¡Vamos a Bailar! Latin Dance Opens Doors for Students and Teachers
Recent studies have projected that by the year 2050, there will be more Hispanic children enrolled in U.S. public schools than non-Hispanic Caucasian children. As the fastest growing minority group in the country, the Hispanic population is going to triple in the next 40 years, from 46.7 million to 132.8 million, according to the United States Census Bureau.
With so much Hispanic influence already here and on the horizon, why are Americans so limited in their knowledge of this rich and exciting culture? Even more thought provoking, why do so few dance studios offer Latin dance classes in addition to ballet, tap and jazz? Now is the time to begin addressing these questions so that the dance community can keep up with the changing landscape of America.
Most of the Latin dance forms performed today originated in South America, such as the cha-cha-cha, salsa, mambo, merengue and tango. It is important to make the distinction between these traditional forms and Latin-American dances in the ballroom setting because not all of them come from South America. Ballroom dance is a melding of Latin- American and social dances into a codified technique for the purpose of competition.
The experience of learning Latin dance, in the ballroom style or otherwise, can benefit students of all dance backgrounds. According to Luis Salgado, Latin dance choreographer and star of Broadway’s acclaimed show “In the Heights,” it will “expand their talents and their possibilities.” He explains, “One of the key elements to succeeding is being versatile and knowing all the things outside the box. The Latin rhythms will benefit any performer in their career and development.”
As a teacher of “Latin Fusion” at Broadway Dance Center and Steps on Broadway in New York City, he sees firsthand the impact his classes have on a variety of dancers. One of his students, a former ballet dancer, said, “I did ballet for so long, but it wasn’t until I did this class that I could let go. And now I’m dancing.” Salgado believes it is the power of the music and the rhythm that forces students to relax and enjoy. “Being exposed to the rhythms you’re almost obligated to get in touch with dance. Not thinking, but enjoying the process of what you’re doing. It’s not something that is developed in most dance communities,” he reveals.
Sandor and Parissa, internationally acclaimed tango performers and choreographers based in Los Angeles, agree about the benefits. “Learning social, Latin and cultural dances opens the mind, the emotions and physical expressions, allowing the new generation of dancers to offer a more complete and contemporary repertoire, which reflects society today,” they say.
“In the Heights,” a musical about life in Washington Heights, a predominately Hispanic neighborhood in New York City, is just one of many productions that draws its choreography from Latin forms. Both the “club scene” and the "Carnival de Barrio" contain a plethora of eye-catching Latin moves, including some highly complicated lifts and partner work. Salgado explains that many of the dancers auditioning for the tour are ill-equipped for the stylization and difficult partnering. However, the experience often inspires them to attend his workshop and return with a greater range of abilities.
Although many dancers, like Chita Rivera and Maria Torres, have paved the way for Latin dance in past years, it is currently experiencing an unprecedented boom in popularity across many genres of entertainment. “Music, immigration and tourism have exposed Latin tunes, culture and dance forms to the American dance scene,” explain Sandor and Parissa. “Now also TV shows, movies and theatrical productions have created an appealing demand and an explosion of opportunities for all dancers.”
Salgado attributes this influx of Latin dance in popular entertainment to a new era of cultural dialogue and discourse. “It was Victor Hugo who said, ‘Nothing is stronger than an idea whose time has come.’ It is the right time to celebrate what this culture has to offer,” he states. “So I encourage all studios to experience this culture to create a new awareness for their students.”
For performers, a familiarity of Latin dance can open doors across multiple genres. Movies like “Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights” and “Take the Lead” are heavily rooted in Latin dance forms. Television shows like “So You Think You Can Dance?” and “Dancing With the Stars” require contestants to perform dances such as salsa and the cha-cha-cha. Many recording artists use Latin dance in their music videos and on tour. In 2001, Madonna utilized tango, salsa and flamenco techniques in her Drowned World Tour, which was choreographed by Brazilian-born dancer Alexandre Magno. The list goes on.
In the concert dance world, many modern and ballet companies perform pieces rooted in Latin dance. For example, Paul Taylor Dance Company often performs a Tango-inspired piece called “Piazzolla Caldera,” which Taylor choreographed in 1997. In the classical world, Ballet Hispanico has an eclectic repertoire that often combines ballet, Latin dance, Afro-Caribbean dance and live music. In addition, many prominent ballet companies have “Don Quixote” in their repertoire. While “Don Quixote” does not contain actual Latin social dances, it requires knowledge of these forms to achieve the necessary stylization.
Learning Latin dances will not only help students become more well-rounded and prepare them for the professional job market, but it will also provide them with skills for any career they wish to pursue. “Since Latin and social dances require partnership, leading and following, it introduces a sense of communication and responsibility to the dancers early on,” explain Sandor and Parissa. “With this comes a confidence to interact emotionally and physically, to develop a conversation through movement. Of course confidence, passion and maturity are all part of the package.”
For Salgado, the benefits of Latin dance reach even further. “It’s not only the fact of teaching Latin [dance] itself, but being able to educate your students about so many other things,” he says. “I use the rhythms to explain to them the history and add cultural facts. I see the development in this educational knowledge and they get hooked.”
The best thing about Latin dance is that anyone can learn it and benefit from the experience, not just dancers preparing for professional careers. Because it is generally more aerobic than ballet or other traditional dance techniques, it burns more calories while utilizing a variety of muscles at once. And since sociability is an essential ingredient, it is something students, both young and old, will always look forward to. Without the tedium of barre exercises or the fear of skimpy leotards, Latin dance has the ability to bring in a non-dance crowd as well.
Incorporating Latin dance into your studio’s curriculum may seem difficult or expensive, but it does not have to be an inconvenience. Sandor and Parissa suggest starting simply, perhaps with a series of four to 10 classes in a particular Latin or social dance style to test the waters. “Once the students get a taste, more than likely they will want to continue, especially if they plan on becoming professional dancers,” they contend. And ultimately, the classes will “entice new crowds to come watch performances, thus bringing more success to dance studios.”
Many studio directors may have difficulty finding a suitable Latin dance instructor, especially if the studio is located in a small town. In this case, Salgado suggests looking harder. “The culture is everywhere, so take the responsibility to go after people from a different background and celebrate them,” he informs. “It’s about looking outside the box, seeing who around your town can help your school. Go wherever there is a salsa congress.” In addition, he encourages teachers to make their students do some homework of their own. “Get students to do their own research, to collaborate, play with rhythms and meet people right in their own hometowns.”
Adding another faculty member may not be an option for your studio, especially in the current economic climate, so it is important to do your own experimenting. The Internet is a great place to begin looking for new music. Choreograph a class exercise to a catchy Latin song that does not follow traditional musical arrangements. “Get out of the 5,6,7,8,” Salgado stresses. “Go back and learn where the rhythms come from, then create more out of basic rhythms.”
As American culture keeps changing and evolving, it is imperative that the dance community reflects that progression. By offering a series of social dance courses, incorporating Latin beats into your jazz classes, or encouraging your students to research on their own, you are not just introducing them to a new style of movement, you are affording them a rich, cultural experience that brings joy and happiness. “When you can find the joy within yourself it makes you grow,” says Salgado. “And that release is exactly what people need.”