Salsa Dance Lessons
Salsa is the Spanish word for “sauce” denoting a “spicy” and “hot” flavor to this popular dance style to a complex mix of many different rhythms. Many of the patterns are closely related to those of the Mambo and Cha-cha.
History
There are indications the term Salsa was coined by radio jockeys in Puerto Rico as early as the 1960s Later associated with a New York sound developed by Puerto Rican musicians, Salsa is considered the national music and dance of Puerto Rico. The fusion of an Afro-Caribbean beat with enhanced jazz textures results in an aggressive high energy pulse which has become popular everywhere.
Video
Schedule
for Salsa Dance Classes
Syllabus
for the Salsa Dance Classes
Salsa Level 1 Beginner
Printable Version
Syllabus (1a)
Basic
• Stationary
• Progressive
• Guapeo
Side Breaks (Cucarachas)
Underarm Right Turn
• Follow’s
• Lead’s
• w/Hand change behind the back
• w/Off the shoulder
• Alternating
Back Breaks
• Regular
• w/Folllow’s Left Turn
• w/Lead’s Left Turn
• Alternating (Lady then Man)
• w/Follow’s Right Turn
Cumbia Steps (5th Position Breaks)
• In Closed
• In Open
Cross-body Lead (Dile Que No)
• In Closed
• w/Follow’’s Inside 1.5 (Coca-Cola)
Catch the Back (2-Way Underarm)
• Regular
• w/Right Turn Ending
• w/Left Turn Ending
• w/Hand-change & Arm Styling
Syllabus (1b)
Basic
• Stationary
• Progressive
• Rotating
Underarm (Broken) Left Turn
• Follow’s
• Lead’s
– w/Hand change behind the back
– w/Off the shoulder
– w/Styling (Free Spin w/Snake)
Crossover Breaks
• Regular
• w/Follow’s Right Turn
• w/Walk-around Turn
Cross-body Lead (Dile Que No)
• In Open (Two Hand Hold)
– Regular
– w/Follow’s Inside 1.5
• Handshake Hold
– Regular
– w/Follow’s Inside 1.5
• In Closed
– Shoulder Lead
– Waist Hold
Salsa Level 2 Intermediate
Printable Version
Syllabus (2a)
Enchufa
Enchufa w/check step & Cross-body Lead
Siete
Setenta
Basic Wrap Around
Syllabus (2a)
Enchufa w/Check Step End into Cross-body Lead
Siete
Setenta
– Cuban Hook
– Tuck Turn Exit
– Lead’s Head Loop
– Tuck Turn Exit
– Follow’s Left Turn Exit
– Follow’s Head Loop
– Tuck Turn Exit
– Follow’s Left Turn Exit
– Follow’s Head Roll Exit
Basic Wrap Around
Setenta Complicado
Advanced Setenta
Exhibela
Syllabus (2b)
Enchufa w/Check Step End into Throwout & Follow’s Rolling Turn
Alternating Enchufa
Cross-body Lead w/Open Break to Shoulder Turn
Numero Dos
Dedo
Sombrero (Butterfly)
Alternative Basic
Vacilala
Casilense
Advanced Wrap-Around
Syllabus (2c)
Enchufa w/Check Step End into Follow’s 1.5 Right Turck Turn
Double Enchufa
Conversation Step
– Without Lead’s Foot Change
– With Lead’s Foot Change
Back Pass
Spiral
Crossover Breaks Into Cumbia Steps (5th Position Breaks)
Reverse Top
Reverse Top & Swivels
Syllabus (2d)
Back Spot Turn
– 1 Measure
– Natural Top
– Adios
– Open
Back Spot Turn w/Check Ending
– Into Cross-body Lead
– Into CBL w/follow’s 1.5 L Rolling Turn
– Into CBL w/follow’s 2.5 L Rolling Turn
– Into CBL w/follow’s 1.5 R Tuck Turn
Cross-body Lead w/Follows’ L Turn & Lead’s R Turn
– Optional follow’s right turn ending
Follow’s Back Roll
Drop Hand Catch (Off Shoulder)
Lady’s Continuous Right Turn
Social Step
Music Selections
for the Salsa
BPM
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Song Title
Oye Como Va
La Tomenta
Micaela
Start Without You
Artist
Cheo Feliciano
The Latin Brothers
Sonora Carruseles
Alexandra Burke