Roberto Herrera, a 37-year-old Latin dance teacher from Chicago, has a passion for teaching others the art of dance. Growing up in Rogers Park and later moving to Albany Park, Herrera learned to dance from his family, particularly his mother who taught him cumbia, a popular Mexican and Colombian dance. As he grew older, Herrera also learned salsa and guaracha through classes at different dance studios in the area.
After working at a pharmacy for eight years, Herrera was encouraged by a friend to start teaching dance again. In 2018, he opened Latin Techniques Dance Studio in Albany Park, offering classes in cumbia, salsa, bachata, and guaracha. Due to the popularity of Latin dancing, Herrera found success through social media marketing and gained a loyal clientele.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic posed challenges for Herrera, forcing him to close his studio for several months. Despite the setback, Herrera was able to reopen with the help of an SBA loan and continued to teach his students, providing them with a sense of escape and joy from their everyday lives.
Herrera’s studio has become a safe and comfortable space for his students, where they can have fun, socialize, and forget about their problems. Some of his students have even formed lasting relationships, getting married and starting families together. Herrera takes pride in the positive impact he has on his students’ lives and is grateful for the opportunity to make a difference through dance.
Through his dedication and passion for teaching, Roberto Herrera has created a welcoming community at Latin Techniques Dance Studio, where students of all levels can come together to learn, grow, and most importantly, have a good time. As a testament to his resilience and commitment to his craft, Herrera continues to inspire and uplift those around him through the power of dance.
