Learn the core elements needed to build the perfect salsa social dance and look good doing it.

The Perfect Social Dance is a 2-day workshop series that will help you nail the fundamentals of social dancing with expert guidance, ensuring that your foundation is rock-solid.

SATURDAY 6TH JAN - SUNDAY 7TH JAN

Most salsa dancers will agree that the socials are why they dance - the feeling when every step clicks, the music vibes, and you're totally in sync with your partner is second to none.

But let's face it, those magical dances don't happen all the time.

Imagine this: You gather the nerve to ask someone to dance, maybe someone more experienced than you, and suddenly the confidence you built up comes crashing down when it seems like they know exactly what to do whilst you’re just in survival mode.

You’re stumbling through long intros, missing breaks, and hoping our basic step will get you through seemingly endless shine sections while worrying that your partner is debating making a run for it.

The Truth:

Here's the reality check - even if you’ve been dancing for a while, not every dance will be flawless.

Despite what some people might have you believe, the secret to a perfect social dance isn't just clocking in more hours on the dance floor.

It's about understanding the elements that create a solid foundation for your social dance from the start.

The Solution:

No one likes to find out later they were someone’s bad dance for the night, but with the right tools, you don’t have to be!

No matter what the song or lead/follow experience level, we will help you learn how to handle any social dance with The Perfect Social Dance workshop series…

A once-off opportunity to build and refine your social dancing foundations covering you from start to finish.

Jason Smith:

Jason began his journey in Melbourne over 10 years ago, gaining experience at major local and international dance schools and performing alongside world champion dancers. Jason has consolidated his various dance studies to create a unique teaching style, utilising his experience in Jazz, Hip-Hop, and Ballet to supplement over a decade of Latin dance training. He believes that a “keep it simple” approach is required when teaching salsa. You don’t have to be born a dancer to dance Salsa, and Jason is proof of that!

Meet your instructors

Amy Elizabeth: 

Amy always had a passion for dancing from a young age, but as life would have it, it was taken in a more musical direction. With a background in music theory, she found picking up salsa as a young adult more than easy. After quickly progressing to an advanced dancer, she became part of one of Australia’s premiere dance teams and started teaching. 

WORKSHOP 1: THE SOCIAL DANCE KICKOFF

SATURDAY 6TH JAN | 10:30 - 12:00

  • Dive into creating a connection with both the music and your partner seamlessly

  • Practice maintaining connection and a strong frame for a more enjoyable dance experience

  • Explore the concept of "musicality" by interpreting and expressing different elements of the music through your movements

  • Use changes in tempo and energy to create anticipation and excitement during the song introduction

  • Experiment with variations in connection types and arm styling to spice it up

  • Embrace the versatility of your movements to adapt to various Salsa genres, from lively and fast-paced to smooth and sensual

WORKSHOP 2: MASTERING MOVES & FLOW

SATURDAY 6th JAN | 12:30 - 14:00

  • Unlock progressive patterns that connect together effortlessly

  • Learn to adapt patterns to different musical nuances, allowing your dance to evolve organically with the music

  • Experiment with body isolations and small embellishments to enhance your overall dance style

  • Introduce subtle styling elements, such as head, hand, arm and hip movements, that complement the lead's guidance

  • Understand the role of active following, allowing followers to contribute creatively to the dance

  • Master patterns that empower followers to add their unique flair and expression

WORKSHOP 3: HITTING THE BREAKS

SUNDAY 7th JAN | 10:30 - 12:00

  • Explore various techniques for transitioning between shines and partnerwork seamlessly

  • Focus on maintaining connection and timing during transitions to master those musical breaks

  • Enhance your awareness of song structures, allowing you to anticipate breaks and transitions in advance

  • Work on incorporating dynamic footwork and styling during musical breaks to exude confidence

  • Embrace the use of levels, including changes in elevation and direction, to add flair to your shines.

  • Experiment with pauses, dynamic movements, or unexpected styling choices to make each musical break memorable

WORKSHOP 4: THE ART OF ARM TOSSES

SUNDAY 7th JAN | 12:30 - 14:00

  • Showcase how leaders can add personal flair to their arm-illusion patterns, making each dance unique

  • Break down the elements of arm tosses to understand the mechanics and connection to lead complex arm-illusion patterns

  • Learn how to use connection to convey intention of arm tosses to guide your partner through intricate sequences

  • Practice adjusting the intensity and trajectory of arm tosses to match the energy and style of the music

  • Refine leading techniques by focusing on clear signals and non-verbal communication through body language

  • Learn subtle cues such as hand signals, body positioning, and weight shifts to enhance the connection

  • Experiment with your own styling and embellishments while maintaining the core arm-illusion structure

Learn the core elements needed to build the perfect social dance and look good doing it.

Choose an option that suits you best. Please see current availability below:

Leads:

Full Pass [SOLD OUT]

Day Pass: Saturday [SOLD OUT] | Sunday [2]

Single Passes [5]

Follows:

Full Pass [2]

Day Pass: Saturday [2] | Sunday [3]

Single Passes [10]

Location

Pulse Studios [Studio 1]

48 River Street

South Yarra VIC 3141

Read here for more information on studio accessibility and features.

 

FAQ

  • You don’t need to have a partner for these workshops, however, it will be easier to get the maximum value out of the workshops if there are even numbers of leads and follows.

    So if you have someone in mind you’d like to come with, encourage them to register!

  • The concepts in these workshops are open to both On-1 and On-2 dancers, however, please note that Workshop 2 is focused on partner work that will be taught On-2 timing.

    If you’re not familiar with on-2 timing, we would recommend getting in some practice before this particular workshop but would still love to have you.

    Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or are unsure if these workshops are right for you.

  • - Drink bottle

    - Snacks (we will have a short break between the workshops to grab some lunch)

    - Dance shoes/heels (recommended but not essential)

    - An open mind and good energy! Learning new things can be intimidating, however, these workshops are your safe space to experiment with your dancing without judgment

  • The Perfect Social Dance workshops are most suitable for those who have been dancing for at least 1 year or more.

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