I’m originally from Puerto Rico living in the United States since I was 5. I started dancing when I was 9, mostly to R&B music. Having lived all over the U.S., I learned to enjoy all types of music.
Other hobbies I enjoy are going to the gym, jogging, golf and bowling. In bowling, I started late in life (already an adult) but I learned to enjoy it and soon found myself coaching in the Youth programs. There’s nothing like helping a youth succeed and watching their smile grow as they accomplish their goals.
I retired from the U.S. Navy after 20 years of service in 1998 making the Tidewater Area my home. In May 2002 I was introduced to Shag via a news broadcast of Beach Music Weekend in Virginia Beach. I soon found myself at Boogie On The Bay Shag Club taking lessons from Tom Edwards and Marsha Ruth; that was 14 years ago as of this writing (2016). I’m still taking lessons from Tom & Marsha as well as helping with the beginners and intermediates. And now my wife and I teach at Colonial Shag Club in Newport News, Va.
The Shag world brought me into contact with many wonderful people; people that have become like family where we enjoy memorable times on and off the dance floor.
The Shag World also introduced me to a lovely woman, my wife Vonda, that is now my lifelong companion and partner in Shag. Together we have volunteered our time to chair events like our Shag club’s Christmas dance, setup and breakdown at Halloween dances, June Bug Boogie workshop and dance, our famous February Bash, as well as selling the 50/50 tickets at all of these events year in and year out.
In addition, I served as VicePresident, and, as recently as last year, President of Boogie On The Bay Shag Club. I stepped down after one year to devote my energy to pursuing the Junior Shag Program in the Tidewater area.
Junior shaggers are the future of our dance. I’m proud to be a Board Member of the Virginia Junior Shaggers, Inc. and look forward to helping the program grow in any way I can.