Cyber-Interview of the Month: Deanne Chandler 
-by Manny Siverio 
Originally published on SalsaNewYork on 11/01

This Month we interview UK Mambo Instructor Deanne Chandler.
Deanne has traveled to NY on various occasions to learn the NY style of Dancing Mambo. She, along with her partner Sai Lee are currently listed in SalsaNewYork's Out-of-town directory on Mambo Instructors. This year she and Sai performed at East Coast Congress up in the Catskills, New York. The two are currently teaching a Mambo class in London and have recently opened their SalsaConnexion website. Deanne is a lovely soft spoken mambera who has a passion for dancing. This will be her second exposure in SalsaNewYork (his instructor listing was the first). As usual it was a pleasure dealing with her. 

SNY: What's the Salsa scene like where you live? Is On2 poplar by you? If not, what made you decide to teach it there?
DC: London in general has a very strong well developed Salsa scene, a lot of > people have been learning on2 but not really dancing it as much in the general main stream clubs, however that is slowly changing as people become more confident and aware of it.  In particular if some see others dancing it, they begin to appreciate it more and want to learn and try it out.  I think this is because London Salseros have largely danced on the 1 and 3, initially influenced by the Cuban and Colombian styles, however now there is a lot more diversity in the London Salsa scene now with people teaching and dancing
lots of other styles and with instructors coming over from the US.  It is good to have variety in Salsa, teaching on 2 was a challenge when we first started out many people did not dance it, but now things are gradually improving with more instructors teaching On2.

SNY: How many classes do you currently teach and what level are these classes??
DC: Three nights a week in total currently.  They are aimed at all levels of dancer.  Tuesday is a Salsa/Mambo on 2 Class in Las Brasas (Turnmills) in the city of London which is from 8:30 - 9:30pm followed by a club until 12pm. Thursday is outside of London in Maidenhead in Berkshire, we teach Salsa with beginner/improver (editor's note: improver is the equivalent to what we in NY call Advanced Beginner) between 7:30-8:30pm, then 8:30-9:30pm int/adv followed by a club until 11pm.   Friday is a London-based Salsa class taught in the Pineapple Dance Studios from 7-9pm.

SNY: Do you have a performance team??? Do you plan to form one?
DC: We had one previously, but are currently in the throes of working with some others on some different projects.

SNY: Have you performed if so name your favorite on stage performance?
DC: I have performed with my regular dance partner Sai as well as with groups. It is difficult to isolate one as there have many memorable ones, nonetheless I would say that one group performance that always stands out in my mind was with Yurupari in Canterbury Cathedral.  It was such an exhilarating experience as it was televised live world-wide at easter with many bishops and Cardinals watching as well as Prince Charles, the costumes were very traditional ones and we had live Latin musicians and singers that formed part of the procession there was such a buzz that day at the end as we all
danced right through the Cathedral.  Another individual show with myself and Sai was
a really enjoyable number we did at a venue called the Tabernacle in London to celebrate the birthday of a really good friend. The stage setting was amazing in the way that it was decorated and the evening was electric with a great uplifting crowd, there were also live musicians specially brought in that night to mark the event.

         
Deanne at 2001 East Coast Congress. On the left with NY Mambo Instructor Addie Diaz and on the right posing with her partner Sai Lee and NY Mambo Legends Eddie and Mara Torres
(Photos Courtesy of Salsaconnexion)

SNY: What is it like to learn a choreographed routine?
DC: It is great fun, though the more people involved sometimes the more trickier it can get, nonetheless it is always interesting as you get to dance with lots of other individuals, at other times it can be nerve racking if you are trying to learn the piece in a limited period of time or if you are showing it to other people who are trying to learn it for the first time and are new to it.  Generally speaking the good thing is that people come together to work as a team and can exchange good ideas.  I think people tend to improve very quickly as dancers when they learn choreography as there is more of a discipline involved when you are working with others, being aware of the people around you, as well as with your own individual needs and dance steps.

SNY: What got you into performing and what was your first time on stage?
DC: When I was around 9 years old, I used to go to this day Stage school with my younger sister Yolande.  I remember doing a tap dancing and Cabaret number and thinking hey this is really exciting, after that I was hooked, with dancing, but it was not until many years later that I got into Salsa and not long after met my current dance partner and decided to enter the UK Salsa Dance Championships, which we subsequently won back in 1996.  That was the first time we had performed one of our 'Salsa pieces' to a choreography which was really exciting, innovative and new at that time in UK Salsa
Competitions, after that we continued to dance and perform with each other as well as with others.

SNY: What did you feel when you first performed live on stage?
DC: Really excited and exhilarated but also quite nervous initially seeing all those eyes staring back in anticipation, however once the music had started I seemed to forget about who was watching and just enjoyed the dance.

SNY: What advice would you give those just getting into mambo? How can they
work at getting better at dancing?
DC: I would say that perseverance is the key and listening as often as possible to the music outside class.  Everyone has been a beginner at some time and remembers how nerve racking it can be when you are starting out.  Do not compare yourselves to others too much as it can become frustrating.  It is important to relax and enjoy above all what you do and be accepting of what you can do and the progress you have made.  It goes without saying though, the more you practice and work hard at your dancing the better you will become.

SNY: How best could you describe your way of dancing? of teaching? and of performing?
DC: I would say that my dancing has an influence of Jazz, ballet, with some New York, Afro-Carribean/Cuban and Colombian flavors to it.  When I teach it is according to the style and rhythm of the music, but in keeping with that style.  I get people to listen to the music and feel it, rather than just to go through the motions.  Sometimes the body movement may differ according the particular style someone is learning, so they get to learn the importance of applying that as well as the more technical aspects of their lead and follow. I always demonstrate things from the guys perspective as well as from the
ladies, and make it a point to dance with the male students as well as often as possible during the class as well as in the clubs so they can practice steps they have learned.  I believe people pick things up quicker that way. However I am also aware that it is important for men to have a male role model as there will sometimes be elements that a man may put across differently from a woman and vice versa.  Which is why I also teach in a partnership as well as on an individual basis.  When performing a lot depends on the theme and feel of the piece, what I am trying to achieve and the style I intend to use.  Sometimes it can be for example a Salsa/Mambo on 2, at other times a Cha Cha Cha.  Some tracks I feel instinctively on the 2, others on the 1or 3, a lot depends on the pace and feel of the music.

SNY: Do you still like to go to clubs and dance socially?
DC: Yes, two weekly ones where I also teach .  At other times I enjoy going out at the weekends every now and then as I have more time to relax in between and I can also really prepare to go out.  Also I do not have to worry about getting up early the next day for work, furthermore I am rested and have not had to go straight from work or something. 

SNY: How is Mambo dancing where you live different from mambo dancing in other parts of the world?
DC: I do not think that there is too much difference, in the way it is danced here, as people have become more accustomed to it and appreciate much more the wealth of styles in Salsa.  I suppose the main thing about Mambo is it will naturally be much more developed where many dancers, particularly in the US have been teaching and exposed to it for a lot longer.  Just as say London has traditionally been largely  influenced by the Cuban and Colombian styles. There also seems to be a variety of ways of breaking on 2 in the US, for example some use the Eddie Torres timing of breaking on 2, others the palladium 2 and then some men break back on 6 instead of forward and so on. As far as I know there is an interesting strong developing Mambo scene in Japan, Italy and Holland and I am certain that as time goes on it will continue to develop even more throughout Europe as well as the rest of the world.

SNY: What would you like to see happen to mambo within the next few years?,
next decade? within your lifetime?
DC: From a UK perspective I would like to see Mambo danced in all the main stream clubs, perhaps more On 2 socials in the UK to encourage people to dance more. More media coverage, and perhaps west end shows featuring Salsa and Mambo Dancers.  I would love all the prejudices and politics surrounding dancing On2 to disappear particularly in open Salsa competitions, whether or not there is a large contingent of 1 or 3 dancers as it will not encourage people to go along let alone enter.  Even though this is beginning to happen, that the teachers and promoters within the UK would communicate and work more closely together in future to promote more unity within Salsa and mambo in the UK and perhaps to see more congressos being held over here.

SNY: Where did you learn to Dance NY style On2??? (Where did you learn to Dance
On2)??
DC: In the early stages I initially took classes with Eddie Torres and Nelson Flores and later had the great pleasure of meeting Addie Diaz-Siverio and Manny who have both been a great support, inspiration and encouragement with my dancing as well as being two really genuine friends along with other NY and NJ instructors I have had the pleasure of learning from.

SNY: Where did you originally learn how to dance mambo and who was (were)
your mentors?
DC: I first learned ballroom mambo at the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance in London between the ages of 12-14 years old, then later from my partner Sai Lee.  My mentors were originally my partner Sai for a while, who inspired me a lot, then later I would say my New York mambo mentors were; Eddie Torres who was always so patient, attentive and would always take time to talk to me.  Addie Diaz is an absolute gem and real inspiration for my dancing & styling on 2 as well as Nelson Flores who I always remember as being a great help in my on2 New York Mambo.

SNY: What is it like to teach On2 Mambo where you're at????
DC: Great.  It is an excellent air-conditioned venue with a good spacious dance floor which attracts a lot of good quality dancers, people are really receptive to learning on 2, they pick up quickly, dance, socialise and are patient with everyone even those that are newcomers to Salsa.  In general there is a good friendly crowd who are fun to hang out with, all the teachers are very close and the music is good.

SNY: What do you like most about teaching?
DC: I love the interaction with people.  You get to meet the most fascinating, interesting and diverse groups of people by having this one major theme in common - Salsa.  Seeing people progress to become good dancers is really motivating and fulfilling.  I  enjoy helping people individually as well as those in the class with any queries they may have.  I like people with a sense of humour who can have a laugh at times, as well as take things seriously when the need arises.  Seeing people forming friendships both during and after a class is really encouraging as well as the way people look after each other and interact outside of Salsa.

SNY: Why do you think people come to learn from you?
DC: A lot of people come through word of mouth.  I am very thorough and meticulous when it comes to detail but am also fairly laid back and patient with people.  I try to have fun as it is just as important to play hard as well as work hard.  Sometimes I am very straight and direct but I always make an effort to get to know people and spend time with them as often as I can, sometimes when the time permits after a class and during the club I may run over things if people still need help.  I always treat people as individuals I think they appreciate this.  I know I did when I was new to Salsa.

SNY: What is the hardest thing you find about teaching?
DC: The schedule can sometimes be grueling, particularly if you have another job and you may want time out.  This is where you need to strike a balance between working and taking the occasional break to recharge your batteries. Also sometimes you may not always find the people you need to cover classes, this is where you need to plan things well in advance if possible.

SNY: Do you still like to go to clubs and dance socially? Answered already How about performing? Do you still perform and who have you performed for or with?
DC: I perform fairly regularly with my partner Sai Lee most recently in a dance theatre in London which also featured other acts which consisted of contemporary dancers & Jazz singers, the Salsa went down like a scream. In the past I have performed with Los Gonzales a Cuban dance Co. Yurupari a Colombian Dance Co.  Dance of Life Contemporary gospel dance group and the Salsa World Dance Co. a group choreographed by myself and partner Sai.

SNY: Have you ever choreographed a routine?
DC: Yes, it can be a lot of fun but hard work, you have to be disciplined but patient as sometimes people need time to assimilate material.  It is exciting and fulfilling when you watch after so much hard work people dancing a routine together really well.  I think that as a choreographer you are aware of the abilities and talents that each member of your team has and what they can contribute to that effort according to the number you are working on and encourage them wherever possible but at the same time ensuring that each individual acts professionally and responsibly to each other.

SNY: What is the best way for someone interested in learning mambo can get in contact with you?
DC: I can be contacted on +44 207 385 4191 or 0956 819276 or e-mail at or info@salsaconnexion.co.uk