‘Dancing is the best remedy against feeling down’

Patrice Guilemond

Email of the writer: 654789759@qq.com

In most people’s eyes, engineers seem to be dull and boring science geeks. However, for 32-year-old Patrice Guilemond, that’s not the case.

Guilemond is an embedded software engineer from France who now works at Vision Shenzhen Business Park near Keyuan Metro Station in Nanshan.

Every other Saturday afternoon, Guilemond teaches salsa, a popular form of dance that originated in the Caribbean, for free at the Civic Center in Futian District.

“I always wanted to learn to dance but never took the time until I came here seven years ago,” said Guilemond, adding that he had taken a few salsa classes while he was a student in France but really learned to dance in Shenzhen, where he’s practiced a variety of styles, ranging from salsa and bachata to zouk and kizomba.

Guilemond said he used to invite some friends to dance with him but they didn’t know how, so he taught them.

“At first it was between friends. Little by little, friends invited their friends and it grew like this,” said Guilemond. Now they have a WeChat group called “Salsa beginner class” with over 125 people. “But mostly around 10 people come to the class each time.”

Guilemond said he just wants to share the fun of dancing with friends. “Salsa, and dancing in general, is a great way to meet new people, to make new friends, while having fun, and doing a bit of body exercises, you can burn a few calories too.”

“Dancing is also a great way to express yourself and gain confidence. It’s the best remedy against feeling down,” said Guilemond, who used to be very shy but now seems pretty outgoing.