Francisco Vasquez Part Two By Laureano Ralon Facchina   This is the second installment in a three-part interview with Francisco Vasquez. Click here to read part one.

What are the characteristics of a good instructor?

A good instructor must be able to motivate and inspire the student, as well as teach him how to have fun. Actually, regardless of what the student must learn, the most important thing is to have fun. In second place comes respect: a good instructor must be respectful at all times. And third, the ability to teach strong fundamentals: to be a good dancer, you need a solid foundation: basic step, open break, right turn, etc.

Now, sometimes you see students with poor basics who are too quick to blame their instructors (past instructors). But sometimes it’s not the instructor’s fault; the student must also put effort and dedication. Part of the problem is that a lot of students just want to join a class regardless of their level. They just want to give it a try, but they don’t realize that their level is not there yet because they haven’t mastered the basics. So, at that point it is the responsibility of the instructor to look at the class as a whole and adapt to their level and needs. If the level is not advanced, the instructor should not be teaching an advanced class.

I never tell my students to do exactly what I do: I’m always encouraging them to try different things, mix up their own styles with other styles, etc. And as an instructor, I recommend that you never stop learning, and that you take classes from everybody. In Europe I learned a great lesson: instructors take the same classes as their students sometimes. They are always learning. They don’t wait until their students become better than them to go out and start taking classes again; it’s a constant learning process.

Let’s change the subject, what do you think of the new generation of salseros?

I think the new generation of salseros is doing great. They’re preparing themselves better than before. They are taking stuff from Ballroom, etc. And they also have a better attitude overall: they go to Congresses, they put on their performances, but then when they social dance they relax, dance slow, and enjoy themselves – a much more professional attitude.

Now, there are still those who, because they have a good choreography, or a clean choreography, think that they’re big. For the record, you’re big when you don’t have to pay for anything and when they call you every week... If you think that you’re big because you’re getting some work and you’re paying yourself and you’re going to some Congresses to perform, don’t fool yourself, you’re just a follower. And if you continue with that attitude, you’ll never get what you really want.

So what’s your formula for success? So how did you get to where you are?

Honestly, I never promote myself... and I haven’t come even close to doing what I could possibly do with salsa. I’m lazy, but people still call me from around the world. I mean, every single weekend I’m somewhere. Bottom line, I think I have the talent. My talent inspires and motivates people: the way I talk, dance, teach...

A lot of people call salsa a business. Is money important?

Hmmm, if I did this for money, believe me, I would be Bill Gates right now. For me it’s a passion.

Let’s change the subject one more time, what makes a good student? Actually, let me rephrase that question: how do you manage to produce so many talented dancers?

You know something, I know every single company in the world, and everybody is looking for people that already know how to dance. I never heard from them: “look at these two guys, they started from scratch.” So, what I’ve been doing is quite the opposite: I collect the worst people – those who don’t seem to have a chance but really want it – and I give them a chance. People look at my dancers six months later and they go: how did he do that? I think it’s all about practice, discipline, and the way you push yourself. It’s like going to the gym: if you want to get strong, you have to go every day.

Could you name three people who have inspired you because of their motivation, discipline and dedication?

I respect everybody, but my biggest inspiration is my brother Johnny – not because he’s my brother but because he’s always coming up with things that I never expected he could possibly do. He has some of the best choreographies and motivates a lot of dance companies in the world. He’s a great motivator – a sort of Ambassador of Salsa. I also like Frankie Martinez and Juan Matos – not because they’re my friends, but because they have a style of their own. And then there’s Eddie Torres: I thought I was the only one to just go, and go, and go. I’ve never seen a teacher give so much to his students. As far as dance companies, I like Yamulé and Santorico: their ladies are very strong.

Click here to read part three of this interview with Francisco Vasquez.