Lined up in front of a wall of mirrors, sophomores Eloy Martinez and Kathleen Matos demonstrate a spiral and a “Rocky.” Behind them, 12 students mimic the salsa steps, eyes focused on the instructors’ feet.
Vocal guides without music come first, allowing them to practice the choreography. Then music is added.
“Find that spot that repeats,” Martinez said to the class. “There is always an instrument that repeats, whether bass or a trumpet.”
Martinez and Matos instruct salsa students through the basics as a warm-up. Matos calls out dance moves to perform and Martinez acts as a physical guide, adjusting arms and dancing alongside. With practice, the awkward steps of a student develop into shaking hips and fluid movements.
Martinez and Matos are seasoned dancers. Martinez danced for six years and studied at the Hot Spot Dance Studio in Miami. Matos has danced for four years and studied with Salsa Caliente Studio. Pushed by friends to teach, Martinez and Matos began to form classes with the Fit-4-Life program. The pair hopes to teach summer sessions to classes of 30.
“People get a chance to make new friends while learning a craft from a different culture,” Matos said.
Salsa dancing originates from Afro-Cuban styling. The tropical, energetic style relies heavily on partner dancing. However, a popular, social style is “salsa suelta,” a form of line dancing.
“We get to learn moves to use when we social dance, which is just dancing without being told what to do,” said freshman Kaitlin Coulter.
After three practice routines, the partners switch off. Girls smile and greet the boys. Boys stare at their feet as the music starts.
“Give some tension to let them know you are there,” Martinez said. “The boys adjust their pistol grip hand motion and gently push their partners to turn. The number one rule of salsa is that it is always the guy’s fault.”
“You guys make it look so easy,” one student called out as Martinez and Matos demonstrated a move. Martinez guides the students to form a rotating circle and switch-off partners.
Salsa dancing classes meet three times a week. The 1 p.m. class on Monday focuses on beginners. Intermediate classes are held on Thursday at 4 p.m. and Friday at 5 p.m. All classes are held in the Fitness Center.
