Students teach Salsa, Bachata, Merengue to celebrate Latino heritage

Mia Rivera (senior-accounting) taught Latin dances to 30 some people Wednesday evening at Ritmo Latino: Dancing with Cussies and Gammas, an event held by Sigma Lambda Gamma and Chi Upsilon Sigma sororities as part of Wisdom Week. “The purpose is to expose our culture to the campus community because many times they only think that Latinos dance salsa, but there are many different kinds of music that make up our culture,” said Mayra Leon, president and historian of Chi Upsilon Sigma, a national Hispanic sorority.

Rivera has been dancing professionally since she was 16. She now teaches Latin dancing in the White Building.

The event began with 10 interesting facts about Latin dancing that participants read from slips of paper while standing in a circle. Some of the facts explained that dancing is good exercise, it helps you expand your social life and it can relieve stress and overcome shyness.

Rivera began with the basics of the most complicated dance — the salsa.

She explained that salsa is made up of eight counts, two of which are pauses.

Next, Rivera demonstrated the side step and the turn.

“Everyone knows the steps — what sets you apart is your styling,” she said. “Add your own flavor, but make it simple and nice.”

Bachata is made up of three steps and a tap, Rivera said, introducing the second dance.

Bachata also involved front steps, side steps and turns similar to salsa but with its own style.

Rivera said when dancing Bachata with a partner, women should always keep their hands accessible in case their partner wants them.

Merengue was the last and easiest dance of the night.

“Okay, here’s the count: right-left-right-left-right-left,” Rivera said, as some participants laughed at the simplicity of the dance. “No seriously, that’s it.”

Participants ranged from beginner to expert, but most people could benefit from Rivera’s tips.

“I caught on pretty quick,” said Brittany Tucker (sophomore-information science technology), a self-proclaimed beginner. “I thought they were fun, very exciting and different.”

Debie Blair (senior-food science) said she has been dancing for five years.

“I didn’t really learn it in a lesson, I learned it from family,” she said. “So, it was interesting to learn the proper way to do it.”

“I don’t have a lot of rhythm, but I felt like it was easy to learn,” said another student, adding that it was familiar because she grew up around it.