My first impression, upon arriving to the Starlite Studio was that of an after school community center. Children were out front jumping rope and playing, while parents were leaving and arriving with their kids. The inside was buzzing with as much activity if not more than the outside. Parents were mingling with each other, children were heading to their perspective classes, the reception desk was a blur of activity and David was there overseeing everything like a Captain does over his ship.

Soon after arriving, David, like a proud Captain, gave me the tour of his "ship". The Studio comes complete with three different dance rooms (allowing up to three classes to be taught simultaneously), reception area, bathrooms and locker room. Children wear a simple uniform consisting of a red t-shirt and black bottom (pants or dress). David’s attitude is that it teaches kids that they are part of a team and avoids any clothes wearing competition common amongst school kids.

The Studio offers a program which includes Ballet, Tap, Hip Hop and Mambo. Ballet & Tap Class for kids ages 3-11 years old. These classes are broken up in age groups (3-4) (5-7) (8-11) and are taught by Miss Saleana. All of the mambo instructors have been taught by David. This way he ensures that all the children learn in a uniform manner. Mambo for Children Age groups are: (5-7) (8-10) (11-16) and are taught by Eddie Camacho, Artie Ythier, Wilma Santiago & David Melendez. Each instructor chooses two separate routines to teach their class. The music and the routines is selected and created by each individual instructor.

1. The Children's Monthly Disco Party for kids 12 years old or younger (no teens) and is held @ Side Street.

2. Monthly Practice Social Dance starting Sunday February 8, 1998 from 3-7 p.m. @ Starlite Studio.

3. Startlite Dance Studio Summer Camp for ages 5-12, starting Monday 6/6/98 to Friday 8/21/98, from 7:30 am - 6:00 pm Monday thru Friday (cost 65 dollars per week per child).

4. Starlite Dance Studio on Dancer’s Night Channel on Channel 68 on Bronxnet Every Tuesday at 12:00 Midnight, 9:00 a.m. & 6:30 p.m.

To sum things up, I would say that there is an overall positive and fun atmostphere present at David’s studio. The instructors I observed taught their students very professionally. They each had a sense of pride and joy in the technical accomlishments of "their kids". I could see how the students looked up to them as mentors and how they took great care in strengthening that bond of student/teacher. It should also be noted that eventhough David specializes in teaching children; he manages to run a successful adult mambo program. The growth of his adult student body has even surprised him, since he never deliberately seeks out the adult mambo market. I guess his reputation speaks itself. 

David's Style in a nutshell
If I were to describe David’s style of teaching mambo, I would have to say that its very much like David himself, clean, simple and direct. He strongly believes in the development of a strong solid basic foundation. To paraphrase David, he teaches a simple clean style of mambo. His goal is to develop student confidence for club and social dancing. If you want to know the fancy stuff, then he advises you eventually go to others. So if you want to keep your child off the street, channel their energies into a positive skill that will enrich their cultural identity, then I recommend David Melendez and his Starlite Dance Studio.