Salsa Latina Dance Centre Dance Classes & Events, Christchurch New Zealand
Salsa Dance Classes Christchurch
Learn to Dance Salsa from NZ/Aust Salsa Champions in Christchurch New Zealand
Salsa is a dance styles that started in the Caribbean & New York and is a modern, social street-style dance that is completely freestyle, which means it's not choreographed. It's the most popular partner dance globally and can be danced with a partner or as a solo dance. Salsa provides an opportunity to dance with anyone anywhere in the world. We firmly believe that anyone can learn to dance Salsa, making it an excellent way to have fun, stay fit, and meet new people!​
Salsa 101 Courses
Beginners Level
- Free 1st Class* on Week#1 Only
- Teachers Tuesdays: Reuben & Grace S
- Teachers Thursdays: Reuben & Robyn
- Module: 101 (1 Module)
- Duration: 1 hour, once a week every week for 8 weeks​
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Start Dates:
★ Salsa 101 Beginners: Thursdays 6:15pm - Starting: 05 December 2024 - ENROL NOW >
★ Salsa 101 Beginners: Tuesdays 6:15pm - Starting: 07 January 2025 - ENROL NOW >
★ Salsa 101 Beginners: Thursdays 6:15pm - Starting: 06 February 2025 - ENROL NOW >
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When to Join?
It's best to join when the course starts (week#1) and you can choose your course on Tuesday or Thursday. You may join up to week#2 at the latest, if you miss these first 2 weeks you will need to join a new course unless you do a private lesson to catch up. tip: Check the timetable for week numbers. Be sure to Enrol online & you will get a Free 1st class and bonus reward will be emailed to you to improve your dancing.
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N.B. You won't be able to join in the middle off a 'Salsa course' unless you've above beginners, this is why we have a Free 1st Salsa class only on the start date, last chance to join a new beginner course is on week#2. For levels above beginners 101 you will need to pass an assessment or a grading to join levels above beginners, read more about this below.
Salsa Class / Course Level:
Learn Partner-work x8 Fundamentals 'Layer 1' & x11 Footwork/Shines​
This Salsa class is designed to cover the basics of Latin dancing with a focus on pure Salsa. It's perfect for absolute beginners or those who have some prior experience in Salsa and want to start from scratch. Our Salsa courses are designed to be progressive, and after completing the Beginners level, you can continue to progress through the levels of Improver, Intermediate, and beyond. Salsa is an authentic street-style Latin dance that provides a fun way to keep fit and socialize with new people!
Done Salsa Before?
We highly encourage anyone with prior Salsa experience to join this level, as teaching styles and information can vary greatly between dance schools. At our school, we have a fast-paced progression and teach a mix of Cuban, New York, and Portorican styles, also known as Salsa Porto. This level is considered the most crucial to master and is worth repeating several times. If you are a confident dancer and have a good grasp of the basics, you may still need to take a grading to join higher levels, regardless of your actual level. Alternatively, based on observation, we may place you in a suitable class. Please see the level flow chart below
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Early Bird Deal
A Special Course Deal will be available close to the start date and up until midnight of the start date. So snap these up because they are at a great price and are only available in beginner courses! See Pricing here >
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Salsa 201-208 Courses
Improvers - Intermediate Level
- Beginner Grading Required to Join
- Teachers Tues: Reuben & Grace S
- Teachers Thurs: Reuben & Robyn
- Modules: 201 - 208 (8 Modules)
- Duration: 1 hour, 1-2 times a week for 4 weeks x8 Courses (32 Classes Total)
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Start Dates:
​★ Salsa 208 Imp-Int: Tuesdays 7:30pm - Starting 26 November 2024
★ Salsa 205 Imp-Int: Thursdays 7:30pm - Starting 28 November 2024
★ Salsa 201 Imp-Int: Tuesdays 7:30pm - Starting 07 January 2025
★ Salsa 206 Imp-Int: Thursdays 7:30pm - Starting 09 January 2025
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Requirements to Join & Grading:
You will need to complete & get an assessment or grading ​from the beginner 101 course before you can join this level (see above beginners about the grading & progression or click here for full info on grading options) . Once you pass the grading you can join any of the 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 207, 207 or 208 courses in any order. You can choose to do 1 or 2 courses at a time on Tuesday or Thursday or both! You can choose to do 1 course per week or 2 courses per week and learn twice as fast and get through the level quicker. All courses are very different and offer different Shines, fundamentals & variations. You can see the timetable to see what courses are on right now. Please see the level flow chart below
Class Level:
• 1 hour, once a week or twice a week for 4 weeks x (8 Modules) = 32 Classes of this level
• Learn: Partner-work x10 Fundamentals 'Layer 2'
• Learn x22 Footwork/Shines
• Learn x6 Spinning & Turning Techniques
• Learn Body Movement
• Mambo Conversion
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This Salsa level is focused on the On1 NY linear partner-work fundamentals, which are the building blocks of all higher-level Salsa moves and combinations. Our teaching system emphasizes progressive learning, which means that you will not be taught a random move of the week but rather will learn in a way that builds upon previously taught elements. This makes it easy for you to transfer the skills you learn to On2 Salsa, also known as Mambo.
In these classes, you will learn Salsa turn patterns, spinning, musicality, and body movement. They are aimed at those who have just finished the Beginners level up to an Intermediate level. Improvers and Intermediate levels are the most important levels to learn and master after Salsa beginners.
The material in each 4-week course is progressive from Beginners, so it is essential not to miss the start of this level if you are progressing from Beginners. Your actual level will depend on your comfort and ability to recall the main fundamentals at this level. Generally, if you have completed the Beginners level and have done at least 8 classes at the Improver/Intermediate level and feel confident with the material taught, then you would have progressed from an Improver to an Intermediate dancer.
The first two weeks (Week #1 and Week #2) of any 4-week course will generally be focused on fundamentals, while the last two weeks (Week #3 and Week #4) will be more Intermediate-level material based on the previous two weeks.
Course Content & Types:
• Salsa module 201 = 4 Weeks (Partner-work Right Turns + New York Shines #1)
• Salsa module 202 = 4 Weeks (Partner-work Left Turns + Cuban Shines #1)
• Salsa module 203 = 4 Weeks (Partner-work Right Turns + Spining & Turns)
• Salsa module 204 = 4 Weeks (Partner-work Left Turns + New York Shines #2 w/ Mambo Conversion wk4)
• Salsa module 205 = 4 Weeks (Partner-work Right Turns + Porto Shines #1)
• Salsa module 206 = 4 Weeks (Partner-work Left Turns, Cuban Casino & Rueda + Cuban Shines #2
• Salsa module 207 = 4 Weeks (Partner-work Right Turns + Colombian Shines)
• Salsa module 208 = 4 Weeks (Partner-work Left Turns + Porto Shines #2 w/ Cha Cha Conversion wk4)
Mambo Conversion Class 204
- (Course 204 - Week#4) is a special class to learn about Salsa On1 timing & Salsa On2 timing, learn about Salsa Music in a new way, this is needed for the next level so you know how to dancing New York Style Mambo.
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Cha Cha On2 Conversion Class 208
- (Course 208 - Week#4) is a special class to learn about Salsa vs Cha Cha timing, learn about Salsa & Cha Cha Music in a new way, this is needed for the next level so you know how to dancing New York Style Mambo & Cha Cha which is also known as "triple Mambo"
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Cuban Casino & Rueda Module 206
We have introduced this exciting Cuban Salsa partner work into our classes, this update focuses on Cuban Salsa Partnerwork as well.
- week#1&2 - Cuban Salsa Basic & More Linear & Circular bases and conversion
- week#3&4 - Cuban Casino Partner-work & Cuban Rueda Group-partner-work Finale
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Enrolment Not Required
Typically, progression from the Beginners level to this stage occurs after successfully completing a grading. As a result, enrollment is automatic and not necessary. Nonetheless, if you are new to our classes and are visiting Christchurch, and would like to experience a casual class, or if you already have experience in this dance style, you have the option join through an in-class assessment, please make a booking on this page >
Salsa On1 301-312 Courses NEW
Intermediate Plus Level
- Salsa On1 (Salsa Porto & NY On1)
- Teachers: Reuben & Miléna
- Modules: 301 - 312 (12 Modules)
- Duration: 1 hour, once a week for 4 Weeks x 12 Modules (48 weeks)
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Start Dates:
★ Salsa 302 Intermediate Plus: Tuesday 8:35pm - Starting: 07 January 2025
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Requirements to join
To join, you must complete all 8 of the previous '8 courses' from 201 through to 208 and feel confident at the previous level. Additionally, students should be comfortable with a double spin & all the shines from the previous level. Grading is not required to join the course, but it is available for those who want direct feedback and potentially achieve higher markings with Platinum levels.
Week#1 of this level is an excellent starting point as it introduces a new shine series. If you're unsure about your level, we recommend asking a teacher for guidance. Please see the level flow chart below
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Salsa Class Level:
Salsa Intermediate Plus
• Duration: 1 hour, once a week for 4 weeks x (12 modules) = 48 Weeks
• Salsa Porto & NY On1 Turn Patterns
• Salsa New York & Cuban & Porto Shine Series
- Partner-work & Footwork / Shines
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The Salsa Intermediate Plus course offers 12 modules, numbered 301 to 312, which can be taken in any order. Covering a wide range of topics, this program provides over 1 years’ worth of material, with regular updates to reflect the evolving global dance scene. After a year of dancing the shines will be repeated but the partner work will have new moves. So this level can be repeated indefinitely.
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At this level, students focus on advanced skills like timing, leading techniques, styling, variations on fundamental moves, positioning, body isolation, and more complex combinations. The goal is to encourage experimentation with the foundational elements learned in beginner and improver Salsa.
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The course mainly follows New York Style Salsa system, which can be danced On1 or On2, and includes a syllabus featuring over 48 shines.
In 2024 this course staring in October has the very best shines out of 400 from the Advanced level. The updated curriculum includes moves from Salsa On1 and equips dancers to comfortably perform in any Salsa style—whether On1 or Mambo.
Salsa On2 401-490 Courses NEW
Advanced Level
- Salsa On2 (NY Mambo)
- Teachers: Reuben & Miléna
- Modules: 401 - 490 (90 Modules)
- Duration: 1 hour, once a week with endless content
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Start Dates:
★ Salsa 400 Int-Adv : Thursday 8:35pm - Starting: 12 December 2024
★ Salsa 401 Int-Adv : Tuesday 8:35pm - Starting: 09 January 2025
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Requirements to join & Gradings
To join, you must feel confident at the Intermediate plus level, dancing for over 1.5 years and know how to dance Salsa On2. Additionally, students should be comfortable with a triple spins & all the shines from all previous level. Grading is not required to join the course, but it is available for those who want direct feedback and potentially achieve higher markings with Platinum levels.
Week#1 of the Salsa Advanced level is an excellent starting point as it introduces a new shine series. If you're unsure about your level, we recommend asking a teacher for guidance and we recommend an in-class assessment, please contact us for this. Please see the level flow chart below
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Salsa Class Level:
Salsa Advanced On2
• Duration: 1 hour, once a week for 4 weeks x (90 modules) = 360 Weeks
• Salsa Porto & NY On2 Turn Patterns
• Salsa Shine Series
- Partner-work & Footwork / Shines
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The Salsa Advanced course offers 90 modules, numbered 401 to 490, which can be taken in any order. These modules cover a wide variety of topics, focusing on advanced skills such as timing, leading techniques, styling, variations of fundamentals, positioning, body isolation, and complex moves and combinations. At this level, students are encouraged to explore and experiment with the foundational techniques learned in previous levels.
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The course follows the New York Style Salsa On2 system, and our syllabus includes over 400 shines including the 48 shines from Intermediate Plus and lower levels.. The updated curriculum incorporates advanced moves from Salsa On2, also known as Mambo.​
As our highest-level offering, this course provides extensive opportunities for growth and mastery. Once students reach this level, we recommend revisiting and refining their fundamentals, as true development occurs not by chasing harder combinations, but by perfecting the basics.
Salsa Online Video Classes:
What is Mambo?
Mambo is a variation of Salsa that is danced on the 2nd count, also known as 'Salsa On2'. This style originated in New York and is incredibly popular around the world. It's worth noting that despite the difference in timing, Mambo is still considered a form of Salsa. At Salsa Latina, we teach both Mambo and the regular Salsa style, which is danced on the first count, known as 'Salsa On1'. Our current system primarily focuses on the New York style, which includes the same shine system as the regular Salsa classes. Therefore, learning Mambo is simply a matter of understanding the music and adjusting your steps accordingly. With a bit of practice, it's easy to master.... read more >
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Salsa Dance Class Syllabus & Style:
Our unique ‘Salsa Latina Foundation System’ is built on modern linear Salsa fundamentals, carefully developed and refined by some of the world’s top Salsa dancers. Rooted in New York Salsa principles, our system also incorporates elements from LA, Puerto Rican, Spanish, Cuban, and Afro styles, blending together into what is known as ‘Salsa Porto Style & New York Style.’
We specialize in both On1 Salsa and On2 Salsa (also known as Mambo), with a focus on modern, improvised freestyle street Salsa where strong leading and following are essential. At our school, we prioritise teaching leadable and followable moves, ensuring that every step and combination can be properly executed through solid lead-follow technique.
The 'Salsa Latina' Salsa Foundation
At the start of our Salsa classes we start with a warmup & Salsa Footwork aka 'Shines' to learn the essentials in mastering the feet, then we partner ladies & guys up aka 'Partnerwork'.
#1 Salsa Partnerwork:
Begin with the basics and establish a sturdy foundation to achieve quick progress. Consider it like constructing a house, build a good foundation first is key. Mastering the essential moves, called Fundamentals, will allow you to easily execute all Salsa "combinations & turn patterns" since they are just variations of these fundamentals. Our school does not teach random moves of the week; rather, we have a meticulously designed program that advances in a coherent and organized manner, building upon previously taught elements to attain optimal results.
#2 Salsa Footwork / Shines:
You will also Learn Shines (footwork solo dancing) with its New Syllabus of 'New York Shines', which was developed by some of the top New York & Puerto Rican Salsa dancers. Salsa Shines are essential for any balanced Salsa dancer to find their own balance 'literally' as well as flavour, skills & technique. There's hundreds to learn, there's no other Salsa school in NZ that has the same extensive system.
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Free Salsa Practice Times:
This is a chance to practice all those moves you've been learning in class. You can turn up to either of the practice times, and it's FREE for current Salsa Latina Salsa students. Usually these are between classes or at the end of a class or the end of the night which is a longer practica time slot.
★ Tuesdays 5:55pm (20mins)
★ Tuesdays 7:15pm (15mins)
★ Thursday 5:55pm (15mins)
★ Thurdays 7:15pm (15mins)
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You will Learn
- 18 Salsa Fundamentals, 9 in Beginners & 9 in Imp/Int
- x400 Shines 'Salsa footwork'
- x700+ Turn patterns, moves & combos
- Basic Timing & Counts for Salsa
- Latin Dance Partnering Technique & hand holds
- Body Isolations & movement
- Spinning techniques
- Partnering & Lead & Follow Technique
- Extra tricks
- Styling & Expression
- How to dance the dance!
- Timing & understanding music & musicality
- Salsa On1 & On2 (Mambo) Demo recordings of content welcomed at the end of class for Intermediate levels.
- 8 Years of content to learn in total as of 2019. Note even after 8 years there will be new and updated content as we progress, Salsa is an ever evolving dance style.
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The Ultimate Salsa Program:
Unlocking Rapid Progress in Your Dance Journey. This new program is designed to accelerate your learning process and take your Salsa and Bachata skills to new heights. We've incorporated special techniques & training methods that go beyond the traditional once-a-week class.
