Merengue in Spanish Class

Sa'Vannah Woodson (L) and Zander Perelman practice Merengue turns in Olivia Fatica’s Spanish class at Heights High.

Heights High students in Olivia Fatica’s Spanish classes spend several days each year learning the traditional dances from Spanish-speaking countries. A dance instructor from Cleveland Swing and Salsa recently taught students the merengue. “When students learn a culture’s dance traditions, they learn more about the people and history,” Fatica said. “The dances tell a story and express emotions between the dancers.”

The students in Fatica’s freshman honors class were enthusiastic learners, taking direction from instructor Christine DelZoppo about foot, hip, shoulder, and hand movement. Then they advanced to more complicated turns and slides.

DelZoppo began the instruction by demonstrating and talking the students through the motions. The next step was to add music . . . and that is when the fun started. The lively merengue music, coupled with the dance instruction, energized the room. The students caught on to the dance quickly and let the music and energy guide their movement.

Merengue dance and music is originally from the Dominican Republic but is popular in all areas of Latin America.

This school year, students in Fatica's Spanish classes will also learn Salsa, Rumba, Chacha, Bachata, Zumba and Rueda.