Marie Maez Salsa

Fascinated by Salsa? Are you already having fun on the social dance floor, yet not quite sure what is going on? Join us for these beginning lessons, where we start with warm-ups to get everything coordinated, moving together, then dive into the Basic Step and see how all of Salsa is built on that one step.

We’ll explore fun routines and combos you can take to the social dance floor within the first lesson! Then, moving through the 5-week program, we explore the Basic Foundations, preparing you to more easily explore and recall complex Salsa routines, while developing your own style. At the end of each 5-week session, there will be a Salsa Social at Dance Station!

The 5-week sessions begin August 15, September 19, October 24, November 28.

After getting the Basics down, you are ready for the excitement of the many routines built from those foundations! Create your own combos! Get inspired by the music! Strengthen your body for isolations! Add footwork to your repertoire! And, ultimately find and develop your own style!

There are so many routines available to Level 2 dancers, that we have organized them into three different sections, labeled a, b, and c. Because the lessons are all Level 2, they can be taken in any order. At the end of each 5-week session, there will be a Salsa Social at Dance Station!

The 5-week sessions begin August 15 (a), September 19 (b), October 24 (c), November 28 (a).

Salsa is best learned with progressive lessons, as all the routines are based on foundational concepts for the entire body.

When these are taught clearly and practiced within a structure, the dancer can more readily learn complex routines with ease. When these complex routines are learned, the dancer then builds further with combining routines, creating their own combos, and adding in the element of dancing within the musical structures.

Thus, if a student continues to attend lessons where the beginning concepts are taught over and over that can become boring, or if they move into a more complex routine instruction before they are ready, it can become overwhelming.

So, with a 5-week session, we can take one step at a time, then build on that – and that leads to confidence, a strength in the foundations, and a freedom to create as there is an understanding of the basic concepts that can be created with.

Yes! Though, understand we are in a 5-week session, and we will be anywhere in that structure when you join us, and will be conducting the lesson where we left off the last week. So, sure! Come on by!

To encourage the dancer to develop their own style and confidence on the dance floor with ideas for developing combos, ease of recalling routines, and getting inspiration from your own talent, ideas, and the music you hear.

Salsa-on-One and the Rueda de Casino, an invigorating group dance where participants respond to a caller who is also dancing.

Salsa will be the main focus, as that is usually the most requested. Though, what is taught in a 5-week session will fully depend upon who is registered for the full program, and what they are interested in learning.

In both Salsa and Rueda, Marie’s content for each lesson will remain the same – for example – in Level 1 Salsa the first lesson, the students will be learning the Salsa Basic Step, and in Level 1 Rueda the first lesson, the students will be learning the Rueda Basic Step.

Nope. We rotate often (optional) so everyone has a variety of partners throughout the lesson.

There are many benefits to participate in rotating, such as realizing everyone at the lesson is interpreting the instructions in a different way, in a different style, and with a different flare, which can create more acceptance and appreciation of oneself and others.

Also, not having a partner at a Social dance is fine as well, as it’s a great place to meet others. Joining the introduction lessons at the dance is an excellent ice-breaker, highly encouraged for all dancers – beginners through advanced.

For first-time students, arrive 10-15 minutes early to register. For any questions, you are welcome to contact Marie.

It is a fair way to cover both adequate payments to keep the business running – rents, advertising, administration, instructors, dance group training and performances – and give opportunity for folks to take lessons at the price point they are able to afford.

You are welcome to choose the payment option you like, there will be no questioning of finances, etc – it’s all your own choosing.

If you are able to afford the higher price points, profits get re-directed into the business, and we will be able to provide more exciting activities, like live bands, more performances, free education in kids arts programs, etc.

If these prices still remain out of your reach, please contact Marie.

We start at the very beginning, from putting the weight on one foot, then the other – from beginners to more advanced dancers, all lessons are started with fun warmups to prepare for dancing.

After learning some of the Basics within one lesson, you might arrive to the place where many do – that Salsa just feels good, and the social interaction is a blast. No need for perfection. Though, if you want perfection, there’s room for that, too!

In general, people are kind and patient with new dancers, allowing them to explore without criticism – as most of us realize that the more dancers there are, the more fun Salsa can be!

Also, one can dance the Basic Step and have a great time listening to the music, talking and laughing with their partner without going into too many routines. Eventually they may get inspired to try more – and off they go, playing with emphasizing beats, creating with spins – and having a great time doing it.

Private lessons can be a good option for dancers to explore their development with a coach by their side. A dancer can have control over what they are taught, ask clarifying questions, dance with a professional, and have focused attention.

If desired, Marie has a systematic approach to bringing the individual dancers, couples, and groups from the very beginning foundations, through preparing for a choreographed performance.

Participate in regular group lessons, explore dancing as both the Lead and the Follow, take some private lessons, attend social dances and live music events as often as possible – and if there is a Salsa Congress? Jump in and do it – these fabulous events are held all over the United States and world-wide, and usually feature a packed weekend of lessons, social dancing, and performances!

For the lessons, choosing comfortable clothing that is easy to move in is highly recommended.

When it comes to social dancing, this is still true! There are many ways to dress up and still move comfortably and with confidence.

For the Follows, the arms are mostly held in front of the body, with the elbow moving up and down in front, so check out how that might feel with your choice of sleeves.

Also, Salsa is a workout! Keeping in mind that you might get sweaty is another way to guide you through your selections.

But, most of all, whatever feels good to you is the best way to go!

Most ideal is a suede-sole salsa or ballroom shoe. Some dancers prefer to use the suede-sole jazz or ballet shoe.

Next in line, would be any indoor shoe that allows you to rotate on the ball of your foot on a wood floor. An idea is a light tennis shoe with non-marking non-gripping soles, such as a simple canvas top with a light weight sole.

And, lastly, you are welcome to use shoes that are not dedicated to dancing, or indoor only. Though, realize that it is ideal for Dance Station’s dance floor to be as clean as possible to retain its excellent condition for all of the dancers who will use it for many years to come. If you go this route, ensure the soles are clean, and not wet.

Wait! What about socks? Yes, socks can work, though for some, there is a tendency for the toes to grip the floor as the socks can be slippery, which can impact balance and turns.

It is recommended to change your shoes at the studio. At Dance Station, there are shelves for shoes under the bench at the front door, or you can keep them with your belongings in the seating area.

Shoes with suede soles are excellent for Salsa, as they allow the dancer to easily rotate on the ball of their foot while keeping traction – this includes both Lead and Follow. When choosing a style, there are a few points to pay close attention to:

• heel height – both Lead and Follow dance with the heel very slightly raised, so consider this when determining the height of the heel. There are a variety of choices in both Men and Ladies styles.
• strapping – in Ladies styles, the options in straps go from simple to crossing over multiple areas of the foot and having 3 buckles. It’s fun to see all the choices – yet keep in mind that this is not only a decorative choice – the straps have the important role of helping anchor the foot where needed. It is important to find something where the foot is not slipping around inside of the shoe. Consider you will be mostly dancing on the ball of your foot, so there is increased pressure on the toes. Thus, maybe you’d consider again about that closed-toe shoe and how it would feel. Or, for a narrow foot, perhaps more strapping across the center of the foot may help keep it anchored within the shoe.
• soles – make sure to get suede soles, and add a suede brush to your order! This small tool keeps your soles in excellent condition by brushing before and after dancing. Also, when going around the social dance floor, keep in mind that suede gets ruined when stepping in water. Thus, you might consider getting two pairs of shoes – one for the floors you know will always be a mess, and another for the dance studios.
• quality – there is a vast variety of choices on the internet, and with it, a variety of cost. I have only tried Very Fine Dancesport Shoes and they have been excellent! For a snug fit, it is recommended to order a half-size smaller. They carry some fun Men’s styles, too!

All these links go to my favorite shoe website – Very Fine Dancesport Shoes. Their selection is vast, and most basic styles are readily available. They also have many special styles that are made to order, or maybe you want to design your own shoe?! Thus the delivery times vary, and are noted on the right side of the screen under Availability. Keep in mind, for a snug fit, it is recommended to order a half size smaller. Here are some links to get you started exploring:

jazz with suede sole

ballet suede sole (pink only)

ladies cuban heel with strapping in the center

ladies salsa with strapping in the center

ladies salsa with options of build (including vegan suede)

mens latin

mens standard

The suede brush is highly recommended to purchase, as brushing the suede before and after dancing keeps your sole in good gripping condition. If not cared for, the suede can easily become slick, especially when worn outside, or coming in contact with water.  suede brush (links to Very Fine Shoes website)