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!

LADIES STYLING

Beginning to Intermediate

Put some attitude into your Salsa dancing with Cuban motion, head, hand and arm positioning, shines, and more.  Take these moves and make them your own!

SALSAEROBICS

Beginning to Intermediate

This fun cardio work out has a latin flair. Begin with stretching and warm up. Quickly move into an exhilarating cardo blast which taps into several basic steps from salsa, cha cha, merengue, etc. Then, cool it down…

TURNS & SPINS

Beginning to Intermediate

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.

Intensives / Workshops

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

Beginning

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.

Intermediate

Review of the basics then move on at a faster pace. Learn more complex patterns with emphasis on technique and the importance of timing

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.’

RUEDA de CASINO

Beginning

Introduction to Rueda (aka Casino Rueda, Salsa Rueda). Learn the basics of this type of “community” salsa which is danced in a circle and with multiple partner transitions. The circle can be from as little as 2 dancers to 100’s of dancers. Focus is on understanding basic “calls” or dance moves by the main “caller”. The dancers listen to the instruction of the caller and learn the hand signals and names for each call. Timing is very important and understanding the music and connection between you and your partner and body positioning is key. This is a fun dance and interactive with many dancers. Workshop includes practice time for individual instruction.

Intermediate

More calls! Faster transitions, faster music, and fun!
Pre-requisite: Understanding of the basics from the beginning series.