Latin Dance

Latin Dancing

So many students have come to us struggling to learn Latin dances, like Salsa or Merengue. They become frustrated after making the same mistakes over and over again, without understanding the underlying technique. We provide students the individual attention and feedback they need to advance as dancers.

We have learned that students benefit by focusing intensely on proper form and technique. Once our students master the basics, they can easily advance to learning different combinations and executing them with confidence and finesse.

Latin dance includes a wide range of dances originating in Latin America and Cuba. Latin isa a faster-paced, more sensual, rhythmic expression.

Latin Dance Lessons

• Beginner Salsa Dancing & Intermediate Salsa Dancing
• Latin Dancing
• Cha-Cha
• Merengue
• Rumba

Basic Latin Steps

Side–To–Side
The side-to-side is the basic that our students experience the most success with, so it’s a good place to start. It is most commonly danced in social settings in Latin America and therefore the most useful.

Back Basic
The back basic is the foundation piece of British salsa. Eventually the back step provides the wind-up for the anti-clockwise spin that is the trademark of the British turn combinations.

Turning Basic
The turning basic is just a variation of the back basic with a turn of the body included. It’s easier to learn after the back basic, and it provides a change of scenery. If possible, align yourself facing one direction with objects that you can focus on ninety degrees to both your left and right e.g. walls in a square room. You can use these objects as reference points to help you learn.

Latin Basic
The Latin basic is commonly used in Latin America, and is also the foundation piece of North American salsa, giving rise to the single right turn combinations. The Latin basic is taught here as a simple variation of the back basic, where the left leg steps forward instead of backward.

Cross Basic
The cross basic is used often as it covers a lot of ground, usually to circle around a partner who is turning on the spot or spinning. This basic gets its name because it is a cross between the back basic and side-to-side, and also because one leg moves across the other.

Single Right Turn (SRT)
The single right turn (SRT) is derived from the Latin basic, where a right turn is performed during the forward phase of the Latin basic; the backward phase remains unchanged. The SRT is the foundation piece of most North American turn combinations. Like the turning basic, try to align yourself facing one direction with objects that you can focus on ninety degrees to both your right and behind your starting position e.g. walls in a square room. You can use these objects as reference points to help you learn.

Wedding Dance Lessons

Wedding Dance Lessons

You’ve planned every detail of your wedding. Don’t leave your first dance up to chance. Many couples are so busy planning their wedding that they forget about their first dance in front of all their family and friends. We can help you prepare so you may relax and enjoy the moment.

Whether you dance frequently or have never danced before, Dance With Liza can give you and your fiancé the confidence, experience and knowledge you need to enjoy the romance of your first dance as a married couple! Avoid the unnecessary awkwardness most couples feel doing the “bear hug sway” for three long minutes. Let us show you just how much fun and how easy dancing together can be!

See why our bridal couples say that taking Ballroom Dance Lessons with us made their first dance one of the highlights of their wedding. Many wedding couples tell us that they are still receiving compliments months later. We love helping couples start off on the right foot. Testimonials >>

First Dance Wedding Songs

Click here to see a list >>

Our Ballroom Wedding Dance Lessons Will Help You:

1. Create a beautiful dance for less than the price of your wedding cake!
2. Teach you to dance all night long to a variety of music styles.
3. Assist you with a custom song & dance selection.
4. Design a personalized dance with easy patterns so you glide around the floor effortlessly.
5. Give you styling and technique for a polished image.
6. Choreograph an elegant entrance and a closing dip that is sure to be a crowd pleaser and provide added sparkle to the festivities!
7. Give you a social activity the two of you can enjoy for a lifetime.

Swing Dance

Learn To Swing Dance

Are you ready to be cool? If so, the Swing is a “must learn” dance. You will love our Swing dance classes.

The history of swing dates back to the 1920’s and recently has enjoyed resurgence. Even people with two left feet have been able to master the basics of this improvisational dance. Swing dancing is wonderful exercise because it is set to up-tempo music, and therefore, keeps moving rather quickly. Learn the basic swing step and you will feel comfortable dancing with anyone from a beginner, to an expert!

Swing Dance Instruction

• East Coast Single-time
• East Coast Triple-time

Swing Dance Styling Instruction

There are some basic styling points that should be mentioned. The Swing is a fast, exuberant dance, so you must maintain control or you’ll wind up sprawled out on the dance floor! To maintain balance, a firm hand grip is essential.

In Two-Hand Position, the man extends his arms forward with palms up. The woman then places her hands palms down in her partner’s hands. Think of your fingers as a hook. By cupping in with your fingers, a firm hold can be achieved and adequate tension and control will be maintained. In addition to a firm hand grip, it is essential that the forearm is held firmly for better body communication between the dancers.

Remember, the Swing is fast and lively. Think of your arms as rudders. They must be firm in order to know which way to go. If you have floppy arms, you won’t be able to respond to your partner’s lead quickly. Don’t be flustered if you don’t “get it” the first time. Read through and practice. The “feel” of the rhythm will come and you’ll be swinging before you know it.

Master The Back Rock

You will come across terms like “back rock” and “triple step” during the Swing. A back rock will either follow a step, a step-touch or a triple step. The man, who always begins his sequence on the LF (left foot), will always rock back on the LF as well. The woman will begin and rock back on the RF (right foot).

Country Dance Lessons

Country Dancing Lessons

We hope you enjoy our country dance lessons as much as we do. You will learn to dance like a pro, with finesse and confidence. Country dancing is enjoyed worldwide in country and western dance bars, social clubs, dance clubs and ballrooms. Once you get a few lessons under your belt, you will have enough confidence for a night of dancing.

Country dancing refers to a variety of dance styles, techniques and moves, usually danced to country-western music. It is broken into two categories: partner and group dances. Partner dances include both lead and follow dances (in which one partner leads and the other follows) and pattern dances. Group dances include line dances and square dances.

Country and Western Dancing Style:

Known to be an informal and relaxed style of dance, country dancing is not meant to be sloppy. Country dancers emphasize smoothness on the dance floor, and often scoot or glide around the dance floor. Most hip movement is discouraged, as is bouncing or jumping in time to the music.

Country Dance Steps We Teach:

• Country-Western Two-Step
• Country Waltz
• Night Club Two Step
• Cowboy Cha-Cha
• Polka
• Zydeco