Frequently Asked Questions
What should I wear?
Dress so that you’re comfortable and can easily move and raise your arms. Dance shoes are best (Latin or jazz for Salsa/Bachata), but for beginners, it’s ok to dance in any smooth soled shoe or even just your socks. Avoid shoes with a lot of traction (like athletic shoes) and shoes that mark the floor. Check if you can glide and swivel your feet on a hard floor without sticking.
What can I expect during my first private lesson?
In your first 30-minute Intro Lesson, we generally learn about your dance experience and goals, show you some steps to give you a feel for our teaching style, and offer a forward-looking strategy to meet your objectives.
When can I start group classes?
Anytime! All our group classes are drop-in friendly. In Beginner/Level 1, we always review the basics; there’s no prerequisite knowledge from earlier classes. We rotate through a syllabus of beginning patterns designed to prepare you for upper level classes.
In our upper level classes, we dance novel combinations of Beginner-Intermediate patterns to hone your skills and illustrate different ways steps can link together. We often stay with one concept for multiple weeks, so students attending regularly can build confidence through repetition, but we'll teach variations that don’t presume you attended one of the prior classes.
How do I know when I’m ready for Intermediate class?
We recommend most students take at least two months of Level 1, plus gain some practical experience dancing at clubs and/or socials before progressing to Level 2. Of course, students learn at different rates, so most important is to have a solid grasp of your fundamentals. Ask for a copy of our Beginner Syllabus to track your progress. Aim to know the foot position, body position, and timing of each step in each pattern, such that you could dance it socially with confidence. When in doubt, please consult with us before promoting yourself.
What is Salsa On1 vs Salsa On2?
Salsa On1 (aka L.A. Style) and Salsa On2 (aka New York Style) are the two dominant styles danced in the United States. Both are "slot" dances, meaning patterns move in a more linear than circular manner. On1 generally accents musical melody and phrasing, feels more staccato, and is easier for beginners to pick up. It's also more widely recognized globally. On2 generally accents mambo instrumentality (especially percussion/piano), has a smooth feel, and is favored by advanced dancers for its innate musicality. We love both styles! When social dancing together, we usually choose based on the genre and feel of the song. When dancing with others, often the choice is determined by the abilities/preferences of our partner. Many social dancers still can only dance one style. We highly encourage any proficient dancer to learn both. Trust us, it’s more fun that way! Not only will you have more options to express the music, but you’ll have greater flexibility to dance with various partners and in more places around the world.
Do I need a partner?
Nope! Social dancing is typically danced with a variety of people, including people you just met. In fact, at clubs and socials, it’s widely considered poor dance etiquette to partner up and dance with the same person all evening! Group classes are designed to mimic the social dance experience by rotating partners regularly, so you have the opportunity to try the same move with a variety of partners. The majority of students come to class without a partner.
Private lessons are available to singles and couples. We teach both leaders and followers (Carolyn and Stefan can each dance both roles). Many students come on their own to improve their own dancing, but some couples wish to learn to dance better with each other.
But what if I’m shy? Do I have to rotate partners in class?
We cue partner rotations throughout class and strongly encourage everyone to participate. In our 20+ years of teaching, we find that all students progress faster when they rotate partners. However, we also understand dance classes can be daunting for newbies, and some people are just more comfortable staying with one person in the beginning. So students are also welcome to opt out of rotation, we just ask that you stand to one side so the rotation runs smoothly.
I still have questions!
Please don't hesitate to contact us.
Dress so that you’re comfortable and can easily move and raise your arms. Dance shoes are best (Latin or jazz for Salsa/Bachata), but for beginners, it’s ok to dance in any smooth soled shoe or even just your socks. Avoid shoes with a lot of traction (like athletic shoes) and shoes that mark the floor. Check if you can glide and swivel your feet on a hard floor without sticking.
What can I expect during my first private lesson?
In your first 30-minute Intro Lesson, we generally learn about your dance experience and goals, show you some steps to give you a feel for our teaching style, and offer a forward-looking strategy to meet your objectives.
When can I start group classes?
Anytime! All our group classes are drop-in friendly. In Beginner/Level 1, we always review the basics; there’s no prerequisite knowledge from earlier classes. We rotate through a syllabus of beginning patterns designed to prepare you for upper level classes.
In our upper level classes, we dance novel combinations of Beginner-Intermediate patterns to hone your skills and illustrate different ways steps can link together. We often stay with one concept for multiple weeks, so students attending regularly can build confidence through repetition, but we'll teach variations that don’t presume you attended one of the prior classes.
How do I know when I’m ready for Intermediate class?
We recommend most students take at least two months of Level 1, plus gain some practical experience dancing at clubs and/or socials before progressing to Level 2. Of course, students learn at different rates, so most important is to have a solid grasp of your fundamentals. Ask for a copy of our Beginner Syllabus to track your progress. Aim to know the foot position, body position, and timing of each step in each pattern, such that you could dance it socially with confidence. When in doubt, please consult with us before promoting yourself.
What is Salsa On1 vs Salsa On2?
Salsa On1 (aka L.A. Style) and Salsa On2 (aka New York Style) are the two dominant styles danced in the United States. Both are "slot" dances, meaning patterns move in a more linear than circular manner. On1 generally accents musical melody and phrasing, feels more staccato, and is easier for beginners to pick up. It's also more widely recognized globally. On2 generally accents mambo instrumentality (especially percussion/piano), has a smooth feel, and is favored by advanced dancers for its innate musicality. We love both styles! When social dancing together, we usually choose based on the genre and feel of the song. When dancing with others, often the choice is determined by the abilities/preferences of our partner. Many social dancers still can only dance one style. We highly encourage any proficient dancer to learn both. Trust us, it’s more fun that way! Not only will you have more options to express the music, but you’ll have greater flexibility to dance with various partners and in more places around the world.
Do I need a partner?
Nope! Social dancing is typically danced with a variety of people, including people you just met. In fact, at clubs and socials, it’s widely considered poor dance etiquette to partner up and dance with the same person all evening! Group classes are designed to mimic the social dance experience by rotating partners regularly, so you have the opportunity to try the same move with a variety of partners. The majority of students come to class without a partner.
Private lessons are available to singles and couples. We teach both leaders and followers (Carolyn and Stefan can each dance both roles). Many students come on their own to improve their own dancing, but some couples wish to learn to dance better with each other.
But what if I’m shy? Do I have to rotate partners in class?
We cue partner rotations throughout class and strongly encourage everyone to participate. In our 20+ years of teaching, we find that all students progress faster when they rotate partners. However, we also understand dance classes can be daunting for newbies, and some people are just more comfortable staying with one person in the beginning. So students are also welcome to opt out of rotation, we just ask that you stand to one side so the rotation runs smoothly.
I still have questions!
Please don't hesitate to contact us.