Latin dance instructor Amy Martin-Friedman and the group practice in front of the mirrors at Crossroads Arts Center. Martin-Friedman is in her second, six-week class. (Baker City Herald/S. John Collins).

By LISA BRITTON

Baker City Herald

Amy Martin-Friedman broke her own rule last week to help loosen the moves of her dancers.

andquot;I’m going to do something a little unorthodox I’m going to put on some American music, which I am totally opposed to,andquot; she says, her chunky-heeled shoes echoing as she strode across the dance floor to the stereo.

Swedish music, anyway.

She pushes a button and ABBA’s andquot;Dancing Queenandquot; explodes from the speakers.

andquot;I’ll show you what you can do to this song with our style of dance,andquot; she says as she dances her way through her class of 20.

andquot;Show me what you got I know it’s in there,andquot; she says. andquot;Just think about the rhythm inside of you and let it take you away.andquot;

This Latin dance class is a new offering at Crossroads Art Center, brought to Baker City by Martin-Friedman who moved here last summer.

(In addition to dancing and being a mom to two boys, Martin-Friedman has a photography business.)

The current classes meet Thursdays and Saturdays, and new sessions begin in next two months:

Feb. 21-March 27: A six-week class that meets Thursdays from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Crossroads, 1901 Main St. Cost is $55 for members of Crossroads, or $60 for nonmembers.

Feb. 23-March 29: A six-week class that meets Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Same price as above.

March 7-28: A four-week class that meets Fridays. Cost is $40 members, $45 nonmembers.

Also, people can attend an individual class for a $15 drop-in fee.

These beginning classes cover the salsa, merengue and cha cha. No former dance experience is necessary.

A class for youngsters is also in the works inquire at Crossroads if interested.

Martin-Friedman started ballet when she was 8, then moved into jazz.

andquot;I quickly was much better at modern jazz so I focused more on that and noticed my body was better for stronger, quicker movement,andquot; she says.

She began Latin dance salsa and merengue style in 1998 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

andquot;I was at a crossroads in my life and went there for some rest and fun,andquot; she says.

She spent a week dancing with men at a gay bar.

andquot;I learned so much,andquot; she says. andquot;They took me in so quickly and made me quite good in a short amount of time it was one of the best times of my life.andquot;

After returning home to Chicago, she danced every weekend, then took lessons to add the cha cha to her repertoire.

The best part, she says, is that Latin dance doesn’t require a partner.

andquot;I’ve always loved dancing on my own, free stying and having fun without needing a partner,andquot; she says.

She later moved to New York City and danced in Soho after work and the Copacabana on weekends.

She discovered dance styles differ from city to city slow and relaxed in San Juan, faster in Chicago and even faster in New York City.

andquot;You needed to know what you were doing on the dance floor. Not a place for beginners,andquot; she says.

She continued dancing through a move to Puerto Rico in 2006, and then north to Baker City in 2007.

andquot;I’m so glad I can share what I know and teach people to dance again or begin dancing,andquot; she says. andquot;It’s very rewarding for me a great work out, meeting some nice people and bringing some Latin culture to the town feels good.andquot;

Her classes draw every age, from teenagers to 86-year-old Eldon Clapp.

Participants need only bring a willingness to try new dance moves, and shoes with leather soles.

andquot;That’s part of the fun. You’ve got to ooze,andquot; Martin-Friedman says as her heels strike harmony on the dance floor.