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ENLARGE
Dance step: Mónica Correal, 18, right, helps Treva Wright-Quinn of Camas Valley with a dance step as her husband, Pat Quinn, looks on during a ‘Simply Salsa’ class at the YMCA in Roseburg Friday.
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ENLARGE
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Dance teachers: Siblings Mónica and Jhonnatan Correal moved to Roseburg in December from Colombia. The two are teaching salsa dancing at the YMCA and will be performing at upcoming local events.
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As the music pumps through the loudspeakers, the couples reach for their partners. Some awkwardly shuffle across the linoleum floor, watching their feet.
Others, heads held high, sashay to the rhythm, and still more flaunt moves all their own — flinging their partners to and fro like boomerangs.
Throughout it all, Colombian teachers Mónica and Jhonnatan Correal have smiles plastered on their faces. New to America, the siblings are now teaching salsa lessons at the YMCA in Roseburg.
“All the people are happy. I like this,” Jhonnatan (pronounced Jonathan) said about the experience. “It’s like a party for two hours.”
Mónica, 18, and Jhonnatan, 21, moved to America to continue their schooling. Jhonnatan aspires to be a newspaper journalist, while Mónica wants to major in industrial engineering and accounting. The two followed their mother Maria Paz Ziegler, who moved to Douglas County in August to marry Stephen Ziegler of Green.
Although they’ve only lived in Oregon since December, Mónica and Jhonnatan said there are many differences between their hometown of Bucaramanga and the Roseburg community. Colombians tend to be warm and affectionate people, while many Americans are more reserved.
Oregon’s weather is much colder than they’ve ever experienced, and the cost of clothing here is noticeably cheaper.
The biggest difference, though, is dancing. In Colombia, people master dancing as children, and when they’re older, they parade their moves in dance clubs all night long. They’re also given the luxury of blasting their radios from sundown to sunup without fear of anyone calling the police.
By teaching salsa to local residents, the Correals hope to share a piece of their culture with the local community.
“The class is amazing,” Mónica said. “All the people are happy. It’s good.”
Ben and Sonia Escalera of Roseburg, who are longtime dancers, are the lead instructors for the weekly course, in which about 30 people are enrolled. The two have taught dance lessons at the YMCA since 2001, and Sonia said she’s glad the Colombian siblings have become part of the team. Mónica and Jhonnatan have also joined the Escaleras’ dance group, Escalera and Company, and they will perform at many public engagements in coming weeks.
“They have created some fantastic choreography, and brought to our dance class a very exciting cultural style that will make you move — even when you’re standing still,” Sonia said. “ … They have the enthusiasm and the commitment. They have a chemistry.”
Others, heads held high, sashay to the rhythm, and still more flaunt moves all their own — flinging their partners to and fro like boomerangs.
Throughout it all, Colombian teachers Mónica and Jhonnatan Correal have smiles plastered on their faces. New to America, the siblings are now teaching salsa lessons at the YMCA in Roseburg.
“All the people are happy. I like this,” Jhonnatan (pronounced Jonathan) said about the experience. “It’s like a party for two hours.”
Mónica, 18, and Jhonnatan, 21, moved to America to continue their schooling. Jhonnatan aspires to be a newspaper journalist, while Mónica wants to major in industrial engineering and accounting. The two followed their mother Maria Paz Ziegler, who moved to Douglas County in August to marry Stephen Ziegler of Green.
Although they’ve only lived in Oregon since December, Mónica and Jhonnatan said there are many differences between their hometown of Bucaramanga and the Roseburg community. Colombians tend to be warm and affectionate people, while many Americans are more reserved.
Oregon’s weather is much colder than they’ve ever experienced, and the cost of clothing here is noticeably cheaper.
The biggest difference, though, is dancing. In Colombia, people master dancing as children, and when they’re older, they parade their moves in dance clubs all night long. They’re also given the luxury of blasting their radios from sundown to sunup without fear of anyone calling the police.
By teaching salsa to local residents, the Correals hope to share a piece of their culture with the local community.
“The class is amazing,” Mónica said. “All the people are happy. It’s good.”
Ben and Sonia Escalera of Roseburg, who are longtime dancers, are the lead instructors for the weekly course, in which about 30 people are enrolled. The two have taught dance lessons at the YMCA since 2001, and Sonia said she’s glad the Colombian siblings have become part of the team. Mónica and Jhonnatan have also joined the Escaleras’ dance group, Escalera and Company, and they will perform at many public engagements in coming weeks.
“They have created some fantastic choreography, and brought to our dance class a very exciting cultural style that will make you move — even when you’re standing still,” Sonia said. “ … They have the enthusiasm and the commitment. They have a chemistry.”
Members of the dance class are equally appreciative of the Correals’ talents. Although the siblings have yet to perfect the English language, students say they have no trouble understanding what Mónica and Jhonnatan are trying to communicate.
“It’s just very, very fun,” said Patti Boyd of Glide, who enrolled with her husband Pat. “They are just very fun to watch.”
Kim Flagor, a sophomore at Roseburg High School, agrees. She enrolled in the class with her younger cousin, Adam Flagor. Awed by the Correals’ talent, Kim said she aspires to be as good as they are one day.
“I’m here because I’ve been fascinated by salsa dancing for a long time,” she said. “I love it. It’s awesome. Even though it’s only three weeks long, I’ve learned a lot so far. It’s really fun.”
The Correals said they enjoy teaching and they’re having fun exploring Oregon. Luckily, they said they have a lot of family and friends in the area who make them feel at home, and they keep themselves busy by taking English classes at Umpqua Community College.
“It’s just very, very fun,” said Patti Boyd of Glide, who enrolled with her husband Pat. “They are just very fun to watch.”
Kim Flagor, a sophomore at Roseburg High School, agrees. She enrolled in the class with her younger cousin, Adam Flagor. Awed by the Correals’ talent, Kim said she aspires to be as good as they are one day.
“I’m here because I’ve been fascinated by salsa dancing for a long time,” she said. “I love it. It’s awesome. Even though it’s only three weeks long, I’ve learned a lot so far. It’s really fun.”
The Correals said they enjoy teaching and they’re having fun exploring Oregon. Luckily, they said they have a lot of family and friends in the area who make them feel at home, and they keep themselves busy by taking English classes at Umpqua Community College.
Once they get a better handle on the language and take other offerings at UCC, they will review their options on where to continue their schooling. Jhonnatan also aspires to join the Air Force soon.
Being a good dancer, they said, takes time and practice. Even though they have years of experience, they still spend countless hours in the garage to choreograph new routines. All people need to start out, they stress, is a can-do attitude.
“Close your eyes and don’t think of the steps,” Jhonnatan advised. “If you feel the music, you will be a good dancer.”
• You can reach reporter Erin Snelgrove at 957-4208 or by e-mail at esnelgrove@newsreview.info.
Being a good dancer, they said, takes time and practice. Even though they have years of experience, they still spend countless hours in the garage to choreograph new routines. All people need to start out, they stress, is a can-do attitude.
“Close your eyes and don’t think of the steps,” Jhonnatan advised. “If you feel the music, you will be a good dancer.”
• You can reach reporter Erin Snelgrove at 957-4208 or by e-mail at esnelgrove@newsreview.info.
SALSA glance
Performance schedule
<b>CLASSES:</b> Jhonnatan and Mónica Correal will help teach the next session of “Simply Salsa” classes at the YMCA in Roseburg. The classes will run from 7 to 9 p.m. Feb. 17, 24 and March 3. The cost is $8 for YMCA members and $16 for the general public. The fee covers all three lessons. To enroll, call Gary Williams at 440-9622. <b>PERFORMANCES:</b> The Correals will showcase their dancing skills at the following events: • Macy’s Wedding Show — 12:30 p.m. Sunday at Seven Feathers Hotel & Casino Resort in Canyonville. The event itself will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free admission. • Father/Daughter Dance — 7 to 10 p.m. Feb. 10, Exhibit Building at the Douglas County Fairgrounds in Roseburg. Tickets cost $5 in advance and are available at Macy’s, Living Hope Books Plus, Maggie Bee’s and Nickel Bowl. Tickets cost $6 at the door. |
