Owner/ Instructor

Matt has been dancing Salsa (on2) since 2009, when his mother (Emeline) introduced him to the dance. He spent his early teen years taking countless lessons with some of the best instructors in the New York/ New Jersey salsa scene.

During Matt’s entire 4-year college journey at the University of Albany, he served as a member, lead choreographer, and president of Fuego Intenso - Albany’s largest latin dance team on campus.

Post graduation, Matt moved to NYC to further develop his skills as a latin dancer - in the actual birthplace of salsa on2. During his time there, Matt joined RUMBAYA, an advanced, co-ed performance team led by professional salsa dancer and 12x salsa world champion Delia Madera.

Currently, Matt resides in Chester, New York where he continues to spread his love and passion that he has for salsa ‘social dancing’.

Instructor

Emeline’s love of salsa music started as a little girl in Puerto Rico where she would spend most of her summers. At about 11 years old, that love for the music quickly turned into a passion for dancing “street salsa” in the Bronx, NY where she was raised.

It wasn’t until 2003 when Emeline was introduced to salsa on2, and she began taking formal lessons with some of the best dancers in the business.

Fast forward to today, Emeline has over 18 years of salsa on2 experience under her belt, and like Matt, she aims to help spread their joint love of social dancing to anyone open to learning.

Instructor

Jeremy, born and raised in Costa Rica, has always had a passion for music and dancing.

Fast forward to August, 2023 Jeremy was introduced to the style of Salsa on2 (NY Mambo) by Matt Hernandez. Under the guidance and training of MH Dance Co. Jeremy has successfully completed both Beginner & Advanced-Beginner class cycles, and continues to develop his salsa skills and techniques in Matt’s Intermediate Salsa classes.

In addition to taking countless group classes & private lessons with amazing instructors (including Matt, Marcus Nieves, & Diego Rivera) Jeremy also trains on MH Dance Co.’s co-ed salsa performance team “The Mambo Army”.

Jeremy’s long term goal is to continue sharing his passion and knowledge of dance with the current/future members of the MH Dance Co. family.

Instructor

Originally from the Bronx, Heidi Mercedes has been passionate about dance from a very young age. Since 2021, she has trained with some of the best salsa instructors, including Carlos Zafire, Jariel La Salsa, Matt Hernandez, and Diego & Yaritza. Her dedication to the art of dance has fueled her continuous growth, as she strives to refine her skills and expand her knowledge.

In addition to her love for dance, Heidi works as a dental office manager in New York City, balancing her professional career with her artistic pursuits. She remains committed to training and is eager to share her passion and skills with fellow dancers, always seeking new opportunities to learn and inspire others.

Instructor

Angelica’s love for dance began at a young age when she stepped into her first ballet class. That early spark quickly grew into a lifelong passion, leading her to join a dance company in high school and college where she trained in jazz, hip hop, modern, and Latin styles.

In addition to being a dedicated dancer, Angelica is also a passionate educator and currently teaches fourth grade. Her experience in the classroom has deepened her understanding of how young minds learn and thrive, which she brings into every dance class she teaches.

Angelica’s salsa journey began when she started taking Beginner and Advanced Beginner salsa On2 classes with Matt Hernandez. She quickly fell in love with the rhythm, musicality, and vibrant energy of the style. Inspired by her training and the supportive salsa community, she’s excited to continue her journey in this genre while introducing her youngest students to the foundational skills of salsa in a fun and supportive environment.

Combining her two greatest passions—dancing and teaching children—Angelica brings energy, warmth, and heart to every class she leads.