The Classes
The classes are held each Wednesday night. The schedule for the each night is:
All group lessons are $15 per person. However, if you are interested in accelerating your learning, then privates can be had at $30/30 minutes from 8:00pm to 9:30pm. Contact Clint to talk more about this.
Classes are held in the Drama Studio on the Second floor of the Hawthorn Campus of the University of Melbourne - 442 Auburn Rd, Hawthorn VIC 3122 (see the map below). When you enter from the front you will see signs to guide you to the room.
- 6:00 – 6:45 Beginners (basic salsa figure and another simple one)
- 6:45 – 7:15 Social dance (to give you a chance to simply dance for fun and to practice what you have learned to date)
- 7:15 – 8:00pm Developer/Advance lessons (this is to either go over fundamentals of technique, advanced figures, better lead and follow, possible other dances etc.)
All group lessons are $15 per person. However, if you are interested in accelerating your learning, then privates can be had at $30/30 minutes from 8:00pm to 9:30pm. Contact Clint to talk more about this.
Classes are held in the Drama Studio on the Second floor of the Hawthorn Campus of the University of Melbourne - 442 Auburn Rd, Hawthorn VIC 3122 (see the map below). When you enter from the front you will see signs to guide you to the room.
Class FAQs
Do I need to bring a partner?
No, everyone switches dance partners frequently while learning and there will be social practice. Thus, if there is a shortage and someone has to dance alone, then it will not be for long.
Can I dance with my partner only?
Yes, this is not uncommon. Just let Clint (the instructor) know so that your desires can be accommodated. However, please give thought to dancing with others; it will help you learn much more quickly if you dance with different people.
I have never danced and don't have any rhythm: is this still for me?
There will be a focus on beginners so no matter your level, we will get you dancing.
How well will I be able to dance at the end of the course?
The focus of the course is on getting you to a stage that you can attend a social dance event. You will be able to dance socially. Probably not win a dance sport competition, but if people ask you if you can dance salsa, then you can answer 'Yes!' If you then choose to keep doing the improver classes, then you will only get better.
Will I need to practice in my own time?
It is a good idea. If you want to feel like a capable dancer, then you need about 20 hours of practice. There will be 10 hours of practice in the course. If you then do just half an hour a night 4 times after each lesson, then you will have accumulated your 20 hours before we go to the social event.
What kind of salsa do you teach; is it proper salsa?
The word 'salsa' means 'sauce'. That's because it is a mix of things and a little spicy. Because it is a mix, salsa does not have hard rules and there are many types. The style taught will be on the 1 count, which makes it more like LA salsa, and it will focus more on smoother moves, which makes it more like Cuban salsa. However, once you know the basics, you will be able to dance other styles too. Clint, the instructor, has danced in Australia, Japan, New York, China, the west coast of the US and Hong Kong. You will be able to dance in these places too if you happen to be there.
How good is the instructor?
Clint has been dancing for 10 years and has also worked as an educator as well as writing on the topic of dance. He knows what makes dance work and how different people learn differently and need help in different ways to become better dancers.
What are my transport/parking options for getting to and from the event?
There is a bus stop near the campus for the 624 and plenty of parking on site and around the area.
What can I bring to the classes?
Ideally you want to wear clothes you feel comfortable moving in.
Shoes that are easy to move in are good too. We are beginners so function and comfort are key. If you happen to dace dance shoes, then perfect. Otherwise, regular office shoes are fine for men or even runners. Women usually dance in heels so it is wise to wear these so you’re learn in the shoes you will dance in. However, do not wear heels that do not feel comfortable because they are too high - safety is most important. A good guide is 6cm or around 2.5inches to start with. Also, opt for lighter shoes - boots will be tricky.
If you feel you might work up a sweat, then it is considered polite to bring a towel to dry yourself with.
Finally, bring a sense of fun and a desire to have fun while learning.
How can I contact the organiser with any questions?
Certainly, contact details can be found on the contact page
Can I use what I learn to dance in other places; what if I do not want to go to a salsa event?
You can dance salsa to other music. That means if you are out and there is music playing, but it is not salsa, then you can still dance it.
Will I get to practice what I learn or is it all just learning?
Each beginner lesson is followed by 30 minutes of social dancing for practice. Then the improver classes start. You will have ample opportunity to practice.
Do I need to learn the 'womens' steps if I am a woman and the 'mens' if I am a man?
Normally, gentlemen learn the lead steps and ladies learn the follow steps. If you would rather learn the opposite or both, then that's fine. Just let the instructor now so that there is an understanding of the numbers and who is wanting to do what. Also, if you are wanting to learn both, then you will need to ask if your partner is happy to swap part way through.
Do I need to dance with people I am partnered with?
You will never be forced to dance with someone. You can opt to not dance for a period if you feel uncomfortable at that time. However, you also need to accept that people might choose to opt out of dancing with you. If that happens, then do not worry; partners are swapped frequently so you will never be 'stuck' with anyone. However, it is asked that you try to dance with anyone you are partnered with. Everyone is asked to be open and accepting of others in the class so that we can all learn together.
What do I do if there is someone or something making me feel uncomfortable?
This is an understandable situation. Something makes you feel uneasy, but you do not want to mention it in case you hurt someone's feelings. If there is something that you feel uncomfortable with, then you can message the instructor between class for them to deal with prior to the next class.
No, everyone switches dance partners frequently while learning and there will be social practice. Thus, if there is a shortage and someone has to dance alone, then it will not be for long.
Can I dance with my partner only?
Yes, this is not uncommon. Just let Clint (the instructor) know so that your desires can be accommodated. However, please give thought to dancing with others; it will help you learn much more quickly if you dance with different people.
I have never danced and don't have any rhythm: is this still for me?
There will be a focus on beginners so no matter your level, we will get you dancing.
How well will I be able to dance at the end of the course?
The focus of the course is on getting you to a stage that you can attend a social dance event. You will be able to dance socially. Probably not win a dance sport competition, but if people ask you if you can dance salsa, then you can answer 'Yes!' If you then choose to keep doing the improver classes, then you will only get better.
Will I need to practice in my own time?
It is a good idea. If you want to feel like a capable dancer, then you need about 20 hours of practice. There will be 10 hours of practice in the course. If you then do just half an hour a night 4 times after each lesson, then you will have accumulated your 20 hours before we go to the social event.
What kind of salsa do you teach; is it proper salsa?
The word 'salsa' means 'sauce'. That's because it is a mix of things and a little spicy. Because it is a mix, salsa does not have hard rules and there are many types. The style taught will be on the 1 count, which makes it more like LA salsa, and it will focus more on smoother moves, which makes it more like Cuban salsa. However, once you know the basics, you will be able to dance other styles too. Clint, the instructor, has danced in Australia, Japan, New York, China, the west coast of the US and Hong Kong. You will be able to dance in these places too if you happen to be there.
How good is the instructor?
Clint has been dancing for 10 years and has also worked as an educator as well as writing on the topic of dance. He knows what makes dance work and how different people learn differently and need help in different ways to become better dancers.
What are my transport/parking options for getting to and from the event?
There is a bus stop near the campus for the 624 and plenty of parking on site and around the area.
What can I bring to the classes?
Ideally you want to wear clothes you feel comfortable moving in.
Shoes that are easy to move in are good too. We are beginners so function and comfort are key. If you happen to dace dance shoes, then perfect. Otherwise, regular office shoes are fine for men or even runners. Women usually dance in heels so it is wise to wear these so you’re learn in the shoes you will dance in. However, do not wear heels that do not feel comfortable because they are too high - safety is most important. A good guide is 6cm or around 2.5inches to start with. Also, opt for lighter shoes - boots will be tricky.
If you feel you might work up a sweat, then it is considered polite to bring a towel to dry yourself with.
Finally, bring a sense of fun and a desire to have fun while learning.
How can I contact the organiser with any questions?
Certainly, contact details can be found on the contact page
Can I use what I learn to dance in other places; what if I do not want to go to a salsa event?
You can dance salsa to other music. That means if you are out and there is music playing, but it is not salsa, then you can still dance it.
Will I get to practice what I learn or is it all just learning?
Each beginner lesson is followed by 30 minutes of social dancing for practice. Then the improver classes start. You will have ample opportunity to practice.
Do I need to learn the 'womens' steps if I am a woman and the 'mens' if I am a man?
Normally, gentlemen learn the lead steps and ladies learn the follow steps. If you would rather learn the opposite or both, then that's fine. Just let the instructor now so that there is an understanding of the numbers and who is wanting to do what. Also, if you are wanting to learn both, then you will need to ask if your partner is happy to swap part way through.
Do I need to dance with people I am partnered with?
You will never be forced to dance with someone. You can opt to not dance for a period if you feel uncomfortable at that time. However, you also need to accept that people might choose to opt out of dancing with you. If that happens, then do not worry; partners are swapped frequently so you will never be 'stuck' with anyone. However, it is asked that you try to dance with anyone you are partnered with. Everyone is asked to be open and accepting of others in the class so that we can all learn together.
What do I do if there is someone or something making me feel uncomfortable?
This is an understandable situation. Something makes you feel uneasy, but you do not want to mention it in case you hurt someone's feelings. If there is something that you feel uncomfortable with, then you can message the instructor between class for them to deal with prior to the next class.