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Jasmin Raisanen, a third-year exchange student from Finland, has been dancing since 5-years old. “I look forward to learning Salsa. My dance partner in England knows how to, and I would like to go back and show him what I know.”
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After the break, the students start from the beginning of the routine. They started from the beginning and put together the combination moves they have learned from the first half of the lesson.
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Students mingle during the break after they have met many new people. The students had to rotate partners about every 30 seconds to give all the girls a chance to dance with a guy.
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Students from different cultures came to the International House to learn how to bust a move. They watch and listen to the instructor to repeat the steps on their own.
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Instructor Papus Keita showed the students how to dance the Merengue with his own smooth moves. He kept a good sense of humor that kept everyone laughing and helped everyone relax.
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Catherine Harrison, a sophomore, and Martin Fuetterer, an exchange student, count their beats and move their feet. “I came for fun, but I’m going to try not to look stupid in front of other people,” said Harrison.
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John McCollum and Tia Tabors were both freshmen who came to the dancing event to see if they would like it or not. “I danced in the fifth grade at Cotillion, like ballroom dancing. To be honest, I don’t have much rhythm,” said McCollum.
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Elias Askins IV and Tia Tabors are freshmen who came with friends to learn the Merengue. They began as partners but soon had to rotate and dance with someone new. When asked what the most difficult thing was to learn about the dance, Askins laughed and said, “Everything.”
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As a part of the Merengue, guys and girls both had to twirl each other. The students continue to practice what they have learned until the event has ended. The International House hosts a series of lessons to several different dances on Monday nights.
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Yasameen Hoffman-Shahim, a freshman, and Andreas Habig, an exchange student, worked well together as partners while doing the Merengue. “I dance modern and jazz but have been to a salsa club. I came tonight to be a better dancer and have a partner for a change,” said Hoffman-Shahim.
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Students were taught the proper stance and hands placement and explained its importance to help guide the girl. Upper body formation was not stressed because the instructor wanted the students to focus more on the foot movements.
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