Meet Our Staff
Jorday Rivera - Founder and Director of Mambo’s Finest
Phone: (718)-275-4386 email: mambosfinest@gmail.com
www.myspace.com/jordayrivera
Jorday Rivera has a clean, energetic style of dancing. She concentrates on various styling techniques from other forms of dancing and combines them into one, which is apparent in her dancing and teaching style.
As a teacher, she pays close attention to detail. She drills her students on a number of different steps, paying close attention to execution and technique. If a student is struggling, she gives thatr student additional help during breaks or after class. Jorday loves teaching and her goal is to have all of her students walking away feeling good about themselves.
In her styling class, women learn the techniques on how to execute various steps. Each styling technique is broken down into eight counts with each step. Jorday emphasizes the importance of styling in her class because the first thing people see when you are dancing is your “styling.”
Overall, Jorday has proven herself with her many years experience to be an excellent dancer and instructor. In efforts to share all of her experiences with her students, she displays a number of photographs from different events that she has participated in on what she likes to call her “Wall of Fame.” She takes pride in what she does and passes that attitude onto her students.
Tiffany Rivera - Creative Director of Youth and Adult Programs
Tiffany Rivera is Director and Founder of Mambo’s Finest Take 2, a not-for-profit children’s dance company born February 2003. Her mission as founder is focused on enhancing cultural awareness through dance, establishing positive and supportive life-long peer relationships as well as empowering children with the necessary shills to understand and appreciate the importance of education.
Having studied numerous forms of dance, Tiffany is flexible, has excellent speed, and the ability to grasp material quickly and execute it flawlessly. She is often complimented as a “Natural.” She swiftly accelerated in dance class, becoming a member of several well-known dance teams and became an instructor, a choreographer and, ultimately, a director of her own dance company. Tiffany has performed with numerous famous artists such as the late and great Tito Puente and Celia Cruz, in a variety of venues, including Madison Square Garden. Tiffany has also participated in various Congresso’s de la Salsa all over the world.
She has spent the last five years as an instructor in Jorday Rivera’s Dance Studio, a well-known dance studio, owned and operated by older sister Jorday Rivera. She has developed a reputation as a disciplined instructor with a “Can-Do” attitude. The success of the two sisters as dance instructors has lead to the creation of a professional adult dance team appropriately named “Mambo’s Finest”.
Tiffany passion for dance, love of children, and background as a peer counselor at a local community house fueled her desire to give back to the community. This led to the creation of “Mambo’s Finest Take 2”, her first solo endeavor.
Daziann Rivera - Youth Salsa/Mambo and Hip Hop Instructor.
As an instructor I am firmly believe in tough love. I always make a promise to my students that they will become the best dancers they can possible be if they follow my instructions. I will give them absolutely all I have. All I ask in return is dedication, trust, and loyalty. I take proud in my classes and ensure they will always be progressive and fun. Dancers aren't made of their technique, but their passion.
I am currently dancing for Fusion’s Finest Dance Co. as a primary dancer. We are a mixed group of individuals who specialize in Salsa, Mambo, Hip hop, Modern, Cha cha, and Funk. We are a motivated and loving family and give as much time as effort needed to perfect our skills. We will see you on the dance floor.
Why do I dance? ...Why do I breathe?
Daziann Rivera
Jayna Perez, Stephanie Feliberty
Front Desk - Studio Manager
Maxine Vasquez President, Pamela Cortes Vice President, Jennifer Feliberty Treasurer, Nancy Casanova Secretary
Parent Commitee Officers
Rafael Ortiz - Mambo Instructor
Layla - Belly Dance Instructor
Her passion for Middle Eastern dance lead her to study with other masters of this dance form such as Yousry Sharif, Ramzi El-Edlibi and Elena. Layla has performed in Egypt, Europe, Canada, and the Caribbean as well as the East and West Coasts of the United States. She is known for her precision in technique, expert finger cymbals and enthusiastic audience interaction. Layla was also a member of Kismet Dance Ensemble, an international dance troupe, presenting dance pieces from the Middle East, Africa and Spain, which appeared in such esteemed venues as Queen Central Library Concert Series and United Nations events.
Currently, Layla is a member of The Sword and the Veil International Dance Ensemble as well as teaching/performing throughout the metropolitan area. A graduate of Queensborough School of Nursing, Layla has earned her RN license and incorporates her knowledge and awareness of the importance of movement and activity into her classes and demonstrations.
Kazja - Belly Dancer Instructor
As a performer Kazja is mesmerizing to her audience and captures the pure essence of the dance. She possesses the talent of using finger cymbals, veil, cane, sword and the beautiful Wings of Isis but is predominately known for her breathtaking candle tray balancing and dynamic drum solo's. Kazja is a sought out performer, choreographer and instructor. She presently performs at numerous middle eastern restaurants, lounges, night clubs and private events.
Her passion for this enchanting dance goes beyond performing. She presently teaches 10 classes and is still expanding. Kazja is an instructor of beginner through advanced performance levels with opportunities for her students to perform at restaurants. In her classes her students are closely evaluated and receive individual attention to correct form and posture building the strong foundation required of this dance. Along with her technique and performance classes Kazja lets off steam with her bellydance fitness classes. This class allows the students to get more exposure to fast travel steps and build up the stamina needed for a full bellydance performance along with hard core isolations to tone the body. Workshops are given throughout the year to concentrate on specific topics such as shimmy, veil, choreography, improvisation, candle tray/sword balancing and much more. Kazja presently teaches in Forest Hills, Queens at "Jorday Rivera's dance studio"
Priscilla Velazquez - Ballet,Tap Instructor
As an instructor I try to instill a strong foundation of technique in my students. I challenge my students yet make sure they are enjoying themselves. I take pride in knowing my students can leave my class knowing the basics as well as having an appreciation for the steps they learn.
Nicole Vazquez - Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Salsa/Latin Instructor
Alexis Valerio Hip Hop Instructor
From the earliest stages of his life, Valerio has been intoxicated with music and dance. He has been training as a professional dancer for past 8 years. "I'm like an actor, once the music comes on I turn to another person instantly"- Valerio. Alexis has dance from subways stations in New York to the Hollywood and Vine streets of Los Angeles giving him the ability to serve the best of the east and the west coast. He has propelled into a magnificent dancer that not only is passionate about dancing but also very ardent about teaching. He pushes his students to bring out their inner emotion while exploring the rhythms and lyrics of the music. At the age of twenty Valerio has inspired many people and knows that this is just the beginning of his career of as a dancer/choreographer.
Marcos Polonia Salsa Instructor
His first steps were learned at the Jorday Rivera dance studio, which adds an element of authenticity and continuity to Jorday's studio that most studios today lack.
After taking a small break to focus on a career in music as well as exploring other styles of dance & self-expression such as Capoeira & Samba, Marcos has returned to share his passion and expertise with our beginner level students.
"A strong basic will set you apart from what has become a world of cookie cutter salsa dancers", says Marcos.
Jorge Suren Hip Hop/Salsa Instructor
Tava - Belly Dancer & Belly Fitness Instrucutor
Diana Krawiec - Ballet,Jazz, Tap, Pointe & Lyrical Instructor
Zavivah - Belly Dancer & Mini Belly Dance Instuctor
Driven by the freedom of expression and freedom of spirit that dancing can manifest, Zavivah has dedicated herself to the study of the Middle Eastern Dance art form through studying with notable teachers and Master instructors such as Kazja, Tava, Nourhan Sharif, and Layla Mary. She continues to study and attend workshops in order to foster personal growth in the dance, and to offer her students the best of her knowledge and skill.
Well versed in established dance show formats, Zavivah can deliver eloquent performances using an array of props which include candle tray, sword, veil, fan veils, and zills.
Jazzmine Randolph - Hip Hop & Modern Instructor
I have taught hip-hop classes to youth at Queens’s community house beacon program as well as at a multitude of afterschool programs. I have also taught adult hip-hop here at Jorday’s before, as well as, trained here. At Jorday’s I am family! I danced exclusively with the renowned hip-hop dance crew N2K for 4 years and after a brief intermission I have rekindled my relationship my first dance family. Through teaching hip-hop I share my passion with others and not only do I teach the moves but I model how to respect the beautiful art of dance. I plan to continue to share and follow my passion for dance to newer and higher heights and train until the end of time!
Erica Joan - Belly Dance & Yoga Instructor
Isis - Pole Dance Instructor
Mikaela Olsson - Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, & Brazilian Samba
Brandon Smith AKA B Swizzle - Break Dancer & B Boy Instructor
Perlie Abdie aka Kyah - Fitness and Belly Dance Sub Instructor
Parallel to her dance training, Kyah began preparing herself for a figure bodybuilding competition in 2011. In May of that very same year, she won first place at the OCB Tri-State Bodybuilding, Figure Championships. Today, Kyah keeps training as a natural figure bodybuilder and hopes to compete in Las Vegas in 2012 and bring home another trophy. As a belly dancer, she continues to improve her technique, training on zills, cane, veil, double veil, Chinese fan veils, candle tray, and sword. She understands that the mastery of this beautiful art form will take her constant dedication, discipline, and most of all PASSION!
Eddie Pino - Salsa & Mambo Instructor
Mr. Pino’s mission is to spread this Latin traditional dance to ultimately draw everyone into an active theater experience, to excite their minds and to tickle their imagination.
As an independent artist and performer highlights include performing in: HBO’s Showtime salsa production, recording artist/arranger Chayanne’s music video “Dance with Me” with Vanessa Williams, a season of dancing in the soap opera “All My Children” and numerous performances in the New York Copa Cabana Nightclub. Mr. Pino’s dance experience included the following companies: Eddie Torres Dancers, Razz M Tazz Dance Company as well as Abakua Latin Dance Company. As a dancer in these companies he was fortunate to perform with many musicians and bands on tour, in Madison Square Garden and in congresses. Bands like Eddie Palmieri, Jose Alberto “El Canario”, the late Tito Puente, the late Celia Cruz, the late Pete El Conde, Johnny Pacheco, Los Adolescente, Gilberto Santarosa, Tito Nieves, El Gran Combo, Millie Quesada, Orchestra de La Luz, Marc Anthony, Oscar De Leon and many more. Under the direction of Eddie Torres he assisted in master classes, workshops and lecture demonstration for different events. Performances to highlight include: Tito Puente’s 100th Album Celebration, Concerto Del Amor, Roseland with the Nicholas Brothers and a Mambo extravaganza opening for the World Ballroom Championship. Current projects consist of collaborations with members of the New York salsa community and private coaching.
Katja Krizan aka KK - Ballet/Jazz & Tap Instructor
She moved to NYC with big dreams, a lot of passion and enthusiasm to succeed. With entering the International Dance program at Broadway Dance Center in Manhattan, NYC she became a part of big dance industry that New York City has to offer. After 6 months of program she achieved a Certificate of Excellence. And that was when everything just started to go up for this amazing, funny and always positive dancer. Training with the biggest choreographers in the industry so as Jermaine Browne, Rhapsody, Deborah Wilson and Derek Mitchell gave her knowledge and motivation to become one of them. She performed twice (the second time was recently in November 2011) at the biggest dance event in the city Carnival, which is known worldwide. Back in 2009 she had a chance to experience Victoria Secret Fashion Show live. She was also participating as an assistant and guest choreographer at Deborah’s Wilson Audition Workshop 1O1, with some of the big names of industry so as Robert Taylor Jr. (finalist of SYTYCD season 8) and Jamie Jackson Jr. Always inspired by creativity and ready to share all her knowledge with her students she is excited to take part as a teacher at Jorday Rivera Dance Studio. -Dance like no one is watching, dream like you will never have to wake up.-
Twanna Wisdom
Silvana Marquina - Samba & Yoga Instructor
Angelica Deoleo
Jorday and Tiffany inspired many philosophies I currently hold towards the beautiful art of dancing. I was taught strength, endurance, and all the technical details of dance from them. It is their confidence that I find endearing and although I have left for stretches at a time to pursue my education, motherhood, and a career; it is this that draws me back. I learned that it’s really what each dancer brings from within themselves to each dip and jump that makes a dance special.
I hold a degree in Psychology from Queens College and through my studies I developed a strong belief in the mind body connection. Dancing, creating art with your body, for me, translates into positive energy that carries over into all aspects of my life.
Susan Dunca
