Interview of World Famous New York Mambo Instructor, Mr. Nelson Flores
By Edie, The Salsa FREAK

“OK … you got to ‘gab ‘da ‘gul, take ‘hu  ‘aahm… and go ‘ova, and ‘den ‘unda…” ….is typically what is heard at one of Nelson Flores’ packed group in upper Manhattan, New York. 

The year was 1997.  We were in Puerto Rico at the first World Salsa Congress.  I was behind my booth writing about the event as it was taking place. 

I was engrossed in my work, when out of nowhere, this very handsome man, dressed in a beautifully tailored Armani suit came up to me and with a very thick, heavy Bronx, NY accent asked, “Excuse me, but ‘aah you ‘da Salsa Freak?” 

I looked up, looked behind me quickly, then back at him, glanced to the right, then to the left, cleared my throat a bit, looked back at him, and fumbling around with my pen, replied “uh, Yes, and you are….?”  My pen dropped to the floor (along with my jaw).

He held out his hand and said slowly, “My name is Nelson.  Nelson Flores ‘fum New ‘Yawk.”  The way he presented himself to me was like I was meeting some kind of movie star.  Manny Siverio, our New York World Correspondent for Salsaweb had written and raved about his dancing and instruction, and spoke so highly of him as a person, that I couldn’t wait to meet him some day. 

I just didn’t realize it would be so soon!

“Save me a dance.”  He said.  “Uh…OK”.  I replied with a nervous smile, remembering that at the time, Manny told me that in New York, almost ALL the instructors teach and dance on the “Two”, and that they didn’t particularly like dancing on the “One”.

Back in 1997, being from Los Angeles, I had never been exposed to “Two” dancing.   I had only danced the “One”, and was absolutely TERRIFIED of dancing with Nelson…uh, I mean, “The Two” .J

I looked around the room, and quickly grabbed Luis Vazquez, my instructor, mentor, and long time friend.  “LUIS!!!  Luis!!!  OH Geez… LUIS!!!! 

“WHAT?”  He yelled back.

“OK.  Listen, we’ve got to practice how to dance on the Two RIGHT NOW!!!!”.  I couldn’t believe how I was acting.  Luis just looked at me, and asked “Why?”

“BECAUSE NELSON FLORES FROM NEW YORK WANTS TO DANCE WITH ME ‘ON TWO’ LATER ON TONIGHT AND I DON’T WANT TO LOOK LIKE A COMPLETE IDIOT!!!! “

After teasing me, giving me all sorts of GRIEF about Nelson, Luis took my hand and tried dancing with me on the “Two”.  It was a miserable experience for the both of us.  We seemed to be fighting for the count, and ending up on the “One” all the time.   (keep in mind, this was back in 1997.  Luis has since Mastered the “Two”, and even had our performance company, Salsa Brava, do an entire Number on the “Two” in 1999!) 

Well, the inevitable happened.  After watching Nelson dance with LA Instructor, Laura Canellius, I felt like fainting.  She had been dancing for years, knew Mambo, and thus knew the “Two” very well.  They looked so beautiful together.  Nelson saw me watching, and after the dance he headed toward me.  It was all I could do to hide.  He came up to me, extended his hand and asked, “You ready?” 

My mouth suddenly had no saliva in it.  I broke into a cold sweat.  I smiled timidly, took a big breath, held it for a moment, then slowly blew out.  “Oh geez.” I thought to myself.  “Well, here it goes.”   

“OK Nelson, go easy on me, I don’t know the Two that well.” 

“Don’ worry ‘bout it.  ‘Jus follow my lead.” 

Well, needless to say, I was COMPLETELY intimidated, but very very impressed with how well he could lead me, and stay on count (duh, he’s an instructor Edie… DUH!!!).  After a few seconds, I started feeling a bit comfortable, until he put me into a complex New York move that went haywire, but then placed me beautifully back on the “Two” once again after I regained consciousness. 

Dancing with Nelson was my first great “Two” experience.  I’ll never forget that dance.  Thank you Nelson, for making it a wonderful experience and very comfortable for me (why is it that I still get nervous dancing with you?)

Since then, I’ve visited New York quite often, and have always looked forward to taking one of Nelson’s classes.  To tell you the truth, just watching his group classes makes your head spin.  His teaching is fantastic, and his turn patterns, superb.

I’ve always admired Nelson Flores, not only for his dancing, but for this man’s teaching and group shines classes.  How he can make his NON STOP shines class completely aerobic, complex, physically, and mentally stimulating EVERY TIME YOU GO is beyond me.   It’s a thrill watching his advanced classes “get after it”.  You’ve got to be VERY ALERT and in SHAPE to survive the hour. 

We’re all looking forward to having Nelson teach at this Year’s Convention in Toronto Canada. 

Where are you originally from?
I am originally from New York. Born and raised in Da Boogie Down Bronx. My parents are from Puerto Rico 

How long have you lived in New York? 
All of my young life.

Do you do anything else besides teach dance for a living?  
I work for a web hosting company. I sell dedicated and colocated services.

How old were you when you became interested in dance? 
I have always dance since I can remember.

Who were your mentors / instructor(s) when you first started dancing? 
When I first started to go out dancing I met Angel Rodriguez ( Negro ) and his girlfriend Evelyn Leon . I saw them dancing and from that day on I wanted to dance just like them. I loved their style and the attitude that they brought out while they were dancing.

What got you interested in teaching?  Who encouraged you? 
I started dancing with Luis Zegarra dance company Fuerza Latina and he started to teach some classes and needed help with the classes and I started to help him teach the classes after a while people were interested in my style of dancing and decide to open a class with my dance partner at that time Addie Diaz.  

What other forms of dance or types of dances do you teach?  
Mambo and Cha Cha

Tell us a little bit about your style and methods of teaching. 
Well I feel that I have a mixture of Hustle and salsa together. I have learned from people that love to dance hustle and I have implemented some of the moves into the mambo. 

Who are some of your favorite dance partners, peers, and mentors? 
I have had the pleasures of dancing with most of our New York based dancers and I have found them to be very awesome in there own style. ( Maribel Maldonado , Stracy Diaz , Maria Tirado , Rocio Paz , Addie Diaz , Iris Cruz and there are others ).

 Tell us a little about your dance company, Descarga Latina.  Where have you performed, who are its members, when did you start the company, and how often do you practice?
Descarga Latina was formed in January 1998. All the dancers from Descarga came up through different teams while they were perfecting their craft. In 1995, A gentleman by the name of  Wilton Beltre organized his dance troupe called Santo Rico and gather us all up to be part of his company. The members of Descarga Latina are as of right now ( Nelson Flores , Maribel Maldonado , Stracy Diaz , Albert Zagami , Maria Tirado , Steve Seda, Jacqueline Munoz , Jesus Nieves and Nadeen Guatier). We have performed all over world. Italy, London, Amsterdam, Belgium, Turkey, Peru and all over the US. We normally rehearse twice a week.

Do you and your dance company travel abroad?  If so, where? 
Yes we do. We have performed in the following countries Italy, London, Amsterdam, Belgium, Turkey and Peru.

Does your dance company take any other type of external training, like Jazz, Hip Hop, or Ballroom? 
Our dance company have taken classes or are currently taking classes in Hustle, Hip-Hop, Jazz, and some Folklore dances.

What does your schedule look like for the year 2000? 
Very busy due to the fact that we all have full time job. 

Do you currently perform or compete now? 
We perform.  

What do you find most satisfying about teaching? 
When you see them in the club dancing and they are having great time. I watch them do the patterns that they had learned the week before and you see them telling the other students look at what I learned today.

One thing that impresses me about you is the amount of shines and turn patterns you know.  Where do you get all your teaching material? From everyone, my teammates 

What are your future plans for dancing and teaching? 
I have no idea where this is going. I am just enjoying the experience and the people that I meet and take it from there.

Do you think the Los Angeles style of dancing has affected New York style, and visa versa? 
That is absolutely correct. I feel that we have just elevated each others dancing to another level. We first met the Crew (Salsa Brava) at the 1^st Congresso of salsa. We saw these 3 guys doing some shines everywhere we were hanging out and they were relentless at ALL TIME they just kept going and going and going. I also knew that they were very  intrigued with our style as well. A special friendship has come out of all this.  

If you had to choose anywhere in the United States you’d like to live other than New York, where would that be, and why?  
New York , I love New York there is no place like home.

If you had to live your life all over again, what would you have done differently? 
Nothing 

If you got the opportunity to sit yourself down, and have a conversation with your “self”, what type of advice would you give “Nelson Flores”?  
Nelson , have some fun, life is short so enjoy it to the fullest.