Salsa Dancing NYC

June 6, 2013 by ·

Here are a few tips to consider when at a salsa social or salsa dancing NYC .  1)Standing on the dance floor:  Please do not stand in the middle of the dance floor if you’re not dancing.  This is inconsiderate.   You wouldn’t stand in the middle of a basket ball court or baseball diamond while a game is going on, so why do dancers do this on a dance floor? If you’d like to talk  or rest, do it off the floor.

Salsa dancing NYC

Latin couple dancing salsa in NYC club.

2)Making your way onto the dance floor:  Do it without disturbing the current salsa dancers.   If you are the one making your way onto the floor, it’s your job to avoid bumping into dancers and not the other way around.  Try to find the space that is least crowded.  Elbowing your way into a packed area is inconsiderate.  If the floor is too crowded, consider sitting one out.

3)Ladies attire: Ladies, of course wear a great outfit that turns heads, but make sure you can dance in it.  You don’t want to spend the night pulling down a skirt that keeps riding up, or not be able to spin because your dress comes up too high.  Wear something that allows you to move, but compliments your beautiful dance curves.

4)Getting asked to dance: A smile goes a long way.  With a smile,  you will definitely attract gentlemen.  Stay by the edge of the dance floor.  Alone is better than with a group of friends.  Sitting away from the dance floor chatting with your girls,  you most likely will not be asked to dance.

5)Asking a woman to dance: Be respectful gentlemen.  Offer your hand and ask; “Would you like to dance?”  The way you ask a woman does matter.  Don’t ask like she’s the last resort, and perhaps you don’t really want to dance with her.

6)Leading: Please be smooth.  Good followers don’t like rough leaders. We don’t want our hands crushed or our arms pulled out of the socket.  Build the dance.  Start with easy salsa patterns.  Once you see the woman can follow these easy salsa patterns, you may move onto more difficult ones.

Filed Under: Dance lessons, Latin dancing, salsa dance schools, salsa dance studios, Uncategorized · Tagged: , ,

Dance Teacher Training Programs.

March 18, 2013 by ·
Dance Teacher training programs.

Group salsa class in Park Slope Brooklyn

You want to become a dance teacher.  You see lots of different dance teacher training  programs, but aren’t sure how to choose a good one.  Here are some tips.  If you want to work consistently and make a living as a full-time dance teacher,  the more dances you know, the better.   If all you know is salsa on2 or Argentine tango it will be difficult to keep yourself employed.   Owning two Brooklyn dance studios,  I get resumes and calls everyday from professional salsa dancers, professional Argentine tango dancers, belly dancers,  international Latin and ballroom dancers looking for work.   The first thing I ask them is,  do they know any other dances or styles?  If the answer is no,  I will have a hard time employing them.

Dance schools want dancers who are well-rounded. It’s great to be an expert in one dance, but know some others.  I just got a resumes from a dancer who’s  been dancing for 15 years and all she knows is salsa on2.  In 15 years she couldn’t pick up some other dances?

Here’s a typical day for me and any of my dance teachers.  Yesterday at 9am I taught a private at our Flatbush dance school.  The student is doing hustle, salsa on1, and bachata.  At 10 I taught an Argentine tango private.  At 3 I went to our Park Slope studio and taught a private bachata lesson.  This student also wants to learn cumbia.  At 7 I teach a couple who is doing social ballroom.  At 8 we have a two-hour intermediate salsa class.  Where would I be if I only knew how to dance one dance or style?  A dance student frequently starts leaning one dance,  then become interested in a different dance.  If all you know is that one dance, you will lose them as a student when they want to move on to a different dance.

Also, a school would rather have one teacher doing two hours than two separate teachers each doing an hour each.  It’s just easier.  So, make sure the teacher training program is making you into a  well-rounded dancer.  This way no matter what a student wants to learn, you will be the go to dance teacher for that studio.

Is there any kind of placement program?   It’s great that they are training you in salsa on1, salsa on2, Argentine tango, Latin and ballroom, hustle and wedding choreography;  making you into a well-rounded dancer.  But what happens when you’re done with your training?  Do they have work for you?  Consider this.  The dance training program that has work for you is the one you should choose.

Do they teach you how to teach or just how to dance?  Many great dancers don’t know how to teach.  The teachers who last and make a good living, are the ones who know how to teach and not just dance.  You will be getting lots of different types of students.  You don’t want to teach each one the same.  Some are very serious about dance and dancing well.  Most  are not interested in become professional dancers, and are just doing if for fun.  Teach the right way and you will keep your student and get more.

Do they teach you about the business end?  What good is it if you know all the dances and how to teach,  but can’t get any business.  Even if you’re not interested in opening up your own dance studio, knowing sales and how to get students is important.  I see some of the best dancers starving for work.  Not having any idea how to generate business and keep themselves employed.

Consider all these things when choosing a dancer teacher training program.

Filed Under: Argentine tango, dance teacher training programs, Private dance lessons, Private salsa lessons, Private tango lessons, Salsa Dancing, Tango Lessons · Tagged: , , ,

Brooklyn Dance Studios

February 24, 2013 by ·
Brooklyn Dance Studios

Me salsa dancing when I was a student.

Bronx Girl Dancing in Brooklyn Dance Studios.

Growing up,  I always finished what I started.  That is rare for a teen girl and young adult in college.  I did everything right: Graduated college with honors, got a job right out of college, started the ball rolling on getting my masters degree.  Life was working out, but something was missing.  I felt unsatisfied and lost.  I felt that there had to be more to life than just going to school and working.  I was looking for something, but not really sure what.  I found myself staying home.  Tired of the same old night and bar scene.  I just kept telling myself that there had to be more to life than this predictability.  I was seeking excitement and something completely different, but didn’t know what.

Then one day, a friend of mine told me about salsa classes she had been taking at a Brooklyn dance studio.  She said that she was having the time of her life.   She knew I had always wanted to take Argentine tango classes, but didn’t want to pay New York city prices.  She told me tango is one of the dances they teach at her Brooklyn studio.   She convinced me to go to one of Dance Fever Studios bimonthly parties.  I decided to go.  On my way there, I kept thinking,  what the hell am I doing travelling all the way from the Bronx to Brooklyn?  I wanted to turn around and go back, but I kept going.

When I arrived at Dance Fever, everyone was so friendly, warm, welcoming and could dance.  I always thought I knew how to dance salsa, bachata and Latin dances.  I’m part Puerto Rican.  I realized that I had a lot to learn.  As the night went on, I was amazed by everyone.  Then came the show case.  Francis and a student performed an Argentine tango.  At that moment, I decided “I want to do that.  I’m coming here.”

I signed up for a month of tango, thinking I’d do it for one month.  After that I’d be able say I tried it, liked it, did something different.  I’d be able to get back to my graduate studies and work, and be a little bit more satisfied with life.  The cycle ended, and I registered for another month.  I kept going, month after month.  I became addicted.  I started going two, then three and four times a week.  I took all the dances they offered: salsa, hustle, bachata, Latin, ballroom.  Dancing became a huge part of my life.  Sometimes it’s a wonderful thing when life does not work out the way you think it will or the way you have planned it.

In the four years since I started dancing my life changed drastically in great ways.  I lost over 70 pounds.  When I started dancing I was weighing over 200 pounds.  My energy level is way up.  Now, everyone calls me the Energizer Bunny.  I gained confidence that I lacked for most of my life.  I met some awesome people who have become some of my closest friends.  I have a non stop social life now.  I became a dance teacher at Dance Fever Studios. They have two studios now, and I run one of them.

Teaching at Dance Fever has been so enjoyable.  It’s a great feeling to see your students learn how to dance, enjoy themselves, see their fears and insecurities about dancing slip away. Dancing has become my greatest passion.  I can not wait to get on the dance floor.  I owe it all the my home away from home, Dance Fever Studios in Brooklyn.  I simply live, love, laugh and dance, dance, dance.  You may see some of my videos our Youtube chanel.

Filed Under: Argentine tango, Dance lessons, Dance studios Brooklyn, salsa dance schools · Tagged: , , ,

Salsa Dance Schools vs Salsa Clubs

February 21, 2013 by ·
Salsa dance schools in Brooklyn. Miguel and salsera dancing at Dance Fever Studios' Party.

Salsa Social in Brooklyn

Where’s the  best place for dancing salsa and Latin music?

I have recently heard many complaints from students who have gone out to salsa clubs and didn’t have the type of experience they thought they would have.  The club was advertised as a salsa/Latin club, but played mostly pop music. There was salsa dancing, but only in a small room in the back.   No one was really dancing salsa.  They were just there to pick up.  Or, they were just standing on the floor with drinks in hand.  The club was too crowded to dance or move.  There were too many thugs or hoodlum types.  The floor was not good for dancing.  It was too sticky from spilt beer or other drinks.  Or, it was a tile floor that a woman’s heels easily get caught up in.  Not good for dancing.   In order to get a seat,  you needed to buy a drink.   What it you don’t drink and don’t like paying $3 for a bottle of water.  They advertised, dancing begins at 9, but no one was there at 9.  It didn’t get going til 12.  The list can go on, but you get the idea.  There are good clubs that have salsa and Latin dancing, with a good clean wood floor, real dancers and reasonable pricing;  but they are few and far between.

My recommendation is next time you want to go salsa dancing, go to a dance school social.  You will find friendly people who are there to dance and not drink.  The music will be what you want, with no club attitude, and at a reasonable start time.   You can usually leave your purse unattended and not worry.  Many dance schools socials also include food and drinks in the price.  A dance school will usually tell you in their ad,  or on their calendar, exactly what music they will be playing.  If it’s advertised as a salsa/Latin mix, that’s what you’ll get.  Lots of salsa, with some bachata, cha cha and merengue.  No Rihanna or Lady Gaga.  So, the winner is dance schools.

 

Filed Under: Dance lessons, salsa dance schools, salsa dance studios, Salsa Dancing · Tagged: , , ,

Dance schools in NYC

February 16, 2013 by ·

Here are some observations about dance schools in Brooklyn and the New York city area. These are things I’ve noticed, and have also been brought to my attention by my students.  I guess you can call them pet peeves.

Dance schools in NYC at our Park Slope Brooklyn dance studio.

Park Slope dance studio in Brooklyn NY.

Please stop advertising your school at one price, and then when a student comes to register,  hit them with a registration fee. If you advertise one price, that should be the price. Not, oh plus $20 for registration.  I’ve noticed many Brooklyn salsa schools doing this recently.  This is deceptive.  So, if a school does this, watch out.  They also tell you it’s a one time fee.  But, if you don’t go for a few months, then start up again, they will hit you with this registration fee again.  Guys, Be up front with the pricing.

Should you really be charging for music? These are your students. If they are asking for some salsa, bachata or tango music, have them bring a CD and burn them some songs. Do you really need to sell them it? They are new to this whole salsa, tango, or whatever dance scene it is.  They want music to practice to. Give them it, and help them out.  Squeezing every dollar out of a student is not the way to do business.

Telling students they will be great salseros or tangeras in no time flat.  This is over the phone, without even having meet the student.  No school or teacher can tell you how long it’s going to take for you to be good, or even decent.  That depends on you. Students often ask me how long does it take to get good at Argentine tango, or become a great salsa dancer.  The answer is, I don’t know. I’ve had students who after a few classes were dancing nicely, and other students, after months, still struggle with the tempo. Honesty is the best policy.

Pitting one dance style against another. I’ve actually heard a studio owner in Manhattan asking out loud, during a Milonga at her studio: “Why would anyone want to dance Argentine tango? It’s so slow and boring.” This studio primarily teaches swing, hustle and salsa. They have a Milonga once a month. So, according to her, swing, hustle and salsa are great and Argentine tango isn’t.  This is like saying Impressionist painters are better than Cubist.  They’re just different.  If you dance salsa in Rueda there’s no reason to put down LA style salsa. If you dance Argentine tango in close embrace, don’t bad mouth open embrace. Try not to have such a parochial view of things. If you want to get really good at any one dance, embracing all styles will help. The best salsa dancers usually know a few different styles. The best tango dancers usually also know ballroom and many know ballet. Being able to include different techniques and styles from one dance into another will help you become a better dancer.

This is for the salsa schools. Too much focus on salsa shines. I have students that come from other schools, and maybe they have been dancing for a year.  They know 60 shines.  Wow! But they can’t follow or lead a simple copa or check turn the right way. Unless it’s specifically a salsa shine class, try focusing more on leading, following, technique, and musicality.  This is what partner dancing is about, not splitting up and doing shines. You should have great Cuban motion and contra body before you learn 60 shines and triple turns.

Roping students into a performance class and then after a few weeks telling them they need to pay an additional price for the costume that you have marked up double. A student told me that this happened to her in a belly dance class she was taking. She was told that she couldn’t do the performance unless she bought the costume. Nothing about buying a costume was said at the beginning of the class cycle. She dropped out of the class. Again, be upfront with the pricing.

Too much Focus on steps and patterns. Better to teach how to lead and follow then how to do a pattern. Better to teach technique, craft, musicality and style then a complicate step. Once you know this, you will be able to follow any pattern. Many student tell me that the school they used to go to taught really complicated patterns, but as soon as they left the class, they forget it all. Focus more on technique and less on steps.

Advertising a class as advanced and then letting anyone join in. A student told me about an advanced Argentine tango workshop he went to where half the women there weren’t able to do a proper boleo. Some didn’t know how to do it at all. If you promote a class as advanced, it should really have only advanced students. Allowing intermediate or beginners into the class isn’t fair to the real advanced dancers. If all schools started doing some of these things, it would make things a lot better for all.

Filed Under: Argentine tango, Dance lessons, Salsa Dancing, Tango Lessons · Tagged: , , , , , , ,

Health Benefits of Dancing

February 1, 2013 by ·

There are many activities you can do to stay fit and healthy.  Dancing is one of the best.  Besides eating right, sleeping enough and not playing in traffic, staying active is critical to staying healthy.  We all know this, but many of us can’t manage to stay active.  You don’t like gyms or working out.  It’s boring.   Lifting a weight up and down isn’t exciting.  You don’t want to run around the same track again and again either.  Now how many times around was that?   You tried boxing, but don’t like getting hit in the head.  It hurts.  You even tried kick boxing.  That hurts even more.  So what can you do?  Dance.  It’s safe, it’s fun, and you don’t get head aches.

Dancing gives you a total body workout.  You are using all parts.  It’s anaerobic as well as aerobic.  It’s a mental work out, and also involves lots of flexibility.  There are few activities that have all this.

intermediate Argentine Tango class

Argentine tango intermediate class in Brooklyn.

Aerobic is endurance stuff.  Walking, jogging, etc.  You get that from dancing.  Try our Latin cardio class and you will see what I mean.  You will have a great time listing to great music and moving to it non stop.  The same is true for salsa, hustle, bachata, samba and tango.  One or two sambas, jives or Viennese waltz is guaranteed  to get your heart beat up.  I just had a group of twenty year old girls come to our Salsa Latin Hustle Social at our Park Slope dance studio.  After a few salsas and bachatas, they needed to sit down.  While we have regulars in their 40’s and 50’s who dance 3 or 4 hours straight with no problem.  Dancing builds your aerobic endurance.

Anaerobic is more like weight lifting or playing the net in tennis.  Quick, explosive movements.  Dancing has this too.  Try dipping or lifting your dance partner, and you will see what I mean.  It’s just like lifting weights.  Spins and lunges are also very anaerobic.

Flexibility is also a big part of dance.  Any Argentine tango student who is learning body dissociation, or salsa student who is learning figure eights and hip rolls knows what I mean.  I have a new student at our Midwood studio who is a martial arts teacher.  A black belt in many styles.  After two or three classes, he tells me that he is feeling muscles sore that he never knew he had.

Beginner salsa class

Salsa lessons in Brooklyn at Dance Fever Studios

Staying healthy isn’t just physical.  Your mind also needs to be fit; constantly growing and learning new things.  In dance your memory is put to the test.  You are always learning new patterns and sequences.  If not used, they will be forgotten.  Anyone who has ever choreographed a routine knows what I mean.  A 4 minute salsa routine can easily have over 100 different steps and patterns.  The more routines you do, the sharper your memory gets.  Dancing gets both the mind and body fit; while also having fun, meeting new people and making new friends.

 

Filed Under: Argentine tango, Dance lessons, Salsa Dancing · Tagged: , , ,

Salsa classes in Brooklyn

January 30, 2013 by ·

Best salsa songs to learn to by tempo

You’re a new salsa student and you’re having trouble finding songs to practice and learn to.  You check on Youtube and

Dance Fever Students dancing salsa in NYC club. Dance Fever is a top salsa studio.

Latin couple dancing salsa in NYC club.

Google for songs but are having trouble.  You want not just good salsa songs, but ones that are good to dance to.   Aquanile is great, but not so much for beginner salsa dancer.   La India has some nice songs, but not the best for dancing.  There are many great songs, but you want ones without long intros and a bunch of breaks.   You also want the songs broken down by tempo.  Slow for practicing the stuff you just learned.  Maybe medium tempo for the stuff you almost have, and faster for the stuff you have mastered.  So, here’s the list you’re looking for.  Broken down by very slow, slow, medium and fast.

VERY SLOW:  Melao de Cana/Celia Cruz,  Porque Yo/La33,  I like it Like That/Pete Rodriquez,  Mi Media Mitad/Rey Ruiz,  Mi Son Cubano/Roberto Torres,  Que Lindo El Punto Cubano/Roberto Torres,  En El Barrio/Son Boricua,  Catalina La O/Pete Rodriguez,  Estan Quemando la Cana/Yuri Buenaventura

SLOW:  Te Falta Ritmo/Calambuco,  No Me Acostumbro/Rey Ruiz,  Perdoname/Gilberto Santarosa,  Esa Mujer/Tony Vega,  Siempre Sere/Tito Rojas,  Eres/Santiago Cerron,  Sobredosis/Los Titanes,   La Lave/Latin Vibe,  Y Volver/Latin Fusion,  Amigo Mio/El Gran Combo,  La Magia de Tu Besos/Grupo Niche,  Maria Teresa y Danilo/Hansel y Raul,  Entregate/Maelo Ruiz

MEDIUM:  Otra Oportunidad/Jimmy Bosch,  Yamulemao/Joe Arroyo,  Tu Amigos O Tu Amante/Sabrosura,  Buscandote/The Latin Brothers,  Caballo Viejo/Roberto Torres,  Micaela/Sonora Carruseles,  Juliana/Cuco Valoy,  Mata Que Dios/Cuco Valoy,  Casi Te Envidio/Andy Montanez,  Antidoto y Veneno/Eddie Santiago,  La Cura/Frankie Ruiz,  Llego El Amor/Gilberto Santa Rosa,  Que Paso/Hansel y Raul,  Cali Pachanquero/Gupo Niche

FAST:  Me Libere/El Gran Combo,  Sabor a Melao/Tabaco y Ron,  Ven a Medellin/Grupo Galla,  Vamonos Pal Monte/Son Boricua,  Lady/Orquesta La Palabra,  Baracuaniguara/Africando,  Dejate Querer/Jose Alberto,  Mi Negra Su Calentura/Grupo Niche,  Tiene Sabor/Henry Fiol

 

 

 

Filed Under: Salsa Dancing · Tagged: , , ,

Difference between salsa on1 and on2

January 24, 2013 by ·
Salsa studios Brooklyn. Dance Fever Studios salsa class. The premier salsa dance studio in Brooklyn.

Salsa lessons in Brooklyn at Dance Fever Studios.

I have heard so many bad explanations of this from salsa dancers and also,  even teachers,  that I need to write this.  The only difference between salsa on1 and on2 is the beat you are breaking on.  On1 you break forward on the 1st beat in the measure of the music.  On2 you are breaking on the 2nd beat in the music.  This is the difference.  There aren’t any different steps, or better steps in on1 or on2.  You can do all the same steps.  There aren’t any different shine in on1 or on2.  You can do all the same shines.   One isn’t better or worse than the other.  There are just as many great on1 dancers as on2.

On1,  the first two beats are quick quick.  You pause or hold the 3rd and 4th beat.  On2,  the 2nd and 3rd beats are the quick quick.  You pause on the 4 and 5.  That’s the slow.   So in on1, the first part of your basic is within the measure of music.  On2, you split the measure of music in your basic.  The pause is between two measures.

Now, on2 has two ways of starting.  You can just break straight  forward with the leader’s left on the 2nd beat, or the leader breaks back with his left foot, then breaks back again with his right foot on the 2nd beat.  The first way the leader is breaking forward on the 2 and back on the 6.  The second way, the leader is breaking forward on the 6 and back on the 2.

If you really want to be good, learn how to do both on1 and on2.   This will really develop your timing and musicality.   Once you learn both, you will understand what I am talking about.  Take a look at the attached Youtube link to see on1 and on2 basics demonstrated.  You can see more video on our Youtube chanel.

Filed Under: Salsa Dancing · Tagged: , , ,

Dancing in Brooklyn:

January 13, 2013 by ·
Salsa classes in Brooklyn

Salsa class in Brooklyn, NY. at Dance Fever Studios

Salsa classes in Brooklyn at Dance Fever Studios

SALSA DANCING IN MOVIES:
Students always ask me, “which movies can I see some good salsa dancing in?”  So, here’s a list of salsa dancing in movies that I know of, or can remember. If you know of any more that you’d like to include,  add them in the comments.

1) Dirty Dancing: The funny thing about this film is the song that Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey dance to is not a salsa.  It’s really a hustle.  But who cares,  it’s the movies. Earlier in the film, Swayze and his blond partner dance to “Johnny’s Mambo”, which is a salsa.  This song is good for performances.  Lots of accents and breaks in the music.

2)Dance With Me:  Some nice salsa dancing and better salsa music than Dirty Dancing.

3)Shall We Dance: Has a bit of salsa dancing, but is better to watch if you’re looking for tango and ballroom.

4)Salsa: This is actually the title of the film, and it might be the best of the bunch. The entire film focuses on salsa dancing. It’s kind of a Dirty Dancing and Saturday Night Fever combo. Check out the 80’s big hair style. This film also has some very good salsa music.  Celia Cruz, Willie Colon, Grupo Latino, Grupo Niche, Tito Puente and Charlie Palmiere are some of the contributors.

5)Salsa y Amor: This is a French movie about a classical pianist who must hide his secret love of playing salsa music. Eventually the salsa wins out. The film has some nice dance scenes and better salsa music.  If you can think of any more, please let me know.

Filed Under: Salsa Dancing · Tagged: , ,