Salsa & Levels

About Salsa

Salsa is a Latin dance associated with the music genre of the same name which originated in the 1960s in New York City. Salsa is an amalgamation of Cuban dances that were popular in the ballrooms and nightclubs of Havana by the end of the 1950s (e.g. “casino”, mambo and pachanga), as well as American jazz dances.

Styles

  • Los Angeles style (Salsa on1) >@Salsa Connexion)
  • New York style (Salsa on2)
  • Afro-Latino style
  • Colombian / Cali style
  • Cuban style / Casino
Latin American styles originate from Puerto Rico, Cuba and surrounding Caribbean islands including the Dominican Republic, and then expanding to Venezuela, Colombia, and the rest of Latin America.

Why take Salsa lessons?

Our clients in Eindhoven decide to take Salsa classes for many reasons. You may have your own but here are some of the most popular:
When you can dance Salsa, or even Bachata, you will find yourself having so much fun in social dancing situations.
Salsa Level 1: Absolute Beginner
  • 8-11 Classes. 
  • Progressive program and learning curve.

You will learn the fundamental techniques & theory of this Latin dance. You will also learn the dance Merengue to teach how to transfer your weight and develop the first coordinated steps. After this course you will be able to dance short combinations and basic turns, which you can literally use all over the world!

Options after this course: 

  • Continue with Salsa Beginner+ level [Salsa Level 1+]
  • Consider taking the Beginner Bootcamp
  • Consider taking the Silver Memberships which enables you to do Beginner and Salsa Beginner+ Classes, so you can work on your basics and keep progressing.
  • Start from the beginning, especially if you missed some classes or struggle to keep up. You will comprehend and execute quicker and you will know what to expect.

Requirements to start with Salsa Level 1+:

  • Completed full Salsa Level 1 Absolute Beginner course at Salsa Connexion (preferred route)
  • Being able to maintain rhythm and count during your dance.
Salsa Level 1+: Beginner+
  • 8-11 Classes. 
  • Progressive program and learning curve.

Level 1+ is the continuation of Level 1 Absolute Beginner
This Salsa class is for people with already experience in Salsa dance. Please keep in mind that a good foundation of basic techniques is VERY IMPORTANT for the rest of your dancing years to come.

Why Beginner+ or Level 1+ ?
Within salsa Connexion we see that students need around 16-22 classes for a good foundation in order to join Salsa Level 2 (which are ongoing classes), in a way that you are comfortable in joining the existing group, where a strong basic foundation is needed to keep up.

Options after this series of classes: 

  • Continue with Salsa Improver level [Salsa Level 2] – From Level 2 and up classes have no starting or end date. Classes are on an ongoing basis.
  • Consider taking the Silver Memberships which enables you to do Beginner and Salsa Improver Classes, so you can work on your basics and keep progressing.

Requirements to start with Salsa Level 2:

  • Completed full Salsa Level 1+ course at Salsa Connexion (preferred route)
  • Being able to maintain rhythm and count during your dance.
Salsa Level 2: Improver
  • Recommended to follow this level for a minimum of 6-9 months to have encountered all the techniques needed for the next level.
  • From now on you will enter an ongoing program where you will learn techniques & theory on Improver level [Salsa Level 2]. 
  • In the first weeks per cycle (new schedule every cycle in 10-12 weeks) we focus on leveling up your basics from Level 1, to a point that you can multitask techniques to a more dynamic and complex pattern.
  • The next 8-10 weeks you will learn new techniques that are needed to progress.
  • The techniques are not as progressive as in Level 1 but more complicated, therefore following Salsa Level 2 classes more times a week could be interesting to improve in a shorter amount of time.  
  • The subject matter is different per class. If you take the Salsa Improver lessons twice in one week, the lessons will not be the same. This keeps it fun and interesting to take several lessons a week. Great opportunity to speed up the process of mastering techniques.
  • You will experience the playfulness of dancing shines (solo footwork patterns) during your partnerwork. Keep developing your skills which will lead to more control and more freedom, fun and pleasure on the dancefloor. The stronger your techniques and control, the easier you will progress in the next levels.
  • Requirements to start with Salsa Level 3:

    • Being able to count and maintain timing is the absolute minimum to continue to salsa 3. Timing becomes more relevant. Being able to count while executing your steps is a must, for you to know where you are “and” to be able to observe/check if you and your dance partner are in sinc with each other and with the music.
    • Basic understanding about the concept of timing is a must know skillset in dance.
    • Mastering the techniques from Salsa Level 2. What does this mean?

           In Salsa 3 we combine everything you have learned in Salsa 1+2. 

    With the assumption that you master these techniques Salsa Connexion: Will make combinations more dynamic and complex by multitasking, “adding new techniques in Salsa level 3”, you learn more about bodymechanics, the importance of timing and Quick Quick Slow, accelerations, positional awereness, multiturns & spins, musicality, dance psychology and much more.

    So as you see, you are going to learn so many new things in Salsa level 3, that mastering techniques from Salsa level 2 is a must.
    Once you have encountered and mastered the techniques of Salsa Level 2 Improver you are ready to move up to our next level: Salsa Level 3!

    If you have any doubts if it’s time for you to join the next level please contact your teacher in class or contact us through email.

Salsa Level 3: Improver-Intermediate
  • It is recommended to follow this level for 8 months -12 months to have encountered all the techniques needed for the next level.
  • In this ongoing level the focus is on A LOT of partnering skills to help you be a great partner on the dance floor. Techniques like turn & rotation, travelling turns, balance and connection. 
  • You will also start to become a more complete dancer by mixing up Partnering and Shines (dancing solo), which will improve your connection to the music and will test & develop your solo dance and expression. 
  • You will level up in these classes adding speed, different directions, stylings, music interpretation and much more!
  • The subject matter is different per class. So, for example, if you take the Salsa Improver-Intermediate lessons twice in one week, the lessons will not be the same. This keeps it fun and interesting to take several lessons a week. Great opportunity to speed up the process of mastering techniques.
  • Requirements to start with Salsa Level 4:

    • Follow Salsa 3 classes 8-12 months
    • Minimum theoretical/practical understanding about the following topics: 
      • Bodymechanics
      • Importance of timing & dancing QQS=Quick Quick Slow
      • Accelerations (when and how)
      • Positional awareness (and how this works for or against you and your dance partner)
      • Multiple turns or Spins
      • Dance psychology (monolog versus dialog, how your character transposes into your dance, the ego, you dance the way you live)
      • Dynamic between shines & partnerwork (the full experience = what Salsa is all about)
      • What makes a good leader & follower
      • Light leading & following
      • Common mistakes in partner dance
      • Musicality & what does musicality mean
      • maintaining timing is an absolute must!!!

    Once you have encountered and mastered the techniques of Salsa Level 3 you are ready to move up to our next level: Salsa Level 4 – Intermediate!

    If you have any doubts if it’s time for you to join the next level please contact your teacher in class or contact us through email.

Salsa Level 4: Intermediate

You want more?! That is awesome! 

  • In this ongoing level the focus is on leveling up the techniques & theory from the previous levels.
  • Your individual technique skills and style will become more important in your solo dance and partnerwork. 
  • We will work and test your balance, soft lead-follow skills, add variety in timing and speed, multi-tasking capabilities, core & balance control, extra spins and multiple spins. 
  • You will have fun while being challenged physically and mentally. 
  • To keep building & growing as a dancer it requires commitment and dedication. With that, you can accomplish a lot!
  • Recommended to follow this level for a minimum of 9 months up to a year to have encountered all the techniques needed for the next level.
  • The subject matter is different per class. So, for example, if you take the Salsa Intermediate lessons twice in one week, the lessons will not be the same. This keeps it fun and interesting to take several lessons a week. Great opportunity to speed up the process of mastering techniques!

 

Once you have encountered and mastered the techniques of Salsa Intermediate level you are ready to move up to our next level: Salsa Advanced!

  • To enter Salsa advanced consent of teacher is required.

 

If you have any doubts if it’s time for you to join the next level please contact your teacher in class or contact us through email.

Requirements to start with Salsa Level 5:

  • Once you have encountered and mastered the techniques of Salsa Intermediate level you are ready to move up to our next level: Salsa Advanced!
  • To enter Salsa advanced consent of teacher is required.

If you have any doubts if it’s time for you to join the next level please contact your teacher in class or contact us through email.

Salsa  Level 5: Advanced
  • In this ongoing level the focus is on challenging yourself to bring out your best! 
  • You now understand lots of techniques and theory. We focus on what needs to be improved, the nuances, your lead & follow, your musicality and ability to express yourself in styling and shines in different ways on different types of music. Awareness, dips & tricks, flavor & spice will be added to your dance!
  • Besides having a good time and fun together, this class also has the mentality of “BRING IT ON”. You should be able to process the class material and you strive to mastering it. Our goal is to help you grow even more, to test your skills.
  • Permission required to participate in this level!

Salsa Music

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