The descriptions of the content of every level that follow will help you to decide which level to choose. The instructors will help you make a choice when necessary. The salsa we teach is salsa 'LA Style'. Don't forget that every person has another rhythm of progress. In dance classes you should learn and have fun. If one of those two are not present or often not present there's a problem :-).

BEGINNERS 1

The first series is about getting to know salsa dancing. We will work on some basic footwork and partnering, on a basic understanding of the rhythm. The elements of this series:

• basic step and open break; cross body lead; back spot turn; movements with open break; ladies' and man's right side turn; walk through; starting with ladies' pivots
• basic spinning techniques; different handholds; arm flicks; some hand styling; variation in tension; hairbrushes; basic elements of leading and following; general attitude, posture and movement (Cuban motion).

In this series we'll also introduce you to rueda and bachata and we'll work on basic shines as well (suzi q, side steps, side taps, rumba, open break, flare, two & four corners, half left half right, half right half left).

We recommend to follow this level once or twice.

BEGINNERS 2

A lot of focus on the ladies' pivot, left and right, using it in different combinations and with different handholds. Leading and following both pivots with preparation and 'paper arms' afterwards.

For the followers: proper hand hold: keeping the contact without 'closing' the hand; tension when necessary; keeping your line.

We'll go deeper into spinning (ladies one and a half turn, man's hook turn, spotting).

Lots of exercises on the rhythm. More back spot turn. 'Wristbreaker' (or 'touch and go').

Going deeper into basic styling (hairbrushes, arm flick, variations on basic step) and we'll focus more on the 'general looks' (body movement, footwork, etc). More movements with open break (back roll, enchufla + back spot turn).

We'll work more with bachata and merengue, for instance to work on your body movement, you'll get to know chacha as well (challenge for your feeling of rhythm and great to work on styling and body movement). We'll go on with some more complex shines. So grasp the occasion to dance bachata, merengue and chacha at parties!
 
We recommend to follow this level twice.

INTERMEDIATE 1

1. Make sure you have assimilated the material of 'beginners 1' and 'beginners 2' before starting this level.  

This means for men (leaders):
-  you need to be able to dance on the rhythm (make distinction between 1 and 5)
- lead clearly without being 'physical', using 'elasticity' to make your dancing and leading fluent and continuous
- lead the moves of beg1 and beg2 without problem (open break, back spot, back roll, cross with left and right pivot in different handholds)

For ladies (followers):
- you need to be able to keep your line!
- you need to be able to dance on the rhythm (make distinction between 1 and 5)
- good handhold and contact with leader: no 'closing in', no use of thumbs, don't loose his hands
- understand when to give tension and when not
- mastering the basic styling (arm flicks, hand styling,hair brushes, copa)

And for both leaders and followers:
- being able to dance bachata, chacha and rueda
- having a good idea of 'cuban motion' and getting better at it
- mastering basic spinning technique (right single turn without problem) and spotting

2. In this first intermediate series we'll work on:

• combinations with copa; more complex movements with left and right pivots; double right turn lady (New York prep) and 1.5 turn man. Back roll and variations.'Whipping'.
  Spotting (in pivots or spins) should be close to perfect by now.
  We'll go deeper into rhythmical elements: clave & tumbao (conga's).
  More chacha (on2) and starting with salsa on2. More styling and more elaborate shines. Lots of attention for general movement and Cuban motion movement (also through chacha, bachata or merengue).
  Hand tricks.
  Musicality in dancing.
  Making accents with dips and mambo jazz (amongst others)

We recommend to follow this level at least two or three times.

INTERMEDIATE 2

1. Make sure you have assimilated the material of the first three levels before starting this level.
This means for men (leaders):
- leading in a small and efficient way: movements with open break (back spot, back roll, enchufla etc), double turns with different handholds, cross inside & outside left & right, copa's (normal and reverse), walk through and reversed crosses, whipping, double inside and outside turns, excellent leading of multiple spins (one, two, three).
- perfect 'frame': no unnecessary movements, enough tension, flexible hands
- no problem to execute single and one and a half turn, left and right+spotting
- more than average leading in other styles like bachata, chacha, rueda, merengue
- good Cuban motion
- no problem for sure with rhythm (distinguish 1&5, chacha, salsa on2)
- musicality (adapting every dance to the song and the elements of the song): sufficient and getting better

For ladies (followers):
- being able to follow leaders of this level without losing contact, line, balance, smile (:-)).
- excellent balance and spinning; double spin more than average; excellent spotting
-  good Cuban motion
- excellent left and right side pivot
- mastering all styling elements of first three levels (general posture, hands, etc)
- no problem for sure with rhythm (distinguish 1&5, chacha, salsa on2)
- musicality & styling: being able to add styling or play with rhythm and accents (without disturbing the lead)
- good follower in chacha, merengue, bachata , salsa on2 and rueda
- you will be challenged in your balance and spotting with double inside and outside pivots, triple spins etc

 In this level we'll work a lot on musicality: connecting with the music, making accents, following the mood, the feel of the song and adapting your dancing to it, taking every dance you do with someone as an 'interpretation' of the song. The rhythm shouldn't be a problem anymore (both for men and ladies!), if you don't recognize the difference between 1 and 5 it's a bad sign: it probably means you're not really listening all that much ...

Double turns and 2.5 turns with other hand holds. More complex combinations with copa. Neck roll ladies. Elaborate shines. Working on fluency in the combinations and dancing. Shines and working on Cuban motion to work on your personal style. Followers should be able to 'stay on their line' without problem, to execute double turns (well lead ones) without trouble, followers should also be able to interact with the music (musicality and styling), making accents on their own, adding styling or playful elements.

Being more than ok bachata, rueda, merengue, chacha and 'on2' dancers is at this level certainly a plus. Apart from the pleasure of learning these other dances, you'll learn a lot from them for your salsa dancing. Bachata will teach you for instance lots on leading/following, on styling, chacha and on2 will teach you lots on musicality and will challenge your feeling of rhythm.

 
From this level on we will encourage you to attend regularly the 'better' parties and go to festivals and congresses that are being organised throughout the year. We will organize trips to these parties, festivals and congresses to make sure you won't be 'alone' at these events. Dancing with other people, possibly dancers with higher level than yours will challenge you, teach you a lot and keep you motivated.

We recommend to attend this series as long as you are learning from it.

Int2 is on Tuesdays (9.15pm with Gaëtan, Romaanse Poort) and Thursdays (8pm with Carl, same location).

ADVANCED

The difference with int2 is going to be the speed in teaching and learning. Combinations will be new week after week, series after series, and will require an excellent knowledge of all basic techniques. The combinations often will need to be worked on privately as well in order to be assimilated.

Lots of focus on 'interpreting' every song, following the feel of the song, making accents, strong connection with the partner, playing and interacting with him or her. Dips, handtricks. Attention for solo work (shines, technique, style).

Just like for int2 we recommend you to attend regularly the 'better' parties and go to festivals and congresses that are being organised throughout the year. We will organize trips to these parties, festivals and congresses to make sure you won't be 'alone' at these events. Dancing with other people, possibly dancers with higher level than yours will challenge you, teach you a lot and keep you motivated.

We recommend to attend this series as long as you are learning from it.

Advanced is on Mondays (9.15 with Carl in Romaanse Poort, Brusselsestraat 63).