WEST BRONX — At Fordham University, the student-led dance group Candela Latina sparks more than rhythm — it ignites a sense of belonging.
Named for the Spanish word that translates to “fire” or “flame,” Candela Latina is the only Latin dance club on campus.
Victoria Pérez, a senior at Fordham and the club’s president, said the group not only celebrates heritage through movement, but also draws in students of all dance and cultural backgrounds, showing that anyone can express themselves through Latin dance.
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“We do performances to keep Latino culture alive on this campus, and it is open for anyone, no matter their dancing experience,” she said. “Anyone is welcome — we teach anyone from scratch.”
Candela Latina practices a variety of dance styles, including bachata, salsa, merengue, reggaeton, and dembow.
The group rehearses for two hours, four nights per week, to prepare for their upcoming performance on Oct. 25 at Maroon Mainstage, Fordham University’s Family Weekend.
Pérez is teaching the team her own original choreography to the song, “Bachata en Fukuoka” by Juan Luis Guerra, a bachata dance routine she performed back in her native San Juan, Puerto Rico, for her cousin’s quinceañera. The multi-song performance will also include a routine to the popular “NUEVAYoL” by Puerto Rican musician, Bad Bunny.
Sergio Lobo, a sophomore and new member of the team, said that while he is slightly nervous about his first performance, he is excited and grateful for the opportunity to dance with Candela Latina.
“We meet four times a week, and it gives you a reminder at the end of the day — these are my roots, and this is a dedicated time I can go back to them,” he said. “It’s a place of love for everyone.”
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For Brianna Salcedo, a sophomore from Washington Heights with Dominican roots, performing Latin dances for her loved ones during Family Weekend carries special meaning.
Last year, her parents and grandmother came to see her on stage for the first time. This year, she says, it feels significant to share steps drawn directly from her heritage once again.
“It definitely feels like I’m giving representation — showing my parents and my grandma that I’m proud of the culture they brought me into,” she said. “It’s refreshing for all of us, because it’s a side of me they usually don’t get to see.”
Her Catholic faith also deepens her connection to the club. Salcedo explained that joining Candela Latina doesn’t feel like chance, but something guided.
“I feel like everything that I do in this club has kind of been curated by God,” she said. “It’s not a coincidence that people feel drawn here. To me, it’s precious to see how we all come together as one.”
