what you're going to learn
FOOTWORK SHINE SAMPLER
LEVEL 2 - SALSA ON2
This course offers you 3 shine patterns by 3 different dance instructors. As you learn how to connect the shines into a combo, each instructor focuses on important foundational techniques about your body and how to step in order to feel more balanced and grounded when dancing.
SHINE 1
ERICA's SHINE
In this 30-minute lesson Erica focuses on techniques to help you:
- Learn how swivel-actions help you play with different angles.
- Learn how to twist and get more hip and torso action.
- Find your balance with proper alignment and dance posture.
SHINE 2
ROJO's SHINE
Next, challenge yourself to learn a combo in less than 10 minutes. Plus:
- Learn where to add some shoulder action to your shines.
- Blend a turn and a shine all in one 8-count.
- Learn how to regain your balance smoothly after turn combos.
SHINE 3
JUAN-2-3's SHINE
In this 30-minute lesson, Juan-2-3 goes into detail on how to:
- Play with the music using sharp and syncopated footwork.
- Build speed and agility using Salsa's most common foot taps.
- Practice "hitting those hits", while smiling.
what you get inside
LESSON STRUCTURE
In each lesson, you will learn fundamental techniques and footwork while incorporating new information.
This is how this course is structured:
- Learn the footwork associated with each move or turn.
- Layer-in technique one tip at a time.
- Gradually add components individually to build an entire move.
- Combine moves to create a fun shine-pattern.
- Practice at various music speeds to improve your reaction time.
We spend a majority of our time dancing together in order to help you build better muscle memory and give you added confidence on the dance floor. We’re with you every step of the way.
what our students say
"We had tried private lessons before but never felt a real connection with Salsa until Juan and Erica started teaching us. It isn't just about learning the steps; they teach you how to hear the beats... how to become better leads and follows... I highly recommend them to anyone who is looking to either start their dancing journey or enhance their current one."
- Jamileh B.
"Absolutely no regrets. I still cannot believe I can dance salsa after 4 lessons. And in all honesty, I have practiced very little due to my super busy schedule. Almost all my dance time is during my lessons. I no longer have to stand on the side at the club when they play salsa. Juan's program really works..."
- O.M.
course curriculum
Course Curriculum
course pricing
meet your instructors
Erica Hernandez
Erica is dedicated to teaching people how to Salsa Dance. She believes anyone can learn how to dance by finding a program that works with their unique background and learning style. She partnered with Juan-2-3 to create a curriculum that focuses on the key fundamentals of Salsa; connection, footwork, partner moves, spin technique, rhythm and musicality. After guiding hundreds of students through their step-by-step program, she has experienced the greatest joy for a dance teacher-watching her students have fun on the dance floor!
Erica began dancing at the age of four. She learned ballet, jazz, and hip hop. She participated in Drill Team, Cheer, and Song learning about formations and how to synchronize movements on a team. While getting her BS in Electrical Engineering at SDSU, she fell in love with Salsa dancing. In 2005, she joined Majesty in Motion Dance Company and trained hard everyday. She earned a spot on the professional team where she performed and taught with her dance partner Juan-2-3. Since 2006, Erica has been teaching people how to Salsa Dance locally, nationally, and internationally.
Juan-2-3 Hernandez
Colombian, born in Brooklyn raised between Spain and New York. In 1999, while in the Military and having lived in Japan for two years, Juan-2-3 arrived to San Diego. It was then that he was introduced to Salsa group classes and dance teams. Although he struggled to learn, his passion for Salsa never stopped. In 2002 he joined Majesty in Motion Dance company and worked his way up to their professional team, then became co-director of the company and meet his beloved new partner Erica, now wife. Unfortunately, in 2010 he had to quit the team due to military injuries that kept worsening. However, his passion to teach still thrives today. Besides continuing to teach, choreograph and perform Salsa, Juan now also hopes to reach the world and inspire people from all walks of life that "Anyone Can Salsa dance".
Rojo
Rojo, aka Steve Meyer has been involved in some sort of musical adventure since he was born. Joining the UCSD ballroom dance team, involving travelling and competitions in Ballroom, Latin Dances and Swing, also gravitating toward West-Coast Swing, a style that really helped him put moves together that “hit those hits…” Then Rojo discovered Salsa dancing. What he loves most about Salsa music is it’s richness in rhythmic diversity. Rojo competed and performed on the World’s biggest stages, and also got the opportunity to perform with the great Tito Puente himself. Teaching Salsa at all levels for over 10 years, his favorite teaching activity was “Drills, drills and more drills” to train footwork and technique. Rojo hopes to bring the same passion for the music, footwork and drills to The Salsa Beat community.