choreographer's vision to life added to Mike's repertoire. Their collaborations encompassed several performance projects, further enriching his dance journey.

In 2010, Mike had the privilege of participating in a performance project alongside Mr. Joel Dominguez and co-choreographer Ms. Melissa Rosado. This dynamic duo enabled him to elevate his technique, incorporating intricate turn patterns and styling into his repertoire. The collaboration culminated in three compelling performances with the team, featuring Joel Dominguez, Melissa Rosado, Maria Palmieri, Franklin Liranzo, and Elvis Collado, among others.

In 2010-2011, Mike reconnected with Jessie Yip, learning one of his exceptional routines. Beyond choreography, Jessie's expertise in stunts left a significant impact, empowering Latin Reflections to incorporate intricate stunts into their routines. Their collaboration extended to performances at various venues and congresses, including a routine presented at the 2023 Providence Salsa and Bachata Congress and the 2024 MDN Salsa congress

In 2011, Beatrice Miranda introduced Mike to the dance scene in Staten Island with the opening of On the Bay Dance Studio. In 2014, Simon and Riza of Dance Central NY took the helm of On the Bay Dance Studio, paving the way for ongoing collaborations with Dance Central NY across various dance events and continuing teaching engagements.

The years 2015-2016 marked collaborations with Andanza Dancers Ariel and Lulu, hailing from Cuba and Mexico, respectively. These seasoned dancers offered invaluable insights, tips, and strategies for executing technical moves and incorporating them into choreographies.

Over the years, Mike's journey saw him attending and performing at numerous congresses and festivals, partaking in a multitude of classes and workshops that expanded his skill set. His fortune extended to teaching a workshop and performing at the 2008 Philadelphia Salsa Congress.

Dedicated to staying current in the evolving dance scene, Mike undertook classes and participated in projects with luminaries such as Piel Canela, Shani Talmor, Melany Crystal Mercedes, Adolfo Indacochea, Angel and Stephanie, Eddie Torres Sr., Eddie Torres Jr., Amneris Martinez, and many others. Each of these talented dancers left an indelible mark on his dancing.

With boundless excitement, Mike looks forward to sharing his love and passion for dance, aiming to inspire the next generation of dancers on their own remarkable journeys.