by Kim Knode

    Teaching duo Enio Cordoba and Terryl Jones are taskmasters about technique and passionate about sharing Latin rhythms of the heart. Tucked away in Alhambra, California amidst the Hong Kong Bakery, the Korean orthodontist and the Malaysian mom-and-pop restaurant, a studio specializing in salsa offers up sizzling classes. Trophies glitter above the mirrors. Girls in short skirts giggle in the mirror. "Heads up! barks the teacher. "We already picked up all the money on the floor." A salsa session is in full swing.

      Enio Cordoba is the Master of Ceremonies. The spotlight is comfortable for him. He is the man titled Most Popular Teacher in 1991 and Hottest Mambo Dancer in `92 and `93. As a pre-med college student, with less than a year of dance training, he won the USC Open Championships for his mastery of Latin dances. Proceeding the glory of garnering the US Rising Star, Latin Division Championship and spinning with the best of the British Open top twenty-four, he opened the doors of Let's Dance LA in 1989.

    Cordoba admits, "I always play to win. If I can't go full out, why bother?" He likes playing professor. "It's like performing. I like the immediacy of the feedback," he says. US Rising Star (1987) Ballroom Champion, Terryl Jones joined Cordoba in 1990. The duo claims their approach to dance instruction produces the best dancers. Both sexes are drilled in correct connection and flawless frame. Concentration on choreography is replaced by emphasis on effective leading and following. Cordoba questions the ladies, "Say I invite you to a party at seven at my home and I tell you I will call you at six with directions. You leave at 5:45 p.m. Does that help you? No! You need to wait for directions."

    At Let's Dance LA, patterns are taught, then the music plays. The couples move to salsa romantica.Cordoba and Jones circle the class offering kudos as well as critiques designed to produce a smoother combination. Commonly heard Cordoba comments include: "If he makes up a new move, follow it. You might learn a new step!" When asked about the popularity of Let's Dance LA classes, a breathless dancer states that the weekly sparring of wits between Cordoba and Jones is worth the admission fee Cordoba grins and winks. "We have turned it into an act," he whispers.

     The partners also make learning fun by using analogies of cars and cartoons. The Roadrunner is a reference for pupils to remember the importance of wind-up before a turn. In the city of angels and automobiles, Porsches are used to explain the elements of superb spinning: speed, control, acceleration and braking. Jones says, "It's important to see it more than one way. A good teacher should be able to adapt and find the way a student needs to learn, especially a physical skill like dancing."

     The Let's Dance LA method is in demand. The couple travels all around America as well as the continent giving workshops. Seven time US Latin Champion Ron Montez has observed that, "Cordoba has been instrumental in promoting American social dances abroad." Salsa Rueda sessions with the California twosome are currently the most popular in places like the UK and the Netherlands. In LA, the partnership is called upon to assist in creating authentic Latin moves for film's like Dance with Me.

     Cordoba and Jones' dreams for the future include an expansion of Let's Dance LA. Cordoba wants to train athletes aspiring to enter the Ballroom competitions in the 2000 Olympics. He has the experience: Ice Dancing Olympians Elizabeth Punsalan and Jerrold Swallow have benefited from their expertise. Cordoba confesses, "I want to teach competitive dancers to dance with soul."

     A perfect score of ten may be in the cards for Enio Cordoba and Terryl Jones. The partners' vision of excellent dancing technique combined with the rhythms of the heart is being accomplished. Cordoba and Jones have been dancing and teaching together for almost a decade. A Let's Dance LA regular gives his reason for consistently showing up: "When you only work, there is an emptiness in your life. Salsa fills up the blank spots in my heart and soul." DT