Psychology sophomore Jacob Wong guides math freshman Brianna Jimenez as she twirls while dancing the cha-cha Monday during salsa lessons in the Fiesta Room of Loftin. Jimenez said a friend made her dance, but she had fun. Photo by E. David Guel
Lessons are part of free year-round classes in Loftin.
By Ana Victoria Cano
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
Students moved their hips and learned how to salsa during a free lesson in Loftin Student Center Monday.
Jacob Wong, the instructor and psychology sophomore, began with merengue.
The 10 men and women smiled and laughed as they formed two lines and faced each other.
Wong said men always start with the left foot and women with the right.
“Your body is committed to the next step,” Wong said.
Students were engaged in the class; they followed every moved Wong showed.
“I like to exaggerate things,” Wong said. “You will kill it when you exaggerate a step.”
Wong played “Rabiosa” by Shakira to let students feel the beat.
“We all are just walking; I am sure you can do that,” said Karen Elliot, an American sign language sophomore who assisted him with instructing students.
Students nearby watched the lessons, smiling and pointing at the dancers.
During the lesson five more students joined.
They learned choreography, first practicing without music. Then, they paired up and started dancing to “Rabiosa.”
Psychology sophomore Jacob Wong and Karen Elliot, American sign language sophomore, demonstrate body positioning for merengue to students during a salsa dance lesson Monday in the Fiesta Room of Loftin. Wong taught students the basics of salsa dancing and how a male should lead the female. Photo By E. David Guel
“She has to be more receptive, and you have to be more firm,’’ Wong said to the male dancers while showing with Elliot how to do a one-hand turn.
Wong said dancing is like walking in place, and it is important to count and make the movements look natural.
The dance steps began to flow as students practiced to “Tres Deseos” by Gloria Estefan and “Cha Cha” by Chelo.
“What I enjoyed most about the salsa lessons was his ability to break it down as a science,” said business sophomore Oswaldo Heguigorri.
Heguigorri said, “The class was phenomenal; the instructor knows his moves well.”
Kinesiology and dance sophomore Monique Rodriguez said, “I like the involvement of how students teach students.”
Wong has taught dance classes at this college for four years for Hispanic Heritage Month.
He enjoys the interaction of teaching salsa.
For other free classes in Loftin Student Center, see the calendar on page 2 of The Ranger.
