Background

My family arrived from Huehuepiaxtla, Puebla, Mexico in the 1980s. We were the only Mexican family in the neighborhood among the larger groups of Dominicans, Puerto Ricans, U.S-born Blacks, and smaller groups of Ethiopians, Guayanese, Hondurans, Jamaicans, Nigerians, and Salvadorans.

Growing up, my siblings and I learned about various Mexican music and dance genres at home: banda, cumbia, mariachi, norteña, ranchera and others. I learned to dance a little bit of everything but really did not take any interest. In the neighborhood and from friends, we learned about bachata, dancehall, hip-hop, merengue, reggae, r&b, and salsa.

It wasn't until high school that I began to take some interest. Thanks to my friends, I learned to dance basic bachata, dancehall, and merengue. My older sister was really into cumbia, so she used me to practice, and I learned some very basic steps.

Arrived in 2010 to begin my journey toward a Ph. D.

Towards the end of my time in grad school...

Spent a few years dancing socially at places like Lucha Cartel, Brasil's, and the many outdoor events put on by DJ Kevin Ngo, DJ Valentin, and others. On average I would spend 3-4 hours per night about 3-4 nights a week dancing. Slowly but surely, I was advancing in level.

I try to go back and dance (mainly Bachata) as much as possible. There is always more to learn and more to be able to pass on.