Class Descriptions
SALSA BEGINNER 1
A progressive course focusing on learning basic salsa steps, timing and rhythm, proper turning technique and how to lead and follow well - all while having fun!
SALSA BEGINNER 2
This course strengthens what has been learned in Beginner 1. We will focus on timing, partner skills and dance floor etiquette as new steps are taught. Steps and turns will be linked into short turn patterns. Introduction to Merengue also included.
SALSA BEGINNER 3
This is an advanced beginner course and is a transition class from the beginner to intermediate level. Those interested in this class must already know the cross-body-lead and basic turn. A review of Merengue and the addition of Merengue turn patterns also included.
SALSA INTERMEDIATE 1
This class is for those people who have a good idea of how to dance salsa but need help linking the steps together into danceable patterns. This course will include intermediate turns and patterns and important tips on being a good leader and follower. Those interested in this class should already have taken salsa lessons and been dancing socially on a regular basis for at least 6 months. Introduction to Bachata also included.
SALSA INTERMEDIATE 2, 3, 4, 5
These courses will focus on more advanced turns and variations, how to spin better, how to remember shines and turn patterns and use them in different combinations, how to be a better leader and follower, how to add style to your dancing ~ in short, how to be a more complete dancer! Introduction to Cha Cha also included.
SALSA ADVANCED, 1-12
These courses focus on advanced turn patterns with more intricate choreography and how to do shines well with a partner in front of you. Learn how to accent beats in the music, be more playful with the song and your dance partner and express yourself through styling. Prerequisite is Intermediate 5 or at least 1 year of salsa lessons and social dancing. Introduction to Dancing on 2 also included.
SALSA ADVANCED CHALLENGE
Step up to the challenge! This is our most advanced level and focuses on taking your dancing to the next level. All new turn patterns and shines along with advanced level technique and skill development.
BACHATA, BEGINNER
Want to be able to dance to any song the DJ plays at a Latin club? Then you need to learn Bachata. Bachata is a seductive and flirtatious dance that originated in the Dominican Republic. In this course, learn the basic Bachata step and basic Bachata turns. Learn how to lead and follow sexy Bachata turns.
BACHATA, INTERMEDIATE
This seductive and flirtatious dance originated in the Dominican Republic. This Bachata course will focus on more advanced turns and variations and how to add style and flavour to your dancing. Body movement drills will help you add that sexiness that is needed to make this dance look effortless.
BACHATA, ADVANCED
Have you taken Bachata lessons and been dancing in the clubs but want more of a challenge and some new moves? Then this class is for you! Build on what you already know by adding new turns and turn pattern variations. Body movement drills will help you add that sexiness that is needed to make this dance look effortless.
CASINO RUEDA
Rueda de Casino (commonly referred to as Casino Rueda or Rueda) is a Cuban form of Salsa, danced in a circle with pairs of dancers. Rueda builds on the basic salsa step and combines new turn patterns with a rotational movement of the whole circle, exchanging partners continually throughout the song. It is a great way to interact with other people, have fun and add variety to your salsa at the same time!
CHA CHA
This course is an introduction to another Latin dance and rhythm, Cha Cha. Cha Cha is danced “on 2?, meaning the emphasis is placed on the 2nd and 6th beats. Learn the basic Cha Cha step and timing, Cha Cha shines, as well as spins and partnerwork. See how all of the moves you have learned in Salsa can easily be transferred and incorporated into Cha Cha. People who wish to sign up for the Beginner Cha Cha course should already have completed Salsa Beginner 1 & 2 (or have at least 4 months of Salsa experience). Those who wish to sign up for the Internediate Cha Cha course, must have completed the Beginner Cha Cha course or taken some Cha Cha lessons/workshops previously and be very comfortable dancing Salsa (at least 6 months of salsa experience).
CHOREOGRAPHY/PERFORMANCE CLASS
In this course, you will learn an entire choreographed salsa routine. This class will help to improve your memory of salsa turn patterns and shines, enhance your styling, improve your timing and musicality and learn dips. This class will challenge you to bring out your inner performer and will help to increase your confidence on the dancefloor, all while meeting new people and having fun!
DANCING ON 2
Dancing salsa on 2, often referred to as mambo, or New York or Puerto Rican style salsa, is characterized by its elegant and smooth partner work and fast spins. By learning to dance on 2, you will expand your salsa horizons and be able to dance with anyone, anywhere! This course will show you the basics of dancing salsa “on 2? and will teach you how to take what you have learned in dancing salsa “on 1? and apply it to dancing salsa “on 2?.
LADIES' STYLING
Add elegance, sabor (flavour) and sexiness to your dancing! Learn how to add body rolls and hip movements to your solo shines and partner work, incorporate arm and hand styling, improve your posture and balance and add styling within turns, cross body leads and in open stance. Incorporate styling without interfering with your job as a follower and learn how to make your dancing look fresh and fun and musical no matter who you are dancing with or what song you are dancing to. Bring out the sensuality and playfulness of salsa. A confidence-building, women-only class suitable for any level of dancer!
LATIN HUSTLE, LEVEL 1
This course will introduce salsa dancers to the basics of Latin Hustle and is perfect for salsa dancers with little or no Hustle experience. Learn basic Hustle turns, drills, turn patterns and arm styling. For those of you who don’t know what Latin Hustle is, think of applying all of your salsa turn patterns but to different music and therefore a different beat - it is so much fun! Based on older dances such as the Mambo, the Hustle originated in the Latin communities in New York City and Florida in the 1970s. This was originally a line dance with a Salsa-like foot rhythm, that after some fusion with swing and eventual shortening of the count to “&1 2 3?, became the present “New York” Hustle. While Hustle may primarily be associated with the retro disco classics, it can also be danced to modern music, including rap and hip hop. From the Bee Gees and Donna Summer to Madonna and Will Smith, there is a lot of music out there appropriate for the hustle.
LATIN HUSTLE, SALSA TO HUSTLE CLINIC
Already know some or a lot of Salsa? Curious about Latin Hustle? Many Salsa nightclubs are now playing Hustle sets and Hustle can be danced to almost any type of music including House, Top 40, R & B, Disco and even Cha Cha! Don’t leave the dancefloor when the Salsa music ends!
This is your opportunity to learn proper Hustle technique, how to lead and follow well in Hustle and how to incorporate styling to make your Hustle dancing look like Hustle (ie not just a replica of your Salsa dancing!). In this course you will also learn how to take familiar Salsa moves and transfer them into Hustle, an easy way to increase your Hustle social dancing repertoire!
LATIN HUSTLE, LEVEL 2
This course will build on what was taught in Hustle level 1 or the Salsa to Hustle Clinic. Learn more intricate Hustle turns and turn patterns, improve your Hustle technique, incorporate Hustle styling and add some sexiness with New York Walks, Las Vegas Walks and Diva Walks!
LATIN HUSTLE, LEVELS 3 & 4
These courses are geared to people who have been dancing hustle for at least 4-6 months. Some people think they can learn how to dance hustle in a week or two but just like with Salsa, there is an endless variety of turn patterns and styling to add in Hustle. Learn proper hustle leading and following technique, traveling spins, intricate turn patterns and sexy Hustle styling.
LATIN HUSTLE, ADVANCED
Our most advanced Hustle class to date! This course is geared to the person who has been dancing Hustle for at least a year or has an advanced West Coast Swing background. Learn new intricate turn patterns every week that will include multiple spins, syncopations and sexy styling (for the ladies) and manly “cool” styling for the men.
OPEN SHINES
Solo salsa footwork that is taught in short routines for ease of recall. Helps to greatly improve your timing, coordination and style, while having fun and getting a great workout!
SPINNING TECHNIQUE FOR MEN & WOMEN
Learn proper posture, arm and foot placement, resistance and drills to improve leading and following spins. In addition, learn techniques and drills to improve your double spins - both on the spot turns and traveling turns. Learn how to lead and follow doubles with precision and control.
WORKSHOPS
These are single 1, 2 or 4 hour classes that focus on a particular theme or aspect of salsa such as turning techniques, advanced patterns, dips or open shines. Each workshop showcases new information or steps.
ZUMBA ®FITNESS
Zumba® is exercise in disguise! It's a fun, energetic dance fitness party involving Latin and International Rhythms that gets your heart pumping and endorphins high! For people that find the treadmill boring and love to party, this is your fitness class! Come unlock your mind and let loose!