Salsa Heart and Soul

Welcome to Salsa Heart and Soul—a 6-week dance journey designed to elevate your salsa dancing by expanding your knowledge and mastery of various salsa styles. This course will help you build a deeper connection to the music, improve your technique, and introduce you to the rich history of salsa. Each week, we'll explore a different style, giving you a comprehensive understanding of salsa’s diverse roots and how to bring each style to life on the dance floor.

Week 1: Foundations of Salsa
We’ll kick things off with a refresher on the core elements of salsa dancing—proper timing, musicality, and body movement. This foundational week sets the stage for your salsa journey and introduces LA Style Salsa, where you'll learn key steps and patterns that will form the backbone of your dancing.

Week 2: LA Style Salsa - Part 2

Now that you've got the basics, we’ll dive deeper into the specifics of LA Style Salsa, expanding on the patterns, turns, and styling techniques. We’ll also introduce the music that accompanies this style, so you can begin to understand the rhythms and accents that make LA Salsa unique.

Week 3: Cuban Style Salsa - Part 1
Step into the roots of salsa as we explore the vibrant, circular style of Cuban Salsa. You’ll learn the historical origins of salsa and how the Cuban dance style emphasizes smooth, flowing movements with a focus on connection. By the end of this week, you'll also be able to recognize the distinct rhythms of Cuban salsa music.

Week 4: Cuban Style Salsa - Part 2
Ready to take your Cuban Salsa to the next level? This week we’ll add more complex patterns and movements, focusing on social dancing. Learn how to seamlessly incorporate these into your partner work while deepening your understanding of Cuban music's lively, syncopated rhythms.

Week 5: New York Style Salsa - Mambo on 2 - Part 1
Step into the world of New York Style Salsa, also known as Mambo on 2. Here we’ll introduce the fundamentals of dancing on the 2-count rhythm, focusing on footwork, timing, and connection with your partner. You’ll start to feel the unique flavor of New York Salsa and how it differs from the LA style.

Week 6: Mambo on 2 - Part 2
We’ll refine your Mambo on 2 skills, focusing on advanced patterns, turns, and timing. This final week is all about bringing everything together—combining the elements you’ve learned from all the styles while perfecting your rhythm, flow, and connection. You’ll leave this session feeling confident and ready to take your salsa dancing to the next level!

This course is designed to give you a well-rounded understanding of salsa, from its origins to modern-day styles. By the end of the 6 weeks, you'll have not only enhanced your technique but also gained a deeper appreciation for the music and culture behind every step. Let's dance!

Winter 2 2025
Runs | Tuesdays 7:30-8:20pm
Dates | February 25th - April 1st
Cost | $125.00 plus GST
Instructor | Ervin
Studio | 96 33rd Street East (Blue Studio)