At Fordham University, the student-led dance group Candela Latina sparks more than rhythm—it ignites a sense of belonging. Read more about The Tablet’s visit to a recent rehearsal.
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.
“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.
[Brianna] 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.”
