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Silva moved to Miami in 1979 from Diriamba, Nicaragua, where he learned toro huaco. He is responsible for reviving the traditional dance for Miami's Nicaraguan community Festival of San Sebastian, which is held on the Sunday closest to January 21.

In the toro huaco, a dancer with a kite-like mask that portrays a bull charges and retreats from another dancer wearing a mask with white skin, blond hair, blue eyes, and metallic vestments which portrays a mandador, or European commander. The tradition comes from the descendants of Nagual natives and parodies the clash of cultures in Central America 450 years ago.

Marvin Silva is learning the role of mandador and studying the elements of leadership in the dance, which include a unique stamping and walking step dance, the use of the chischil, a percussion instrument, and dramatic gestures.