Learn to Salsa Dance! |
Private Instruction and Choreography
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Class Descriptions
All classes are taught in a progressive month-long series. Every week, we briefly review what we’ve covered, which will support your learning & enhance your understanding of the material. Every month, we begin a new series with more new choreography that will build your confidence, improve your technique, and spice up your style - all in a fun and comfortable setting with other friendly salsa dancers!
SALSA (on ‘1’)
Beginning
Learn the Basics. Front, Side, Cuban, and Lead/Follow techniques. Introduction to the rhythm of Salsa dancing's eight-count groove! Review, and address questions before learning new steps.
Pre-Intermediate
Review of the Basics. Introduction of the Cross-Body Lead and Right-Hand Turn. Learn more complex patterns while building your confidence in partner dancing - in preparation for the Intermediate Level!
Intermediate
Briefly review previous patterns, and add new combinations. Leaders and Followers begin to learn spins. We focus on dance technique and timing for a deeper understanding of how to “play” with the music. At this level, we encourage everyone to develop their own unique style by working with timing, body awareness, and “shine” work. (To “shine” means to dance separately from your partner, incorporating more footwork and upper-body styling.)
Advanced
Briefly review previous patterns, and continue to learn more complex moves. Emphasis is on technique and connection to the music, movement corresponding to rhythm. This level will sharpen your technical skills and can be physically demanding, with multiple turns and spins. Learn more complicated, fun, and exciting combinations!
CHA CHA
Intermediate
Learn Cha-Cha on ‘2’ with emphasis on interacting with your partner. This dance complements Salsa and Mambo and is lots of fun - a tasty side dish to savor on the dance floor!
MAMBO
Beginning
Learn the basics of Mambo and explore the differences between Mambo on ‘2’ and Salsa on ‘1.’ Every week we review patterns from the previous week and learn a new combination. This class is fun, yet challenging!
Intermediate
Review of the basics. Begin working on spins for both Leaders and Followers. More emphasis on technique and the importance of timing, in context of the distinctions between Mambo on ‘2’ and Salsa on ‘1.’
Intensives
Intensives are 2 hour classes, taught in a progressive month-long series. There is a 14 person minimum per class and sign-ups are due by the Thursday before the class begins. All levels welcome unless otherwise indicated.
BACHATA
Introduction to Bachata from beginning to intermediate levels. Learn about the music and the timing, the connection between you and your partner, body positioning, floor work and how to dance in a crowded or empty floor. Workshop includes practice time for individual instruction.
TURNS & SPINS
The first part of the class focuses on solo turns and spins, understanding the difference between the two, posture, spotting, muscle connection, foot placement, arm and hand placement, understanding your axis, single, doubles and triples, with a goal of performing solid turns and spins.
The second part of the class focuses on partnering, with an emphasis on balance between the follower and the leader.
Leaders: For leaders understand how to best use the movement combined with the followers momentum and how to use that to your advantage in order to be able to spin the follower multiple times. Learn consistent arm placement to keep your followers on the spot or be able to move them where you want. Understanding different turns in spins and how to lead a follower in a spin saftely and without injury.
Followers: For the followers, learn how to center yourself, arm placement, consistency, different turns and spins, being able to protect yourself at any time, understanding the action / reaction process, being able to follow without back-leading and how to use your core to keep your balance.
Dancer Level: Intermediate
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