Student Spotlight:

Valerie Varghese

Salsa Student

Valerie is a passionate salsa student at Movers and Shakers Dance Academy, bringing energy, heart, and a strong cultural connection to every class. With roots in Cuba and New Jersey, she grew up surrounded by Latin music, but it wasn’t until recently that she found her way back to dance. Now, salsa is more than a hobby—it’s become a meaningful part of her personal journey.

After stepping away from dancing for several years, Valerie joined Movers and Shakers during a time of healing and self-discovery. The supportive community and vibrant classes helped her reconnect with movement and feel more confident in her body. Salsa has also encouraged her to step out of her comfort zone and embrace the present moment.

The music, the people, and the rhythm remind Valerie of where she comes from and who she’s becoming. With every step, she celebrates her culture, builds resilience, and finds joy in the simple act of dancing. For Valerie, salsa is a powerful reminder that healing can come through movement, connection, and fun.

1. What inspired you to take your first salsa class at Movers and Shakers?

I'm half Cuban and loved dancing at clubs when I was in my early 20s. I stopped going out and dancing when things shut down during the pandemic. In 2020, I was diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder and lost a lot of my joy—I wasn’t moving at all.

Now, as I heal from depression, being part of Movers and Shakers has helped me rediscover my love for movement. The classes have also helped with my social anxiety because, in the first 101 class, you immediately jump in and start dancing with others. The salsa music connects me to my Cuban roots, and I’m incredibly grateful to the dedicated Movers and Shakers team for creating such a welcoming and safe environment for students to learn and grow.

2. In what ways has learning salsa at Movers and Shakers contributed to your personal growth?

Salsa has helped me a lot. It forces me to move my body and practice—especially because I feel embarrassed when I can’t keep up in class. But through that, I’ve learned to get out of my head, trust my intuition, and go with the flow more.

I’ve also invited friends to join practice and class, and I’ve shared how great the experience has been. Maybe they’ll join one day!

3. What’s one thing you’ve had to unlearn or change about your approach to salsa dancing, and how did it impact your progress?

I’ve had to remind myself not to overthink. Ariella (Dance Instructor) emphasizes this a lot, always encouraging us that we’ll get the music soon, and that reassurance really helps me.

4. What’s one way salsa has surprised you compared to other activities or hobbies you’ve tried?

I once took a sewing class as a hobby to help with my depression, but salsa has been so much more helpful.

I’ve faced traumatic experiences in my life, and salsa has helped me trust my body again. It allows me to get out of my head, which is a place many trauma survivors retreat to for safety. I appreciate how Danny (Academy Director) reminds us that we can let go of what’s happening outside and just focus on dancing during our sessions.

5. What is your favorite salsa song to dance to, and why?

La Rebelión
Quimbara
Brujería
La Negra Tiene Tumbao

I grew up listening to these songs a lot in New Jersey, especially Celia Cruz. They remind me of my roots and the strength of my family.

Interestingly, I actually grew up with more bachata than salsa—about 85% of my high school classmates and best friends were Dominican. Every school dance, I relearned bachata!