UPPER MACUNGIE TWP., Pa. — At her birthday party, Latin dance instructor Inés Maldonado gave the community a moving gift — full of foot taps and hip sways.
Maldonado, who runs Lehigh Valley Salsa Social, led a free bachata dance class on Saturday inside a ballroom at the Delta Marriott off Route 100 in Fogelsville.
It was followed with a night of salsa, cha-cha and mambo dancing — styles that are suddenly hip again and gaining popularity.
Hundreds of beginner and experienced dancers attended, including her students, following along as Maldonado demonstrated the basic steps of bachata — a dance that originated in the Dominican Republic, where her family is from.
Bachata — unlike its cousin, the quicker-paced salsa — is a slower, passionate dance with more emphasis on hip movements, foot shuffles and the cozying up to a partner.
During the free class, she had the dancers first line up solo so she could demonstrate the basic bachata steps (complete with hand movements, shuffles and slides).
Then the crowd coupled up so that Maldonado and her beau, Jose Cancel, could show the leader and follower roles of the passionate dance.
The Saturday social event also doubled as a birthday celebration for Maldonado, who will celebrate her actual birthday on March 3 and took over Lehigh Valley Salsa Social a decade ago.
From salsa student to full-time salsera
In 2013, Maldonado started taking salsa lessons with Jesus Nieves, a well-known mambo instructor based in New York.
Nieves taught her the basics of New York Style salsa, or Salsa on 2. There are several types of salsa danced internationally including Salsa Caleña, or Colombian Salsa, and Los Angeles Salsa, or Salsa 1, which is now her speciality.
It was Nieves, impressed with her dedication and skill, who suggested Maldonado become an instructor.
"I wasn't thinking I wanted to be a teacher," she said. "I knew how to do the followers position, but I didn't know how to do the leaders — that's the guy's position. But he convinced me and gave me a couple of names for a school to learn more."
In 2016, Maldonado began dancing with Lehigh Valley Salsa Social, or LVSS, which previously held social events at the Banana Factory in Bethlehem.
"There wasn't really any promotion or official logos and when the three instructors said they were leaving, they asked me to take over," Maldonado explained.
"So I did more research and took additional Salsa on 2 instructor classes in New York City with dance instructors Marcus Nieves and Mario "B" Gonzalez, and trademarked the logo and then started building up from there. "
Bad Bunny, growing in popularity
Since the pandemic, and with tutorials viral on apps like TikTok, Latin dances like salsa and bachata have surged in popularity.
Even Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny, whose chart-topping salsa/reggaeton album,"DeBi TiRAR MaS FOToS," released in January, has inspired a younger generation to partake in salsa classes.
"His music has definitely had an impact on my younger students," Maldonado said. "But overall, the salsa group has grown in the past few years. My students are from all nationalities, all ages, and walks of life.
"People want to learn salsa, and they want to learn it at a reasonable price, but the salsa group is not just a place to learn moves, it's also become a community."
Beach trips, group chats
In the summer months, Maldonado will often host trips to Orchard Beach in the Bronx.
"We bring our beach chairs, coolers and we have a DJ that plays music from noon to 5:30 p.m. and then there's an after-party, and of course, dancing," she said.
The salsa group has an online chat where they share information on local Latin dance nights — meet-ups at venues like the Puerto Rican Beneficial Society in Bethlehem and the Fearless Fire Company in Allentown.
The next social event with the LVSS team is set for Saturday, March 15, at Lehigh Valley Active Life, 1633 Elm St., Allentown.
"It's not just about dancing in the classes, it's also about the social aspect. That's where you learn and practice," Maldonado said.
"Sometimes we'll all go out to a bar, play some pool, and then dance salsa. It's about getting the students out of their comfort zone and being social with other people who like something that you like."
Positive effects on mental health
Maldonado and Cancel, who met dancing, will tell you that dancing is good for the soul.
But there's also scientific research backing their shared sentiment.
A recent study by Northwestern University in Boston found that dancing releases serotonin, or the happy hormone, when done in a social setting.
Another 2018 study, by Coventry University in England,showed that salsa dancing can boost brain function by up to 18 percent.
"One of the things I've noticed that happens with Inés' students is that the dancing helps them break out of their shell," Cancel said. "Right in front of our eyes, boom, they start to shine and become more confident. That's encouraging to us and one of the things I love most about the group."
Maldonado tells her students, "Come as you are."
There's no such thing as appearing silly on the dance floor.
"Who gives a crap what you look like? People have to accept you for you regardless of what you look like," she said.
"The classes are a safe space to learn. Maybe I'll laugh if someone makes a mistake, but then I'm going to cut it right there. The point is to make people feel comfortable and enjoy dancing, not to judge them."
The Lehigh Valley Salsa Social classes meet weekly and also monthly for four weeks.
The next monthly cycle begins on March 4.
Individual classes cost $25 and a four-class package is $95.
For information on their events or to book a class, visit their website or Facebook page.
