22 years in the scene and quitting. Maybe dubai studio got too expensive? Maybe just a final push for an online marketing class? Religion related? He always seemed genuine to many like myself. I think it's his full time job, so he's probably just switching careers?
I’ve been thinking about where salsa especially social salsa fits in the dance world, & it feels weirdly pushed to the side.
In the US, the dance school either need to be just full on latin or if it's a dance school (with exception to cult brands like artur murray) they'll try salsa but it'll eventually get pushed out. Same thing happens with salsa socials that venues try, I'm pretty sure it's not just money.
My main question is why isn’t salsa more present in mainstream studios?
I’m talking about the typical US dance school, they'll often have a ballet system but still have hip-hop and contemporary. It feels like salsa should at least exist as a solid elective (thankfully a lot of US colleges including EU universities, some in the UK actually have salsa as an elective).
But look at how most studios are structured: multiple levels of ballet, plus contemporary, jazz & hip-hop foundations or even bboying. I think it's obviously because these programs are family friendly (I guess?) and can be easily recognized then fueled by middle-/low-mid class families getting their kids into dance & there’s usually adult classes too. It’s a clear system with progression, recitals, and they can do performances at the local leagues so long-term students. Again, we'll have a dance school that still will have other electives like a jazz fusion or ballroom.
But I guess salsa just doesn’t plug into that system? And if it is, it usually always does not last long or it will eventually be pushed out. I'd dare say stuff like salsanama is as skill intensive compared to ballroom not having a 1v1 type of thing. Ballroom and tango often always gets a pass as well, though they'd be more specialized or you'll find tango in a niche tango-association in your city.
I guess also it's because salsa is a street dance, so it often gets treated like it doesn’t belong. Studios might test “Latin” or “Latin jazz,” but if it's salsa it often does not last. I won't even discuss adjacent dances (bachata/zouk/salsa solo shines-salsanama) BUT this is also the same thing with venues: The most annoying thing I'm finding is how line dancing nights stick around, but salsa nights just gets pushed out. It almost feels like salsa is seen as risky or worse.
Money defo plays a role. Studios & venues stick with what’s predictable. Line dancing crowds may even be a bit bigger, but they’re consistent and people in the US just really like dancing with themselves (but with a group OF people you probably don't want to meet because you're dancing for you). Salsa/bachata crowds can be big & energetic too but maybe less predictable BUT maybe they're not as much of a drinking type of crowd? So no money. Still, I very much believe both groups (line dance/latin-salsa nights) spend money socially, so it’s not like salsa is a weak draw. But again, they often get pushed out.
Back in studios, when they do branch out, it’s usually swing (charleston, lindy hop), hustle, or “exotic” styles like belly dance, then you'll get a teacher that will do pole, or heels. Partner dancing isn’t the issue ballroom exists just fine. So why not salsa?
Maybe it might be structure. Ballet & similar styles are easier to standardize, test, & showcase. They’re also more individual, which is simpler to manage than partner-based social dancing. But that doesn’t fully explain it. Again, ballroom, and cha-cha oddly continues to dominate more on a lot of US dance studios.
Again, the ironic thing is college campuses across the US have strong salsa scenes as extracurriculars. And with salsa sort of blowing up because of Bad Bunny, you’d think studios would tap into that energy. But I think too little too late, salsa influencers could still try to capture that momentum.
So is this just a US thing? Has it always been like this? Or are studios AND venues completely missing a huge opportunity? Maybe if organizers tell the venues that they won't make money off of drinks but by consistence and building that salsa community will, you'd get more people. I also think blaming it on the lack of salsa music genre is the thing, so many dance studios trying out salsa and they'll just play aguanile. I think being a salsa DJ is a specialization in itself. Thoughts?