Salsa Pa’lante is one of Cornell's two Latin dance organizations; founded in 2004, Pa’Lante is an all-inclusive dance troupe offering both instruction and performances of Salsa and Rueda de Casino. The club is open to both undergraduate and graduate students to ensure an accessible, uplifting and inclusive environment. Salsa Pa’lante doesn't do auditions, as they accept anyone that wishes to join — there are placements at the start of every semester to situate new members in a dance level that’s best suited for them: levels 1 (beginner), 2 (intermediate) and 3 (advanced). As of Spring 2025, Pa’lante has over 70 official members and a performance team of 18 members which are a selected group within the club that perform at various campus events.
On May 1, I was lucky enough to sit in on Salsa Pa’lante’s performance team social, where I interviewed five members about their experiences in the club and reminisced on their annual Spring Showcase, Primavera Pa’lante.
Primavera Pa’lante: Bailando en el Barrio was the group's second annual showcase. Last year’s show, “Una Noche en La Habana,” marked the very first showcase, organized by former president and performance manager Jazmin Rodriguez ’25 along with Jordan Serna ’25. They recalled the experience as logistically demanding and full of hard work, but ultimately a strong and successful debut. Reflecting on it now, Jazmin compares it to this year’s event: “Seeing the showcase this year was amazing — everything I would have improved on, they improved.” Serna adds, “They went a lot bigger this year. That first year was like lightning in a bottle.” Isabella Riano ’25, the current president, jumps in with a smile, “You guys laid the blueprint.”
On April 26, the cave-like Milstein Auditorium was transformed into a vibrant place full of flowers, banners, flags, music and, most importantly, a lively crowd of spectators ready to take in the big show. The showcase lit up the auditorium, consisting of eight choreographed Salsa Pa’lante dances, guest performances from other dance/music groups like SUNY Cortland’s Ritmo Latino, Deixa Sambar, Adolfo Y Lisbet from Salsa Ithaca, Mariachi Regional en Cornell University and the world-class DC Casineros Dance Company. After the evocative performances the auditorium transformed – yet again – from a stage to a dance floor! Audience members were invited to join in to celebrate alongside the dancers after their electrifying performances.
I attended the showcase with my dad; we had a lot of fun watching and dancing along together, and even stayed after to dance when the floor opened up to the audience. This anecdote led me to ask the members, “What did you hope the audience would take away from this performance?” Riano responded, "Exactly that. Just being able to go on the dance floor and share that joy with the other performers as well, where they're reminded of their home and the love that they have with their family and culture.” In character for the organization, they wanted to make sure that the event was first and foremost accessible, making it free for all who wished to attend. Riano continued, “We want people to be able to join us after our performance — it’s exactly what we stand for, accepting everyone and including them.” Andrea Reina ’26, the club’s incoming president, shared some meaningful remarks on the importance of the audience playing a role in the showcase: “I'm always happy to showcase salsa, it's so important to so many people. It was also important that people got the chance to dance afterwards. The audience was a part of our showcase.”
The theme this year was Bailando en El Barrio. “Last year we did Una Noche en La Habana – mostly red and black, very classic,” Riano explained. “This year we wanted to do something different. We decided to pay more homage to the beautiful, vibrant streets of Latin America. Bailando en Barrio felt more fit and aligned to who we are as a club.” The goal was for it to be more fun and colorful — and that effort came through. The costuming was vibrant and perfectly on theme, the dances matched the energy and style of the concept.
The rehearsal process leading up to the showcase was demanding but so worth it; they rehearsed every Saturday, each level having an hour dedicated to learning their specific routine. The week of the showcase consisted of a lot of extra practices, and while these rehearsals weren’t mandatory, most members still showed up, everyone dedicated to organizing and attending on their own time.
“And what was the day of the showcase like?” I asked. At this, the team exchanged mischievous glances, some breaking into laughter. Riano laughed, “I don’t think you want to know. I was very stressed. But I also want to highlight how incredible my e-board was. What kept us going was the excitement — especially since our families were coming to watch. This is more than just a club. It’s about connecting with our heritage.”
Riano, Serna and Rodriguez are all graduating this year. To conclude, I asked them what they’re taking with them moving forward from their experience in Pa’lante — and how being a part of the club has shaped their Cornell experience. “It is my Cornell experience,” They said in unison, some smiling, some teary eyed. “Find your people and keep ‘em,” Rodriguez said simply. “Salsa Pa’lante, they’re my people, mi gente, and I’m so lucky I found them so early. This space has been everything. It’s special.” Riano reflected, “It’s not a skill I have to give up anymore. It’s not just a hobby — it’s a passion, it’s a thrill. It’s so important to find that club or community that you truly look forward to, week after week.” Serna added, “There’s that moment of zen when you’re dancing, when you’re not thinking — just feeling. Some of my closest friendships came from this community. People find each other here, through the shared love of salsa.”
Paulina Delgado is a freshman in the College of Arts and Sciences. She can be reached at pmd99@cornell.edu
