Dance Brings Einstein Students Together to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month
Posted On September 29, 2026
Imagine the lunch bell ringing ... You make your way to the bus loop and then music starts playing. Titanes Salseros, Albert Einstein High School’s Latin Dance team, rushes into the bus loop. Then more dancers join, first the Dance Company and Junior Dance Company, followed by students from the school’s other dance classes. Within moments, the bus loop has transformed into a celebration of music, movement and culture.
The Sept. 23 flash mob was more than a performance. It brought students together to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month while sharing dance traditions and learning from one another.
“Everyone was so supportive of each other!” said an 11th grade dance student. “The performance was community-based and showcased our strength as a program and our support and love for the Hispanic community!”
Throughout the year, including the summer, students in Titanes Salseros explore a wide range of Latin dance traditions and styles, from partner and group dancing to shine dancing and traditional and contemporary forms.
The collaboration between Titanes Salseros and the school’s dance program has become a meaningful tradition. The annual flash mob kicks off the performance season and gives newer dancers a fun, low-stakes introduction to performing. More importantly, it is rooted in students teaching students, with Titanes Salseros members taking on leadership roles as they teach choreography, rhythms and movement traditions.
Students also explore new musical structures and cultural traditions, including Cuban Son, while developing an appreciation for the artistry and cultural significance of Latin dance. They are encouraged to listen, observe and ask questions, and to see dance as an artistic practice and a way to connect with culture and community.
What began as a flash mob several years ago has grown to include a performance at the Hispanic Heritage Assembly and, this year, at the Wheaton Arts Festival.
“I am incredibly grateful for the leadership and expertise that Titanes Salseros students bring to these experiences,” said Hannah Kerr, Einstein dance director. “I believe these collaborations are strongest when we create opportunities for our students to learn with and from one another, celebrate the richness of our school community, and recognize that dance can be a powerful vehicle for cultural connection, student leadership and shared learning.”
For many students, the flash mob also offered a chance to step outside their comfort zones.
“I was really nervous to perform,” said a 9th grade dance student. “There were only good vibes. Everyone was really excited to see it.”
A 12th grade Titanes Salseros dancer described the experience as a “welcoming, judgement-free space.”
Even the challenges became part of the experience. The weather was chilly and rainy, and dancers had to keep their spacing while making the performance look spontaneous.
“A flash mob is supposed to look informal, so keeping my facials/performance qualities up the entire time [was] hard,” said an 11th grade dancer.
An 11th grade dancer described the performance as three waves of energy: Titanes Salseros entered first, followed by the Dance Company and Junior Dance Company, and finally the remaining dance classes.
The crowd grew louder with each group.
“The crowd went absolutely wild,” the student said. “I think that is what it must feel like to be performing in a halftime show.”
For an 11th grade international exchange student, the performance brought energy to an otherwise cloudy day.
“It was amazing to have Titanes Salseros and the dance program collaborate on this experience,” the student said. “It is such a blessing to see such love and support of the Hispanic community here.”
The flash mob also helped students see dance as a way to celebrate and learn about culture. A 10th grade student hopes it inspires others to learn the different styles of dance.
As Hispanic Heritage Month continues, Titanes Salseros and the dance program will continue sharing their talents with the Einstein community. They are now preparing for the annual Latin Dance Competition.
“The flash mob drew a lot of attention to Hispanic Heritage Month, but also to the Visual and Performing Arts Academy [and] the whole dance program,” said a 12th grade Titanes Salseros dancer.
