You’ve got questions…we’ve got answers.  We don’t sugarcoat or blow smoke, so be cool.

Q. Do I need a partner?

A. No, no, no, no, no, no, no! Does that answer your question?
Some of the best things we can do for ourselves are things that we do on our own.  Dancing not only offers a great way to build self confidence, learn hot new moves and become more independent, but it also allows for a new environment to meet other people who share the same passion as you do.

Q. How long will it take me to become a really good dancer?

A. Well unless you were one of those children who came out of the womb dancing up a storm and were a dancing prodigy there is no real answer to this question.  If you ask any dance professional this question and they give you a definitive answer…RUN don’t walk!  The amount of time it takes one person to be at the level they want to be depends on many different variables and is different for every person.  Some people have more of a natural ability for some things than others.  Remember when you failed biology in high school over and over no matter how much you studied but your lab partner never studied for a minute and got straight A’s?  (Yeah we still can’t stand him and we bet he’s not being cool while moving hot right now).  That had nothing to do with who was more intelligent it just had to do with some people pick up on some things more quickly or less quickly than others.  We can all get to the level we want to be at as long as we are dedicated, devoted, determined and most importantly PATIENT.  With this combination we can accomplish anything whether that is being a Brain Surgeon or the next Beyonce or Shane Sparks.  Again it really all depends on how much time you put into it and how much you get out of it. You could become a really great dancer in a month, in a year or in 10 years.  It’s really all up to you.  Sorry we know this wasn’t the answer you were looking for but we just know how to be cool and move hot…we don’t know how to make false promises or create unrealistic expectations.

Q. I took the beginner salsa class for a month.  When will I start learning how to do triple spins?

A. Ok kids let’s settle down here.  Rome wasn’t built in a day.  Unless you were born and named Michael Jackson it is going to take more than 4 hours a month to learn how to do triple spins.  If you can’t do the basic step without messing up how in the world are you going to spin three times using the proper technique?  That would be like a baby who went straight from his or her mother’s arms to running the 50 yard dash.  That would be kind of weird wouldn’t  it?  Consider yourself a newborn if you just started taking classes and understand that you have to learn to crawl before you can walk.  You will get there just stick around, come to or practice parties, keep taking your lessons, keep asking questions and keep dancing as much as possible.  You’ll get there.  We promise.

Q. How come some schools have such long Salsa syllabi with so many different moves on it and some have Salsa syllabi with only 5 moves on it?

A. Because Salsa is an ever evolving dance with so many different styles much of it interpretive and there are no rules or steps that are set in stone except for the very basics such as the basic back and forth step, side to side, right turn, left turn etc.  Many dance instructors make up their dance moves, patterns and shines (as all great dancers do) and give those moves their own names.  These moves don’t come from the salsa dictionary or the bible of salsa.  Every instructor you go to will teach you their own style of salsa and their own patterns.  But the one commonality of all salsa dancing is that ALL turn patterns and moves all come from the basic steps and those basics are always the most important moves to know.  From there you can do and create anything.  Don’t be fooled by long fancy syllabi.  Know your basics and you can start creating your own syllabi with all of your hot moves too!

Q. I am a beginner student.  Do I have to be a professional to compete?

A. Absolutely not!  Most dance competitions offer all levels of competitions from novice and newcomer to advanced.  Competing is one of the best ways to raise your level of dancing quickly while offering an exhilarating rush of excitement and fun!  It takes some “hustpa” to compete for the first time but once you get over that hump you will want to do it again and again!  It’s kind of like the feeling you get before and after that first rollercoaster ride.  You’re scared like heck but you can’t help but laugh and have a great time and do it all over again!

Q. My instructor is encouraging me to perform but I’m just a beginner and I’m afraid of being embarrassed especially when everyone else is so good.

A. Just like competing, performing in front of your peers is another way to up your level of dancing.  It forces you to practice and to put yourself out there.  Dancing isn’t just about dancing.  It’s about breaking free, letting go of inhibitions, building confidence and feeling great about yourself!  Everyone tends to think that everyone is so great but doesn’t ever give themselves enough credit.  (Damn human nature!) It takes a lot of nerve to get out there and do your thing and just for that reason alone you will be well respected and well received by your audience who is sitting there secretly wishing they had as much courage and were wishing they were having as much fun as you do! And believe you me when they go home that night after watching you perform we’d bet a million dollars that the better majority of your audience got home, put on the music, made sure nobody was watching and started dancing up a storm in front of the mirror pretending they were the ones performing tonight!  Go for it! You only live once!

If you have any questions please send them to info@sohodancestudio.com.  We would be happy to educate you!