FAQ (Archive)
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Frequently Asked Questions (Archive)
1. What is Salsa?
A: Salsa is a street-style dance style that is a passionate expression of movement to incredibly exciting rhythms. Salsa is usually danced with a partner, or solo (Salsa Shines), which allows for a lot of self-expression.
2. What makes Salsa so special?
A: It’s a very sociable dance. In Kuala Lumpur and most of the world, Salsa is a great way to exercise, focus your energies on a healthy past-time, and an excellent way to meet new people and make new friends. Find out about dance clubs in KL and come out dancing with us!
3. Do I need a dance partner for class or to learn to dance Salsa?
A: No. In class, we change partners a lot, to teach you how to dance with anyone you meet. Usually, Salsa dancers with good fundamentals can easily ask someone they’ve just met in a club to dance, whatever style of Salsa they’ve learned, age-group they associate with, or background of dance.
4. I learn slowly and/or I don’t have any dance background… will I still be able to learn to dance Salsa?
A: Absolutely! In the first 4 classes of our first level, Beginner 1 “B1” we slowly cover very important fundamentals of Salsa; we do a lot of repetition. The secret is doing it over and over again. Give your body time to get used to the steps, dance a lot to music that moves you, and the “feel good” will be yours!
5. How do I confirm my place in the next monthly intake of Salsa classes?
A: Your place is confirmed when we have received RM200 cash and a completed registration form. First paid first served basis. Please arrive 10 minutes before each class. Students who arrive 5 minutes late may be asked to sit out the class, in order to be fair for other students who are disciplined enough to respect the time of the Instructor and other students in class. If you are late, please ask the permission of the Instructor before joining the class.
6. What is the secret to learning Salsa as a Beginner?
A: Most of our best students develop a great attitude for learning and practicing. Don’t miss any class, and if you have to, talk to your Instructor before-hand and find out what you missed from your class mates. Practice what you’ve learned in class, master every week’s material before your next class, find out about Open Practice times in the Studio and go out dancing to the clubs with your class mates. And before you know it, you’re already dancing with in the clubs!
7. What is the recommended dance attire for Men?
A: Long pants, jeans, or track bottoms; no shorts or sleeveless shirts please. We strongly recommend (1) Jazz Shoes*, or (2) Jazz Dance Sneakers. Latin Shoes with Cuban Heels** (under ¾ inch) is OK, but Latin heels are strongly discouraged. Until you get them, a light and flexible shoe with smooth bottom soles are recommended.
Proper dance shoes are strongly recommended by B1 class 4. Without them, by B2, men will start to look clumsy or develop bad footwork and will hinder development of good posture and style, and by Improver 1 it is a strict requirement.
* Jazz shoes cost under RM120 from San Lee, Cheras. They are custom designed for your foot and take between 1 and 2 weeks.
** Ask shoe maker to put extra suede over the back of the heel to allow you to step on the Heel, this is essential by Improver 1.
8. What is the recommended dance attire for Women?
A: Skirts, pants, jeans or anything comfortable; no long dresses that cover the ankle please. Latin Shoes* are strongly recommended, Jazz Shoes** and Dance Sneakers are OK. Until you get them, you must wear shoes have firm ankle straps with smooth bottom soles, e.g. court shoes are OK.
Latin Shoes are strongly recommended by B1 class 4. Women with weak ankles are strongly encouraged to wear them as early as possible, to avoid injury or discomfort while turning.
* Latin Shoes cost between RM80 and RM120. Please ask for the catalog and talk to Christine from San Lee, Cheras. They are custom designed for your foot and take between 1 and 2 weeks.
** Jazz Shoes are ideal for Shines from Improver 1, but will feel very different from Latin Shoes and will take time to get used to as you turn and spin. They cost under RM120 from San Lee, Cheras. They are custom designed for your foot and take between 1 and 2 weeks.
9. How do I manage my schedule and make sure I don’t miss class every week?
A: For most of our classes that are offered more than once a week, these "Mirror Classes" cover the same syllabus in that week. While we strongly encourage you to stay in your registered class day, if you ask the Instructor who is teaching the class and there is space for you, you have the option of taking that “Mirror Class” so you don’t miss your once a week. Spaces are given out of a first ask first served basis. A note of caution: Group Classes are tailored toward the majority of the students, so if you switch around too much, it’ll be hard for the Instructor to keep you in mind when teaching the class program.
10. I have Latin background and/or competitive experience. Do I still need to take B1 from the beginning?
A: Yes. Since 2002, 99% of students with different background of dance, especially those who are used to Dancesport Latin or a non-partner dance find it very difficult to develop Salsa skills.
Our emphasis is on proper footwork, Salsa body groove, smooth body motion, leading and following a dance partner safely on the social dance floor, and most importantly social dance etiquette. Social dancing is a skill, and Salsa is danced in the clubs. It’s absolutely horrifying to see a dancer execute performance-type moves that endanger other social dancers on the floor.
Since 2002, 95% of students who skip levels either do not look like a Salsa dancer, or cannot keep up with our syllabus by Beginner 2 “B2” or our Improver levels.
11. I have Salsa experience, have taken Salsa classes, or have extensive Salsa experience, what should I do?
A: We can give you a quick 5-minute Assessment in the studio to give you and our Artistic Director an idea of which level and class would be best suited to your experience or skill level, free of charge!
12. Group Classes vs. Private Classes
A: Unless you have 5-6 months of regular and consistent Salsa classes or 6-9 months of regular Salsa club dancing, you will pay more and learn less in a Private class. Group classes are RM200 for 8 consecutive weeks, 1 class a week, 1 hour a week. Private classes (Individual) are RM400 for 4 classes, 1 hour a class, valid for 4 weeks. Private classes (Couple) are RM480 for 4 classes, 1 hour a class, valid for 4 weeks. Students who are currently enrolled in Group classes will get a discount on Private classes.
13. What can I learn in a Private Class?
A: Private classes are strongly recommended for students who are currently in Group classes or have not taken classes in awhile. These one-on-one classes can hone your Salsa fundamentals, leading skills, following skills, tempo or timing and musicality, style, routines, or other areas to make you a better dancer. We can focus on Social Dancing, Choreography, Performance, or customized to your needs. We also have classes in Merengue, Bachata, Social Cha Cha, and most other partner dances.
14. How is the Salsa program different than that taught in other schools?
A1: We have a structured syllabus that builds every week.
A2: While we have a syllabus to follow, we try and tailor each Group Class to the general skill level of the students, and give general comments to the group as well as specific suggestions to each student, as best we can.
A3: We believe strongly in Salsa as a social dance, where a fraction of the learning is done in the studio and you get good while out there dancing in the club. We try and get students to go out dancing as fast as possible because that’s where the fun is and that’s where you’ll get your practice.
A4: We focus on lead/follow techniques so that you can practically dance with anyone with a different background, style, from any dance school, or country. Ask around the social salsa scene, and you will find a Havana Estudio student who loves to dance with just about anybody!
A5: We have a lot of events, social dances, and club outings that are open to all Salsa dancers, from whatever school, style, etc.
A6: We are the oldest Salsa school in Malaysia, with a lot of knowledge on what it takes to build a student to an able Salsa dancer.
A7: Our Salsa technique and styling is continually upgraded to keep up with new trends of Salsa dancing, from all over the world.
15. Are there Salsa worldwide standards or qualifications?
A: While qualifications are good when there is a standardized body of authority, salsa evolves so fast that, in our opinion, there is no authority (local or international) that can both reasonably keep up to the standards, styles and creativity fused into Salsa from time to time! You can always look at our Instructors Profile, ask around, or go talk to our students.
16. How do I get good (as a Leader)?
A: Five DOs. Firstly, get your timing right. Secondly, lead clearly, firmly, but not too strongly to your follower's turn-ability and timing. Thirdly, smile and make the follower feel comfortable while looking out for both your dance space. Fourthly, when the follower is not attending to a conversation or something else, ask politely, and then walk them to the spot you took them from or the side of the dance floor, and thank them (and mean it) for the dance. Fifthly, (for the more advanced) dance to the music. Some DON'Ts: never verbally prompt a move (lead it!) or offer unsolicited advice on the social dance floor.
17. How do I get good (as a Follower)?
A: Five DOs. Firstly, follow your leader's timing, even if it's off time to the music you love, i.e. learn to "Dance on Leader" instead of "dance on 1". Secondly, smile and look like you're enjoying the dance. Thirdly, always keep your hands available for his leads, do not pinch with your fingers instead cup and use the ends of your fingers to keep contact and connection with your partner. Fourthly, keep a look out for his dance space behind him and around him, too; no good relying on him completely besides you should be aware of your dance space. Fifthly, thank him/her (and mean it) for the dance. Some DON'Ts: don't back-lead or anticipate your leader(s) or offer unsolicited advice on the social dance floor.
18. Are there any web resources I can look up/read?
A: We have some discussion archives at our http://groups.msn.com/HavanaEstudio and http://groups.msn.com/LatinoMalaysia but MSN Groups have been discontinued. Our old archive of discussions can be found at http://forums.havanaestudio.com.
See you on the dance floor!
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