Bensu Kollath

Wow, Salsera of the week!! My sister will be so proud of me when she reads this. Thanks to my sweet and only sister, Ayben, I actually found out about salsa dancing and a whole different world here in Indy. Even though I've lived in Indiana since 1991, I had never been in any salsa clubs until last year. After I was introduced to salsa dancing by my sister Ayben and a few close friends, I could not stop dancing.

I've been dancing since I was a little girl. While I was growing up in Izmir, Turkey, I mostly danced Turkish folkloric dance, and of course, our traditional belly dance. My family also was full of music and dance. I remember putting two chairs together to making me a bed to sleep while my parents were dancing past midnight in discotheques. Especially, since my parents were raised in the 50's and 60's era dancing cha cha, rumba, twist, etc. So I had been exposed to a lot of Latin music, even though I did not know the language. So, here I am coming from a family who loves to dance. After a long day at the office and then rushing home to take care of two kids and a husband, and home, I realized I was really missing something in my life. After going to the Red Room and Jazz Kitchen with Ayben, I realized how much I miss dancing. I didn't really like to going to bars where there're lots of smoke. Plus my husband has so much work and traveling being in the military. I just did not have the time. Then my sister discovered this wonderful group of people and the rest is history. I really found what I was missing. Dancing is my culture and my culture is a big part of me.

Thanks to Yang and Erin's teaching techniques, patience, and love for what they are doing, I can not wait to go dancing each week. I have been taking lessons at IntoSalsa since last year, and I will continue on until Yang and Erin tell me they don't have anymore to teach me. I know I still have a lot to learn. But, I enjoy dancing with all of you. It is such a pleasure to see all your smiling faces flowing with the music. When I hear the music, it gives me this endless energy. I feel like I can dance all night, until the dawn. It brings back memories and gives me that little something to get through the rest of the week.