“Our mission is to share with the communities we reach our passion for dance as an art form and vehicle for self-expression, self-improvement, and personal growth.”

About Hacha y Machete

H.Y.M. Dance Company (Hacha Y Machete) was Boston’s first Professional, New York Style “ON 2” Salsa dance company. The group was formed in 2000 by a group of four friends with the intent of enriching and educating New England about the New York Style of dancing salsa/mambo through performances and classes. Since then their vision has expanded further to include: inspiring others, youth in particular, to dance; continuously providing the best quality in training and instruction for all; and of course to continue to interpret music and create choreography in a way that speaks to and moves people. The company has become well known for their innovative and dynamic choreography, highest caliber of dancers, and award winning instruction and performances.

Their dedication and passion has earned them spots on some of the world’s most prestigious congresses and in countries such as Italy, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Turkey, Holland, Brazil, France, the UK and so many more. They have also shared the stage with well known salsa bands such as Sonora Carruseles, Willie Colon, Frankie Negron and El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico.

Company directors Burju and Victor, have won awards and been recognized for their outstanding instruction. They have become known for training some of the best dancers that Boston has to offer. They are not just creative and entertaining, but break things down completely so students understand the timing and technique down to the very last detail. Adding style and feeling to the moves packages the whole thing together. As they travel domestically and internationally their reputation for great workshops and memorable performances continues to strengthen.

The name “Hacha y Machete” comes from the popular song written by Emilio Padron and sung by Héctor Lavoe in his album De Ti Depende (1976).

It was selected because because it talks about being united and stronger together than alone. “Fuerte, Fuerte…Hacha y Machete”!

Why we chose Hacha Y Machete

How do you know that someone is really great at what they do? Is it when they perform flawlessly? Is it when they create their own style? Or is it when they come to the stage for the third bow in a row?

I think it is when you start creating instead of dancing. It is when you don’t need rules to tell you how to move, because music tells you how to move.

It is when you develop a gift to put something exclusively yours into everything you do that makes it unique and mesmerizing at the same time.

It is not new that Burju & Victor are out of the box, and that they bring something really extravagantly to the stage. But their stage appearance is so captivating and irresistibly appealing that it has to be complemented every time their names are mentioned. Graceful, refined, stylish and above all- extravagant - their exceptionally sensual expression takes hostage every heart in the audience without an opportunity to object or resist.

Burju & Victor don’t even move like salsa dancers;

their sophisticated manifestation is a product of a genuine creation just lightly inspired by the salsa manual. But the origin, the source and the fountain of their ingenious expression lies deep in their quirky minds and peculiar depths of uninhibited imagination they set free anytime a performance is to be created or executed.

Never in a rush, always effortlessly and seamlessly gliding across the stage they have amazing ability to demand everyone’s attention and admiration with the first step they make.

Everybody who knows anything (important) about life knows that time is of no importance, but substance is. Burju & Victor are the perfect example of that credo. Their stage performances are not about multiple spins, nor about the insane lifts and tricks.

It’s about finding the way to put your soul into music, to spice it up with your secret ingredients - to create something extraordinary.

Thank God for their courage to be what they are, to not be afraid to show it to the world - because otherwise - we would never be privileged to see that particular and extravagant charm flourish in its full splendor.