Leo was born in the great state of New York from his Loving and always Salsa-dancing Dominican parents, LEO was raised in Santo Domingo from early childhood where he fell enamored with Latin music. The love and passion was embedded in his bloodstream by always being active in Latin events and activities since his parents always took him along. In the year of 1993 as LEO returned from Dominican Republic to The Bronx New York as a young teenager, he became very interested in getting involved in the community while attending high school where he took modern dance and hip hop classes and performed in several school events. One day after school while walking along Westchester avenue near Castle Hill Road he heard Salsa Music coming from a small building, his curiosity walked him right into the “StartLite Studio” where he saw a group of about 15 children no older than nine years old dancing to a choreography all with red T-shirts headed by instructor and owner David Melendez. David changed LEO’s Salsa Life forever, he will always be grateful and always miss him. David welcomed LEO with his kind heart and passion for Mambo, LEO promised him that he would try his best to learn more, to please be part of his studio, and that he would pay for classes as he could from his allowance and packing grocery bags at the local grocery store. David refused to charge him but in exchange wanted him to be on time to all classes and scheduled practices. They performed together at Lehman High School Latin events which propelled LEO to get more involved in creating choreographies, prepare events for his school happenings and local community to include teaching Salsa to elders at a Senior Citizen Center. LEO continued with his love for Salsa dancing at local clubs and establishments in The New York City and The Bronx areas to mention Latin Quarters, Jimmy’s Bronx Café, BBQ’s, Club Jet Set, Studio 84, and The Copa Cabana, and a few more. His passion continued by creating choreographies and performing for yearly Dominican and Puerto Rican Day parade events, and ASPIRA of New York. After moving to Virginia in 2001, LEO commenced dancing and teaching Salsa with SALSAVA Dance Academy headed by Millie and Sandra in 2004. While being bitten by the ON2 bug, the assistance and training from Dance Instructor Icons such as Griselle Ponce, Ana and Joel Masacote, Norberto Herrera, Eric Anthony, Shaka Brown and a few more, at the flick of a light switch we decided to stop teaching ON1 and convert everyone to dancing ON2. We were the first ON2 Dance Instructors in Virginia Beach/Hampton Roads area, the scene grew throughout the years were our dreams to build and continue to grow a loving and welcoming Latin Dance community evolved to what it is today; which we have been outstandingly proud of. The hunger for dance and to share his passion never ceased, LEO has joined forces with the great and outstanding Sentimiento Dance Company to share all his love and passion with as many dance lovers as possible so that our community can continue to grow and blossom as much as our hearts desire.