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PROFILING JESSICA LA SALSERA KUMORI

One of the first Salseras of the state was Jessica Kumori, she has been teaching Salsa longer than any other female in the state of Utah. It's safe to say that she was here since the very beginning of Salsa in Utah.

We have the honor to have her under our scope for this great profile interview. We go behind the scenes to find out more about her and her dancing than just seeing her judging and dancing on clubs and competitions. Here we have a great performer, instructor, and an excellent mentor on how we should grow with one another.

We give you a true pioneer of Salsa in the state of Utah. The first Salsera of the state, Jessica "La Salsera" Kumori.

Hi there, can you please tell us about yourself?

Hi everybody, my name is Jessica Kumori Caballero... I come from South America, La Paz - Bolivia. I came to Utah about 12 years ago, I had family here so that's why I came. I have my uncles here, aunts and so. I am single... hehehe... not going out with anyone right now. I have been dancing Salsa for about five years now, and I consider myself still learning of course... and I am one of those people that have literally seen this place grow from non existent Salsa to what it is today. It's just amazing!

Any hobbies Jessica?

Yeah, I love the outdoors. Here in Utah, we have tons of activities for people like me. I love to go hiking, I like to go to Moab a lot. And if you like the outdoors, then Utah is for you.

We know that in Bolivia there isn't really Salsa, how did you get in this?

Ok... hehehe... Well, four or five years ago I had friends taught me to dance Salsa on a different style than what I knew. Salsa in Bolivia is very little, I would say that Santa Cruz, one of the parts of Bolivia has the biggest Salsa club in the country, and in fact Santa Cruz is the best place to go dancing Salsa down there.

You know, it has barely started a couple of years ago. There is a WORLWIDE SALSA EXPLOTION going on right now and it's really reaching every part of Bolivia now days.

For what I know, there aren't that many dancers from Bolivia, in fact I think me and Jago are the only Bolivians that are actually dancing Salsa here in Utah.

Tell us more about your start in the Salsa scene?

Well actually, when I started I knew very little, just as much as other people. The basics of the way they dance it on the Caribbean, Central and South America. Then I started to learn the differences of Miami style, New York style, and then the LA style when it got here. I started to learn the Cross Body Leads, and the difference between the beats and timing. I really like the fact that I learned on one way first, then moved to other styles. I love to be able to dance different styles and be able to move back and forth depending who I am dancing with.

Can you describe the scene back then when you started?

Ok, let's say... hmmm.. five or eight years ago, Utah didn't have a Latin Club, let alone a Salsa Club. I remember that it really started with Tropicana Club, and it really started from there. Most dancers now days started from there, and back then it was really rare to see anyone dance real Salsa, specially LA style. I remember that there were only one or two couples dancing real Salsa. That's a big difference from then to now, we just have so many dancers now days. Literally hundreds are now dancing Salsa.

Talking about styles, what is your favorite?

I myself prefer Miami style. When I learned to dance Salsa, I learned it on the two than on the one, which is what most dancers here dance to. That's the Never-Ending debate!... hehehehe... But I believe, that if you are a really good dancer, you should be able to love all styles or both, the one and the two. Even on the same song. Why?... Because I believe that more than the number you should represent the song more depending on the beat it is requesting. Just love the music, and interpret it with your dancing.

Why don't we see you competing anymore?

I love Salsa dancing, but at the moment I don't really have a partner to compete. And actually, I totally admire everyone out there competing, it takes so much practice to compete in Salsa than any other type of dancing. I really admire how they can make time for practices, how they can stand through pain, and injuries and to be able to get along through the hard times with a partner and come out with a good routine for the finals or semifinals. It's just really hard to go through practice for hours and hours... it's just unbelievably what competitors go through. It's nerve recking, you go through a tremendous amount of stress, and the pressure it's just unmentionable. It's just way hard, and when I find the right partner, maybe... hmmm.... we'll see.

But are we going to see you compete when you find the right partner?

Hmmm... who knows... I would like to because it keeps you on your toes. It teaches you humbleness, and keeps you sharp and up to speed with the great ones. Yeah, I can see myself doing it again.

How do you see the progress of our Salsa here?

Compared to five years ago.... oh yeah... A lot of progress, a huuuuge difference. We have a whole range of beginners, we have a wide and long list of intermediate dancers, and a good group of advanced Salseros. Something that we just didn't have back then. Just think about it. From one or two couples, we moved to hundreds of people dancing Salsa now days. We actually have a group of real professionals nowdays, the people that we can actually call "PROFESSIONALS" - people that I can see competing with anybody in any competition out there. I know that we think of Utah less than other cities and states, but I can truly see some of these couples go out there and do really good, in national competitions.

Do you think you have contributed anything to the scene here?

I think I have, specially in my time... back in the day... hehehe... am not that old... hehehehe... we are talking 1998, 1999.

I was one of the first ones to dance Salsa here in the state, and one of the first ones pushing the scene through presentations, shows, classes and just teaching more than competing. I don't really believe in being against other people in teaching. I don't think that we should compete in that matter - I think, instead we should unite to educate others about this beautiful dance.

I am so glad now days, that all those problems that we had back in the beginning have dissapeared. Most of the dancers right now, focussed more on dancing than on other things that are not important.

What did you think about the last competition - did you see the dancers?

I have seen the dancers of course... They were incredible. Personally, I have seen all of them on previous competitions, and different clubs dancing, and I know that they have what it takes to compete in the last competition. Their technique has improved a lot, they made sure they had new stuff on their routines, they made sure their presentations was well done, and they took their time on details and balance and most importantly, they took into consideration tempo design... or timing.

Do you think Utah has a chance to go out there to other states and be represented?

By all means... yeah! ... now I can say... "N-O-W" we are ready to start representing. I have been in Miami, Ft. Lauderdale and Orlando, some parts of California, Seattle and I have seen some competitions over there, and I actually believe that some of the dancers we have can actually WIN some of them.

Some of the Professionals, I believe that there are four or five couples here in Utah... that can go and look at other states without any hesitation or worry. I can see them face to face with other states with no problem.

How do you see competitions now days compared to before?

Well, thanks to a lot of people the competitons are being very well organized compared to competitions on the past. They are taking the time to making them and are vey well thought of.

I remember that back then when there was a competition, it was all by audience applause and it was only a one day thing, which wasn't always fair.

Also, the quality of the dancers have improved by having really organized competitions. The class of competitors have also improved when the competitions requested more from them. Now we can say that we have real competitions.

What do you think about UtahSalsa.Com?

I have seen the page, and it's just great! I can't believe that this idea didn't pop a lot earlier in Utah. It's just amazing how anyone didn't think of this before.

You guys are doing a great job about updating, informing the dancers in this state. You guys are really good, because you guys are letting us know what is going on throughout the state of the Salsa events in Utah, and also on the connecting part of it. You guys are letting all the dancers connect with one another. It's just something that needed to flourish a looong time ago.

We have to keep in mind that this is a worldwide thing. I have seen comments from different parts of the WORLD in your site. This is our window to show the world about Salsa in Utah. People from other places can go to the site and find out about the dancers and the scene here in Utah. It's just really good for the scene.

Anything that you would like to say to everyone?

Yes, I would like to go ahead and say "Hello" to everyone that knows me and everyone who wants to know me. I love to get to know more people, so if you see me, just come and say hi.

Remember that we need to share more about Salsa, and make new friends that way. And I hope that more people here in Utah get into this sport, it's just a great way to become better as a person, and as a whole... Thanks.