| By Veronica Wong Diffa
YAMILE HERRERA HERRERA
Salsa Teacher and Performer
It is hard to get Yamile Herrera Herrera off her feet - much less, stop her from dancing.
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Whilst Rosalia – ‘Di Mi Nombre’ is playing in the background of a well-lit photo studio, Yamile, a Colombian-born salsa teacher, takes a break from our shoot to answer some questions about how she moulded her love of dance into a career. Having started at the young age of 13 years old, dancing for her country in a traditional Colombian folklore group, Yamile has shown that she has lived a very energetic and dance-driven life.
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Yamile began her professional dance studies at the better part of 30 years old where she learnt and taught salsa in Colombia, Medellin. In 2013, she moved to London where she performed and taught salsa at, Cali Swing, an all-ages Colombian salsa group that got up to the semi-finals of Britain’s Got Talent 2018. Once a performer and now a well-established dance teacher, specialising in Latin Rhythms such as Cuban style salsa, bachata and cross-body style to say the least, Yamile tells Motion Magazine how she started her professional career over 20 years ago. There’s no doubt, everyone wants to look as fit and beautiful as Yamile at 47 years old!
VWD: Has dance always been your passion?
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YHH: Yes always! I remember when I was young, at 13 years old in secondary school, I decided to audition for a Colombian Folklore group. I had never danced properly before and decided to audition with 80 children. I was looking over at all the other people dancing and I thought I wasn’t going to be picked - this was not my time. But to my surprise, I was one of twenty students that got a position in the dance company - I was dancing and it felt so good! From that moment, I began dancing in the frontline and I was so proud of it; we performed a lot in my city, in competitions and different parades. All my life, I’ve wanted to be a dancer.
VWD: Why do you enjoy salsa?
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YHH: Why? [gasps] It’s something about the blood. When I listen to the music, it’s like something has switched on in me and I can’t stop moving. It's fluid. It’s like the blood in my veins - “la sangre de mis venas”. It’s one of my passions because I love to dance and I love to teach salsa. Some people don’t understand that it is not just about the words and the moves, it’s like the music is running inside of me.
VWD: What emotions does dance give you?
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YHH: Different ones! It depends on the music. Sometimes it’s more sweet, sometimes it’s more passionate, sometimes it’s more fun. They give me different emotions. I dance to different songs and in different ways they speak to me.
VWD: What is your favourite song to dance to?
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YHH: Bueno (well). In salsa I have many, but one of them specifically doesn’t have a voice, it’s just instruments - Acid by Ray Barretto. Another is romantic, Flor Palida by Marc Anthony, it’s sweet, it’s romantic, it’s soft; I love it. I also like Ran Kan Kan – Tito Puente, it’s quite energetic. And for tango, one of my favourite musicians is Carlos Di Sarli.
VWD: Do you have an inspirational dancer?
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YHH: Oh yes! One of my favourite salsa dancers is Griselle Ponce; she is organic and looks very sincere when dancing. This lady is perfect, elegant and precise. When I saw her dancing, it was as if she was feeling how I feel when I start to dance, because everything is so fluid. She is amazing and her energy transports me to another world.
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With tango, I have a couple; Jonathan and Clarisa are such an amazing couple! Their technique and movements are precise and beautiful. Mariana Montes is also an icon and a legend - her style is clean and is definitely one of the most original techniques. She’s beautiful!
VWD: Has there been a time when dance has helped you in your personal life?
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YHH: Yes, of course! Dance has allowed me to understand and control my body. I have learnt that dance can help you feel more confident to express emotions physically and I am happiest when I can help others develop that feeling of freedom through dance. It gives me energy and makes me feel young.
VWD: If you could do any other job, what would it be?
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YHH: I would never stop dancing! Even if I lose my leg or arm, I would keep dancing! [laughs] But I love to do beautiful things with my hands; I find handcrafting quite relaxing.
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For example, I would love to be a designer. When I want a new costume, I try to do it by myself. I don’t have a big imagination but if I think of something, I try to make it. It may not be to everyone’s taste, but it will be perfect for me. [laughs] And Embroidery, I love it. I would love to have more time to do embroidery, it’s what relaxes me.
VWD: What type of dance would you like to try that you haven’t?
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YHH: Swing! I would love to learn swing. I was learning ballroom in London and I loved the Latin dances - it was beautiful. But yes, swing, it’s one of the activities I would like to share with my husband.
PHOTOGRAPHER: Robyn Slator | CONCEPT CREATION: Veronica Wong Diffa | STYLING: Veronica Wong Diffa | MODEL: Yamile Herrera Herrera
Listen to Yamile's Top 3 Songs for getting on the dance floor!
