Juniors share cultural interest, instruct salsa dance class
Junior Jose Gonzales dips his partner junior Rachel Rivera when rehearsing for their weekly class.
April 13, 2017
Salsa, the Latin dance descended from African rhythms and Cuban mambo has shown a popularity and interest in students from Akins High School, especially in junior Jose Gonzalez.
Gonzalez is a member of the Latinos Unidos club and recently started to teach a salsa dance class for students in Akins.
According to Gonzalez, a new dancer can take a couple of months to execute salsa’s precise moves with “real skill,” and attitude is a major factor in success.
Gonzalez grew up watching his family dance and over time, they became one of his biggest inspirations to begin teaching salsa classes.
“I decided to teach because since I was little I have admired my uncle and aunt. They started taking classes and now they teach other couples. Watching them, I knew I wanted to do something similar…” Gonzalez said.
Salsa has become a passion for Gonzales. For him, it is not only a dance, but also an opportunity to express himself.
“The moment when I start to have a connection with my partner, and I feel that my mind is blank and I start to create a story between my partner through the dance; this is what makes me love salsa dance,” Gonzalez said.
Everyone is welcome in the class, regardless of whether or not they have experience in dance, the only requirement is to have a positive attitude.
“Everything is if the student or the person wants to learn and has a positive attitude he or she will learn,” Gonzalez said “But if the person does not feel comfortable, he/she will not learn and will not enjoy the class.”
Aside from teaching, Gonzalez takes dance classes, and has had the opportunity to participate in some dance competitions along with junior Rachel Rivera, his partner.
“I started taking classes in September 2016, at Impulso Dance Academy, is an academy where many people from Austin who are passionate of salsa dance meet.” Gonzalez said.
Gonzalez and Rivera practice constantly for their competitions, but the most important event for them right now is the Cinco de Mayo Show, organized by the Latinos Unidos club every year.
The classes Gonzalez offers are after school in room 308.
If you are interested in Gonzalez’ classes, they are every Wednesday and Thursday in room 308 and are about an hour and a half long.
For those thinking about learning how to dance, Gonzalez offered some advice.
“To dance not only is necessary to have talent or know the technique, the passion and dedication that you put in your dance, will make the difference,” he said.
