Ball State University graduate student Amanda Nichols said shehad never learned how to salsa dance.
But when she attended Latino Student Union and Spectrum's dancelessons Thursday night, she said learning the dance was much easierthan she expected.
"I enjoyed it; just being able to learn it and be with my bestfriend from school and have fun," Nichols said.
Nearly 100 students gathered at L.A. Pittenger Student Center'sCardinal Hall to learn the salsa, merengue and bachata. SeniorElizabeth Curet, who conducted the Latin dance lessons, said shewas pleased with the turnout.
"I think this was the best group I had," Curet said. "Everyonepicked up everything really well."
Born in Puerto Rico, Curet said she came to the United Stateswhen she was only two weeks old, but she returned to Puerto Ricowhile in sixth grade and then moved to Indianapolis during herjunior year of high school.
"I've always had Spanish and English ingrained, especiallySpanish, because at home they were like, 'You're going to learnSpanish,'" Curet said.
Curet said she learned how to do the salsa and merengue aroundage five from her father, sisters, aunts and cousins, and also fromwatching Hispanic shows. Being in Ball State's Department ofTheatre and Dance allows her to learn the classical background ofthese dances, she said.
"The rhythm has always been around," Curet said. "When new stepswere given to me to learn, it just came naturally."
She said she especially enjoys dancing the salsa, merengue andbachata because they allow her to remain connected to her Hispanicculture.
"It's like I can always go home to salsa and merengue," Curetsaid. "I can always just close my eyes and feel like I'm at home.It's so freeing."
Graduate student Aliguma Young said she first learned how tosalsa dance during her freshman year at Tufts University in Bostonand attended the lessons because she always enjoys the music andexercise.
"I had a very good time because it was fun," Young said. "Theinstructor was excellent, and everyone else was having fun. Therewas a lot of energy in the room, and everyone was there todance."
Sophomore Zac Davis, internal vice president of Spectrum, saidhe was glad Spectrum cosponsored the event with LSU and enjoyedlearning how to do the salsa, which he plans to do in Spectrum'sDrag Show on Oct. 23.
"Cosponsorship is wonderful," Davis said. "I thought between thetwo groups that this was a good way to unite us and just to have afun night."
LSU usually holds the salsa and merengue dance lessons duringits September week of events or in March, during its awarenessmonth. Sophomore Alinna Nieto, president of LSU, said she was happywith the outcome and was glad so many students were exposed to theLatin dances.
"They get to learn a dance from a different culture, and I thinkit's really important that people get to experience some of ourculture," Nieto said.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
