The Nevada Latin Dance Club Marches to the Beat of Reggaeton and More
Daisy Gomez drops in a workshop class, in Room A of the UNR gym, where the Nevada Latin Dance Club meets on Tuesdays at 8 p.m.
From reggaeton, bachata, salsa, to cumbia, the Nevada Latin Dance Club at the University of Nevada, Reno gets bodies up and moving to the music of different Latin dances.
“I wanted to get my rhythm up, it’s a chance to let loose in college and a great outlet with people who are welcoming,” says UNR student Chanel Koh, who recently came back for her second workshop with the club.
On a Tuesday night this week, the Nevada Latin Dance Club held a reggaeton workshop class at the E.L. Wiegand Fitness Center.
The club started on campus back in 2016 and has brought in a diverse mix of people into dance workshops.
Storm Allen, the club’s head of media, loves coordinating dances and teaching classes for everyone who comes in, especially bachata.
“I want to make it as fun as possible. Being stressed, it’s used as an escape. I’ve always been dancing, we’re here to have fun,” Allen said.
Chicana president Vanessa Tirado loves the community and culture that the Nevada Latin Dance Club celebrates. One of her goals for the club this year is to build confidence in each dancer.
“If you look good you guys should feel good. I just want to be able to have a friendly environment, find their people, and feel good leaving every Tuesday,” says Tirado.
Cruz Mccrea who helps plan events and choreograph dances has similar goals for the club.
“Our whole goal is to let anyone dance and support anyone who wants to dance, it’s about the freedom of it. It’s about coming into the social hour, there’s that implied sense of freedom,” Mccrea said.
“For beginners and whoever, no one feels too pressured to fit in a certain way. I want us to achieve sustainability when I’m gone, that there’s people to pick up and keep inspiring a line of people to dance,” he concluded.