Getting Started

When should I start?
We have 6 week beginner courses in salsa and bachata & drop in classes offered that progress throughout month; your first class will be the first week of the month for drop ins and 6-week courses vary on start dates.
On the day of your first class, plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before class is scheduled to begin. This will give you time to find parking, register for class if you have not already online, meet new friends, etc.

What about private dance lessons?
Private dance lessons are booked on an appointment basis with individual teachers. On that lesson you can work on different dances and at your level and pace. Each lesson cost is $89.00 per lesson (45 mins), a private can be equal to about four or so group lessons in potential learning progress. If you want to get out there in a hurry, private lessons will accelerate learning. Private lessons are one on one with an instructor for an individual or a couple. They are scheduled at your convenience and taught in a shared space at our facility.

What’s the difference between group and private lessons?
Private and group classes differ in what is accomplished in the time period. All of our instructors have exceptionally strong group class teaching expertise and you will find any group class or course at The Granada LA Dance Studio to be fun and informative. In your private lessons, however, the teacher can truly focus on your needs and individual questions and teach you the fastest way possible. We call it ‘speed teaching.’

Do I need to have any previous experience to start Ballroom and Latin dancing?
There are two equally satisfactory responses to that question. First, of course you don’t need any previous experience! We teach using the element system, which means that each dance and each step is made up of the same basic movements that you already do each and every day. So, the less experience you come in with, the better (as you have no habits to break). Alternately, if you have previous experience, that’s fine, as well. You will find you will move quicker in some areas. But even experienced dancers find the process of learning to dance with a partner adds an entirely different dimension to their ability.

Where can I use the dancing that I am learning in my lessons?
Our instructors not only teach dancing, but they love to go dancing themselves! With The Granada LA being such a unique location we have our own latin nightclub for you to show off your new moves. Each of our teachers can give you a detailed list of times and locations you can use your new favorite hobby.

Do I need a partner?
No, you do not need a partner. 95% of our students are singles. When it comes to Men & Women we usually have pretty balanced classes. Every class has frequent rotations so you will have the opportunity to dance with many partners of various levels.

What if I have my own partner?
It is the unanimous opinion of the best teachers that rotation in group lessons without a doubt accelerates the learning process of everyone in the class. Since many of our upper level students take beginning level classes to improve their own basics or just to help out, by rotating you'll get to dance with them and improve faster. When couples choose not to rotate you have a case of the blind leading the blind. More often than not these couples get frustrated and give up after a few lessons! By dancing with various dancers of different levels you will get a better perspective of what a good lead will feel like. In large classes you may rotate through ten partners or so and then jump back to your partner over and over. Start up the rotation a few steps away from your partner and by the time you rotate to each other you will have an idea what you both need. Invariably, beginner couples that stay together get lost together!

What should I wear? The most important thing is that you are cool and comfortable. Some people come straight from work and others are in shorts. The shoes you wear are more important. Comfortable shoes that stay securely on your feet are imperative. The soles should be thin and flexible if possible. Thong sandals, platform shoes, and shoes with sticky rubber soles will make your life harder.

What level should I take? /How long will I be in Beginner or level 1?

1. New Dancers: Definitely Level One or beginner classes. You will be in this level for approximately two to three cycles depending on the person. Your first cycle is just figuring out what your feet are doing, next time you are starting to focus on arms and lead/follow skills, the third time you are adding in rhythm and body action. At this point you will be starting to move somewhat naturally. Also those that stay after and practice or take private lessons will progress much faster than someone who just does this once a week.

2. Club Dancers New to Studio:
   Club dancers are sometimes very rhythmical with nice body action. What is missing are the partnering skills that allow them to dance with the good dancers. Also we have standardized names for the skills, elements and patterns. In level 2 classes we don't teach those things, we just say the name and expect you do what we request. Having the terminology makes everything quicker and easier. It is also unfair to those who have honestly achieved that level to have to wait while we reteach ONE person (who skipped level 1) something everybody else knows already.

3. Students from Other Schools:
   Every school has a different system for determining the levels of the students and classes. One school's level 4 may be equal to another school's level 3 or a third schools level 2. A safe bet is always drop down a level AND to also take the beginners class. Understanding the foundations that the teacher is building upon is crucial to getting the most out of a class.

What do you mean by Ballroom?
Ballroom is the catchall term for partner dances from the Waltz, Tango, Cha Cha, Rumba, Tango, American Foxtrot, Slow Fox, Viennese Waltz, Quickstep, the various Swing forms, Samba, Paso Doble, Bolero, and even 'Street' or Latin nightclub dances like Salsa, Bachata, Merengue & Argentine Tango. We like to use the industry terms, Smooth for American Style dances (Waltz, American Foxtrot, Tango, Viennese Waltz), Standard for the International Style (like Dancing with the Stars), and separate them from the Rhythm or Latin Dances.

Which ones do we teach?
We can teach you ALL of them. We recommend beginners start with the social or nightclub versions rather than the competitive versions unless you specifically want to do International Style Latin or Ballroom.

Is it hard to learn more than one dance at a time?

Think of Dancing as learning to drive. You can either learn the skills to drive a car (left, right, forwards, back, park, merge in traffic, etc) or you can learn how to drive from one specific place to another. Once you learn the skills of DRIVING, then you can drive anywhere. The elements from once dance to another are all similar. What you are learning is the Rhythm of each dance which is like a program in a computer that does one specific task (like accounting).

Which style do you recommend?

Many ballroom dance teachers while good DANCE teachers are trained in one style. Since we have competed in ALL of them we teach all of them. We have the only live Ballroom Dancing in the Los Angeles or in Alhambra on Sundays. Whichever style you want we'll make it fun and EASY to learn.

What style of salsa do we teach?

There is not one style of Salsa there are many: Cuban, Puerto Rican, Colombian, Brazilian, New York, Miami, and yes even Los Angeles style. Styles develop because the best dancers in each club develop their own styles and the masses follow. As the music changes and mutates so does the dance. The Mambo music of the 40s is nothing like the DLG/Los Van Van timba style Salsa or the Luis Enrique/Eddie Santiago Salsa Romantica style or the Albita/ Hansel Martinez/Johnny Polanco Charanga style. When you go out dancing, you don't just dance with one style, you dance with whoever asks you. We teach lead and follow. For men that means you'll be able to lead, for ladies you'll be able to follow anyone than can lead or any style. Do men and women learn the same? No at first, dancing is much more difficult for men because they not only have to learn their own part they have to lead the lady. In the first two weeks most of the info is geared towards the guys. By the third week it changes though. Now the lady has to begin to do multiple spins and turns and follow a beginner man's lead. How long will it take you to learn? Truthfully no one can tell you ahead of time because everybody has a different learning rate in salsa lessons or any other dances.

Dancing is an Ideal Form of Exercise

Exercising at the gym is an unattractive alternative for many people, but dancing provides a workout that is fun! Your “dance workout” is beneficial in many ways:

• Dance contributes to good posture and body alignment

• Dance improves balance

• Dance encourages stretching

• Dance increases flexibility and stamina

• Dance benefits your cardiovascular system

• Dance contributes to increased personal confidence

Dancing Develops Social Skills

Latin & Ballroom Dance offers men and women the opportunity to meet new friends, and provides a natural ice breaker for getting to know someone. Men will gain confidence when they recognize which dance is being played, and have the ability to walk across the dance floor and ask a lady to dance. Women will enjoy being asked to dance knowing that they have mastered the grace, poise, and styling of dance.

Dancing Creates Romance for Couples

The romantic properties of dance are a secret that all dancers enjoy. Couples can add the romantic skills that come with the holding, touching, and moving to the music that dancing provides.

Other Benefits of Dance:

• Increased self-confidence

• Increased popularity

• Recreation and entertainment

• Overcoming shyness

• Emotional release

• Relaxation

• Business network