Everyone in the South Florida Salsa Scene knows Jennifer Campos AKA Mambonita.  She has been gracing the dancefloor for the past few years with her electricity and command of body movement.  She was the hostess of the 2006 Miami Miami Mambo Project and The 2007 Orlando Salsa Congress.  She is in high demand these days with her soldout workshops and performances with The Born To Salsa Performance Team.  I caught up with her during her busy schedule and she gratiously allowed me to ask her a few questions. 

How did you become involved with salsa dancing, and who was your first instructor?

I started salsa dancing because I wanted to learn how to dance and thought I was too old to learn Jazz and Ballet. I went to a latin party and saw people my age dancing salsa. Then my best friend took me to a class and I was hooked. My first instructor was George of Latin Beat.

Did you have any other form of dance training before that?

No

Who influenced you the most toward your goal of becoming a salsa instructor? 

Gabriel of Latin Beat

What style of salsa do you teach? Do you teach any other styles of dancing?

Mambo On 2 Baby!

You are an avid performer and choreographer, what has been your most challenging routine?

They are all challenging and rewarding in different ways.

How many times have you performed?

Too many to count.
 
Can you tell me a little bit about your childhood?

Pretty good. Church girl who played the piano. A little weird lol.
 
How do you characterize your teaching style?

Fun and very involved with the student. I like to try all sorts of techniques to try and help my students learn.
 
Is dancing you main career and source of income, if not what is?

For right now yes.
 
Who is your favorite professional dancer?  

Ansuya

From your point of view, do you feel people want to learn salsa because it’s the in thing to do, or do you feel their interest is genuinely in the dance itself?

I believe in the beginning its just to learn and have a fun new hobby. Then, depending on the individual, they may make it their “thing to do”.
 
When you teach a class do you have material prepared or do you judge the crowds skill level and go from there? 

A little of both. I like to have a lesson plan, but if I notice the students not picking up the material or learning very quickly, I alter from there. Teaching is a lot of quick problem solving.
 
Where you currently teaching and what is your average class size?

I currently teach group classes in Boca as well as  privates in Hollywood.
 
How often do you go out dancing socially?

Not too much since I’m usually working on the weekends.
 
You have a website and an instructional DVD series. Is that right?

My website is www.moveitdance.com, and I have a Belly/Salsa Instructional DVD available on the site.
 
Where do you see salsa dancing going in the future?

I see it going towards more theatrical movements and classier pieces evolving.
 
What words of advice can you give to the readers, students, and instructors reading this article? 

Do what you love and do it from the heart. Do not get intimidated by ANYONE. It’s good to try and look like your favorite salsa dancer, but I think it’s more important to develop your own style and look. It’s what makes your soul comeout as you dance.  And, even though my preferred style is Mambo, in all reality dance whatever you feel from the heart, and don’t jump into the “different styles are better then others hype”.  Be your own person. :)

Interviewed by DJ Joey G

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