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Dance Spotlight – Soonruta Kothadia and Bhavin Shukla

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Dance Spotlight – Soonruta Kothadia and Bhavin Shukla

Soonruta Kothadia and Bhavin Shukla are featured in this edition of Dance Spotlight!  Soonruta and Bhavin are dance instructors and performers from India and they’re helping to show that the latin dance community in India is alive and flourishing!   They were nominated by Carlos Cinta.

Carlos said, “They’re amazing human beings, great dancers, excellent performers and outstanding teachers! I thoroughly enjoyed their class and it was very well prepared, structured and organized.  It was very well done.”

Check out some fun facts and information on Soonruta and Bhavin including their thoughts on the latin dance scene in India and their goals for the Latin Dance Dreamers Project initiative.

Want to nominate someone to be in the Dance Spotlight? Contact us!

What are your first memories of latin dancing? (A class? Watching friends or relatives dance?)

Bhavin: My first memory of Latin dancing is a Salsa class I joined with my friends in 2007.

Soonruta: For me, it was going to a Latin party with my friends, including Bhavin, and seeing them dance as they had already learned the different styles.

You posted a very nice message on Facebook to other dancers in the latin dance community. Part of this message said, “If you need someone to talk to, someone to share your pain, want a helpful ear to hear your ideas out or simply brainstorm about something; Bhavin and Soonruta are always just a message away and always ready to help!! Don’t be a stranger.”

Why is it important to you to connect with dancers on a more personal level?

The thought behind that post comes from the fact that a lot of dancers (students, instructors and performers) have come to us in the last few years to talk about their issues or just to bounce off some ideas about their career, etc.

We feel fortunate that people feel safe and comfortable talking to us. Dancing is not only a physical activity, but also a mentally taxing profession. Dancers at various levels have issues that affect their health, emotional well being and daily routines. This profession doesn’t have an HR system to address issues like career growth, training advice, stress or even just daily issues regarding sales, marketing and strategies, etc.

Another part of it is a lack of a peer group you can confide in or brainstorm your ideas with. We ourselves have been through phases where we felt clueless or aimless about our career paths. We wanted dancers around us and perhaps in other parts of the world to know that if they feel alone or need someone to talk to; they have us!

You are co-owners of the Latin Dreamers Dance Project. What are the goals that you’re trying to achieve through this project?

Latin Dreamers Dance Project was started with an aim to provide holistic dance education in Latin styles to people in India. Although there are a lot of people working in the field, we wanted to teach styles like salsa and bachata inclusive of not only moves but also cultural backgrounds, music understanding and evolution of the dances through history.

Describe a moment in your dance career that made you feel proud.

We can’t pinpoint one particular instance, but when we started performing Dominican Bachata, a lot of people came and told us that our show had the right amount of everything which they appreciate a lot. Another thing is many Dominicans message us or comment on our videos saying that we dance like Dominicans. This always makes us feel proud and frankly it’s an awesome feeling!

Dance Pet Peeve(s): (Hygiene, No connection, People who teach while dancing, etc)

Soonruta: For me, it is lack of connection where my partner is not looking at me, dancing with a blank face (never smiling) or is just dancing with disinterest. Also, someone that is trying to show off, make faces if I miss a lead or enjoy the fact that I couldn’t follow a particular lead.

Bhavin: Pretty much the same thing as social dancing for both of us is a way of connecting with people, hence a lack of connection is something both of us don’t enjoy.

What are your current favorite songs to dance to? Top two or three…

There are way too many, but here are a few candidates if we had to pick the absolute current favorites.

Bhavin:

Soonruta:

Also, for us our all-time favourite song to dance to is Esta Noche by Raulin Rodriguez

What is the latin dance scene like in Mumbai and other cities within India that you visit often? Is it a large dance scene or small but growing?

Latin dancing has been in India for more than two decades now, but the last 10 to 12 years have been particularly good because of an increase in the amount of events, be it weekly socials, small weekenders or small to large festivals.

You can now find a small to fairly large Latin scene in most major cities of India, and even smaller cities are picking it up in forms of workshops and boot camps.

The quality of the scene when it comes to the music being played or shows or even the diversity of instructors and styles is growing slowly but steadily. Every scene goes through some low and high points and currently the scene in India is booming with events and opportunities. One of our side projects in life is to educate people about the Latin dance scene in India and get as many talented artists as we can to visit the country to help bridge the gap between India and the rest of the world.

Favorite dance video(s) you’d like to share?

 

Poll – Are Dance Friendships For Real?

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Poll – Are Dance Friendships For Real?

Melissa West-Koistila (a Ohio based salsa dancer) published article entitled, “Dance Friendships: Are They For Real?” The article explores the quality of the friendships that we form in the latin dance community.  It’s a great read and I’d encourage you to check it out.

With that article in mind, we’d like to get your opinion on the expected endurance of the friendships that you’ve made while dancing! Feel free to leave a comment!

*Results will be shown once your vote is cast.

Do you expect to maintain friendships with dancers you've met in the latin dance community?
Vote

Dance Spotlight – Nathan Beasley

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Dance Spotlight – Nathan Beasley

Nathan Beasley is featured in this edition of Dance Spotlight!  Nathan lives in San Marcos, Texas and is a talented performer and instructor with Austin Inspired Movement.  He is also a bachata champion!   He and Karla Blanco won the Pro-AM Classic Bachata Showcase event at the 2020 World Salsa Summit!  He was nominated by Gerard Smithwrick.

Gerard said, “He’s such a hard worker and his passion for dance is undeniable. He loves bachata as much as I love salsa. He’s just an amazing guy and a spotlight would be well deserved.”

Check out some fun facts and information on Nathan including his thoughts on being a bachata champion and his advice for dancers who want to perform.

Want to nominate someone to be in the Dance Spotlight? Contact us!

What (or who) originally inspired you to try Latin dancing?

During my freshman year at Texas State my friend Andrea Ramires convinced me to learn bachata from a new student organization called Ritmo Latino Dance Society. The organization was created by Janel Caminos.

You and Karla Blanco won the Pro-AM Classic Bachata Showcase event at the 2020 World Salsa Summit. Congrats! What does that victory mean to you as a dancer?

Thank you for your kind words! As a dancer, you have to invest a lot of time, money, physical effort, and discipline to become like the dancers that inspire you. Achieving that victory showed me that hard work and focus really pays off in the end.

What tips or advice would you give to a dancer who is thinking about competing?

I would advise practicing as much as possible and as long as possible with all of your energy. Competitive dancing is completely different from social dancing. In competition, you typically get one shot on stage to show the efforts of your training and mastery of your art.

Social Dance Pet Peeve(s)? (Hygiene, No connection, People who teach while dancing, etc)

A pet peeve of mine would be when I see some guys start to inappropriately touch their partner when their partner clearly want the song to be over.

What is your favorite genre of dance and why? (Salsa, bachata, kizomba…?)

My favorite genre is bachata. It’s the dance that started me down this path and introduced me to others such as salsa, kizomba, zouk.

What makes a social dance fun for you?

For me, it’s that moment when my partner, the music, and I are all on the same wavelength. It’s an indescribably euphoric feeling that just overcomes me when there is balance. The skill level doesn’t have to be amazing to get that feeling, but the connection definitely matters.

What are your current favorite songs to dance to? Top two or three…

Favorite dance video(s) you’d like to share?

Poll – Do You Like to Dance Merengue?

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Poll – Do You Like to Dance Merengue?

Merengue dance has a reputation in some latin dance communities as being boring and all-to-simple.  Merengue music often only gets played when DJs need filler between long bachata, salsa or reggaeton music sets.  Carlos Cinta, an internationally known bachata instructor and DJ, was featured in the Dance Spotlight and he stated that many congress/festival organizers advise him to not play it at their events.

We’d love to get your opinion on merengue!  Cast your vote and feel free to leave a comment!

*Results will be shown once your vote is cast.

Do you enjoy dancing merengue?
Vote

The below are two of the most fun merengue dance videos we’ve ever seen!

Merengue resource:

Merengue 101: Brief Overview “The National Music Of the Dominican Republic” by Edwin Ferreras (Latin dance instructor and International Ambassador of Dominican Arts)

Dance Spotlight – Amanda Brown

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Dance Spotlight – Amanda Brown

Amanda Brown is featured in this edition of Dance Spotlight!  Amanda lives in Fort Worth, Texas and is an instructor at Dance Makers of Texas.  Amanda is an influential dancer in the Dallas/Fort Worth latin dance community and she organizes the popular Pura Fort Worth social.  She was nominated by Jason Haynes.

Check out some fun facts and information on Amanda including her thoughts on women in leadership roles within the DFW latin dance community!

Want to nominate someone to be in the Dance Spotlight? Contact us!

Where are you from?

I was born in Dallas and raised in Fort Worth.

What are your first memories of latin dancing? (Family? Friends? A class?)

My first memories of Latin dancing are from when I was a little girl around seven years old. My dad and uncles are from Mexico and I would dance cumbia and merengue with them. I danced salsa and bachata for the first time when I was 24 years old.

You suffered a severe knee injury while dancing!  What tips would you give to other dance instructors on how to handle and cope with injuries that keep you from dancing?

Yes, I recently tore my ACL in my right knee while teaching a dance trick to my students.  I just had knee surgery to repair the damage. I was told I wouldn’t be able to dance for five months! This was very hard news to hear since dance is not only my passion but also my only job.

I learned how to work around it by teaching couples only and using verbal communication and visual demonstrations to explain to the students. I would definitely recommend my fellow dance instructors to not only take care of their bodies by stretching a lot but also make sure your visual teaching skills are just as good as your verbal teaching skills. It has definitely taken lots of determination on my part.

Dance Pet Peeve: (Hygiene, No connection, People who teach while dancing, etc)

My dance pet peeve is people who don’t connect with the person they are dancing with. I believe that’s a huge part of partner dancing. If you’re not connected you might as well be dancing by yourself.

Also, simple manners such as asking politely for the dance and saying thank you with a smile. I love to see a man escort a lady on and off the dance floor. I always teach these important manners to my students.

I’ve noticed a trend in DFW that more woman seem to be taking the lead and organizing socials and workshops. Yourself, Elisa Cano, Patricia ‘Calirumba’, Cindy Vanessa Benitez, Alyssa Ibanez, and Chanel May (among others) are women who I regularly see organizing/promoting events. This didn’t seem to be the case 5-10 years ago. As a woman, why is it important to have strong female leadership in the DFW latin dance community?

Yes, over the last few years there has been a trend in woman taking lead roles in the DFW dance scene. I love seeing my fellow woman dance instructors take on these roles. I believe all of us ladies respect, promote and encourage each other. I’ve noticed it’s not competitive and we genuinely want to see each other succeed. I think this will only continue in the future and it will help encourage other ladies in the DFW dance scene to not be afraid to take lead roles, and feel it’s OK to not always have a male partner to lead them. We as woman can do it also.

What’s your favorite style of partner dance and why? (Salsa? Bachata? Kizomba? Perhaps another?)

My favorite style of partner dancing is cha cha. There is just something so special about dancing to this rhythm and beat. It makes me feel fierce and smooth all at the same time. The music is so funky and I can’t help but to move my body when I hear cha cha music. A very close second would be Salsa On2 for the same reasons.

What are your current favorite songs to dance to? Top two or three…

My favorite Latin songs always change but right now they are:

Favorite dance video(s) you’d like to share?

Dance Spotlight – Dakhota Romero

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Dance Spotlight – Dakhota Romero

Dakhota Romero is featured in this edition of Dance Spotlight!  Dakhota lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico but is originally from Los Angeles.  She is co-founder of Areito Arts, an educational music and dance company, focusing on Afro-Caribbean rhythms and roots.  She was nominated by her fellow Areito Arts co-founder and dance partner, Edwin Ferreras.

Check out some fun facts and information on Dakhota including her thoughts on the importance of giving follows their proper due and her aspirations as a musician.  Yes, in addition to being a great dancer, she is a talented singer as well!

*February, 2021 POST UPDATE! Dakhota has released newest bachata single “La Mujer de Tu Vida“.

Want to nominate someone to be in the Dance Spotlight? Contact us!

What are your first memories of latin dancing? (A class? Watching friends or relatives dance? etc.)

My first memories of latin dancing are of my Grandmother. She was an MGM dancer (back in those days you were signed to a movie studio) and she danced in many Elvis Presley films. I remember when I was little we would dance around her house together. Among the many things she taught me, Cha-cha-chá and Salsa were two of them. She was my best friend.

You recently shared a Facebook post that discussed the importance of follows being viewed as equals to their leads/partners. It struck a chord with many dancers and it went viral. What steps needs to be taken so follows are given the proper credit they deserve in the latin dance community?

I think the first step is becoming aware of how we as a dance community look at artists. Dance couples are partnerships, NOT solos with a prop. We need to stop assuming that the lead is the only one behind the work. So many things happen behind the scenes, and so much goes in to the final product. The second step is recognition. We need to make it a point to recognize both people in the partnership, not just one. I know so many follows who are incredibly creative, talented, and hard working, who deserve way more recognition and credit within their shared work, and it’s my hope that they begin to receive it more and more.

You’re an amazing singer! What aspirations do you have as a musician?

Thank you so much! Singing is my first love and music has always been such a huge part of my life. My father, Robby Romero, is a musician/singer-songwriter who coined the genre Native Rock in the 90s with his band Red Thunder. Growing up I spent a lot of time with him on his tour buses, backstage, on stage, and in recording studios. I’ve also been fortunate enough to have had some incredible music experiences of my own, such as singing with Carlos Santana, recording in the infamous studio A at Capitol Studios, earning my degree in music, and touring stadiums.

Currently, I’m getting ready to release a Bachata record and couldn’t be more thrilled! I am also so grateful for the incredible talent that has been a part of the project, including; Ricky Manuel (guitarist of Frank Reyes and Grupo Extra), Billy Jaquez (bassist of Joe Veras and Romeo Santos), and Abelito Martinez (percussionist of Monchy y Alexandra and Romeo Santos). It’s an aspiration I couldn’t have dreamed up more perfectly! I just debuted a teaser performance at Los Angeles Bachata Festival and the response was everything I could have hoped for. I can’t wait for you all to hear it!

You have a hectic travel schedule. What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone who wants to be a traveling dance instructor?

It’s all about balance. I’m an introverted person, so as much as I love being around and interacting with people, I need alone time in order to recharge. With the nature of my work and then the chaos of traveling, it can get pretty challenging. Creating time for myself and learning how and what to say ‘no’ to has been crucial. It can be hard with an extroverted partner, because the FOMO (fear of missing out) is real, but I can only give my best when I am my best.

Describe a moment in your dance life that has made you proud.

My proudest dance moments happen during my trips to the Motherland of Bachata (Dominican Republic), when I surprise locals while dancing with them. My company, Areíto Arts (along with my partner Edwin Ferreras) is centered around culture and the Dominican experience, so my goal as a dancer is always authenticity and dancing “como eh” as they say. There is a big difference between the dancing we see outside of the Island and the dancing on the Island, so to receive that sort of feedback and recognition from street dancers and the people who grew up dancing it, is #goals for me. I feel very fortunate to be able to spend almost two months per year there, dancing in cultural settings and doing what I love (managing BailaMar Bachata Camp and teaching at Bachata Paradise).

What makes a social dance fun for you?

Movement, fluidity, and connection. I don’t care if we do the “basic” the entire song, if our connection is good (adapting to each other), there is flow (smoothness in the way we move around the dance floor), and individual body movement that we can feel from each other — that’s the perfect dance. In other words you can “BASIC THE S**T OUT OF ME” any day!

Social Dance Pet Peeve(s)? (Hygiene, no connection, people who teach while dancing, etc.)

My social dance pet peeve is when someone is so disconnected and unaware it’s like they are dancing by themselves. Maybe they are trying to show off, maybe they are trying to remember a choreography that may not necessarily work in a social dance setting, or maybe they let go of me to do a very lengthy footwork solo — any of these scenarios don’t make for a fun social dance in my book. However, if it’s a lead-able choreography that works (and is sprinkled) on top of the basic, or if they make space to have our own friendly footwork conversation together — that is fun! And, if they’re going to show off, show off to me (not people watching) and show me how well our bodies are connected in our frame and body movement.

Favorite dance video(s) you’d like to share?

Dance Spotlight – Fata Karva

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Dance Spotlight – Fata Karva

Fata Karva is featured in this edition of Dance Spotlight!  Fata lives in Washington DC and was nominated by Raven Sutton.  Raven said, “Fata dances so gracefully. She is always willing to dance with a new person and make them feel welcomed. She deserves to be recognized for her amiable personality and passionate dance moves.”

Check out some fun facts and information on Fata including what she loves most about the latin dance community and how dance helps her overcome social anxiety.

Want to nominate someone to be in the Dance Spotlight? Contact us!

What are your first memories of latin dancing? (Friends? Family? Class?)

I remember dancing to “Obsesion” by Aventura back in 9th grade at summer camp but had no idea bachata would end up being such a big part of my life. My first time learning the true basic was dancing with my host mom in the kitchen to Romeo Santos when I studied abroad in Santiago, Dominican Republic in college. I always thought bachata was fun but I enjoyed other styles of dance more. I was encouraged to audition for Ferocity Dance Company with Kat Arias in August 2015 when I moved to DC and began taking some salsa classes at Café Citron with Orlando Machuca. That changed everything.

What makes a social dance fun for you?

I absolutely LOVE living in DC, but as a city, it is a bit high-strung and life here can be anxiety-producing. I’m highly introverted, so sometimes I experience a bit of social anxiety when I go out dancing. For me, it is SO important to have a place where I can leave all that behind. I love when I’m dancing with a lead that is fun, musical, and carefree, so I can let that all go on the dance floor.

Dance Pet Peeve: (Hygiene, No connection, People who teach while dancing, etc)

My only hope when the song starts is that we are going to have a good time. It’s just a dance, so we both should enjoy ourselves! In most cases, this is 3 minutes of your life (10-15 minutes, if it’s salsa) to connect, and you can’t get those moments back, so I feel it’s important to just feel the vibe, and not treat it as a test of technique, or display of arrogance.

You participated in the Performer/Artist Photo Challenge on Facebook.  Can you pick one of those photos and describe why it’s meaningful/memorable to you?

I would say that the company photo is most memorable because it serves as a time capsule each year, and it’s almost like a yearbook. I also have collections and collections of big group photos from when I took tap lessons as a kid so it reminds that in that moment I’m exactly where I need to be: with a group of awesome people who love dance and making that little girl proud.

What tips would you give to a dancer who is thinking about performing?

Performing for me connects me to my family. It reminds me of my mom sharing stories of performing traditional Liberian dance in her youth, dancing with my dad at parties, and my brother DJ’ing, and celebrating being alive and in my moment. I would say it’s important to know where your inspiration comes from and never take performing for granted. It is a privilege to be able to put your talents before an audience.

You seem to be having a blast being part of the latin dance community! What is it about the latin dance community that you love?

I love how diverse it is. I never in a million years would have imagined that I would be a part of a community of so many people from different walks of life. There is someone to admire personally and professionally everywhere you go. I have also been surprised how many people are truly genuine and never expected the circle of friendship, trust, and support that I have had the honor of gaining through dance.

You competed with the Ferocity Dance Company at the 2019 World Latin Dance Cup! What was that experience like and how did you all do?

This was my second year competing with Ferocity Amateur. It was the best feeling in the world to win 3rd place in this global competition that was even broadcast on local Colombian TV! There were so many moments that made it truly magical. It’s amazing to know that Kat has helped me manifest so many dreams and I’m eternally grateful to have spent the ten days time getting closer to the family we built over the year in beautiful Medellin! I could talk about it forever!

Favorite dance video you’d like to share?

My favorite dance video is a social dance with Senzala! He is the embodiment of a great lead and a strong representation of how committed and dedicated everyone is in the DC scene. You can find on him the dance floor dancing all styles and at all the local events. It’s impressive!

Dance Spotlight – Angelica Medina and Jahaira Fajardo

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Dance Spotlight – Angelica Medina and Jahaira Fajardo

Angelica “Amor” Medina and Jahaira Fajardo are featured in this edition of Dance Spotlight!  They are dance instructors and performers currently living in Oakland, California and they co-organize the annual Queer Latin Dance Festival in California.  They were nominated by Andrea ‘Ace” Arenas and Ciara Morales.

Andrea said, “We would love to nominate our peers Angelica and Jahaira who have inspired us in so many ways. They are also a Queer power couple who just got married. They are the founders of In Lakech Dance Academy which highlights the queer and trans community!”

Check out a few fun facts and information about Angelica and Jahaira including their experiences as a same-sex couple within the latin dance community and their goals for the Queer Latin Dance Festival.

Want to nominate someone to be in the Dance Spotlight? Contact us!

What are your first memories of latin dancing? (A class? Watching friends or relatives dance?)

Jahaira: My first memories of latin dance were from one of my house parties. I grew up in a Dominican household so music was always in the background. My sister and I would copy moves that we learned from music videos of merengueros dancing merengue.  They’d have three of four guys doing really cool dance moves and she and I would learn them.  We’d have a lot of fun at parties performing the moves we learned for the family.

Angelica: My first memories of latin dancing are also with family.  When I was a little girl, maybe four or five years old, I’d dance and sing to all of the Selena songs.  I’d sing them at every family gathering – actually, I’d sing every day at my house!  I also grew up loving banda, cumbia and merengue.  There was a lot of joy experienced through music at different family gatherings like quinceañeras and I had such an amazing time living with my family.

You are married and members of the LBTGQIA community. Describe your experience thus far in the latin dance community? Do you feel accepted? Has there been any push back or uncomfortable moments?

Jahaira: I think we’re really blessed living here in the Bay Area. I started training in a dance company in which I was the only ‘out’ Queer person and I was also a female leader.  I felt very supported and there wasn’t anything that made it difficult or discouraging for me in any way. I love the latin dance community in the Bay Area and they support us.

There are times when we’ve traveled away from the Bay Area and that’s when we’ve experience any difficulties. I experienced uncomfortable moments when I first started. I would be in a class and I’d really want to lead, but I’d be asked to follow because I appear female. I’d have to stand my ground and say, ‘No, I’m not going to follow. I’m here to learn how to lead.’

There have been some uncomfortable moments but overall I haven’t experienced any outright homophobia.

Angelica: I definitely do feel the love and support especially here in the Bay Area.  We’re very blessed to have In Lakech Dance Academy where we get to open doors for many people, specifically queer and trans.  It really creates a sense of family and we’re blessed to have that community and be a part of it.

I would like to say that as a queer, Chicana*, femme that I have experienced a lot of microaggression.  I’ve experienced invisibility specifically from those who identify as men and it revolves around who I am as a queer woman and my relationship with Jahaira.  There have been occasions where we’ve been openly affectionate with each other and someone would approach us and there would be no recognition of Jahaira.  They talk to me or try to hit on me without respecting her so we’ve experienced that.

Also, I’ve experienced being objectified in the dance scene while dancing.

*Chicana: a woman or girl of Mexican origin or descent.

You are Co-Founders of the Queer Latin Dance Festival. What goals do you hope to accomplish through this festival?

Jahaira: My goals for this years Queer Latin Dance Festival are for queer and trans people to feel like this weekend they can be who they are fully and completely.  I want them to feel there is nothing but love and acceptance in the environment and that they don’t feel that they have to hold themselves back in any way.

Another goal is to continue to establish ourselves in the latin dance world as a legitimate and important festival that needs to exist.  We want people to come and have a great time and experience something different.

Last year I was walking down the halls during the festival and someone grabbed my arm and asked me, ‘Is this what straight people feel like at all the festivals?’ I’ll never forget that question because I felt it profoundly.  This is a moment where we get to be who we are and it’s very special.

Angelica: My goals are the same as those Jahaira mentioned, but I think it’s really important to get the experience of being an unapologetically bold, brave and courageous queer and trans person dancing in your own body.  We want to encourage dancers to be their authentic and true self and show that every day of the festival. I want everyone to feel like they can be who they are without questioning themselves or feeling any aggression or negative energy from others.

We talk a lot about safety and we have a safety team. We have our community agreement that everybody receives in their program.  We have signs indicating that we have zero tolerance for sexual harassment and we’re very adamant about creating the environment that we’re serious about safety for dancers.  We have people that dancers can go to if an encounter doesn’t sit well with them or feel comfortable.

We have an altar that honors our ancestors and we pay homage to the land and our history.  We want to continue to make history and we want it to be a one of a kind event that you only get to experience in the Bay Area!

What are your social dance pet peeve(s): (Hygiene, No connection, People who teach while dancing, etc)

Jahaira: I don’t have a lot of pet peeves – perhaps people who dip themselves or people who back lead for the entire song.  So, yeah, people who dip themselves would be a pet peeve and I kind of want to let them go and see what happens. Ha.

Angelica: I’m very sensitive to smell so it’s really hard for me to dance with someone with bad body odor. I’m totally someone who believes in being the natural you and using natural deodorant and scents, but I’ve had a few bachata experiences where I’m like, ‘Aye aye aye’.

Sometimes I feel with both leading and following that we may miss the essence of connection in social dancing. Sometimes we’re so caught up in our own minds, that we’re not fully present with our partner so there isn’t a good connection.  Dance is healing so I like to connect with each of my dance partners in both following and leading.

What are your current favorite songs to dance to? Top two or three…

Jahaira: Those change for me. Right now I’m really loving any song from Franklin Medina, Memin El Sucesor (“Yo Tengo Un Amigo”), and El Gualdia (“Tinga”).  Those are my three favorites.

Angelica: I’m listening to both salsa and bachata! My two current favorites are:

Describe a moment in your dance career that made you feel proud.

Jahaira: I think there are a lot of small moments. There are moments when I see our choreography on stage.  Moments where I see students overcoming so many obstacles to get on stage. The affect that In Lakech has on our students is very powerful and it’s hard to explain.  To see something that was born from a dream or discussion between Angelica and I, and how dancers use our space to heal from everything they’re going through – for me, that is when I’m the most proud of what we’re doing.

We have moments where we compete and we’re two-time world champions so, of course, those moments make me proud, but I think at a more fundamental level it’s to see the affects that In Lakesh has on the community.

Angelica: I think one of my most proud moments was competing at the World Latin Dance Cup (WLDC) in 2015 and in 2018.  Once as an amateur in the same-gender division and once as a pro in the same-gender bachata cabaret division.  Winning those two events was such an incredible feeling and I got to experience dancing and competing with the love of my life.  Having Jahaira win first place and be one of the first female leaders and making history on the WLDC stage was really amazing.  Those were definitely moments where I was proud of myself and for the both of us.

Also, the moment where I saw the first Queer Latin Dance Festival come to life. We planned it in four or five months with an amazing leadership team and I was very proud of us.

Favorite dance video(s) you’d like to share?

Dance Spotlight – Serena Spears

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Dance Spotlight – Serena Spears

Serena Spears is featured in this edition of Dance Spotlight!  Serena is a dance instructor and performer in New York City and she was nominated by Carlos Cinta.

Carlos said, “Serena is an incredible and very well trained dancer.  She dances everything: bachata, modern, ballet, timba and every form of salsa. She has a bright mind and is a very strong minded woman who has a lot to offer.  She taught a body movement class at the Amargue Fusion Weekender and I was very impressed.  I even got up out of my chair and started practicing!  She’s dope.”

Check out a few fun facts and information about Serena including her thoughts on woman supporting each other in the dance community and her first latin dance memories.

Want to nominate someone to be in the Dance Spotlight? Contact us!

What are your first memories of Latin dancing? (A class? Watching friends or relatives dance? etc.)

My very first memory of Latin dancing is of going to a dance club on the “wrong” night when I was about 19. I had meant to go to the hip-hop and house night, which is what I was dancing socially then, but when I got there it was salsa music. I don’t know how I screwed up the day but I figured, I’m already here, why not go in and try something new? I had fun that night but I was young and headstrong and I didn’t yet appreciate the concept of following, so I didn’t seriously pursue Latin dancing until many years later.

My second first memory was after accidentally winning a free pass to a festival called TIPDI, the International Partner Dance Intensive, run by an amazing dancer/event organizer/human being, Paula Wilson. It was 3 days of classes in salsa, tango, West Coast swing, ballet, modern, and Afro-Haitian. I had a bit of a dance midlife crisis and meltdown afterwards wondering what I was doing with my life, but it was an incredible experience for me. It was the first time that partner dancing was taught to me as a collaboration, an exploratory conversation between equal, willing, and engaged people. It blew my mind and completely changed my impression of partner dancing.

I read a Facebook post of yours and you recently did your first Latin fusion solo performance in front of a Latin dance scene audience. I watched the performance and it was great! What did this performance mean to you?

Thank you so much! I’m really happy with the way it went. I’m the type of person that doesn’t like to do things publicly until I feel over-prepared. And yet somehow my solo performances have always ended up being improvised. I find it strange knowing how I am but I also enjoy that thrill of making something on the fly. I didn’t actually mean for it to happen this time though!

For years, I had actively refused to perform a Latin fusion solo for the Latin dance community until I felt I could really do it justice. That I wasn’t just throwing together movements that I couldn’t complete correctly or didn’t understand. At the beginning of the year, I was finally feeling like, ‘ok I’m ready.’ I picked a song and was going to give myself a few months to choreograph and clean it up before presenting it in NYC. And then Andrea “Ace” Arenas and Ciara Morales asked me last minute to teach and perform at Amargue Fusion to fill in for a couple that had a medical emergency and couldn’t attend.

I knew there wasn’t enough time to choreograph so I decided to make it an exercise in social dancing. The audience would be my partner and I would just try to have an incredible connection so we could all have a fun time. I was nervous but the attendees at the event were so open and supportive all weekend and their energy while I was performing made me so happy and wild. I went nuts! I think we all really enjoyed it.

So although it wasn’t how I pictured my first Latin fusion solo would go, I think it was actually better this way. It was certainly more raw, vulnerable, and interactive than I imagined, and I am so honored that Ace and Ciara included me in their stellar lineup of artists. It was a really beautiful event.

Why is it important (as a woman) to support other woman to be successful in the dance community?

I really love this question and I apologize in advance for the long, intense answer you’re about to get.

For over a decade, I’ve been deeply involved in the American belly dance community. I got used to nearly everything being run by and for very strong, mature, and outspoken female and non-binary dancers. So when I started with Latin dance, it was a bit of a rude awakening to see the power dynamics in the scene.

From what I’ve seen, the women in almost every partnership tend to be the stronger dancer when compared to their male counterparts. But they also tend to be younger than their partners, their company directors, and the men with power and authority in the community, and even though they’re incredible dancers, they don’t get much of a voice. That makes me sad.

Even when women are billed as headlining teachers at festivals, many times if they are teaching as the follower in a partnership, they can go through an entire class without saying a word. I find that bizarre. Watching performances, I sometimes feel like women are expected to be beautiful, sexy props to caress, pick up, throw, put down, spin… I’m all about expressing your sensuality, your artistry, your personality, your passion, but some performances feel very one-dimensional and fake, and I wonder if some of that is because of who is in charge of the scene’s direction.

I think the only way for women to have more of a vocal role in the scene is to publicly shout out the women who are making moves and pushing boundaries to try to help them get the recognition and power they deserve. If instead women focus on cutting each other down, we’re just making it that much easier to ignore us.

So in that spirit, I would love to just shout out some of my biggest female and non-binary dance inspirations:

  • Delia Madera, Isabel Freiberger, Michelle Garcia, Jahaira Fajardo and Angelica Amor Medina for directing strong dance companies that do partner work in performance (still a strangely rare thing to see from a non-male directed company)
  • Denisse Cambria, Melanie Castillo, Angela Pilar Vera Herrera, and Nayelli Valencia Turrent for being outspoken and technically excellent follower teachers in every class and workshop I’ve ever taken with them
  • Ace and Ciara, Jahaira and Angelica, Tina Cavicchio and Kyla Hallums, and Ana Masacote for being my inspirations of what non-binary, LGBTQ-friendly leader/follower, teacher/event organizer/team directors can do for the community
  • And finally, Liethis Hechavarria, Anya Katsevman, Desiree Godsell, and Maria Ramos because they have always impressed me with not just their teaching, performing, and choreographing, but also their love of openly sharing knowledge and their kindness

Social Dance Pet Peeve(s)? (Hygiene, No connection, People who teach while dancing, etc)

Nothing bothers me more than a rough leader who lacks connection. If a leader gives me no eye contact and it feels like they don’t care if I’m having fun and feeling safe, especially if they’re leading really complex patterns, I feel like I’m just a prop instead of a person.

Also, if I ask a leader to take it easy, (I’m not feeling well, I’m currently injured, they’re hurting me, they’re squeezing my hands, they’re using too much force, please don’t dip me or do excessive body isolations, etc.), and they don’t listen, I feel really disrespected.

Describe a moment in your dance life that has made you proud.

I’ve had the same moment with multiple people but every time it happens it really makes me emotional. I’ve been teaching movement mechanics and body isolations in one form or another for the last 10 years. My goal is to help people feel connected and at home within their own bodies, especially people who think they’re not “real dancers”.

To me, dance is therapeutic and healing. It’s a personal ritual and meditation. It’s what I do daily to relax and de-stress. Just moving the body releases chemicals that make the brain and body feel better and it’s so healthy for you if you’re practicing it safely. I think everyone deserves to have a physical outlet like this that makes them feel good, so it makes me sad when people tell me that they can’t dance, that it stresses them out, or that trying to dance makes them feel uncomfortable or unhappy with their bodies.

For years, I’ve taught both group classes and private lessons in the belly dance and Latin dance scene where students have come to me after to tell me that they felt more alive and beautiful and in their bodies dancing than ever before. I’ve also been lucky to watch the progress of some of my regular students as they took the information I gave them and ran with it. It makes me so happy and proud to see them moving freely and confidently, knowing how they felt about dancing when we first met. I think sharing the love of dance is one of my all-time favorite things.

What makes a social dance fun for you?

The most important thing to me in a social dance is safety. So before anything else, I want to be able to trust my partner to not hurt me or those around us. Gentleness, smoothness, and awareness are first priority. But after that, the floodgates open. I love a playful connection, having flexibility and freedom in our timing and movement, and being open to new ideas and dance styles in the moment.

I take my training seriously but when I get on the social dance floor I’m just there to have fun. If my partner is willing to goof around while dancing, I’m all about playing pattycake, doing contact improv, miming, or pretending to be a velociraptor. Been there, done all that. I love it! I also love a partner who lets our mistakes be an opportunity to play and explore, instead of getting upset or disappointed. Essentially as long as they’re friendly and careful, making good eye contact, and paying attention to our connection, we’ll have a good time.

What are your current favorite songs to dance to? Top two or three…

This is hard because I’m a music addict across many genres but I’ll try to pick one song per Latin dance style.

Favorite dance video(s) you’d like to share?

Panagiotis & Serena (Salsa Social Dancing) @ San Francisco SBK Congress 2019 – Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/STARMAMBOVIDEO75000/videos/380215462623199/?v=380215462623199

How To Be A Better Dance Partner (Without Improving Your Dancing)

Takeshi Young
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How To Be A Better Dance Partner (Without Improving Your Dancing)

If you’re reading this site, then it goes without saying that Latin dances (salsa, bachata, kizomba(yes, we know its not a Latin dance)) can be flirtatious, sexy, and sensual. Whenever we go out dancing it’s fun to feel that spark of attraction between you and your partner, even if it’s something that doesn’t go anywhere beyond the dance floor.

We spend hours of our free time in the dance studio, working on new moves, improving our musicality, and practicing our styling so that we can become better dance partners who people will want to dance with on the social dance floor.

However, sometimes we get so caught up in becoming better dancers that we ignore other aspects about ourselves that are equally important in being a good dance partner. Dance is ultimately about building a connection with your partner and sharing a fun experience. It’s not about who can do the most turn patterns or who can do the most spins.

So here are five things that you can work on that will make you a better dance partner, even if you don’t improve your dancing. This is coming from a guy’s perspective, but many of these are applicable for women as well.

1) Hygiene

 Let’s start with the most basic one. Hygiene. It seems like it would be common sense for a group of adults that if you go out to a social event you should take basic care of your hygiene, but I can tell you that every time I go out to a salsa club, there is someone with poor hygiene. Every time.

This is mainly a problem I notice with guys, but I’ve danced with a few girls who have bad breath, BO, or other hygiene issues as well. No matter how good of a dancer you are, if your hygiene is poor people are not going to want to dance with you and you will end up on a lot of blacklists. What’s worse, most people will be too embarrassed to tell you what’s wrong with you.

If hygiene is something you don’t think too much about, here is a helpful checklist to consider:

  • Take a shower before going out, especially if you have strong body odor (ask a good friend)
  • Use deodorant to keep your BO under control while dancing. Anti-perspirant deodorant also has the benefit of making you sweat less
  • If you sweat a lot, make sure to bring extra shirts and towel off between dances. A little bit of sweat can be hot and sexy, but if you are drenched and dripping, it’s just gross
  • Brush your teeth before going out. Bring some gum or mints you can chew on between dances to help freshen up your breath (but don’t chew gum when you’re dancing, it can be obnoxious)
  • Trim your fingernails so that they don’t look like claws
  • If you have a lot of hair in awkward places (nose hairs, armpit hairs) trim them down to a civilized level

These things may be basic, but they will have a dramatic impact on how people treat you, not just on the dance floor but in your every day life as well.

2) Appearance

This is another one of those things that guys often ignore that women are usually much better at. Guys, if you’ve ever lived with a woman you know that she spends a lot of time and effort whenever she goes out. Women often spend 1-2 hours getting ready before they go out on their hair, makeup, clothes, etc.

Now as a guy you can probably get away with doing a lot less, but at least make it look like you put in a little bit of effort into your appearance, and that you care about how you look. Because other people do care about how you look, and will treat you differently because of that.

It may seem shallow, but people judge you based on your looks, especially people who’ve never met you before. When you meet someone new, they are going to be judging you based on how you’re dressed, how you’re groomed, etc. And women love dancing with a well-dressed guy.

The experience of dancing with a guy who’s well-dressed and well-groomed is worlds apart from dancing with someone who is dressed sloppily, even if their dancing ability is exactly the same.

Besides making your partner feel good, dressing well also increases your own level of confidence, which makes you more enjoyable to dance with. If you go out to a salsa congress, you will notice that it is often the professional dancers who are the best dressed ones there. They understand that being a good dance partner is not just about dancing, but it’s important to look the part as well.

So take some time and take care of your appearance. You don’t need to show up to a salsa club in a full suit and tie (you shouldn’t), but invest in some nice dress shoes, get some nice clothes (that fit!), and maybe invest in a cool haircut. It will make you look better, feel better, and make it more enjoyable for your partner to dance with you.

3) Physical Fitness

This is another one that is closely related to appearance, but is important enough to warrant its own section. Besides just external things like clothing and grooming, if you really want to impress your partner you should take care of your physical health as well. Appearance isn’t everything, but the truth is that men and women love dancing with people who are in great physical shape over people who are overweight.

This doesn’t mean that you have to be a model or a body builder to get a dance, but take some time to go to the gym and be mindful of your diet. Dance itself is a great physical activity, so use it to get into better shape.

Getting into better shape will make you feel better and more confident in yourself, which will also make you a more attractive dancer. Plus, your partner will want to get closer to you during a sexy bachata if you have toned muscles instead of rolls of fat.

4) Mood

Dancing is a form of communication, it just doesn’t (usually) involve words. So think of dance like having a conversation with someone. If someone is tired, or stressed out, or bored, you’re probably not going to have a very good conversation with them. The same is true for dance.

So the next time you go out dancing, make sure that you’re in a positive mood and ready to engage in a good conversation with someone. You don’t need to be bouncing off the walls, but make sure that you’re not going to ruin your dances by bringing negative energy onto the dance floor. This can be hard sometimes if you’ve had a rough day at work or are dealing with stress in your life. Here are some things that can help improve your mood before going out:

  • Go jogging. A 15-20 minute run will get your endorphins flowing and help clear your mind
  • Take a nap. Getting some sleep can help reset your mind and clear out any stress before going out dancing
  • Listen to music. Blasting your favorite playlist can help turn your mood around into a positive one
  • Watch comedy. They say that laughter is the best medicine, and watching some standup comedy before you go out can be a good way to lighten your mood and get you ready to dance
  • Eat chocolate. Chocolate is one of those foods that releases endorphins, feel good chemicals that can help cheer you up. Eat chocolate in moderation (remember your health!) but a little bit can serve as a good picker upper. Another, lower calorie option, is to drink some green tea, which also boosts endorphins
  • Alcohol. Use this one in moderation, but a drink or two can help you loosen up and relax before a night of dancing. Just don’t become dependent on alcohol for a good mood, and don’t drink so much that it affects your dancing ability

Your mood is crucial for having fun when you go out dancing, and for establishing a positive connection with your dance partner. No matter how good you are at dancing, it won’t be fun for you or your partner if you’re in a foul mood. Be aware of your emotions, and be sure to get them handled before you step onto the dance floor.

5) Confidence

Confidence is one of the things that women find most attractive in men. Even for women, a lack of confidence can make a dance less fun that it otherwise would be. Building confidence is big topic that perhaps goes beyond the scope of this article, but here are a few suggestions.

Competence – If you don’t know how to do something, then you probably aren’t going to be very confident about it. On the flip side, competence build confidence– the better you get at something the more confident you will feel about it. You probably feel pretty confident about walking because you’ve been doing it for so long. Dance is the same way. The better you get at dancing, the more confident you will feel about dancing.

Even if you’re not perfect, just the fact that you’ve taken the time to practice something will increase your confidence.

Insecurities – Another way to look at confidence is as a lack of insecurities. If you are insecure about something, then you aren’t confident. Consequently, one way to become confident is to deal with your insecurities.

Maybe you’ve had negative experiences in the past with men or women, maybe you’ve been hurt, maybe you don’t feel like you’re worthy enough to be dancing with your current partner. We’ve all been there. Whatever those issues may be, you want to deal with them, or they will creep up while you’re dancing and ruin an otherwise good dance.

This is a tough one, but it starts by admitting that you do have insecurities. Whenever an insecurity comes out on the dance floor, don’t run away from it but acknowledge it and make a note of it. Write down a list of all your insecurities, then split the list into two parts: things that you can control (“I don’t know enough dance moves”, “I’m not good enough to dance with her”) and things that you can’t (“I’m too short”, “I’m not good looking enough”).

For the insecurities that you can’t change, one trick for getting over them is to feature them. Instead of hiding it away (which will make you seem nervous, inauthentic, or even creepy) do the opposite and feature it. If you’re insecure about not having many dance moves, say: “I only have like 2 dance moves and you’re going to be bored to tears by minute 1, but would you like to dance with me?” If you’re insecure about being short say: “I knew I should have brought my heels today!” Joke about it in a confident way. By bringing it up yourself and making fun of your insecurities you help take their power away.

Another trick is to reframe your insecurities. This means looking for the positive qualities in what you see as a deficiency. In life there are very few things which are objectively good or bad, everything in life is a trade-off, which means that under the right circumstances your weaknesses can be strengths. For example, if you’re self-conscious about being too old, reframe it and think of how much more experienced and wiser you are than younger people. If you are insecure about being too young, think of all the benefits of youth and the potential you still have left in life. Whatever the insecurity, try to come up with at least 3 positives (the more the better). This will help you overwhelm your negative feelings with positivity.

If your insecurity is about something that you can fix, then take action and start doing something to improve it. If you’re insecure about your weight, start going to the gym. If you’re insecure about money, start looking for another job. You don’t have to be perfect (no one is) or solve all your problems right away. As long you are taking meaningful steps towards solving your issues, you will start to feel more confident about them. Taking action builds confidence.

Mastery – Becoming really good at something can also be a source of strength and confidence. It doesn’t have to be dance, either. Maybe you are just getting started with dancing, but you are an awesome guitar player or you’re a bad ass at surfing. Maybe you’re an incredibly successful in businessman or a really good cook.

Whatever it is, if you find something you are passionate about and put in the hard work to become successful at it, you will feel more confident in yourself. For a lot of dancers that skill is dancing itself, but it doesn’t have to be. Find a purpose or objective in life, and dedicate yourself to it and you will start to feel more confident in all aspects of your life.

In conclusion, dance is a form of communication and a shared experience between two human beings. Improving your dance skills will make you a more enjoyable dance partner, but there are other areas of your life you can work on to improve the experience of dancing with you as well.

No matter how good you get at dancing, if you don’t take care of your hygiene, appearance, health, mood, and confidence, you won’t be very fun to dance with. Conversely, even if you’re not the best dancer in the room, if you take care of yourself, have a positive attitude, and have confidence in yourself as a person, people will love dancing with you, and that will make the process of dancing and the journey to becoming a better dancer all the more enjoyable.

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