Salsa dance on the beach as part of Music Moves Us

What began as Juan and Julie Mascorro's simple quest to learn salsa dancing has blossomed into a performance group and a partnership with Michigan State University to promote health among Latinos.

The Holland couple helped co-found the Salserines, a program under Latin Americans United for Progress (LAUP), with other community members. The group regularly performs at community events and has been featured during LAUP’s weeklong 60th anniversary Fiesta, which runs July 15-21. It also holds weekly free classes on Thursdays. 

Shandra MartinezJuan and Julie Mascorro credit their regular salsa dancing for improved health.

The Salserines will host a free salsa dancing class on the beach for the Music Moves Us week, organized by the Holland Symphony Orchestra. The class will take place from 7-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 7, at Holland State Park, 2398 Ottawa Beach Rd, Holland, in front of the building that houses restrooms and the store.

The free salsa lesson is one of 10 Music Moves Us events in Holland from Aug. 6-10. These events encompass a variety of music and dance experiences, including salsa, hip-hop, and big-band swing dance lessons. They culminate in the symphony’s “Music Unites Us—Brazil!” program at Kollen Park on Aug. 10.

The event is a good fit for Holland State Park, one of Michigan's most popular state parks, with more than 2 million visitors annually.

"Holland State Park is pleased to partner with the Holland Symphony Orchestra for this community event.  Part of the mission of the Parks & Recreation Division is to provide recreation and educational access to our State’s natural resources for all of Michigan’s citizens," says Sean Mulligan, Holland State Park Unit Supervisor. "This event helps highlight the diverse nature of our guests while bringing people together by showing how different cultures share their love of music."

Healthy and fun

In a unique collaboration, the Salserines are working with Irving Vega, an MSU associate professor of translational neuroscience. Supported by an MSU grant, Vega visits Holland quarterly to explain the health benefits of salsa dancing, particularly in preventing dementia and other diseases.

“He explains the benefits of exercise, like salsa, and what happens to your brain if you don’t exercise,” says Juan. “It’s good for your health and brain, and prevents dementia.”

Shandra MartinezJuan and Julie Mascorro are co-founders of the Salserines, a program of LAUP.
Dancing salsa is particularly beneficial for older Latinos, providing a fun way to stay active, keep their hearts healthy, and spend time with friends.

“My mother passed away at 59. My dad died at 68. Both were sedentary later in life,” Juan shares.

Before retirement, Juan worked as a housing inspector for Holland, and Julie was a nurse.

“We dance the Miami style of salsa,” says Juan, noting that other styles include the Los Angeles, New York, and Cuban variations. 

The Salserines group is open to all adults; participants do not need a partner to join.

“You dance with different people, not the same person,” Julie explains.

For more information about the Music Moves Us events, visit the Holland Symphony Orchestra’s website.

The Lakeshore WM is the media sponsor of Music Moves Us.