FAQ’s
A no-drama, no-vanity environment where you can learn to dance with grace, purpose, and joy.
Dance Lessons
No. You do not need a partner to take one of our lessons. In case the number of men and women are very different, there are many movements and steps that can be learned without a partner. Learning to dance is 75% you learning alone and 25% with a partner. DWG instructors can lead and follow and teach the same.
We offer three levels of instruction for beginner students which are described below. If you are interested in learning the basic steps, basic turns, cross body lead, cross body lead with turn, lead and follow, and basic combinations of these, we recommend you to take our beginner lessons. Please continue reading below to understand what level of class best matches your level of dancing.
Beginner Level I: These classes begin with the fundamental basic steps and is for a student who has had little or no salsa and/or dancing experience. There are many students who have danced salsa but still need a few beginner classes to refresh and form a new understanding of the basics. We begin the Beginners Level 1 class with the three basic steps and several basic elements. We teach the basic steps, right turn, left turn and other elements. By the end of this class, you will learn a basic combination that includes the movements shown in that class. You will learn to put these movements together, how to follow/lead, and how to hold your partner.
Beginner Level II-III: Most people don’t know their actual level. For those who can move on from the Beginner I class you will learn how to combine movements better and dance to music that is a little faster, instead of dancing slowly as in the Beginner I class. We speed the music up to a slow to medium tempo and help you work more deeply on the lead and follow. If you happen to be a Beginner Level III student, we will move you forward at a good pace to continue your learning. At times, there are those who are not quite ready for the intermediate class but are too good to be a Beginner Level I or II. We usually help these couples on the side by teaching them the Cross Body Lead with a turn and help them get used to doing various kinds of Cross Body Leads until they are ready for the Intermediate Level I class.
If you are an intermediate dancer, you should be comfortable with everything that is included in our beginners’ class including the basic steps, the cumbia step, the cross-body lead, and the cross-body lead with the inside turn (please read our response to the question above). At this level we combine the basics with combinations at medium to fast tempo music. In the intermediate lessons you will learn many combinations and how to transition between them with style. You will learn how to remember combinations that you feel comfortable with and better able to implement turns, directional changes with better balance and more styling. In our Intermediate technique class, you will learn more about body movement, spacing, and partnership technique. At times we may do a footwork class as well. Intermediates can be a Level I-III. All levels should take Intermediate technique classes. For our Intermediate-Advanced classes, you should have knowledge of the Cross Body Lead/Turn and many combinations, comfort with hand switches and body placement, and more experience in lead and follow. In each intermediate class you will learn a complex combination and how to dance this combination with anyone (not just your partner). We teach moves that can be led in our class.
DWG offers advanced salsa classes from time to time in a workshop or private lesson settings. In our experiences it takes much longer than an hour to learn advanced figures and technique. Recently we had a Salsa Dips workshop that was followed by 1 month of salsa dip classes to enforce what we taught in the workshop. A lot of advanced dancers do not like to take classes as they feel they "know enough" but Hugo and I say, “the best dancer is the dancer who never stops training/learning.” So keep on the lookout for our private workshops at the estate very soon.
PRIVATE LESSONS / WORKSHOPS
Many people interested in salsa classes call and ask for Private Classes. Private classes are expensive if you take them here or there, so we want you to get the most for your money. For those of you who are on the shy side and do not want to learn basics in front of anyone else, or for those of you who want 1 on 1 personal attention only, Private Classes are definitely the right choice. Hugo and Grace offer those students who take private lessons that do not have a partner the option to have a partner join the class or dance with either of us in class.
DWG offers private classes at their estate studio or your home or community center. Private classes vary in cost depending on your goals. Some people have the goal to surprise their mate, learn to lead or follow etc. Checkout our private
class packages.
Cancellations happen from time to time when private classes are scheduled. Life happens, but we have had to create a DWG Policy for cancellations.
If you cancel with at least 48 hours prior to class time, there is no cancellation fee. If you cancel the same day, the entire fee of the class is still due. No refunds and if it is not paid, you may not rebook. You can find a friend to take your booking to save you monies. Remember, if the floor is reserved for your lesson, our company refuses any other person who tries to book at the time you have reserved. If you cancel, we lose the entire dance class from the other client who wanted to book your time and your class as well.
If you cancel in less than 48 hours prior to your class time, you must pay the entire class fee. If you have paid in advanced, your workshop or private classes will be void. If you have a gift certificate, it will be voided. Please understand that we teach dance full-time and many people request times that other students want and then they cancel. When this happens 2 or 3 x a week, it can devastate businesses. Thank you for understanding and being a wonderful student who is always on time! (Hint Hint).
Dance Shoes
For your first month of class, you can wear a basic shoe with a low heel (ladies) and guys a flat leather bottom. As long as the sole of the shoe is smooth and not rubbery your shoes usually won’t get in the way of your turning. Height can be an issue as well; too many times, women come in heels that are 3 inches or higher and they can never turn and its always because of the shoes they are wearing. So don’t be fashionable, just comfortable. We even tell people to take their bad shoes off and dance in their socks because it’s just too hard for them wearing the wrong shoes. So, make sure not to wear one green sock and one orange sock okay! ha ha
The right shoes can change your dancing drastically. Most professional dance shoes/practice shoes are made with suede on the bottom to help control turns and grip the floor properly. The shank also helps with support of your arch and the fabric is usually softer than a regular shoe. The best height for a shoe is 2.5 inches. For competitions 3-inch heels are normal and even 4-inch heels are used. I recommend 2-2.5 inches for practice or going out to dance, as so much pressure on the ball of your foot can be unbearable at times! I should know!
A basic black shoe is best for your first pair. As you can see from the shoes we sell, some men’s shoes actually have a 2-inch heel on them. This is totally acceptable for men’s Latin dancing and for those of you who are on the short side this heel can make a great difference to you as well (Just make sure to buy pants that are a little longer!) Very Fine carries a wonderful line of men’s shoes that are affordable. The men’s practice shoes usually have little dots on them so air can come out each time you step in practice. You will surely be helped by the suede bottoms of these shoes especially if you want to work on spinning better!
