Part of Addie Diaz Press Kit  (Manager Manny Siverio, Email: mciacorp@ix.netcom.com )

Addie Diaz
Salsera Con "Addie-tude"

Behind the scene still taken from 
Addie Diaz's Demo Music Video.
photo by Damian Achilles

Singing + Plus Dancing = Addie's New Career

Intro
Many of us know of Addie Diaz as NY Mambo Instructor, Performer, Choreographer and Dance Company Director. She has performed and taught workshops around the world. But few people know that she can sing. Its been an interest she's kept to herself for years. But with the recent completion of her demo CD and Music video, Addie is ready to let the cat out of the bag and plans on actively pursuing her lifelong passion. She hopes that by combining her vast professional dance experience with her singing skills that she can push the envelope of the salsa entertainer to the next level. - Manny Siverio

Addie's Vocal Bio:
From her earliest memories, 'Addie Diaz , born and raised in New York to Puerto Rican parents has been surrounded by music. "My mother (Hilda Valentin) used to have music playing all the time. She frequently sang-along at home, mostly to boleros and Salsa”, Diaz recalls while describing her childhood in the South Bronx.  "Addie grew up singing in church with her father, Jose Diaz as her singing coach.  "We use to rehearse for hours with the church musicians.  My father played the “guido”, the “harmonica” and the “accordion” and he also played a little bit of guitar.  “I was the only kid in our church that rehearsed so diligently.  It was fun though; I did a lot of singing in that church.  During every church service, I went up to the pulpit to sing for the Lord.”  Addie started singing at age seven.  "In fact, she says, “my dad had me on the church mic' any chance he could get. For Christian parades, church plays or whenever we would go to visit other churches", she ends with a giggle. “My father is still singing. He has recorded three Christian albums to date.”

"In elementary school, under the tutelage of Mrs. Martha Cohen, the school music teacher, Addie performed in her school musicals generally as the lead singer.  When she was in the sixth grade, Mrs. Cohen took Addie to her own vocal teacher for an evaluation.  “I was so thrilled and flattered that my teacher who I looked up to was taking me to an ‘authority’ in vocal skills.” The voice coach expressed the natural talent and great potential Diaz had.  She advised that Addie should train in technique and strive for a career in singing. 'The secondary school that Addie attended did not have a music program. She didn't have the financial means necessary to pay for private voice lessons and her family was no longer attending church service.  She was suddenly left without singing in church or in public.  Eventually, Addie moved to Puerto Rico to complete her secondary education. At the age of seventeen, she returned to New York.

"Diaz was presented with an opportunity to pursue a dance career as a Mambo (Salsa) dancer. She trained with the late Evelyn Leon.  Evelyn Leon was a well-respected Mambo dancer and the Director of the Dancer’s Fantasy Dance Company .  “I was in an amateur dance contest at “Club Broadway 96” in Manhattan. We didn’t win but we came in second place. After the competition, Evelyn approached me and said, “I’d like to train you to perform with my dance company”. “I was ecstatic and speechless!” Addie accepted Ms. Leon’s offer and began to train with Mario Diaz (no relation) as her first dance partner. Mario Diaz is an accomplished Mambo dancer in his own right. Addie gives Evelyn, along with Mario, Angel "Negro" Rodriguez and Nelly Cotto credit for their influence in her training and dancing skills.

After exceptional guidance from her coaches, Addie was ready to go on stage and strut her stuff.  Her first dance gig was at a club called “Studio Studio” for Louis Ramirez and Ray DeLaPaz’s new record release party.  The third time she ever danced on a stage was at Madison Square Garden as a dancer for Jerry Rivera .  “I couldn’t believe the opportunity I was presented with, so early in my dance career.  We had such a good time being there. I mean it was Madison Square Garden! That was really big time.”  

Diaz was later called to replace a former "RMM Dancer" (Ralph Mercado Management) .  She traveled to Puerto Rico , California and four cities in Colombia during the “Combinacion Perfecta” tours.  Addie honed her skills performing with artists such as: Celia Cruz, Oscar DeLeon, Marc Anthony, India, Tito Puente to name a few.  She then went on to dance for several other dance companies including, "Mario Diaz Dance Revue", "Fuerza Latina", “Santo Rico” and "Descarga Latina.  Alongside her fellow dancers, Addie collaborated in new dance choreographies for the teams.  She has also traveled extensively throughout the United States, as well as internationally to Peru, Italy Germany as a freelance performer .  Addie has also been featured in magazine issues such as The Sound Factory, Hispanic Magazine , Dance Teacher Magazine and other publications and on-line magazines.  She is the author of a “Ladies Styling” for Mambo instructional video.

In early 1999, Addie moved on to form her own dance company, “Addie-Tude”. “People always said that I dance with a lot of attitude so we just combined my name with part of the word and came up with “Addie-Tude” – works for me!”.  Addie is the choreographer of the company's routines and has also been hired to choreograph for other dance troupes.
Together with with the Addie-Tude team members, she has traveled to London, Paris, Japan and Switzerland to perform and to teach dance workshops. Addie is acknowledged in the New York Mambo community for her creative and diversified dance choreography. Several of her critically acclaimed works have been featured in all three runs of the Off-Broadway Mambo Musical: “Latin Madness” .  “It really has been an awesome ride; I’ve had some exceptional experiences during my dance career that I’ll forever treasure.”

Always indulging in her first love, Addie continues to spend her personal time singing at home.  Ultimately, she decided to start taking vocal lessons.  She later began singing with a local New York City band. "I really enjoyed practicing with them, it was a good experience to start off with."  Addie tried out several voice coaches before she met Chino Nunez, a Producer and talented Salsa music percussionist.  The chemistry was perfect!!  Chino and Addie clicked right away.  “He’s such a down to earth person. Chino’s like a teddy bear.  I felt comfortable with him from day one.”  After narrowing down a few songs, Chino and Addie chose two songs to re-make, as the perfect tunes for her first demo. They both agreed on

the late Selena’s hit, “No Me Queda Mas” to be interpreted as a Latin ballad, unlike Selena’s Mariachi style on the original version.  Addie then chose “A Mi Amiga” done originally by Amanda Miguel to be her debut Salsa tune. Chino agreed that “A Mi Amiga” would be a great fit for Addie’s demo. He started working on arranging and transforming both songs into the “new” styles.  “I was very happy with Chino’s work the moment I heard it, he is such a talented individual.  The music sounded great, I was impressed with all of it – the Salsa was definitely danceable which is very important to me as a dancer.  He also kept the sentiment in the music for the ballad. He is such a professional all the way.”

Meanwhile, Chino introduced Addie to Willy Torres , a vocalist and also producer in the Salsa industry.  “In addition to writing the soneos for both songs, Willy helped me to work on figuring out the styles in which I would sing the songs. I enjoyed my sessions with Willy.  He really helped me to find my own style and encouraged me to sing like “Addie”, not like anyone else.”  Addie also worked with another “Willie”, Willie Ruiz, her vocal coach.  Willie actively works as a background (coros) vocalist for many Salsa artists today. “Having obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Music Theory , Willie Ruiz has a great understanding of vocal technique and is extremely generous with his knowledge”, comments Addie.  “I continue to enthusiastically train with Willie and receive valuable lessons on the biz from him as well.  I’m really grateful for the time and guidance I’ve obtained from these three men.”

Addie is currently striving to broaden her knowledge of music by taking piano lessons. “I want to be able to write and compose my own songs.  I think the public appreciates hearing what the artists has to say in relation to their own life.  I know that I definitely want to be able to express myself and work on songs that the audience will know are the real me.”

What makes Addie different from other female Salsa vocalists is her stage experience as a professional Mambo dancer.  Addie is credited as being an accomplished dancer and choreographer in the New York Mambo community. “After my experiences in traveling throughout the U.S. and internationally to perform as a dancer, I can say that I don’t have stage fright. As a matter of fact I’ve been complimented plenty for my great smile and stage presence.” With both her singing and dance background, Addie is a fantastic, charismatic entertainer. “Being a dancer was obviously the first ‘professional’ stage of my life. I’m so ready to go the next level where I can incorporate my training as a dancer with my skills as a singer into a successful career as a recording artist.  It’s been my dream since childhood. Hopefully people will enjoy hearing my songs and clap at the end of them,” she laughs.  “I’m geared-up to take another “ride”; but this time, as a successful all-around entertainer.  

New! Addie-tude Ladies Styling
Video out now!