CLASSES & CLASS NOTES
We teach about six group classes of street salsa and rueda a week,
along with private lessons and special workshops. Here is the current
schedule of group classes. If you’re not sure which level would be
appropriate for you, check the class description below, or schedule a
20-minute assessment.
Unless otherwise noted ALL classes will be held at our studio. (Map)
GROUP SESSIONS: Winter 2010
| Street Salsa I | Wednesdays | 8:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. | January 20 - March 10 | $150 | 8 weeks |
| Street Salsa II/Rueda II | Wednesdays | 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | January 20 - March 10 | $150 | 8 weeks |
| Street Salsa III | Mondays | 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | January 18 - March 8 | $150 | 8 weeks |
| Street Salsa Styles V | Mondays | 8:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. | January 18 - March 8 | $150 | 8 weeks |
| Advanced Salsa Styles V | Saturdays | 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. | January 16 - March 6 * | $150 | 8 weeks |
| Masters Level | Thursdays | 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. | January 14 - March 11 * | $150 | 8 weeks |
In
hopes
of regular attendance, and to keep us moving along throughout the
session, these are discounted session prices. We realize that students
will sometimes have to miss a class, or cannot commit to the entire
session, so we offer flexible make-up options or pay-as-you-go prices
of $30 for Salsa IV and $25 for all other classes. Also, we’re happy to
pro-rate for some missed classes (see Class Notes
below). Anytime you take two session classes simultaneously (eg Street Salsa I & Latin Flavas) the second class is half-off.
What is the difference between “street” or “club” salsa and ballroom salsa? A note.
Calling what we do “street” or “club” salsa means we’re hoping to
ground you in what you’ll actually find when you go out to the
clubs—the way people actually dance, the moves they do, the social
focus, and the fact that all this possibility grows out of and through
the music’s evolution. Ballroom dancing in general can teach excellent
technique, and tends to have more of a performance orientation. While
we are happy to help couples choreography and execute dynamic routines,
in group classes we build the skills and instincts that keep students
acting spontaneously in relation to the music and each other.
Keeping it “street” means keeping it spontaneous and joyful, with grace
in the changes. We are not marionettes, after all, and the street’s got
pebbles and potholes and other people, and you just might be bumped, or
stumble—gravity happens—but grace enters in how you turn that social
moment to take it into something especially fresh and new, because it’s
so full of improvised presence: you.
WORKSHOPS 1 workshop $25 2 workshops $45
| DOIN' IT ON2: MAMBO for SALSEROS | February 6 | 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. |
| AFRO-CUBAN RUMBA / GUAGUANCO for SALSEROS | February 7 | 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. |
ONGOING DROP-IN CLASSES
| Musicality $10 | First Friday of every month | 8:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. |
| Salsa Social $5 (Drinks and snacks provided) | First Friday of every month | 9:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m. |
| * ATOMIC COWBOY Map | Every Sunday | 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. |
* - Class FREE with $5 Cover
PRIVATE LESSONS
Investing in private lessons is the fastest, most effective way to
becoming a proficient, confident dancer, and is the best way of
improving your current level of dance skill at your own pace. Private
lessons consist of focused, one-on-one attention that targets your
learning needs. Daytime, evenings and weekends available. To schedule a lesson,
contact us.
| 20-minute assessment | $25 for individual or couple |
| Private – 1 hr | $60 for an individual, $70 for a couple |
| Package of 4 | $220 for an individual, $260 for a couple |
| Package of 8 | $400 for an individual, $480 for a couple |
| One other way to lower your hourly rate is with longer privates, or to share with a small group. Ask about small group rates. |
Semi-privates for small groups
Would you like a one-time workshop or an on-going series of Latin dance
classes tailored to meet your group's learning needs and dance goals?
We are happy to provide them either at our studio or in the comfort of
your own home. Prices are roughly $25-40/person for 90 minutes to two
hours, depending on the size of the group, location of classes, and
whether you’d prefer one or two instructors.
Choreography
If you’re planning a wedding or any other type of party, and would like
to perform for your guests, imagine having a professional choreography
customized for the occasion. ClaveConChi can suggest and edit music
suitable for you from our vast personal collection, or develop a
routine from your own chosen song. We would love helping you to perform
any of the following: salsa, mambo, rueda, cha-cha-cha, rumba, bachata,
merengue.
CANCELLATION POLICY
24-hour
notice is required for private or semi-private classes to avoid being
charged half the lesson fee. Please respect the time we’ve committed to
your learning. Show up on time! Often we have back-to-back privates,
and your delay may mean a shorter lesson.
GROUP CLASS SESSION DESRIPTIONS
Street Salsa I
– This beginning salsa class introduces you to the rhythm and timing of
salsa, and techniques of leading and following. You will learn basic
steps and dance positions, as well as fun and easy dance patterns that
include right turns, left turns, cross body leads, travels and patterns
that amplify your skills. One class will introduce either bachata or
merengue. No dance experience is required, and depending on your
learning curve, students may sometimes be encouraged to repeat this
foundational level before moving on.
Street Salsa II –
Not
exactly a beginner, but not much beyond one either? This Improvers
class will help you get solid in the key components of lead and follow
principles and technique, individual turn technique and start to better
attune you to the music as a foundation on which we can continue to
build. Cross-body turns are introduced, as well as other key building
blocks such as hook turns for leads and copas for follows. Unless you
have salsa experience already, or, if no salsa, extensive experience in
other partner dances, students should complete at least one session of Street Salsa I before entering II.
Street Salsa III
– This is a key transitional course, as we refine lead and follow
technique to make it more subtle and strong while beginning to
introduce footwork patterns, and multiple spin technique. To enter this
class, and most certainly to move beyond it, students must have solid
timing, meaning, can dance an entire song on the beat while performing
partner combinations, as our focus shifts from this foundation to more
nuanced matters of musicality, style and connection.
Street Salsa IV
– Also called “Intensive Salsa Saturdays” for its extended format and
its demanding goals that push students to the limits in terms of
spinning abilities, longer footwork and partnering patterns, and
mastering subtleties of expressive style and musicality. Apart from
longer combinations we explore handplay and high-level dynamics of the
social dance. Students should also be ready to expand their repertoire
of styles to include Cuban elements, mamboOn2, and crossover
possibilities with cha-cha-cha.
Advanced Street Salsa
– By instructor invitation. This class assumes advanced knowledge of
turn technique and footwork, mambo and cha-cha-cha On2. Select dancers
invited to perform at festivals and private events.
Advanced Rueda
– By instructor invitation. The group format of rueda demands that
everyone be at roughly the same level, presupposing a well-learned
group of moves as preparation for performances and high-level play.
Latin Flavas
– This series opens up those other Latin club dances, like bachata and
merengue (see below), cha-cha-cha, Afro-Cuban rumba (guaguancó), street
samba, cumbia, and, depending on the interests of the class, may touch
on other various salsa styles like mamboOn2 and Cuban rueda.
Cha-Cha-Cha & Mambo On2
– Both of these dances are done On2, meaning the main break step
happens on the second beat, which is how salsa dancers dance in NYC and
the East Coast, or wherever there’s a matured salsa community. Learning
On2 increases your precision and its flexible base allows you to better
play, both with footwork and musical expression. Dancers who’ve learned
them, and found their base On2, even when dancing back On1, will never
dance it the same.
WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS
Bachata: Basics & Beyond
– Bachata is a sexy, closed-position Dominican dance whose popularity
has been greatly growing over the last decade. Key elements taught in
the workshop are how to connect to and move with your partner and then
how to express the subtleties of the music, with a turn or two or
three, just for good measure.
Ways to Play with Merengue
– Merengue is a naturally playful Dominican dance with a very clear
rhythmic pulse which allows dancers to do a lot: focus on close
co-motion, maneuver it quickly or slowly around the floor, get into
crazy tangled turn patterns, and more. The class gets your hips moving
(the first trick to doing it smoothly), and sets out some principles
and examples of each of these ways to play with merengue.
More 4 Bachata & Merengue
– Feel like you know the basics in these two Dominican dances, but
sometimes worry about boring your partner or yourself? This dual-dance
workshop will spend roughly an hour on each to keep your sense of
possibilities opening.
Rueda de Casino
– This joyful Cuban group salsa was born in the 50s, and dancers have
been playfully pursuing its communal groove ever since, with multiply
circular style and a progression of moves that is sure to improve
anyone’s dance. Students learn moves and changes by name (a great
memory device for all salsa styles) and, with much repetition, are
ready to do them when called. It’s great fun to do with friends, and a
fun way to make friends in the salsa community, linking partnering
energy to the group, with leads moving in unison, and follows melding
their moves. Best for dancers with some salsa experience.
Salsa Shines & Styling
– “Shines” are the bits of fancy footwork that, integrated with
personal touches of style and musicality, help you “shine” as an
individual on the salsa floor. Dancers of any level will learn a set of
footwork building blocks and patterns, as well as how to turn the
“work” of footwork into “play” by integrating it with principles of
accent and flow in the upper body, and through recognizing musical cues
and rhythmical ties for your syncopating shines.
Musicality (First Fridays)
– This once-a-month workshop focuses in on the rhythms of salsa (and
sometimes others). An open level class, we might consider how to “find
the 1” or wider structures of a song; you’ll pick up some key musical
principles and rhythms such as clave, tumbao, montuno, mambo bell, and
cascara, and maybe even play a part or two on percussion we provide. It
should always leave you feeling this richly threaded music better and
feeling it fit nicely with your steps.
Atomic Cowboy
– A drop-in class for first-timers, or those with just a few basic
under the belt, it will give you the tools to start exploring salsa.
Enjoy the non-smoking atmosphere, great ambiance and food, and stay
afterwards for the salsa mix of DJ KClave.
CLASS NOTES: A FEW MORE FAQs
I missed the first class of a session, can I still join?
We accept new students up to the third week of an 8-week session. After
that you have the option of taken a private class to get caught up on
the missed material, or waiting until the next session.
Do you pro-rate for missed classes?
If when you sign up you know you will miss a class or two in the
session, or have already missed them, we’re happy to reduce the session
price. When you miss a class without advanced warning, we prefer to
have you make it up by coming to another class (if we may find one of
appropriate level) during the same session, or through a discounted
private lesson that will help keep the class on the same dance floor,
as it were.
What size are your classes?
We keep our group classes small, most of them ranging from 8-12 people. We find
this the best balance between the higher energy a group of people will
bring and maintaining the ability to give individuals personal
attention and instruction as needed.
Do I need a partner?
Nope, feel free to come on your own—most people in group classes come on their own. Classes are a great way to meet people and find partners with common passions.
Do you offer Gift Certificates for your classes?
Certainly! Gift Certificates are available year-round. The gift of
dance is a great idea for birthdays, anniversaries and holidays, and
can be made for any amount, depending on whether for single classes, a
group series, or private lessons.
What are private lessons, and who should take them?
Private lessons are simply the fastest way to becoming a better dancer,
and they are great for anyone committed to getting better. We can find
a day or night time suitable for you to work one-on-one, or one-on-two
if you are taking with a partner, with instruction honed to your needs
and desires. Privates allow us to better determine your style of
learning, whether visual, auditory, or through moving and doing, and to
use these approaches to help you improve rapidly.
May I videotape group or private classes?
We are fine with students recording demonstrations of moves or even entire private lessons, indeed, we encourage it as an extremely useful form of “class notes,’ to jog your recall and provide an example for imitation. Just be sure to have your camera ready when demonstrations occur in group classes so as not to slow down the class. Also, please be sure to get our consent before posting any portion of your recording on the internet.
What’s mambo? Is it different than salsa? What’s better?
Salsa’s the music, and mambo’s the dance, plain as that, for some. But both terms have loosened and drifted, so that dancing “salsa” tends to mean your break step falls on one, and dancing “mambo” or “On2” means breaking, you guessed it, on the second beat. To further confuse things, “mambo” is also used to describe a certain style of generally up-tempo salsa music which has less of a dominant vocal or melodic line, and more of a jazzier “big band” instrumental sound. As far as dancing salsa or mambo, there’s no need to make it a controversy: some songs simply feel better On1, some On2. Having an open attitude to grow, and learning both gives you super flexibility as a dancer, and we recommend that everyone explore both.
