Dance Center Chicago
Salsa
Classes
Latin Social Dance · Levels 1 – 6 · Chicago, IL
About Salsa
Build Confidence on
Any Dance Floor
Looking to gain confidence on the dance floor? This is the class for you. Bring a partner, or come alone — our Salsa program is designed to meet you wherever you are and take you as far as you want to go.
We cover the fundamentals of Salsa including timing, basic step, side basic, and turns for leads and follows. We also introduce standard partnering techniques and etiquette so you feel ready to hit any Latin dance floor in Chicago.
With six progressive levels — from first-time beginner to invitation-only advanced — our structured curriculum gives every student a clear, rewarding path forward.
Curriculum
Six Levels of Salsa
A clear, progressive path from your first beat to elite-level technique.
Salsa Level 1
For those with no prior experience. You'll be introduced to the fundamental steps of Salsa and the basics of partner dancing — the basic step, right turns, and left turns. A perfect starting point for any first-time dancer.
Salsa Level 2
Prerequisite: Salsa Level 1
Expands on the basics from Level 1. We review all prior figures and go deeper into lead-and-follow technique to build a solid foundation. New material includes cross hand hold, cross body lead, and variations of left and right turns, drapes, and hammer locks.
Salsa Level 3
Prerequisite: Salsa Levels 1 & 2
Builds on your basics with a focus on inside and outside turns — including cross body lead with inside turn, cross body lead with outside turn, and their combinations. Your movement vocabulary expands significantly at this level.
Salsa Level 4
Prerequisite: Salsa Level 3
Rotates between two months of material. Month one covers Copas and Baskets; month two focuses on Lunges and Vortex. Students are encouraged to cycle through multiple times to fully absorb both sets of material.
Salsa Level 5
Prerequisite: Strong foundation through Level 4
Focuses on creative variations and combinations of all elements learned up to this point, while introducing higher-level combos and techniques. A class where artistry and technical precision begin to merge.
Salsa Level 6
Must test in or be invited
Our most advanced level. Only dancers with an exceptionally strong foundation who are ready to train at this level are admitted. The class moves fast and digs deep into technical dancing. Most students at this level have been training for over a year and supplement group classes with private lessons.
Get Started Today
Join a Salsa Class
No partner needed. No experience required. Just show up and dance.
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