Frequently Asked Questions – Salsa Salsa Dance Studio

Our studio classes follow a progressive structure. Each week, the instructor reviews material from the previous class and introduces new techniques. This allows the entire class to advance together through our curriculum, ultimately reaching an advanced level.

Class Structure:

• Duration: 1 hour and 30 minutes, once a week.

• Format:

  • The first 30 minutes focus on footwork and foundational skills needed for executing turns.

  • The remaining hour is dedicated exclusively to turn patterns and combinations.

Key Details:

• No Experience Needed: Our beginner classes are designed to be beginner-friendly.

• No Partner Required: Most of our students join individually, seeking a fun new hobby. You'll find plenty of dance partners to practice with.

If you’re an experienced dancer new to our studio, you can join an ongoing class. Use our chart below to determine which class level suits you best.

Class Levels:

• 0 - 1 Month: Beginner

• 2 - 6 Months: Beginner Intermediate

• 6 - 12 Months: Intermediate

• 1 - 2 Years: Intermediate Advanced

• 2+ Years: Advanced

Our salsa classes are taught in groups, and most students come on their own without a regular dance partner. While you're welcome to bring a partner if you'd like, it's not required.

In our classes, everyone gets the chance to dance with multiple partners through a rotation system. This helps improve your dancing, as it mimics the experience of dancing with new partners at socials or clubs.

Learning to dance salsa can take anywhere from a few months to several years, depending on the individual. Taking classes is just one part of the learning process. To truly improve, it takes three key things: practice, practice, and more practice!

Spending just 10 minutes a day practicing at home can significantly enhance your dancing skills. Attending our studio socials is another great way to refine your abilities and gain confidence on the dance floor.

• Clothes: Wear comfortable clothing that allows for unrestricted movement. We kindly ask male students to avoid tank tops; sleeveless t-shirts, however, are acceptable.

• Shoes: Start with comfortable footwear. As you progress, we recommend upgrading to proper dance shoes for better support and performance.

If you miss a class, don't worry! Every week, we review the material from the previous lesson, so you'll get caught up when you return. Our instructors are always happy to assist anyone who has missed class and will make sure you're up to speed with the rest of the group.

It depends. While all our classes follow a different level in the curriculum, it may present some challenges. We encourage students to try different classes to get a sense of each class's pace and assess how it aligns with your learning speed.

A social is an informal dance event where students can practice what they've learned in class. We host our own socials at the studio (see Events page) as well as a weekly social at a local bar/lounge. It’s a fun environment and a great opportunity to meet other students. Our amazing DJs are often joined by live percussionists, creating an exciting atmosphere to practice and enjoy!

Class sizes can vary from month to month, typically ranging from 15 to 60 people.

You can practice what you learn at home, at our socials (see FAQ #7), or at various dance socials across NYC. Some students record the turn patterns on video when they get home, or you can record the instructor's demonstration at the end of class. Note that recording during the class session is not allowed. Having a video to refer back to can be a helpful visual tool to reinforce what you've learned.

Every 4 to 6 weeks, Salsa Salsa Dance Studio offers a New Beginner Class. This new class will replace a previously scheduled class that has completed its cycle (usually 1 to 2 years). To remain on the schedule, a class needs at least 10 students, or 5 couples. Once this class reaches the required number of students, it will continue, and shortly after, a new class will be added to the schedule.

Each class follows a curriculum that typically runs for up to one year. After completing the curriculum, the instructor continues to teach in a way that supports ongoing progress and skill development.