Dance, Dance
Twenty year old Natalie Delgado has brought her culture, language and talent to The College of St. Rose
Stephanie Rodriguez
Issue date: 3/8/06 Section: Music and UAlbany
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Albany - Coming from the heavily Puerto Rican populated area of Sunset Park Brooklyn, Twenty year old Natalie Delgado has brought her culture, language, and talent to The College of Saint Rose.
Remembering the very first day she walked into the dance class as a new member of Salsa de Hoy (Salsa of Today), and after celebrating her eighth year with the group. Natalie plans to become a teacher of Salsa de Hoy over the summer here in the Albany area. In addition to having its own national performance team, Salsa de Hoy opens its doors to children in the local neighborhood, allowing parents and children alike to not only have outside of home but also after school activities. "We are a family there; we take pride in teaching our new students, while all at the same time sharing and enriching people with our culture", said Natalie.
For the past three years, Ms. Delgado, has given her campus a taste of Latino rhythm and style by performing at Orgullo Latino,(Latino Pride). At The College of Saint Rose the Latino population is very small and has easily gone unrecognized. In addition to her Salsa performance Natalie includes a Music based presentation to showcase not only the Music from Puerto Rico but also music genres such as Cumbia, Bachata, Merengue, and Mariachi.
Being the minority on the campus Natalie does not feel at all intimidated or surprised. "It's an experience" says Natalie, as she looks through the old photographs of past performances. Natalie is currently working on opening another Latino based student group on the Saint Rose Campus, concerning music and cultural awareness." Being that the Latino population on this campus is so small on this campus, the doors to assimilation are wide open, and it is almost too easy to blend in and forget, said Carmen Rodriguez member of Orgullo Latino, "Even with this club in existence we still have to push extra hard for recognition, and Natalie gives us that extra push."
The plans for the 2006-2007 academic year which will also be Natalie's senior year, she hopes to have stabilized her new organization, and perform for Orjullo Latino's Spring celebration." All I want to do with this upcoming project is o rid stereotypes about my race and I chose music as my means of beginning because of the Albany night life, Its so easy for everyone to associate our culture with the contemporary sounds."
Remembering the very first day she walked into the dance class as a new member of Salsa de Hoy (Salsa of Today), and after celebrating her eighth year with the group. Natalie plans to become a teacher of Salsa de Hoy over the summer here in the Albany area. In addition to having its own national performance team, Salsa de Hoy opens its doors to children in the local neighborhood, allowing parents and children alike to not only have outside of home but also after school activities. "We are a family there; we take pride in teaching our new students, while all at the same time sharing and enriching people with our culture", said Natalie.
For the past three years, Ms. Delgado, has given her campus a taste of Latino rhythm and style by performing at Orgullo Latino,(Latino Pride). At The College of Saint Rose the Latino population is very small and has easily gone unrecognized. In addition to her Salsa performance Natalie includes a Music based presentation to showcase not only the Music from Puerto Rico but also music genres such as Cumbia, Bachata, Merengue, and Mariachi.
Being the minority on the campus Natalie does not feel at all intimidated or surprised. "It's an experience" says Natalie, as she looks through the old photographs of past performances. Natalie is currently working on opening another Latino based student group on the Saint Rose Campus, concerning music and cultural awareness." Being that the Latino population on this campus is so small on this campus, the doors to assimilation are wide open, and it is almost too easy to blend in and forget, said Carmen Rodriguez member of Orgullo Latino, "Even with this club in existence we still have to push extra hard for recognition, and Natalie gives us that extra push."
The plans for the 2006-2007 academic year which will also be Natalie's senior year, she hopes to have stabilized her new organization, and perform for Orjullo Latino's Spring celebration." All I want to do with this upcoming project is o rid stereotypes about my race and I chose music as my means of beginning because of the Albany night life, Its so easy for everyone to associate our culture with the contemporary sounds."