Rose Knows: What inspired you to start this dance troupe?

Lily: It started 13 years ago with 3 little girls. Working at a non-profit dance school - I was with a ballet company. The school wanted an end of year recital, so for 5-6 months, everyday we trained. At the end of the term, the school had no space and the show was too long. The kids were devastated, they gave up their free time, and I felt it wasn't fair that they weren't allowed to showcase it somewhere, so I looked around for talent shows. Found one in Brooklyn to win $1000 first prize for amateur dancers and they won it. The kids didn't want to stop there, they wanted to do another no. (hip hop and jazz in 1988 -- salsa was not in Manhattan, was more latin hip hop, freestyle with latin artists - no salsa, just hip hop & jazz routines). Then I started getting other kids to start rehearsing and they paid weekly dues by bringing a quarter at the end of the week to get costumes. What they didn't realize, being kids, was that 75 cents would not pay for their costumes… I would put own money in to get jazz shoes; also, none of my kids have regular ordinary clothes - they had their dance shoes, knee pads and professional costumes from the beginning so they would feel professional and would want to work. Everyone who joined had to audition; and who came in had to have some kind of experience. I was into ballet, but if they were into any kind of dance (jazz or gymnastics), they could join. Originally, they peformed at Festivals and street fairs… the original name was "Creative Dancers". At that time, they hadn't planned on doing a group but because of the time they spent -- 3 hours every day after school, parents agreed since they knew where there kids would be. They were all inner-city kids, "El Barrio" East Harlem Manhattan… None of these kids were forced to dance, you didn't have to come to class or do a show -- these kids voluntarily decided to do this. They would call me about rehearsals (if I didn't have a show for my own company). I committed to being with them, so when they saw my commitment, they felt committed. They practiced 3-6 pm Monday to Friday after school. Whomever came plus their friends - 60 kids performed and broke into little groups and I would rotate them.

Then in 1992, they changed the name to "Young Ambition" since it had evolved and they even had boys in the group. They started to do fundraisers for other groups in the area.

In 1994, they met Angel Rodriguez from Razz-M-Tazz Dance Company; he was hosting a 6 week salsa/mambo program at the Beacon Centre where they used to rehearse. They were a tight unit with ballet and jazz training (6 dancers) -- Michelle has been with Lily for 7 years. Salsa Craze was the only Manhattan team, all other groups come from Bronx (Side Street Kids, Starlight Dance Co., Heartbreak Boyz)… At this time, she made it mandatory to take salsa lessons after rehearsal -- every Saturday morning from 10 am -12 noon. Young Ambition were the only kids to show up every week, then became the only kids left in his classes. He couldn't believe how fast they could pick up the moves that he decided to teach them one of his routines. They learned it in 3 days (salsa/mambo). Then Angel started taking the kids to perform at his gigs in Side Street, the Brooklyn Academy of Music, Williamsburg and he opened up doors in the latin scene for them.

They originally only performed in Brooklyn and Bronx (they never traveled outside of Manhattan), so they created a stir. They did jazz and hiphip, not just salsa - then built up a reputation as a latin dance co. In December, 1998, when Gildred Ribak was in Dancesport -- two kids entered a mambo contest for the movie, "Dance With Me", 1st prize was a year of free lessons at Dancesport. They were so amazed at the talent of the kids, she decided to accept them all at the school and gave them all scholarships for the year.

Gildred introduced them to Eli Izarry who asked them to send a tape and he fell in love with them and brought them to the PR Bacardi Congresso. They met people from NYC who didn't know who they were, such as Mambo Mamas and Caribbean Soul; and then they got invited to the socials, the West Coast Congress in 1999; then one Congress after another, then performed and represented the US in the Olympics for the Performing Arts in Hollywood and won the Gold Medal and overall Trophy for the event out of 1400 dance companies (August 1999).

They they had a 3rd year with the Congress, then the Montreal Congress, Switzerland in November, more tours, then helped other kids by putting out salsa videos for children, beg/int/adv for kids who want to learn salsa and don't know where to go, esp. in Manhattan since there were no schools. Also, Lily wants to open up her own studio by next year so she can get more kids in and expand the classes -- they work weekends, when school is in session, and when it's summer (and they're not traveling), they start at 10 am to 6 pm.

It's now Lilly's full-time job, she also works for the Board of Education and teaches jazz and ballet and mambo in the School System in Manhattan. As they age, a lot of them want to stay on and continue to learn the technique. And with the 21 year old dancer, they will form the Total Ambition Dance Company, for the adults from 21-28 years old (18+ if they look mature enough and not like kids). She teaches now and is an Assistant Choreographer; she does partnering classes, Lilly does jazz and ballet. They all do technical classes first and do mambo last. Michelle is going into college in September, helps out full-time with the kids and also gives out private lessons from what she has learned throughout the years. The 14 and 15 year olds are also helping out with the class so they can start gaining the experience to teach so they have something to fall back on. They can make extra money from that, but she also stresses that they shouldn't make dancing their no. 1 profession without having something else.

For Lily, dancing is her life, (29 years of ballet), but she also had something to fall back on just in case, Masters in Dance and Business Management. So the kids have to keep a certain average before they can perform anywhere. She gets copies of all the report cards and the kids are on contract for one year. She discusses it with the parents first, then it depends on how well they do in school and their attitude. With parents that help out… she's teaching them to become responsible young adults -- they don't just dance, but their schoolwork must be up to par, and they must listen to mom and dad, even if they are the best dancer on the team, they have to be a role model for each other from the oldest to the youngest. They are role models for their age groups. Her goal was to keep these kids off of the streets and give them a positive outlook. It's more NY and Manhattan - gives them an alternative to drugs, pregnancy and jail for latino kids and afro-american children. There are more and more kids groups and it gives them something to do and keeps them busy so they don't have time to hang out.

Their Dance Routines - They do 3 routines a year (1 year in advance) with tricks and lifts. With kids, it takes a little longer to learn them because they're afraid of heights, or afraid of being thrown and not caught. They develop that first, then the shines together (that's the easy part) and the partnering.

Afro-Cuban No. - Aguanile (water and power with grace) in afro-cuban - they heard it aruba religion. Singing to the gods, so they're dancing to the gods - they do it barefoot - very African theme. The history was given to them - who they are dancing for, what they had to do and interpretation of how they would come out. The kids gave their own interpretation of how they wanted to come out.

Last year's no. Machito - the eldest kid choreographed that no. she wanted a broadway style showpiece. Different entrances and partnering, basic shines and mambo, showgirls, three-some, little one being showcased. It took a year to put together with lots of changes. They've never had any major injuries, just a pull of the ligaments once inawhile. They always spot for lifts or partnering alone.

Where is it going in next 10 years?

Lily: It's hard to say with a kid's company because by that time, some will be 25 years old. Hopefully they will be in my company as adults, as teaching, expand and do other things in the dance world, or own studios or dance teams, hopefully, keep the roots going.

When they tour Italy and Europe, it's growing. Are there other kids dance teams? Such as Venezuela… It starts with the kids… Venezuela brings them to PR for the dance school recital showcase.

For Young Ambition - they get to go on TV, they get to travel to places. It's an opportunity for them to see how other cultures live and how other kids live in other countries -- a life experience they can't get taught in school. She was very fortunate and glad she has the opportunity to be able to direct them and take them where they're going. Can't imagine what these kids would be doing.

And where would Lily be right now? She would be retiring from her own career in ballet right now… but can't imagine what these kids would do without dance as she knows all their problems and their family life.. They hope to go to Africa in 2 years with Albert Torres to their roots - that's where it all started for all latinos, Puerto Ricans, Venezuelans, Haitians and Cubans.

According to Lily, styling is from Puerto Rico - PR is a mix of Indian tejano, African and Spaniards - then go back to Africa - dancing for their god and freedom.

NY came out of the hustle, and on 2 is more for performance.

The Dancers of Young Ambition


Rose's Comment: It was quite hilarious interviewing the kids as they were pretty honest in their answers. It was also fun to see they were as crazy about salsa and dancers as much as the adults were. It was almost no different than talking to your fellow dancers about other dancers.


Curache, 14 years old -- 1 year with Young Ambition - "my friend, Shakira, her mom told my mom about it and I auditioned for the group."

Melissa - 14 (4 years with YA) - "a friend in her school joined, so she joined with her."

Brian - 15 years old (2 years YA) - "his friend from school, Melissa. He used to dance hip hop, ballet and modern (never knew salsa)."

Lori - 18 years old (2-1/2years with YA) - "my friend was in the group…"


Rose: How come they're still in the group and their friends aren't…

Kids: "You need to be really dedicated… the others gave up… they have the salsa bug.. addiction… They practice 5-7 days a week, everyday for 4-5 hours…on Sundays -- all day…

Rose: So if you're not always together, do you sometimes practice on your own at home…

Kids: OH YES, OF COURSE! Definitely, we go to each other's houses. Even if the directors and principal dancers are away for 10 days and there are no rehearsals, but she was still practicing everyday.

Rose: So how do you fit in schoolwork then?

Kids: "It's really hard but if you love something, you find a way to do it."
During school they only practice on the weekends, but in the summer it's every day.
Travel on holidays or weekends. Always practice in their free time. At the congressos, they enjoy dancing with all the other dancers. More exposure. Pick up things. You look up to people… adult dancers…

Rose: Who are your idols?

Brian - Johnny & Olivia - his stage presence and they make themselves 1 unit…

Melissa - Papa Tambour, Salsa Brava, Brenda Byrd is her idol as a female dancer - wants to be just like her (Jayson Molina's partner)

Kids: Vivien from Papa Tambour, Caribbean Soul, Natalia from Caribbean Soul

Rose: Have you ever gone up to your idols for a dance?

Kids: Yeah… That's why they love the congresses to meet up and dance with the great dancers. They also learn and get inspired by the Venezuelan dance teams.

(Then a few other kids finally showed up...)

Tina - 10, Michelle (21),

Andrell (15) - 4 years… his mother got him in…. he has too many idols… and doesn't know their names…

Shakira (11) - 1-1/2 years… lady mom knew and gave card to audition… some dance background - some jazz, tap, flamenco and ballet for 8 years…

Chrisa - 7 years old (8 months with YA), my mom went to the Congress and lady gave her a card and audition…. She knew salsa with Gildred…

Michelle (eldest) - someone gave Lily a call with no dance background - 7 years.