Wanting to try salsa but too nervous or shy? Instructor Alethea Kelly's Salsa for Beginners at F.I.T. on Wednesday nights at 7:00 is great for those new to Latin dance.
When I asked advice for the novice salsa dancer, she immediately offered: “Remember the following three elements in this order: 1) have fun! 2) have fun! 3) have fun! The most important element a salsa instructor can offer to a new student, in addition to education in salsa, is to facilitate breaking the initial inhibition that often accompanies acquiring a new dance. How is this accomplished? By keeping the ambiance fun!! Therefore, find a salsa class where you not only learn, and feel comfortable but more importantly, have a blast!”
She means it. At a Funtopia workshop last month, I took Alethea’s Women’s Styling Class. Statuesque and calmly assured in her movements and techniques, her sense of humor and sound teaching skills built confidence in my classmates. Patient with the nervous laughter that comes from those whose first instinct is to balk when asked to become a dancing diva, she coaxes out the inner goddess in even the most wary dancer. And we all had fun.
Allowing us a peek into her bag of tricks, she offers: “I enjoy and teach a medley of Latin dances including: merengue, bachata, and tango but my heart is with salsa! Today, there is no mainstream salsa style. It is a continual metamorphosis, with cultural influences from Cuba, Columbia, Puerto Rico, Miami, New York and L.A. As a reaction, salsa dancers are continually updating their repertoire. I consider myself a global dancer and implement a variety of patterns from different genres to keep my style unique!”
She isn’t kidding when she says she’s a global dancer. As unique as her style is her story. Alethea Mwende Kelly traces the roots of her diverse music and dance interests: “I am the product of a dual continent marriage. My father, American, was working for the United States Peace Corps when he met my mother, a Kenyan singer, in Nairobi Kenya. After their courtship, they decided to wed, and Alethea (truth) was born, in Kenya. Growing up stateside, I recall listening to my father play classical pieces on the piano and organ, while my mother sang Kenyan Hymns. Having always had some exposure to an eclectic mix of music, I naturally assimilated to the salsa beat! I often joke that because my country is the same latitude as a few South American countries, it only naturally that I feel at home with Latin dances.”
She offers more advice: “The key to styling and flair: Emote and Musicality! Avoid executing rehearsed choreography to an entire song on the dance floor!!! Each salsa song is individual, so each dance should be as well. When two people meet to dance, they are creating a unique story for the two of them and that particular song. Therefore, the dance should not be a memorized, replicated pattern that is performed, or a series of moves thrown together, but an individual interpretation.
I encourage students, after learning a new move, to practice at home! Then, take the next step, and make it your own. Take into account the melody of a song, focus on the instruments and rhythm. Own the move by implementing your own style and personality not just what someone told you to do! Keep in mind: Have Fun!!!”
For Alethea’s private and group lessons in salsa, tango and belly dance in Nashville and Murfreesboro, contact alethea95@hotmail.com for rates and location information.
Salsa Classes at FIT on Wednesdays:
Beginning Salsa with Alethea (7:00), followed by Intermediate Salsa at 8:30 taught by Nashville Legend, Michael Worku. (See upcoming article on Michael as a founder of the Nashville Salsa Scene.)
Price: $10 per lesson or $40 for 5 lessons (5th one becomes free - Includes free practice CD) CASH or Checks Only, please! A Funtopia Event located at:
FIT Nashville
125 12th Avenue South
Nashville, TN 37203
615-712-7340
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