SalsaVancouver.net :: SALSA LESSONS & INSTRUCTORS

Group and private lessons in Argentine Tango, Salsa Club Style & Cuban Style, Cha-Cha, Bachata, Merengue. Performances, group lessons at corporate events, wedding preparation.

Class locations: Downtown

Contact: Nina Perez
Phone: 604.612.2550
Email: info @bailavancouver.com
Website: bailavancouver.com

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BC Dance
(Nestor de la Zerda)

Lessons in Salsa, Bachata, styling for women and men, Rueda de Casino

Class locations: Downtown, SFU, UBC

Contact: Nestor de la Zerda
Phone: 604.685.2846
Email: nestor @bcdance.com
Website: bcdance.com

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Bravo Dance Company
(Alfonso Caldera)

Lessons in Salsa, styling for women and men.

Class locations: Downtown/Yaletown, East Vancouver, North Vancouver, Richmond, Burnaby, Surrey

Contact: Alfonso Caldera
Phone: 604.771.7750
Email: info @bravodancecompany.com
Website: bravodancecompany.com

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Burn The Dance Floor
(Raymondo Chan)

Private, semi-private and group lessons in salsa, merengue, bachata, cha-cha.

Contact: Raymondo Chan
Phone: 778.999.2876
Email: raymondo@burnthedancefloor.com
Web: burnthedancefloor.com

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Clave Dos Tres
(Giovanni Ventura)

Lessons in all types of Salsa: Miami style, Colombian style, LA style, NY style On2. Also Bachata and Cha cha cha.

Contact: Giovanni Ventura
Phone: 604.324.1683

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Corazon Dance Productions
(Gustavo Ferman)

Specializing in Sizzling Salsa for Couples and Latin Funk Dance - a high energy dance class with a fusion of seven Latin styles (Salsa, Mambo, Cumbia, Cha Cha Cha, Merengue, Reggaton & Rumba) with a splash of Hip Hop, Afro/Funk and Jazz!

Group or private lessons for adults, children, teens & seniors. Professional choreography, Performances and parties for public, private & corporate events. Instructional DVD also available.

Class locations: Downtown/Yaletown, Kitsilano, UBC,
East Vancouver, Richmond

Contact: Gustavo Ferman
Phone: 604.764.1697
Email: gustavo @latinfunkdance.com
Website: latinfunkdance.com

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Dance4U
(Corey Solomon)

Group and private lessons in Salsa, Latin, Swing.
Wedding choreography, corporate events, and performances.

Class locations: Downtown, North Vancouver

Contact: Corey Solomon
Phone: 778.322.7783
Email: info @dance4u.ca
Website: dance4uvancouver.com

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Dance Addicts Studio
(Peter Ferreira and Geraldine Goyer)

Burnaby's dance destination featuring professional instructors, bright wide open studio, great sound and an amazing sprung dance floor. Centrally located with free parking. 4622 Hastings Street, Burnaby (one block east of Willingdon)

Lessons and parties in Salsa, Cha Cha, Mambo, Merengue, Rumba, Samba, Argentine Tango, Ballroom, Swing, Hip Hop, Pussycat Dolls and more.

Class locations: Burnaby

Contact: Peter Ferreira and Geraldine Goyer
Phone: 604.830.1326
Email: info @danceaddicts.ca
Website: danceaddicts.ca

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DanceRueda.com
(Ramses Padilla)

Learn Cuban dances, plus enter to win a free trip to Cuba. Sessions available in Burnaby and New Westminster. Next session in August.

Contact: Ramses Padilla
Phone: 778.688.9686
Email: info@dancerueda.com
Website: dancerueda.com

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DanceVancouver.ca
(Patrick)

Lessons in Salsa, Merengue, Cha-Cha-Cha, Bachata

Class locations: Downtown, East Vancouver

Contact: Patrick Moriarity
Phone: 778.229.3002
Email: patrick@dancevancouver.ca
Website: dancevancouver.ca

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EasySalsa Dance Company
(Tony Boutros)

Lessons in Salsa, Rueda, Bachata, Merengue, Cha cha cha, styling for women and men.

Class locations: Vancouver

Contact: Tony Boutros
Phone: 604.697.0224 or 604.836.4030
Email: letsdance @easysalsa.com
Website: easysalsa.com

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Ella Dance Club

Lessons in Salsa (technical, ladies styling, performances and choreography for stage), Ballroom and party, Ballet, Ballet fitness, Yoga for keep fit, Hip Hop, Modern Dance, Chinese Dance.

Class locations: Richmond

Contact: Ella
Phone: 778.896.2528
Email: salsarichmond@hotmail.com
Website: salsarichmond.teach.nology.com

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Grupo America Latin Dance Company
(Diego Sanchez & Erika Sanchez)

Lessons in all styles of Salsa (LA, Colombian, Cuban, NY, Puerto Rican), Rueda de Casino, Bachata, Merengue, Cha cha cha, Cumbia, styling for women and men - plus Tango, ballet, kids & teens Latin dance.

Class locations: Burnaby

Contact: Diego Sanchez, Erika Sanchez
Phone: 604.517.4644
Email: grupoamerica @shaw.ca
Website: grupoamerica.net

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Hot Salsa Dance Zone
(Alberto Gonzalez)

Lessons in Salsa, styling for women and men, Cha cha cha and Bachata. Classes available for private, groups and large events. Performances and choreography for stage and movies.

Class locations: Vancouver, Burnaby, Coquitlam, Richmond

Contact: Alberto Gonzalez
Phone: 604.725.4654
Email: alberto @hotsalsadancezone.com
Website: hotsalsadancezone.com

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Karlos Reyes

Lessons in Cuban Salsa, Rueda de Casino, Merengue, Bachata and Cha Cha Cha

Class locations: East Vancouver

Contact: Karlos Reyes
Phone: 778.895.1961
Email: estilocubano @gmail.com
Website: salsaestilocubano.com

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Latidos Productions
(Chen Lizra)

Lessons in Cuban style Salsa, Rueda, Son, Cuban Rumba, Reggaeton, Cuban Mambo, Cuban Cha Cha Cha, Sueltas, Afro-Cuban Movements, Cuban Lady styling, Mixing Cuban styles, Cuban coordination exercises, lead and follow and performance skills.

Class locations: Downtown

Contact: Chen Lizra
Phone: 604.708.2170
Email: latidos @latidosproductions.com
Website: latidosproductions.com

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Latin Beat Dance Club
(Susi Haemmerle)

Lessons in Salsa and other Latin dances, plus workshops in Standard (Ballroom) dances

Class locations: Surrey, New Westminster, Abbotsford

Contact: Susi Haemmerle
Phone: 604.584.7874
Email: LatinBeatDanceClub @hotmail.com
Website: LatinBeatDanceClub.com

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Latin Dance For You
(Doris Angela)

Lessons in Cuban Salsa and Rueda

Class locations: North Vancouver

Contact: Doris Angela
Phone: 604.202.5903
Email: latindanceforyou @yahoo.ca

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Latin Dance Passion
(UBC Club)

Lessons in Salsa and other Latin dances

Class locations: UBC

Email: latindancepassion @yahoo.ca
Website: latindancepassion.ca

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Leon Hawrylenko

Lessons in Salsa and Bachata

Class locations: New Westminster

Contact: Leon Hawrylenko
Phone: 604.779.4581
Email: LeonH @shaw.ca
Website: dancewithmenewwest.com

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Maggie Denise Bretton

Lessons in Salsa, Merengue, Cha cha (and ballroom, swing, hustle)

Class locations: Vancouver, Surrey, Coquitlam

Contact: Maggie Denise Bretton
Phone: 604.437.9464
Email: Maggie.Bretton @telus.net
Website: dance-town.com

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Martinez Dance Company
(Ronald Martinez & Sanaa Martinez)

Specializing in Salsa, Bachata, Cha Cha, Merengue, Ladies Styling, Men's Footwork, Latin Footwork and more.

Lessons, performances and choreography available for private, group as well as corporate events.

Instructional DVDs also available.

Class locations: East Vancouver

Contact: Ronald Martinez and Sanaa Martinez
Phone: 604.874.0126
Email: info @martinezdancecompany.com
Website: martinezdancecompany.com

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Más Movement
(Michael Gabriel Rosen)

Lessons in Cuban style Salsa, Rueda de Casino, Merengue, Bachata and Reggeatón

Class locations: East Vancouver

Contact: Michael Gabriel Rosen
Phone: 604.729.1935
Email: masmovement@gmail.com
Facebook Group: Salsa Cuban Style with Michael Gabriel Rosen

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Provocante Academy of Dance
& UBC Salsa Club
(Sashko Despotovski)

Lessons in Mambo and NY Salsa (On2)

Class locations: Downtown

Contact: Sashko
Phone: 604.375.5554

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Salsa Angels
(Luifer Gutierrez)

Lessons in Salsa

Contact: Luifer Gutierrez
Phone: 604.618.3014
Email: luifer_gutierrez @yahoo.com

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Salsa Kapow
(Sebastian and Yukiko Molnar)

Lessons in Salsa (and Merengue, Bachata, Cha cha cha)

Class locations: Downtown, Burnaby

Contact: Sebastian and Yukiko Molnar
Phone: 778.883.7145
Email: info@salsakapow.com
Website: salsakapow.com

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SalsaStudio.net
(Roger Chen)

Lessons in Salsa, Mambo and Latin dances

Class locations: Downtown

Contact: Roger Chen
Phone: 604.812.3849
Email: roger@salsastudio.net
Website: salsastudio.net

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Sexy Silhouettes
(Kelly Foston)

Salsa for individuals and couples, technical instruction and body movement. Group or private lessons for adults, children, teens and seniors. An arts expressionist for over 20 years, with a background in recreation and dance/movement therapy. Available for professional choreography, performances and parties for public, private & corporate events. Find your distinct, creative, energy and express it through dance, fashion and shoes.

Contact: Kelly Foston
Phone: 604.313.8446
Email: kelly @sexysilhouettes.net
Website: sexysilhouettes.net

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Urban Beat Dance Company
(Graeme Oxendale)

Lessons in Salsa, Merengue, Bachata (also swing, hiphop, belly dancing, and more)

Class locations: Downtown

Contact: Graeme Oxendale
Phone: 604.837.9464 or 604.299.2199
Email: graeme @urbanbeatdanceco.com
Website: UrbanBeatDanceCo.com

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Van Cuban Salsa
(Julio Montero)

Lessons in Cuban style Salsa, Rueda de Casino, and Afro-Latin rhythms

Class locations: East Vancouver

Contact: Julio Montero
Phone: 604.737.1719
Email: eljabaito @yahoo.com
Website: vancubansalsa.com

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Tips on Choosing
an Instructor

Vancouver is blessed with a lot of dance instructors teaching a variety of styles of salsa and other Latin dances such as bachata, merengue and cha cha cha.

Here’s some advice for people new to dancing who are considering taking lessons...

Free classes
Probably the best introduction to Vancouver’s salsa scene is to try one of the 'free' beginner classes at salsa clubs (free that is after you pay the cover admission to get in the club). Many instructors in town offer these free classes at various clubs (check our Events page) and it’s a great way to learn a few basic steps, assess the instructor, see if you like their teaching style and the material they teach. It’s also a great opportunity to see what social dancing is like.

Word of mouth
Word of mouth is always a good indication of who are the popular instructors. Ask around. If you have friends who are into salsa, ask them who they recommend. Or if you venture out to a club, ask people there about salsa instructors. Keep in mind that many dancers are biased to the instructors who taught them, so also ask why they recommend a particular instructor. Try to get as many opinions as possible and this will help you to get a good sense of which instructors are popular.

Drop-ins
Some instructors may allow people to sit in on a class and watch before committing to a class. It may also be possible to do a 'drop-in' in a beginner level class where you pay for one class to try it out. Different instructors have different policies. These are both good ways to see a teacher in action and the material they teach, and an opportunity to talk with students and get feedback on the instructor. It’s important to feel comfortable with the instructor and the students around you. A social and fun atmosphere will enhance your learning experience and a fun learning environment usually means a better learning environment.

A few things to bear in mind:
•	More expensive instructors are not necessarily better. Price does not determine the quality of an instructor.

•	Class lengths can vary anywhere from 1 to 2 hours. Take this into account when you look at the cost.

•	Class sizes and instructor-to-student ratios vary. Many people who take dance lessons for the first time prefer a large class with a lot of students as it can be a less intimidating experience. Larger classes often have a more social and fun atmosphere and offer a greater opportunity to meet a lot of people. For others, a smaller class may be preferable as these can allow for more focused and individual instruction and you’ll probably have the opportunity to dance with the instructor(s). The more personalized attention you receive the more likely you are to learn faster.

•	Male or female instructor, or a couple teaching? Obviously a female instructor may have more insight for women, and a male instructor may have better insight for guys, but this is not always the case. A good instructor understands both roles and should be able to teach both guys and girls equally well, especially at the beginner level.

•	The best dancer is not necessarily the best teacher! There are some great dancers who are also great teachers, but this is not always the case. An instructor's skill set is very different from that of a dancer's. Teaching requires a fundamental technical understanding of dancing and human movement, gained though experience and training, plus the ability to verbally and visually communicate with students at a level they'll understand and learn. These traits are not always present in a great dancer, so don’t assume the best dancer will be the best instructor. The only way to tell is to take or watch a class and ask their students for their opinions.

•	Instructors who teach many different dances will more than likely have studied various types of dance for a long time and can use this experience and knowledge in their classes. This experience can definitely improve their teaching ability.

Evaluating an Instructor's Skill
As a beginner student it is very hard to evaluate how good an instructor is at teaching. Remember to evaluate their teaching skills, not dancing skills. You can learn a lot about the instructor through observation even if you are new to dancing.

A dance instructor must have excellent understanding of the material he/she is teaching, including being able to teach both the men’s and woman's steps, and the timing of leading and following. An experienced instructor will be able to warn you about common problems students have with each step and how to prevent them.

The instructor should also be able to successfully communicate this information to students. This is probably the most important skill of a good instructor. Just watching an instructor perform a specific step over and over is not enough for the average student, the instructor should be able to break down the step and verbally explain each segment of the pattern. They should be able to pinpoint the problems the students are encountering and help them through it using explanations, examples and demonstration.

A good instructor should be approachable and open to answering your questions.

And lastly, a good instructor should be able to encourage the students and be understanding. A caring and fun class atmosphere will greatly enhance the learning experience and will most likely bring the student back.

Keep these points in mind:
•	How well does the instructor break down the steps? Is it too fast for you? Too slow?
•	At the end of the classes, did most of the students learn what the instructor tried to teach? Did you? If most of the students have a look of confusion at the end of the class, the instructor most likely did not adapt to the class level, or did not break down the steps well enough.
•	Did the instructor cover both the leaders and followers parts thoroughly? Were student questions answered well? Did the instructor even ask for questions and/or feedback?
•	A great way to judge an instructor is by his/her students. Can the instructor's advanced students dance well? Can they dance with students not from the same dance school?

In addition to these observations, any professional instructor should be glad to answer questions you may have. The following is a list of sample questions you should ask your potential instructor.

•	Their dance/salsa experience.
•	Length of time they have been teaching.
•	Ask them to explain the style they teach and if it is the same style that is most often danced at salsa events.

Note: There are different types of classes and different levels. The material in higher level classes is usually not broken down as much as beginner classes. So make sure you’re in the right class by doing a placement evaluation with the instructor

Try a few different instructors. You will notice different teaching styles. One is not necessarily better than another, but you may have a favorite from which you learn the most. The most important questions to ask yourself after the class are: Were you happy with the lesson? Did you learn something new? Did you enjoy the lesson? If the answers are yes, then you’ve succeeded in finding a good instructor for you.

Private Classes
Many instructors also offer private classes. These are more expensive than group lessons but private instruction is one of the best ways to learn if you can afford it. Personal attention will let you know where your mistakes are and how to fix them. Your instructor will be able to pinpoint problems and focus specifically on the areas you need to improve on. However private lessons can get expensive fast.

Do I need a dance partner to learn?
You definitely do not need a partner to learn how to dance salsa. Nearly all beginner classes accommodate students with no partners. In case you do have a partner, please remember that there are some advantages and disadvantages to dancing with the same person consistently.

The advantages of having a partner is that you have someone to practice with on a regular basis, which is great because a lot of practice is very important.

However, practicing with only one partner should be avoided, since your lead/follow will adjust to the partner's mistakes or you will learn to automatically anticipate their moves from sheer habit. So as soon as you start dancing with someone else you may encounter problems.

While developing leading and following skills, it is best to dance with a lot of different partners so you don’t rely on your partner to know your moves and compensate for your mistakes.

Credit: These tips on choosing an instructor are an edited version of the incredibly good advice on the Toronto salsa site: TOsalsa, written by Ziv Kenet and edited by Tricia Meikle and Rose Knows.