Rob Marone's Salsa Journey
My first experience with Salsa Dancing was at Southern Connecticut State University in the year 2000, when a one-time class was hosted on campus. It piqued my interest, and I told myself that I would like to learn some day. At that time in my life, however, coaching football had become my passion, as well as a new professional career as a physical education teacher, had taken precedence in my life.
In the Summer of 2009, I officially took my first Salsa lessons at Rumbero’s Dance Studio in New Haven. Not only did I enjoy the experience and challenge of learning Salsa, but I was amazed at how easily bonds were formed with other people in class, and how quickly acquaintances became friends in the social dancing community. As much fun as I had dancing the New Haven Summer nights away at The Wicked Wolf, The Russian Lady, and Fornarelli’s throughout the years, I would always disappear come August with the start of a new football season and school year, only to reappear the following Spring or Summer. This was my “on again, off again” routine until 2018, as I disappeared from Salsa completely, and started coaching football collegiately in 2019.
After 5 years of not dancing, I had the urge to return to Salsa in the Spring of 2023. I began taking lessons again with local instructors, and even ventured into Hartford for lessons and socials (I was always a “New Haven Guy”), meeting an entirely new crowd of Connecticut dancers, forming friendships and connections throughout the area. This was the first time I remained consistent with taking lessons, and did not allow my busy Fall schedule to dissuade me from continuing.
In November of 2023, I decided to step aside from coaching football after 26 years, to pursue other interests. I contacted my hometown Wallingford Parks & Recreation in December of 2023, inquiring about offering Salsa Dancing Lessons. I taught my first ever “Beginner Level Class” in the Spring of 2024. I had such an incredible experience with my class of 14 eager participants, and knew that I wanted to continue down this path. One class turned into two, two to three, and in addition to Wallingford, I expanded into teaching at the Parks & Recreation in Madison and Branford, respectively. Before I knew it, I was teaching at restaurants and bars, including Sol Y Luna (Hartford), as well as my current teaching locations at Rumba Lounge (Bristol), Serafino’s Italian Restaurant (Wallingford), and Club Vandome (New Haven).
I am honored to have been entrusted throughout many locations in Connecticut in my role as a Salsa Instructor. I have embraced the fact that, although I am not the most talented dancer, I have a gift for teaching, and doing so with a passionate and patient approach that makes participants feel appreciated, and leaves them feeling more confident, knowledgeable, and ready to dance than before. I look forward to continuing to lead and to serve, and to doing my part in growing and maintaining the Salsa Dancing Community here in Connecticut.