SalsaVancouver.net Tips on Choosing an Instructor

Vancouver is blessed with a lot of dance instructors teaching a variety of styles of salsa and latin dance. Here’s some advice for people new to dancing who are considering taking lessons...

Free classes: Probably the best introduction to Vancouver’s salsa scene is to try one of the ‘free’ beginner classes at salsa clubs (‘free’ that is after you pay the cover admission to get in the club). Many instructors in town offer these free classes at various clubs (check our Events page) and it’s a great way to learn a few basic steps, assess the instructor, see if you like their teaching style and the material they teach. It’s also a great opportunity to see what social Latin dancing is like.

Word of mouth is always a good indication: ask around - if you have friends who are into salsa, ask them who they recommend - or if you’re planning to venture out to a club, ask people there about salsa instructors. Keep in mind that many dancers are biased to the instructors that taught them, so also ask why they recommend a particular instructor. Try to get as many opinions as possible and this will help you to get a good sense of which instructors are popular.

Drop-ins: Some instructors may allow people to sit in on a class and watch before committing to a class. It may also be possible to do a ‘drop-in’ in a beginner level class where you pay for one class to try it out. Different instructors have different policies. These are both good ways to see a teacher in action and the material they teach - and an opportunity to talk with students and get feedback on the instructor. It’s important to feel comfortable with the instructor and the students around you. A social and fun atmosphere will enhance your learning experience and a fun learning environment usually means a better learning environment.

 

A few things to bear in mind:  

• More expensive instructors are not necessarily better - price does not determine the quality of an instructor.

• Class lengths can vary, anywhere from 1 to 2 hours - take this into account when you look at the cost.

• Class sizes and instructor-to-student ratios vary. Many people who take dance lessons for the first time prefer a large class with a lot of students as it can be a less intimidating experience and because larger classes often have a more social and fun atmosphere and offer a greater opportunity to meet a lot of people. For others, a smaller class may be preferable as these can allow for more focused and individual instruction and you’ll probably have the opportunity to dance with the instructor(s) - the more personalized attention you receive the more likely you are to learn faster.

• Male or female instructor - or a couple teaching? Obviously a female instructor may have more insight for women, and a male instructor may have better insight for guys, but this is not always the case. A good instructor understands both roles and should be able to teach both guys and girls equally well - especially at the beginner level.

• The best dancer is not necessarily the best teacher! There are some great dancers who are also great teachers, but this is not always the case. An instructor's skill set is very different from that of a dancer's. Teaching requires a fundamental technical understanding of dancing and human movement, gained though experience and training - plus the ability to verbally and visually communicate with students at a level they'll understand and learn. These traits are not always present in a great dancer, so don’t assume the best dancer will be the best instructor. The only way to tell is to take or watch a class and ask their students for their opinions.

• Instructors who teach many different dances will more than likely have studied various types of dance for a long time and can use this experience and knowledge in their classes. This experience can definitely improve their teaching ability.

 

Evaluating an Instructor's Skill

As a beginner student it is very hard to evaluate how good an instructor is at teaching. Remember to evaluate their teaching skills, not dancing skills. You can learn a lot about the instructor through observation even if you are new to dancing.

A dance instructor must have excellent understanding of the material he/she is teaching - including being able to teach both the men’s and woman's steps, and the timing of leading and following. An experienced instructor will be able to warn you about common problems students have with each step and how to prevent them.

The instructor should also be able to successfully communicate this information to students - this is probably the most important skill of a good instructor. Just watching an instructor perform a specific step over and over is not enough for the average student, the instructor should be able to break down the step and verbally explain each segment of the pattern. They should be able to pinpoint the problems the students are encountering and help them through it using explanations, examples and demonstration. A good instructor should be approachable and open to answering your questions.

Lastly, a good instructor should be able to encourage the students and be understanding. A caring and fun class atmosphere will greatly enhance the learning experience and will most likely bring the student back.

Keep these points in mind:
• How well does the instructor break down the steps? Is it too fast for you? Too slow?
• At the end of the classes, did most of the students learn what the instructor tried to teach? Did you? If most of the students have a look of confusion at the end of the class, the instructor most likely did not adapt to the class level, or did not break down the steps well enough.
• Did the instructor cover both the leaders and followers parts thoroughly? Were student questions answered well? Did the instructor even ask for questions and/or feedback?
• A great way to judge an instructor is by his/her students. Can the instructor's advanced students dance well? Can they dance with students not from the same dance school?

 

In addition to these observations, any professional instructor should be glad to answer questions you may have. The following is a list of sample questions you should ask your potential instructor.
• Their dance/salsa experience.
• Length of time they have been teaching.
• Ask them to explain the style they teach and if it is the same style that is danced in the clubs.

 

Note: There are different types of classes and different levels. The material in higher level classes is usually not broken down as much as beginner classes. So make sure you’re in the right class by doing a placement evaluation with the instructor

We highly recommend that you try a few different instructors. You will notice different teaching styles. One is not necessarily better than another, but you may have a favorite from which you learn the most. The most important questions to ask yourself after the class are: Were you happy with the lesson? Did you learn something new? Did you enjoy the lesson? If the answers are yes, then you’ve succeeded in finding a good instructor for you.

Many instructors also offer private classes - these are more expensive than organized classes but private instruction is one of the best ways to learn if you can afford it. Personal attention will let you know where your mistakes are, and how to fix them. Your instructor will be able to pinpoint problems and focus specifically on the areas you need to improve on. However private lessons can get expensive fast.

 

Do I need a dance partner to learn?

You definitely do not need a partner to learn how to dance salsa. Nearly all beginner classes accommodate students with no partners. In case you do have a partner, please remember that there are some advantages and disadvantages to dancing with the same person consistently.

Advantages of having a partner is that you have someone to practice with on a regular basis, which is great because a lot of practice is very important. However, practicing with only one partner should be avoided, since your lead/follow will adjust to the partner's mistakes or you will learn to automatically anticipate their moves from sheer habit. So as soon as you start dancing with someone else you may encounter problems. While developing leading and following skills, it is best to dance with a lot of different partners so you don’t rely on your partner to know your moves and compensate for your mistakes.