Ryan Hutchins

When I was younger I was never really exposed to dancing. I was always the "wall flower" so to speak. I would always go to the party and never really dance. Later on at home I would dance in front of the mirror doing the moves I wanted to do. I've talked to people and I’m not the only one either. Needless to say I had the love of dance but couldn't express myself.

When I was about 19 some of my friends went out to the Walker for Latin night. So I went along. I had no idea the impact it was going to have on me. I learned the basic step when I went. That wasn't enough though. I instantly wanted to do more. My friend Nicole would dance with me and lead me into moves. Although I could fake dancing with her, I couldn't really dance with anyone else. So I got with her and started to practice. We used Josie Neglia’s tapes and learned the routines that they had on them. Although I learned a lot of moves. It didn't teach me timing. So one day I was out with her and ran into T from the Red Brick Dance Studio at American Bandstand. He told me that I needed to work on my footwork. I didn't know what he meant. So I started taking his classes at the studio. I went in thinking I was good. I knew a bunch of moves and that’s what I thought salsa was all about. Until I met Yang at the RBD Studio. He asked me what level I was and I told him about the tapes I had seen and my experience. He promptly told me to start in beginner one. I honestly thought I was to good for it. But once I started it opened my eyes. I would talk to Yang sometimes at the Walker when I first started. After the first class all the extremely deep things Yang would say to me over the years were finally making sense. So I stayed in the class for a while but I slowly drifted away. My friends didn't go to Latin night anymore and Nicole wasn't old enough to go out to events in the city. Although I was on a break from salsa, my love for dancing never stopped. I learned how to do other styles of dance. I started learning funk styles of dancing like popping, waving, tutting, and breakdancing. (BTW there is no such thing as pop-locking. There is popping and there is locking) All the styles I wish I had known when I was younger. I still would dance salsa at an event here or there like a wedding or a party. So I wasn't completely rusty. But I wasn't learning anything new.

One day a co-worker wanted me to teach her salsa. So I did and showed her a some basic moves. She told me she was going to take a class. So I went with her. I didn't know it would be Yang teaching it. When I found out he was the teacher I knew I was in the right place. I've been there ever since. I've been taking classes for about 2 months now, which is kind of deceptive of my dance style because I’ve been dancing for so much longer. However Yang definitely put humility in me with the profound statements about salsa he utters from time to time. So I feel I’m new to salsa because I’m now learning so much more about the dance than just a big move list and flashy crowd pleasers. Although I still like the flashy moves. I understand the importance of being on beat and operating within the song. So that’s my story. I'm addicted to salsa. I also enjoy bachata and merengue. One day I'll get someone to learn Cuban salsa with me. Shoutouts to Tasha, Drea, and Christa for their lovely dancing. Also to Ancil and Roberto for inspiration. And every student from the Blue Cactus. Above all I would like to thank Yang and Erin. Yang for teaching me. Erin for challenging me every time I dance with her. That girl can do everything. I actually have to save up moves for when I dance with her! My advice for anyone learning is to accept that you never stop learning and to never feel down about what level you are. You can always improve. Keep dancing........ Que sigan bailando!