Billy Fajardo:

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In the 1970's, an inspiring dancer named Billy Fajardo, formed a dance company called the Dance Dimensions. Later on he would changed the name to the Disco Dance Dimensions, then back to the Dance Dimension to stay current with the trend - where Hustle was starting to lose its appeal in the mainstream dance community. The company featured a Hustle and Broadway review. This style of performing - set them apart from other Hustle dance review teams of the times. Billy's high energy dance troop traveled the world and appeared weekly on the televised Don Kirshner's Rock Concert. Billy competed on Dance Fever with Sandra Rivera and in many of the top competitions during the disco era. Today he is the president of the IHDA, teaches, performs and competes with many partners one being his previous partner Katie Marlow (ROUTINE). Together at one point ranked in Black Pool England and won numerous world titles including the World Professional Ballroom Theaters Arts Championship. Billy organizes many national dance events today including the annual International Hustle Salsa Championships.

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Sandra Rivera: 

 

One of the earliest hustle pioneers and first hustle theater arts performer, Sandra partnered with Billy Fajardo and was a principal dancer with the legendary troop, the Disco Dance Dimensions. She also starred on the popular televised series "Don Kirshner's Rock concert" for several seasons.  Along with the other troupe members, she performed all over the USA and abroad. She represented NYC on Dance Fever and also partnered with Dino Georgio. They formed a dance troop with Lisa Nunziella & Danny Llaurado and successfully competed on Star Search (ROUTINE).

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Debbie Guzman Ferro: 

 

Dancer extraordinaire, Debbie Ferro has been dancing practically her entire life.  With a strong foundation in ballet (10 years), she is one of Hustle’s most dynamic dancers to have hit the scene.  She was sought after and worked with such dance companies as the original Latin Symbolics, The Dance Dimensions, and The Ralph Lew Dance Company.  She has traveled extensively throughout Europe and the United States to perform.  Debbie’s dancing earned her the prestigious South American Dance Championship title with partner Franc (Perico) Reyes.  While working with Billy Fajardo and The Dance Dimensions, Debbie and Perico performed on various television shows such as Midday Live, Soap Factory, The David Susskind Show, and NBC’s Don Kirschner’s Rock Concert, just to name a few.  Notably, after a long hiatus from dancing, in 1998 she auditioned for Spike Lee and earned a principal dancer role in his feature film entitled “Summer of Sam”.  She has also been seen in the judge’s chair at several major dance events. (ROUTINE)

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Hector Berrios:

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As the disco era took stride, Hector was compelled to compete and put his talents to the test by  joining forces with Jacqueline Cruz. They became an incredible hustle team. In one contest they took first place at The Boys Club competition defeating Eddie and Lourdes. The judges at the competition were none other then the Disco Dance Dimensions (Billy Fajardo, Sandra Rivera, Franc Perico Reyes, Debbie Ferro). So impressed with Hector and Jacqueline's style and showmanship, they were invited to join the dance troop. The Dance Dimensions would grow to three dance teams. (ROUTINE)

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Luis Rivera: 

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I started my dance journey with the Latin Symbolics, a group that gave me my first taste of the stage and the thrill of performing. It wasn’t long before I caught the eye of the Disco Dance Dimensions, and they recruited me into their troupe. That’s when things really took off.

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With the Dimensions, I got to light up stages all over the world. From the glittering halls of New York City to the clubs and theaters across Europe, we brought the hustle to life and made sure the party followed us wherever we went. Whether it was late nights at the Ipanema and Roseland or shows on the glamorous streets of Paris, we always found a way to get people moving.

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Eventually, though, the time came to hang up my dancing shoes. It wasn’t easy, but I knew I had another adventure waiting. I shifted into the world of computers and data processing, learning coding and tech with the same drive I once brought to the dance floor. Over time, I built a whole new career in the digital space.

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Even though I worked in technology for many years, the dancer in me never left. I still carry that rhythm inside me, and every so often, I think back to those nights when the applause was deafening and I could dance until sunrise.

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Now, in this calmer stage of life, I may not be the disco sensation I once was, but the spark’s still there. My journey from the Latin Symbolics, to Disco Dance Dimensions, to the world of technology, shows that reinvention is always possible. Through it all, I’ve never stopped dancing to life’s rhythm, just like I did back in those unforgettable disco days.  (ROUTINE)

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Jacqueline (Jackie) Cruz:

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We became the "new" couple.  Hector and I would compete in a contest where dance champion, Billy Fajardo was judging. At this contest, Eddie & Lourdes captured first place while Floyd Chisholm & Nelly Cotto took second. Although we came in third, Billy was very impressed and subsequently gave us our first break. One evening, when Billy & Sandra weren't available to perform at the Concord Hotel, Perico asked us to fill in and the rest became history. From that point on, we became members of the Dance Dimensions. For me it was a life changing experience. The troop was highly sought after as we traveled extensively performing shows all over the world. We would entertain on The Jerry Lewis Telethon, at Carnegie Hall with Liza Minnelli, Bob Hope, Grace Jones, the Village People, Sister Sledge, and with practically every popular entertainer of the day. Tours and performances would include the popular televised show, 'Don Kirshner's Rock Concert'. We were featured each week performing synchronized dance numbers and solo acts. In between shows Hector and I would still compete. We won a local dance contest which catapulted us back on television's " Soul Alive".  One of my  personal victories was performing at the Fania All Stars in Madison Square Garden with Hector Lavoe, Celia Cruz and Tito Puente. I had never performed in the round, as people viewed them from all sides of the stage. When I was dancing, I will always remember looking up and seeing on a flashing screen, 'Dance Dimensions' , I felt like a star. Who would ever guess that inner city kids from the boogie down Bronx would go so far. With an overwhelming sense of positivity I experienced the unique opportunity to perform in the remake of the "Saturday Night Fever Tour". Along with Lisa Nunziella and Perico , we toured all over Europe and Morocco. 

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I received my Bachelors in Psychology and a Masters of Science in Counseling and Development. I also acquired a Guidance Counselor position at The High School For Contemporary Arts, located in the Bronx. Although Iive in the suburbs, I returned to the place that it all started for me. Married now, along with my daughter, I still sense that fire in my belly, and probably always will. Although I have hung up my dancing shoes, I long to create the same type of program for my High school students that the movie "Mad Hot Ballroom" did with middle school students, With determination and love for dance,  this hustle diva willl continue to inspire others.

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Francine Gonzalez:

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Francine Gonzalez is a magna cum laude graduate of Marist College. She received a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership & Communication, after which as a graduate, continued her studies in Integrated Marketing Communication. Since her time with the Dance Dimensions, Francine has worked alongside CEOs and partners of prominent law firms, hedge funds, private equity firms, non-profit organizations, as well as, the marketing and public relations team at Hospital for Special Surgery. Francine continues to have an avid interest in the arts.  She is a big fan of the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival, Fisher Center at Bard College, Kaatsbaan, Jacob’s Pillow, Dia Beacon, and The Metropolitan Museum of Art.  Her other interests include interior design, landscape architecture, landmark preservation, and urban planning.

 

She currently resides in the beautiful Hudson Valley, nestled within the borders of Putnam and Duchess counties.  Her future goals are to move out west, where there is an abundance of open space, fresh air, tranquility, and where she can further study and enjoy the arts.

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