What kind of Dancer do I want to Become

What kind of Dancer do I want to Become

Which Class is for Me

Recently, I've had more students share their goals of reaching a certain level, which led me to realize that many students aren't always sure which classes best align with what they are trying to achieve.

One Common misconception is that reaching a higher-level class automatically means you'll be ready to go social dancing in every dance environment. The reality is that different classes are designed to develop different skills, and those skills serve different purposes.

Not every class prepares you for the same dance experience. The skills that help you enjoy a local social may be different from those needed to thrive at a congress, dance comfortably while traveling, or perform on a team. By understanding the purpose of each class, you can focus your training on the experiences that matter most to you.

Tre & Miranda Dancing in Intermediate Classes at Hollywood Dance Center

Before asking, "What level do I need to reach?" it may be more helpful to ask, "What kind of dancer do I want to become?"

Do you want to be the dancer who can confidently enjoy any local social? The dancer who attends congresses and dances all weekend with partners from around the world? The dancer who can travel anywhere and quickly connect with a new dance community? Or the dancer who loves the challenge and excitement of performing on a team?

While there is certainly overlap, the training that supports each of these goals isn't always the same. Each class serves a different purpose and helps develop different strengths.

Let me break down a few of the types of dancers you can strive to become, and which or my classes should be the level of classes you strive to become a part of.

Please note: I cannot speak for what other teachers teach.

Types of Dancers to Become & The Classes Which Will Get You There

The Casual Social Dancer

Dancing at clubs, outdoor events, festivals, weddings, house parties, and occasional socials.

Beginners On1 Salsa

Beginner/Intermediate On1 Salsa

Beginners Bachata

Cuban/PR/Casino/Contratiempo Workshops

The Studio Social Dancer

Regularly attends studio socials and dance events. 

Intermediate On2 Salsa

Intermediate On1 Salsa

Advanced On1 Salsa

The Congress Dancer

Congresses around the world and wants to thrive in high-level social dance environments. Comfortably dancing with strangers, adapting quickly, and maintaining a high quality of dancing over multiple nights.

Intermediate On1 Salsa

Advanced On1 Salsa

Intermediate On2 Salsa

The World Traveler: East Coast & Northern Hemisphere

Encounter communities that place a strong emphasis on technique, structure, social etiquette, and versatility.

Beginners On1

Intermediate On2

The World Traveler: Caribbean & South America

Connecting with the cultures where many partner dances originated and continue to evolve. Not only to dance well but to connect culturally.

Beginners On1 Salsa

Beginner/Intermediate On1 Salsa

Beginners Bachata

Cuban/PR/Casino/Contratiempo Workshops

The Performer

Choreography, rehearsals, and performing for an audience. While performance skills can improve social dancing, the primary objective is creating a polished and entertaining presentation.

Salsa Performance Team

Advanced Salsa On1

The Technician

Understand the "why" behind everything. They are fascinated by mechanics, movement quality, body control, and refining every detail of their dancing.

Private Lessons at Any Level

The Artist

This dancer is driven by expression rather than achievement. They want their dancing to feel personal, musical, creative, and unique.

Beginners On1 Salsa

Beginner/Intermediate On1 Salsa

Beginners Bachata

Beginners On2

None of the goals above are better than the others. A casual social dancer isn't "less than" a performer, and a performer isn't necessarily a better social dancer. They are simply different paths to take, which require different skills and levels of understanding.