Mario has had an interesting start to what is now a MAMBO lifestyle! Mario was very athletic growing up through his grammar and high school years. He always wanted to learn how to dance MAMBO but was very hesitant due to his large athletic body. However, in 1999 a really good friend and High School teammate, Danny Useche (formally with Caribbean Soul) introduced Mario to Ismael Otero, "The Million Move Man." Mario was so inspired by what he had seen, and after having a conversation with Ismael, Mario was convinced that Mambo was for him and immediately signed up for two classes with Ismael Otero. Unfortunately, Ismael wasn't teaching those two days instead, there was a substitute. We've all heard about "Love at First Sight, well, Mario's first Mambo Lesson was "The Date from Hell". It didn't work out due to the fact that the class was slightly more advanced than Mario had predicted plus Mario and the substitute clashed on many levels! This left Mario even more determined to prove his point that size, shape, and color does not matter when it comes to MAMBO! Mario was down but definitely not out.

Now Mario had to find a class that was just as good as Ismael's but not as advanced. Mario was then introduced to one of the smoothest and most HUMBLE instructors in the Mambo scene, Greg Taylor. After a few days with Greg Taylor, Mario was in Mambo Heaven. Mario took classes with Greg for approximately 6 months and was eternally grateful to Greg for his time, patience and expertise, however, it was time to go forward and take on more of a challenge! Therefore, once again, he tried Ismael Otero's class. After taking a few classes with Ismael Otero himself, Ismael was so impressed with Mario, that he was asked to join the student group, "Caribbean Soul 2". Now THANKS to Ismael, Mario was introduced to the performing aspect of the Mambo scene! After performing with "Caribbean Soul 2" for approximately a year and a half, Ismael felt that Mario was more than ready to move up to his professional group "Caribbean Soul".

At the same time Mario was asked to join Abbey Plotkins, "The Mambo Mamas & The Papa". Mario was now the Mambo Papa! By joining "The Mambo Mamas & The Papa", Mario was given the opportunity to perform for what would become an instant hit, "Latin Madness" under the direction of Nelson Flores of Descarga Latina and Carlos Mendoza of "The Side Street Kids". Nelson felt that Mario would fit right in with this all-star cast of the Best Mambo Dancers on the East Coast! "Latin Madness" is an off-Broadway Mambo/Musical depicting the history of Mambo from past to present. With the opportunity of performing in "Latin Madness" gave Mario the ability to dance, work and share the stage with top professional groups like Descarga Latina, The Santo Rico Dance Company, Addie-Tude Dance Company, Abakua, Jai & Candi, The Mambo Mamas & The Papa and the Latin Jazz Ensemble. With stage experience and help from an acting coach, enabled Mario to appear in the movies "Empire" and "Kal-ho-naho". Mario also acted for the NY International Independent Film & Video Festival at Madison Square Garden.

In a short amount of time, Mario has come a long way to become a Professional Dancer, Choreographer, Instructor, and Actor. What's most amazing is that he achieved all of these goals with NO background in dance! It's true what they say, "Hard work does pay off!" Who would have thought that Mario would transition from a full time athlete to becoming a future Mambo Legend? The one regret Mario has had is not learning to dance at a younger age. That is why he is teaching and training his beautiful daughter, Diamond, to become a future Salsera!

Mario is very well respected and one of the most loved and adored dancers in the Mambo scene today!

Mario Justo Gonzalez
Professional Dancer, Instructor, Choreographer, Actor
Date of Birth: April 23, 1976
Birthplace: Hoboken, NJ
Ethnic Background: Puerto Rican/Cuban/Spaniard
Height: 6'0" Weight: 240lbs. U.S. Shoe Size: 11½
E-Mail: MarioB19@aol.com
Website: www.salsafeveron2.com

DANCEOGRAPHY

Host to “Salsa Fever On2” Socials, 2002 - 2003 - 2004
The Santo Rico Dance Company, 2003 – 2004
Latin Madness, 2001 – 2002 – 2003 - 2004
Mario B & Brenda, 2002 - 2003
Con Sazon, 2003
Latin Jazz Ensemble, 2002
Mambo Mamas, 2002
Caribbean Soul, 2000

Theatre, Television & Film

Kal-Ho-Naho, Foreign Film, 2003 - 2004
Latin Madness, Hecksher Theater, New York 2001 – 2002 - 2003
"Empire" The Movie, 2002
Hofstra University Latin Festival, Long Island
International Independent Film & Video Festival, New York
Onda Latina, Univision (ch. 41)
Mi Vida, Mi Musica, Mi Tierra, Telemundo (ch. 47)
The Diamante Show, Cable Network

U.S. Tours/Concerts

New York Salsa Congress 2005
Puerto Rican Salsa Congress 2005
1st Annual Connecticut Salsa Festival, 2005
7th Annual West Coast Salsa Congress, California, 2005
Chicago, 2005
Tampa, Florida, 2004
Mardi Gras Mambo, New Orleans, 2004 - 2005
NY/NJ Salsa Festival, 2004
New York Salsa Congress, 2003 - 2004
DC Salsa Festival, 2004
Arizona, 2004
Latin Madness US Tour, California, 2003
West Coast Salsa Congress, California, 2001 – 2003 - 2004
East Coast Salsa Congress, New York, 2001 – 2002
North Carolina, 2003
South Carolina, 2003
Puerto Rican Day Parade, New York, 2002
Maryland, 2002
Virginia, 2002
Atlanta, 2002
Salsaweb Convention, Washington D.C., 2001

International Tours

3rd Annual Korean Salsa Congress, 2005
Brussels International Salsa Congress, 2004 - 2005
Toronto, 2004
London Salsa Festival, 2004
Puerto Rico Salsa Congress, 2004
Hong Kong, 2004
Italy, 2004
London New Years Eve Weekender, 2004
2nd International Salsa Festival, Switzerland, 2004
Latin Madness International Tour, London, 2003
Salsa Inferno, Manchester England, 2003
International Salsa Festival, Manchester England, 2002 - 2003
Congresso Mundial De Bacardi, Puerto Rico, 2002 - 2003 - 2004
Salsa Congress, Dominican Republic, 2002
United Kingdom Congress, 2002
Congresso de Montreal, Canada, 2001

Shared Stage With:

Johnny Pacheco, Henry Casanova, Ismael Miranda, Yomo Toro, Pepe Castillo, Oscar De' Leon, Jose Alberto "El Canario", Ray Sepulveda, Frankie Negron, Jorge Luis, Louis Damon, Tito Rojas, Raulin Rosendo, Kevin Ceballos, Allen Alejandro, Miosotis, Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Jimmy Bosch, Ray Baretto & Adalberto Santiago.