CUBAN SALSA

ALEX

IOANNA

SEP 2024 - JAN 2025

  • Level 2
    MONDAY 20:00 - 21:00
    Studio Art Deco (1st floor)
    €192/ €169 for students (-25j)
    16 sessions

    Language: EN/NL

    *Please note that for the Cuban Salsa classes, registration with a dance partner is required.

  • Level 3
    TUESDAY 21:00 - 22:00
    Studio Art Deco (1st floor)
    €192/ €169 for students (-25j)
    16 sessions

    Language: NL/EN

    *Please note that for the Cuban Salsa classes, registration with a dance partner is required.

  • Level 1
    WEDNESDAY 18:30 - 19:30
    Studio Art Deco (1st floor)
    €192/ €169 for students (-25j)
    16 sessions

    Language: EN/NL

    *Please note that for the Cuban Salsa classes, registration with a dance partner is required.

  • Level 2
    DONDERDAG 19:00 - 20:00
    Studio Art Deco (1st floor)
    €180/ €159 for students (-25j)
    15 sessions

    Level 3/4
    DONDERDAG 21:00 - 22:00
    Studio Art Deco (1st floor)
    €180/ €159 for students (-25j)
    15 sessions

    Language: EN/NL

    *Please note that for the Cuban Salsa classes, registration with a dance partner is required.

    *You can also follow Rueda de Casino level 2 classes with Alex on Thursday.

CUBAN SALSA

Are you in search of a dance partner to join our Cuban Salsa classes, seeking information about our lessons and more?

Join the Shoonya Dance Forum and connect with our vibrant dance community!

  • Salsa (literal translation: sauce) is a highly popular partner dance of Cuban origin. The name originated from a popular radio program sponsored by a spicy tomato sauce manufacturer. Salsa originated from the Cuban son and further developed in the Caribbean, Latin America, and North America.

    It is not a static style, but rather emphasizes movement. This means that there is no fixed sequence in which the dance is performed. The man leads and determines the figures based on the music. The dance is not done across the floor, but rather in place. Intricate arm movements are a typical characteristic of salsa.

    A set of dance steps in a salsa dance is divided into 8 counts, spread over two measures of 4 counts each. Since the 4th and 8th count are rests, they are often counted as follows: 1, 2, 3... 5, 6, 7...

  • The most important series in your salsa career! Here, we will teach you in detail the basics of Cuban salsa so that after this series, you can smoothly progress to level 2.

    A lot of attention is given to the rhythm, learning to count correctly, understanding weight distribution, maintaining the proper basic posture, and more.

    The basic steps will be thoroughly covered, allowing you to master the structure of salsa.

    We will teach you how to lead properly at the right moment. What should your arms and body do? How do you move and guide your partner smoothly and comfortably? For followers, we will also focus on body posture and how to pick up on the subtle signals from your partner.

  • In this continuation course of level 1, we will gradually build upon simple combinations and refine your technique. Typically, you will complete this series 1 to a maximum of 2 times before moving on to level 3. This is also the orientation group for those who have previous salsa experience but have not taken classes with us before.

  • We will teach you various combinations ranging from very simple to slightly more complex ones. Each season, new combinations are introduced. This is what makes salsa so enjoyable, as it is endless, allowing you to continue learning in this group for years. We once again emphasize the importance of proper leading and following techniques. Gradually, you will also learn to interpret the music with your heart rather than your head.

  • In this group, you can come to dance by invitation from the teachers. We will teach you more complex figures and, most importantly, how to create your own. Followers will learn to interpret instructions even better and add subtle accents.

  • Salsa/Bachata Practice Evening:

    Every 2nd Friday of the month (except during holiday weeks)
    Free Practice Evening 20:30 - 24:00

    (check the calendar on our website for the most up to date information)

ALEX

Alex, from Bucharest in Romania; started dancing ballroom & other latin dances in 1993 and over the years has achieved numerous awards, both national and international in his career as a competition dancer and as a teacher. As a dancer he was part of the Romanian National Team in ballroom and latin, and a finalist and semi-finalist at the Romanian National Championships and Cups.  As a dancer his biggest achievement is wining the European and World Champion title in Rueda de Casino in 2007 and 2008. In 2009 he became the Vice World Champion in Salsa in the competitions organised by the International Dance Organisation (IDO).

His teaching career both for social and competition dancing started in 2005. The couples who trained under Alex, became World and European Champions in Salsa, Bachata and Latino Show. For 3 years Alex lived in Turkey, and his students represented Turkey in the World Championships organised by the World Dance Sport Federation (WDSF) and became national champions. 

Alex has a dance experience of over 30 years and a teaching experience of over 10 years. Even though he teaches Bachata, his favorite dance is still the Tango.

Alex loves the expression of passion and other feelings that you can express through dance and his favorite quote about dance has to be: “Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, except backwards and in high heels”.

IOANNA

Ioanna is qualified in international latin and ballroom dances by authorised professional dance academies in Greece. Besides, she has attended ballet and contemporary dance classes for 9 years. During her dance training years, she participated in national and international performances and competitions. She has experience as a dance instructor of latin and ballroom classes both in Greece and in Belgium