Marianela Calonje

Marianela Calonje, also lovingly referred to as “Mari” is one of the lead dancers on the professional team of Montuno Dance Company. Her journey to the professional ranks has been a story epitomizing perseverance and tenacity.

Mari began her dance journey with Montuno Dance Company in the Summer of 2010 when she joined the Protégé student team and began working under the tutelage of Isidro Corona and Ariel Lehaitre.

Quickly she grew through the ranks and was one of the few dancers who performed multiple routines at the SF salsa congress as part of both the protégé and amateur teams.

2012-2013 was a ground breaking few years for Montuno Dance Company with being named the Top Dance Company at the US Salsa Open 2012 and also placing top 6 at the World Latin Dance Cup in 2012. In addition, Mari placed 3rd in the amateur couple division at the World Latin Dance Cup, cementing her ascension to the Professional category.

Her motto: “Dream big. Inspire others!”

Along the way, Mari has also had the privilege of training under world champions Elly Guaderrama and Gaby-Equiz Jasso from Alma Latina.

In addition to dancing on the professional team of Montuno Dance Company, Mari also directs the Montuno Stars team which is a one-of-a-kind team in the salsa community, for kids 5 and above who are taught fundamentals of latin dance and also share stage with some of the best in the business with a choreographed routine.

In addition to the above, she has been given the opportunity to co-direct the collaboration teams with Alma Latina alongside Isidro, namely, the Alma SF Bachata and Alma SF Ladies Teams.