Hispanic culture dances to hearts of service members, Okinawans

Photo By Gunnery Sgt. Jeffrey Cordero | Erik Rodriguez and his dance partner, Yoshie Uema, step together during a salsa social. Rodriguez hosts a variety of socials at which salsa enthusiasts have the opportunity to learn advanced dance patterns and meet others with an interest in Latin dancing.  

07.10.2009

Story by Cpl. Jeffrey Cordero 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

The Marine Corps, as an organization, is a melting pot of people with diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds. With this diversity, service members and their families can often find activities throughout the island of Okinawa offering a meaningful cultural learning experience.

One popular activity that seems to grab the attention of Status of Forces Agreement personnel and Okinawans alike, is tapping into the spirit of Salsa dancing.

The Mamboki Latin Dance School, located near Camp Foster, is owned by former U.S. Marine Erik Rodriguez and his wife, Yuki, whom he met while stationed in Okinawa through their passion for the dance of Salsa.

To Rodriguez and some of his students, people develop an interest in Salsa because it brings them together through social and physical interaction; it is an art of its own.

Rodriguez has been an instructor for both SOFA personnel and locals since he was stationed here from 2000-2003. His interest for Salsa sprouted in high school when he noticed the female population was fond of a gentleman who knew his way around the dance floor.

"When I realized this I went up to my dad [who knew latin dancing] and asked him if he could teach me and he replied 'so now you want to learn,'" Rodriguez said as he laughed.

But in those days helping his family make a living took priority. When he realized supporting his family was becoming harder, Rodriguez decided it was time to make a change. It was time for him to serve his country. He went down to the U.S. Air Force recruiter and asked what he needed to do to get started.

"My friends always told me 'the Marines are tough,' so I went for a different challenge," Rodriguez said.

Unfortunately, he was unable to join the Air Force. A year later he decided to give it another shot and decided to take the challenge of becoming a Marine.

"The following weekend I was in recruit training," he said.

The uptown Manhattan native received orders to Okinawa, Japan, in 2000 as an aviation ordnance technician. He worked out of Kadena Air Base attached to a unit responsible for the handling of weapons. When he was stationed here, Marines served one year orders overseas but Rodriguez extended twice and worked to find ways to stay on Okinawa even after he left the service.

"I liked it out here and I didn't want to leave," he said as he compared the fast paced city life of New York City to the Okinawan lifestyle.

While stationed in Okinawa, he taught Salsa with a Japanese instructor out in town and started to teach on base a year afterward.

A year after he began teaching on base, the people he taught with were getting ready to leave so he inquired about taking over the lessons.

"I just wanted it to be something else Marines can do," Rodriguez said.

In his lessons, Rodriguez repeats each given step until the students can keep up with the motions. Currently, he provides free basic lessons at the Camp Foster Globe and Anchor on Fridays and aboard Marine Corps Air Station Futenma's Thirsty's on Tuesdays. He and his wife also run a studio off base where students can delve deeper into the heart of salsa through basic, intermediate and advanced level Salsa.

"I see a lot of young people who look at the lessons and think it is easy," he explained. "I even sometimes get Hispanic students who assume they can dance because it's 'in their blood' and when they come to one of the classes they realize it's harder than it seems."

To Rodriguez, salsa is part of his life. It is what he does and always encourages students to see the pure side of salsa in which it is an art.

His influence is evident in many of his students who have learned to appreciate Salsa as much more than just a hobby.

"In the beginning it looked like something cool," said Michael Babiuch, a student of Rodriguez. "Now I'm looking to become an instructor. Erik and Yuki do a great job. They take the extra attention to have everyone learn and understand everything correctly."

Some of Erik's students also claim he is one of the best instructors out there and recommend lessons to just about anyone.

"He teaches in a way that just about anyone can learn," Babiuch said. "He is definitely one of the best.

• Date Taken: 07.10.2009
• Date Posted: 07.12.2009 18:42
• Story ID: 36272