Isaac Altman and his beautiful wife, Laura, continue making great contributions to Salsa and the dance industry all over the world. As President of The World Salsa Federation and National Chairman of the AAU Junior Olympic Games for DanceSport, Salsa and Swing, Isaac shares his passion for dance with DanceScape, revealing his dreams, his speculations and his most sizzling Salsa sensations. What was your dream as a child? Did you have a role model while you were working towards accomplishing your dreams?
I wanted to dance in a musical on Broadway. I also wanted to be an actor. I had many more dreams as a child. I am a Pisces, so we are dreamers! My biggest role model and mentor was the late Bobby Medeiros. Not only had he taught me Ballroom and Latin dancing, but he was also a close friend. His ability to relate to World Champions and a beginning dancer was unique. He loved dancing and spread that love to everyone he contacted. That was a gift I truly admired. I also admired his style of dancing.
What are some of your most memorable or rewarding experiences after dancing as a professional for 32 years? Was there ever a difficult time that you had to deal with personally as a dancer? How did you overcome it? What was one of your most embarrassing experiences as a dancer? When was the first time that you and Laura danced together and how would you describe your dance style and expression as a couple? What do you think are some of the challenges in maintaining a dance relationship? Do you have any advice for dance partners? What do you think are the benefits that come with dancing? Do you consider it as an art or a sport? What advice would you like to give to up and coming dancers?
What is your dance style specialty and what attracted you to that style?
Salsa!! The dance has a lot of artistic expression (Sabor) and such a worldwide acceptance. In addition more Salsa music is being produced than any other dance music that involves couple dancing. I love so many types of Music and Musicians. It becomes such an inspiration to dance when the music moves you. Salsa has a lot of freedom of movement.
The first time I ever competed at the U.S.B.C., winning the World Salsa Championships and when I got Salsa and Dancesport into the Junior Olympic Games - of course, not in any specific order.
There were several, but the most difficult time I have had as a dancer was learning to accept defeat in competition. Not just that someone else could beat me, but that I did not measure up. Strangely enough, I would take the disappointment and turn it into motivation. I also get nervous every time before I perform. Overcoming it is not easy, but I do it through humor.
Forgetting my socks and underwear when I was traveling to a major competition and then having to borrow them from my friend, Bobby Medeiros. Needless to say, he did not want
We first danced together in 1994 in the Texas Challenge. I can influence Laura more than the other way around when we dance together, but she has her Latina expression going on all the time. Her style is sizzling hot and definitely Latin. I love her body movements and her personality - she is very easy going and adaptable. When I dance Salsa, I have developed a mixed style of Cuban, L.A., and N.Y. style with Sabor. In terms of my fashion style when I dance, I would describe that style as macho. Our style and expression as a couple though is always changing as new innovations immerge.
The hardest part for me is being turned on to your partners dancing, fortunately I do not have that problem, and the easier part is that you are dancing with a woman. But my advice to other dancers would be get personally involved, it's more fun that way!
The benefits: improved health, freedom from worries and social contacts. I personally like the physical fatigue I often get from dancing all of the time and if I ever get mentally fatigued, then I just relax by watching a movie. Dance is both an art and a sport, it can be artistic as well as athletic. When we put athleticism at its finest, it truly is a work of art.
Take care of your body and it will take care of you. Too many dancers smoke today. Give it up if you want to dance for many years to come. My best advice is not to get discouraged or quit. Your goal may be obtained if you keep trying. Also, for dancers of a particular style, don't get hung up on which style is better, just enjoy whatever style you do.
What is your view of dance and its popularity in the world?
The dance world sometimes gets fragmented. This makes it hard to promote it to the rest of the world. A support of each other would give us much more clout and influence.
What are some of your goals right now as a dancer?
At 55, I feel there is still some competing left in me. I am dancing in videos and have coached world champions, but still feel that my calling is to give the youth of the World their Olympic Games in dancing.
What would you like most to be remembered for in your life and/or career?
Bringing dancing to the youth of the World.
Are there any new trends for Salsa dancing in 2004?
Many more rhythmic movements that incorporate a little hip hop and drops and lifts from theatre art modalities are being added to the Salsa style. For new fashion trends, I have noticed that woman's dresses are looking more feminine and sexy this year. I have also taken a liking to velcro shoes. But when it comes to fashion designers, my favourites are Cuban Grandmothers - they all can design and sew!
Isaac and Laura's FUN Salsa Dance Instructional Videos
What could be more exciting than learning to dance Salsa from the amazing World Salsa Champions? Well, now you can! Isaac and Laura Altman teach all of the Salsa steps and secrets that you need to know in their great Salsa dance videos. They have three great videos available that teach the Bronze, Silver, and Gold Syllabus - a video for a dancer of any level. Check out Isaac and Laura's Fun Salsa Dance Instructional Videos.