BoroMag_0217_p38

BM022017

STRONGER THROUGH SALSA By HAYLEY BRIDGEWATER @HAYLEYREE3 38 FEBRUARY 2 0 1 7 MIND + BODY Happy February, all! Though this time of year may have us thinking of colored hearts and candy, it is also American Heart Month! The temperatures are still dropping, so we all must keep moving, and what better way to keep your body warm than through dance! A challenge for your body and mind, dance classes can provide a heart-healthy aerobic workout while allowing you to expand your social network. I was recently invited to come meet (and take a class!) with the owner and staff of Astoria’s newest dance studio, Salsa In Queens. The studio, which is located at 34-27 Steinway St., had its grand opening party on Jan. 13. Once in the door, the moving music, happy laughter and welcoming voices led me right to the man himself, Jean Franco Vergaray. Vergaray, the studio’s owner, immigrated to the United States from Peru at age 13. He took his first salsa class as a teen, and he not only fell in love with the music and steps, but also became connected to the culture and community-building that surrounds Latin rhythms and dance styles. Through salsa, he found a social outlet and a second family. After teaching and performing for a number of years, Vergaray realized that he wanted to create a sense of home for others by opening his own studio, Salsa In Queens. Family means a great deal to this business. In fact, those close to Vergaray did all the work that went into the space. “A lot of work went into the space that we now have: the demo, floors, mirrors, furniture,” he said. “I was able to pull this together with the help of my father, friends and family. It makes the whole endeavor really rewarding and makes it feel like a home.” Now, customers can take salsa, bachata, and even a few Zumba classes at the studio, and I was thrilled to take a salsa class with Vergaray. A natural teacher, he very quickly had the entire class moving as one and enjoying the driving beats of the music. The energy and camaraderie in the room was amazing, and it was lovely to look around the room and see a diverse group of ages, levels and backgrounds working together. Many of the clients who have come into the studio are people who had not been exposed to salsa previously in their lives. The diversity of Astoria’s melting pot combined with a neighborhood vibe establishes the perfect area for what Vergaray and his staff are trying to do: bring people of all walks of life together to bond, have fun and celebrate a love for dance music and salsa. “When I first started teaching, many would think that the primary clients would be Latin,” Vergaray said. “Surprisingly, that is not the case, and we actually see many cultures that have not been raised exposed to Latin sounds, culture or rhythms: Caribbean, Haitian, Asian and Middle Eastern. Because many Latin people grow up with this music, sometimes they feel there is no need to take a class because they are so familiar with the music and dance already.” Vergaray, an Astoria resident himself, is hopeful that his neighbors will flock to his burgeoning business. “I know that the local community will embrace our business,” he said. “I am already seeing it. When we had our grand opening, we had 90-plus people in here eager to


BM022017
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