KNOW YOUR SALSEROS -- New Year's Edition!
Welcome to the 2010 New Year's Edition of Know Your Salseros. This month we are proud to feature two awesome people that you may have seen gracing the floors of the salsa scene. Donna Iding and Kaush Singh. If you'd like to be featured in Know Your Salseros in future editions, let me know! Send an e-mail to Mambo Marci at my website, www.mambomarci.com.
Name: Donna Iding
Where are you originally from (ethnicity): born here in the Detroit suburbs - my immediate ancestors are from the war-ravaged Poland (and farther back Austria and Denmark)
How long have you been dancing: since I have been 5 years old!! It started with ballet and tap. And then, Hawaiian, modern/contemporary, jazz, etc.. Then during college at MSU taught ballroom….that was it, I was hooked!! I love dancing salsa, cha-cha, tango, samba, fox trot, waltz, swing, west coast, etc. The list is too long - actually any dance!
Where did you learn: dance studios mostly
Where do you go out to dance: Ya Salsa and Dance Elite and Mambo Marci’s salsa classes are my favorites! But also, the Radisson, Dance Revolution, Troy Dance Studio, Rhythm & Shoes, Argentine Tango, Sangria, Woody’s, Pi, are some!
What do you think could be done to expand the salsa scene: demo/showcase at dance studios and businesses, have the salsa community get more of their friends to attend would be a good start to let others know about salsa.
What do you do aside from dancing: lots!
* I am trying to start my own business…..but also:
* I teach Zumba a Latin dance-based fitness exercise.
* I help a Gold vendor to Microsoft with SharePoint, MS Project, MS Project Server, etc.
* I help a small social media company.
* I created a Program and Project Management Forum group that meets monthly. I garner and provide the speakers and run the meetings and decide the future strategic direction!
Your favorite song: wow, don’t have a favorite per se – love songs that are fast and fun!
What advice would you give to someone who is new to salsa dancing: To just come out and do it! They will be glad they started!! Everyone will be supportive because we all have the same goal – the joy of dancing!
Name: Kaush (Kaushlendra Singh)
Where are you originally from (ethnicity): India.
How long have you been dancing: On and off about 2 ½ years.
Where did you learn: Different instructors at various dance studios in Detroit, Kansas City, and Austin. Things I found most useful were to keep taking classes regularly and go out for salsa at least once a week to practice.
Where do you go out to dance: Some of my favorite places to dance are Sangria, Pi, YaSalsa Socials, and Motor City Socials at Radisson. I try my best to attend all special salsa events.
What do you think could be done to expand the salsa scene: The salsa scene has been improving for last couple of years. However, more workshops from out-of-town instructors and salsa congresses will really boost it.
What do you do aside from dancing: My other interests are astronomy, natural history, and travel. I’ve visited natural history museums and public observatories in Cleveland, St. Louis, Lincoln, Chicago, Kansas City, Oklahoma City, and Devonport. I also take tremendous interest in equity investment through local investors clubs.
Your favorite song: I like medium paced salsa songs. Some of my favorite songs are: Mas Que Tu Amigo by Tito Nieves, Ay Amor, Cuando Hablan Las Miradas by Guayacan Orquesta, AQuel Lugar by Adolescentes Orquesta, Se Le Ve by Andy Montañez.
What advice would you give to someone who is new to salsa dancing: Take dance lessons twice a week and listen to lots of salsa music to understand the beat. And come out once a week to practice and enjoy it.
