Meet Mike Garcia!
Mike Garcia started dancing in Brooklyn at the age of 12 and quickly grew into a seasoned performer, sharing stages with salsa greats and training under some of the industry’s most respected instructors. After years of performing and teaching at renowned studios across New York, he launched Movimiento Dance Company in 2011, creating a space for artistic freedom and expression. Today, with over a decade of directing and mentoring experience, Mike continues to inspire dancers of all levels, bringing his passion, vision, and creativity to studios, stages and our community.
My Story
Mike Garcia began his dance training in 1998 at the age of 12 in Brooklyn, NY, at La Salsa De Hoy Dance Studio under the direction of Carlos Vasquez. He went on to further his training with artists such as Arelis Beato (Tropical Image Dance Company), Cecilia Williams (Revelation Dance Company), Nydia Ocasio (Afro-Cuban, Rumba, Samba), and Addie Diaz (Addie-Tude Dance Company), while also independently studying fusion, jazz, and bachata. Throughout his teenage years, Mike built an impressive national and international performance résumé, sharing the stage with icons like El Canario, Richie Ray & Bobby Cruz, Frankie Vásquez, and others.
After college, Mike entered the music industry, working at Def Jam Records. His tenure at the label developed his business acumen—skills that would later prove invaluable. With a renewed vision, Mike returned to the dance scene, this time as an instructor. He taught at several well-known studios across New York, including Side Street Dance Academy (The Bronx), the Santo Rico Kids Program (Manhattan), Addie-Tude Performing Arts Center (Westchester), Jorday Rivera Dance Studio (Queens), and Salsa Latina Dance Studio (Long Island), instructing full-time across these institutions.
Mike eventually became Captain and Assistant Choreographer for Addie-Tude Dance Company. When the company dissolved in 2011, he launched his own venture: Movimiento Dance Company. Formed that same year alongside several former Addie-Tude members, the new company was rooted in a vision of creative freedom, bold expression, and movement without limits.
Movimiento Dance Company has gone through several distinct phases. The first began as a dance team that quickly earned recognition on national and international stages. The second marked a unique partnership with Meghan Be—a classically trained dancer with a rich background in modern, African, Butoh, classical Indian, folk, ballroom, and American partner styles—who ultimately found her home in salsa. The third phase introduced powerhouse Monique Richard of Balmir Latin Dance Company—an impressive performer known for her fiery stage presence, gold medal wins, and appearances in the movie Shine and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Now, with over a decade of experience, Movimiento Dance Company has performed, choreographed, and taught at some of the world’s most recognized salsa events both locally and abroad. Mike, a culturally driven and visionary leader, continues his work as a mentor and coach to dancers of all levels—developing talent, building world champions, and shaping the next generation. As Director, he is fully immersed in creating innovative curricula and elevating dancers in studios throughout New England. Currently, he is also an instructor and team coach for Acacia Latin Dance Company, continuing to inspire and guide dancers with his passion and expertise.