Progressive Courses gradually layer new concepts each week and provide time to review to build muscle memory. It's an effective way to improve as a dancer.
We believe in quality over quantity. In each class you will learn fewer moves with shorter dance patterns, in order to focus on the details of how to smoothly execute each move.
The goal is to have more time to:
- review each concept before moving on
- ask questions to really understand the move
- practice to gain the muscle memory required to remember it all on the dance floor
We will also limit registration to 8 leaders and 8 followers per level because we believe smaller classes enhances the learning experience for everyone.
- Salsa Field Trip! At the end of the course, we will go on an outing to a Latin Dance Club together as a group.
class details
*No Drop-Ins for these courses. All students must register in advance.
START DATES
Series 1 with Level 1 & Level 2 (THIS CLASS IS NOW FULL)
September 11, 2022.
Series 2 with Level 2 & Level 3 (STILL ACCEPTING REGISTRATIONS)
October 23, 2022.
LOCATION
Studio K Dance & Fitness
9340 Clairemont Mesa Blvd Ste F
San Diego, CA 92123
Series 1
Level 1 & Level 2 on Sundays Starting in September
LEVEL 1
3:00pm-4:30pm
LEVEL 1 PARTNERING 3:00-3:45PM
We will cover basic partner dance skills through learning short combinations of Salsa moves.
No prior experience is required, however you will benefit by taking our Zero2Salsa On2 Online course.
That said, if you do have experience but you don't feel confident with how you lead/follow or how to stay on beat, then this class is also for you to practice core Salsa dance skills.
FUNDAMENTALS 3:45-4:30PM (combined class)
· Both Level 1 & Level 2 join this 45-minute section of the class together to learn and train techniques for a smooth lead, responsive follow, footwork Shines, musicality, and to practice social dancing with a partner.
· Every advanced Salsa dancer honed the skills that you will learn and practice in this section.
· We will use core footwork Shines and turn drills as a way to practice musicality and learn how to be balanced and grounded when we dance.
LEVEL 2
3:45pm-5:15pm
FUNDAMENTALS 3:45-4:30PM (combined class)
· Both Level 1 & Level 2 join this 45-minute section of the class together to learn and train techniques for a smooth lead, responsive follow, footwork Shines, musicality, and to practice social dancing with a partner.
· Every advanced Salsa dancer honed the skills that you will learn and practice in this section.
· We will use core footwork Shines and turn drills as a way to practice musicality and learn how to be balanced and grounded when we dance.
LEVEL 2 PARTNERING 4:30-5:15PM
In this partnering class, we will build on top of the fundamentals and learn how to add styling.
You will learn traveling turns, different Open Break moves, and how to spice up basic combinations using a variety of hand connections and transitions.
You must have a solid understanding of our Level 1 syllabus before taking this class.
- Classes are on Sunday afternoons. #salsasunday #sundayfunday
- Each class is 90 minutes for a total of 9 hours of training!
- Classes capped to 8 leaders and 8 followers per level
- No partner necessary!!!
RHYTHM TRAINING
Besides spinning in both directions, this pattern works on your upper body connection by combining 3 Close Position moves back to back. The Focus is on:
- Close Position technique
- The use of Dbl. Handed Turns
- Using Open Breaks: "The Basket"
FOOTWORK
This pattern uses spins to switch sides with your partner in a variety of ways. We also add "Hammerlocks" and "Hair-combs" to Level-up our moves. A lot of focus on:
- Proper foot placement and timing
- Cross Body Lead (CBL) Right Turn
- Leader’s Left turn while connected
PARTNER DANCING
Leader's get fancy by using a drop-catch in between turns. As the followers learn how to style the “Half Basket” and generate energy with traveling double-turns. Goals:
- Cross Body Lead (CBL) Titanic
- Advanced Leader turn combo
- Challenging your level 1 material
extra bonuses!
BONUS #1
Access to Online Dance Courses
We will give you access to our entire library of online dance courses while you're taking this Progressive 6 Week Course.
Take the Zero2Salsa On2 course to prepare for Level 1.
Challenge yourself with the online Partnering Level 2 course alongside the in-studio classes to supplement your learning.
BONUS #2
Watch Class Replays Online
We will be recording each class and providing them in our online dance studio.
You can review what we did in the last class before the next one, replay in slow motion, rewatch sections that you struggled to learn in class, or use them to practice at home.
BONUS #3
Salsa Club Field Trip
Sometimes getting to the club can be the hardest part. If you feel intimidated or unmotivated to go to a Latin Dance club by yourself, you're not alone.
At the end of the course, we will go to a dance club together as a group to celebrate.
*Note: The entrance fee is a separate fee not included in the price of this course.
what our students say
"A couple years ago I decided to take lessons to learn how to follow any lead and shine. Well it didn't go so well. I took multiple private lessons and weekly group lessons from the instructors with dance companies I was told were the best. I never progressed and was extremely discouraged. In fact I quit dancing for a year... I had heard great things about their program and decided to give it another try. I'm so glad I did because their curriculum and teaching style has helped me progress and reignited my desire to learn and be able to truly enjoy salsa dancing!!!
- Lee
"These are some of the best salsa dance instructors I have had the pleasure of learning from. They are able to breakdown techniques in a way that is easy to learn, and they are quality people that love what they do. The Salsa Beat has my highest recommendation."
- Alex H.
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".