Salsa lessons bring Miami Beach community together through music and dance
by Brandon Caram
In Miami, music is more than something people listen to. It is a part of the city’s culture, bringing people together through shared rhythms, traditions and experiences. At the Miami Beach Bandshell, salsa lessons give people an opportunity to experience that connection firsthand by learning to dance.
Among those sharing her passion for salsa is Melina Almodóvar, whose love for the arts began at an early age.
“Ever since I was a little girl, I always wanted to be dancing, singing, doing some kind of art,” Almodóvar said.
For Almodóvar, salsa is more than learning steps or keeping up with the beat. It represents a cultural connection that has been passed down through generations.
“You know, as Latinos, we love music. So Latinos and salsa and music go hand in hand. It’s part of our culture. It’s part of who we are,” she said.
Through free salsa lessons and social dancing, the event welcomes people of different experience levels to step onto the dance floor and explore the music. While some participants may already be familiar with salsa, others have to learn the rhythm one step at a time.
Almodóvar explained that finding the right rhythm starts with listening closely to the music and identifying the instruments that guide the dance.
“You have to listen to the music. You have to listen to the rhythm, the conga drums, the bass and the piano. And then you find the tempo,” Melina said.
Although learning salsa can take practice, the lessons encourage participants to try something new and become part of the experience. According to Almodóvar, the goal is to give everyone an opportunity to connect with the culture, regardless of their dancing ability.
"Salsa is a really big part of Cubans," senior Marcos Montesino said. "Dancing is the one thing that the Cuban people have to come together. It's so much more valuable for us."
For some participants, the lessons may lead to a lasting interest in salsa. For others, they offer a chance to meet new people, enjoy live music and step outside their comfort zone.
“Well, we try. We try to tell everybody how to do it, and we give them an opportunity to be part of this wonderful culture,” Melina said.
As the music continues at the Miami Beach Bandshell, the dance floor becomes a place where people can discover the rhythm, embrace the culture and connect with the community, one step at a time.
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