Texas Tech University

Guest Artist Spotlight: David Olarte and Carla León

Irene Robertson

September 23, 2024

David Olarte and Carla Leon

Do you remember where you were when you first started dancing? What was the sensation? Better yet, what was the taste?

David Olarte, an Afro-Latin dance artist, Clinical Associate Professor at Arizona State University (Afro-Latin Dance Education), and one of the co-directors of Stilo Dance Company, asked Texas Tech dance students these questions to stimulate their early memories. 

Olarte's vibrant energy and eagerness to share his passion for Salsa and other styles, such as hip-hop, are contagious. During his talk at Texas Tech University's Creative Movement Studio, he discussed confidence, self-image, home, Latinx Culture, and many other subjects that influence his work. 

As he wrote thought bubbles on multiple topics to keep track of the conversation, he found that every question he posed returned to the same question: How does dance connect you to home culturally?

Olarte emphasized the most critical aspect: connecting his dance partners to his roots:

When I think of partner or partnership, the language I was learning at that time when I was young was not only Spanish, but also the language of movement, if you want to call it, and culture— how to hold someone, how to hold my abuela when she was dancing, how to hold your cousins.

David Olarte

Coming from a Columbian background, Olarte believed he knew Salsa all too well until he decided to hone his craft and joined a troupe led by Seaon Stylist, a pioneer who specialized in New York-style Mongo:

“I didn't learn this at home. I learned this in the studio. So know that there is home Salsa," Olarte says, "or, if you want to call it, community, or, how the majority of the world dances, and then, because of our ego... our style of Salsa is hard to teach people. Still, there's a structure to it that you can learn, and then you can bring both in (traditional Salsa and this particular style)."

Taylor Snoga, a junior BFA in Texas Tech University's dance program, attended the workshops David Olarte and Carla León provided. While there, Snoga learned different aspects of dancing with partners and essential skill sets used in Salsa Dancing:

My biggest takeaway from David and Carla's workshops was how they blended contemporary and Latin movements beautifully. I have experience in contemporary and Latin dance as separate styles, but I admit that their specific style was initially challenging since I was not used to it. Being a part of their piece, I was able to work very closely with them, and by the end of their time here, I can say I was very comfortable with their movement. I now have another fusion style to add to my repertoire, and I was part of a process that got me out of my comfort zone and taught me lots of new ideas!

Regarding partner work, Snoga believes it is essential to being a dancer: 

It (partner work) adds another layer to dance. For one, you can visually create new pictures and movements with partner work. I also feel that it brings us closer as dancers; being able to feed off each other's energies through partner work is great to learn. It allows us to become more connected to the people we perform with, both in practice and on stage.

Olarte leaves attendees with advice as they tap into their partner's work: 

I've had to let go of a lot of my ego. We all have an ego, and if we want to collaborate with someone, to truly partner, the shift is the constant practice of letting go so we can listen, critique ourselves, get over ourselves, and then learn something new.

Choreography learned in the workshops will be included in DanceTech, performed February 27 to March 2 in the Charles E. Maedgen Theatre. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the School of Theatre and Dance website or call (806) 742-3603.

Olarte-Leon Workshop