Official Eddy
Salsa Eddy's Web site strives to be the the central resource for all of Texas' Salsa-related news. If there is a major event coming up, Eddy probably has it listed on his site.
But he also hosts Texas Salsa Magazine Online, a world-wide look at Salsa dancing and communities.
Visitors can sign up for email newsletters at Yahoo! Groups.
And if that isn't enough, Eddy also provides city-specific Salsa discussion groups through Aimoo.
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"Salsa" Eddy Deynes inspires strong feelings in the people who know him. His students are very loyal to him, but many have told me he is the most strict and demanding teacher they ever had. They respect Eddy's discipline and style, but at the same time, they warn casual dancers to expect a tough standard to be upheld in class.
I have watched some of Eddy's classes, especially his advanced class. The students are put through an intense pace, but the results are usually astonishing. His dancers know their moves, and they don't hold back. Eddy's style is not for everyone. He doesn't patronize new students, and I have seen him gently advise people to seek other teachers when he felt they were not ready for the rigorous schedule his classes demand.
Being selective about his students is a sign that Eddy is selective in other ways. As I learned more about his background, the many dance styles he learned growing up, I couldn't help but wonder what drew him toward Salsa so strongly that he chose to identify himself with the nickname "Salsa Eddy".
"Nothing too complicated," Eddy says in explanation. "I was registering a domain name for a Website and I liked the ring of 'Salsaeddy'. From there, the name just stuck and I like it."
But why Salsa dance, I continued. "The decision had to do with establishing a Website (where) promoters could read my (Salsa) resume first. That is it, really!!!"
Well, websites and promoters aside, Eddy pursues an intensity in teaching Salsa that can be intimidating to people who are not seeking a challenge. "I take pride in giving 200% of myself," he told me. "So, my students will learn faster and be able to go social dancing with confidence ASAP!!!"
And what does Salsa Eddy look for in his students? "The only two things I look for in a student...they are hungry to learn and willing to practice. If they do that they will learn very rapidly and that is what I want....Build, build, build social dancers."
Like so many other Salseros in Houston, the dance is the thing for Eddy, and I couldn't help but wonder what he thinks of Hollywood's depictions of Latin dancing. Eddy was among a number
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