Addie Diaz's CHA-CHA Workshop at 2004 New York Salsa Congress Photos by Manny Siverio

Introduction

 

This past August 22nd, Addie Diaz taught another of her Cha-Cha workshops at David Melendez's 2004 New York Salsa Congress. Addie who is mostly known for her ladies styling mambo workshops, has always surprised students with her knowledge of Cha-Cha dancing. She has always had a soft spot in her heart when it comes to Cha-Cha. As a matter of fact the very first number she ever choreographed Arrecotin was a Cha-Cha. Not to mention that many members of her dance company have learned how to dance Cha-Cha through her choreography. To date Addie has 5 numbers which include Cha-Cha choreography in them (Arrecotin, Love 4 Sale Medley, Shinning Knight, Cachao Medley & I Like It Like That Medley). Its this wealth of knowledge that Addie gladly shares when teaching a workshop.

Cha-Cha Workshop Day In A Nutshell
On the day of the Workshop, Addie arrived early to check out the sound system and the studio space. Fifteen minutes later she's addressing the crowd of students and begins to break steps down in what can only be called her trademark manner. Addie will usually demonstrate a step first, then she'll begin to break it down. Only after the basics of each step have been learned will she go into providing invaluable pointers and styling tips.

Each step is first done to the cadence of her verbal count and then later to music. Rows of Students are rotated periodically so that everyone has a turn to stand up front. Whenever Addie teaches a multi-level workshop (Beginner, Intermediate, Advance), such as this one, she'll make it a point to provide steps that target each of these levels. She'll usually makes even the easier steps interesting to the more advance student by adding a little styling tip to spicen the movement up a bit. The end result is that everyone walks away with something. Finally steps are gradually tied together in the sequence in which they have been taught so that the class can review the material in the form of a mini-dance routine.

Cha-Cha Workshop Photos
Series of candid photos taken of Addie while teaching
her "On 2" Cha-Cha Workshop. As many of you may know, Addie loves Cha-Cha and is
currently one of the few instructors out there offering On 2 Cha-Cha Workshops.

Follow the leader: Addie leads her workshop students through various
Cha-Cha dance steps. Several of which are of her personal creation.

Various angles of Addie while offering Cha-Cha Dance pointers during her Workshop.
 

At the home stretch: Addie while finishing up what will be the last step taught at this workshop.

Looks more like a news conference as opposed to a dance workshop
with all the video cameras pointing directly at Addie.

Addie does not allow any video taping while she is actually teaching
her workshops, but doesn't mind running the material over once or twice
for the cameras once the class is over.

Addie was so happy with the student turn out at this year's NY Salsa Congress.
They were so positive and  enthusiastic. She felt the warmth and the love in the room.
Many of them came to talk to her once the workshop ended.

Always the teacher: Even after class Addie is more than happy
to go over material, review steps or answer questions.