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Questions? Call 844-543-7645 or email us
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Welcome to the Family.
Come see why over 1,000 dance students in Los Angeles are Movers & Shakers.
Come see why over 1,000 dance students in Los Angeles are Movers & Shakers.
enrollment open now
(Until programs hit capacity)
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Read Amit F.'s review of Movers and Shakers on Yelp
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Salsa and bachata
Social dance training programs
private lessons
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Both Danny & Nicole have opened their schedules for privates in 2019. You can choose whichever instructor you prefer. Private sessions are the ultimate resource to developing those little details to bring your dancing to the next level. We will guide you as you progress and you're welcome to mention specific things that you'd like to focus on as well.
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Status: Space available.
Cap on # of students: Two per session Time: Flexible Dates: Ongoing. Rolling enrollment. Price: $84-$100 / session (45 minutes). Email for details Registration: Any time. |
Bachata 1
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For first time bachata dancers. Los Angeles' best option for strong and proper foundations. In this 12-week series gentlemen will learn to dance cleanly and lead clearly and ladies will learn to follow properly and with confidence.
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Status: Space available
Cap on # of students: 16 (8 male, 8 female) Time: Saturdays, 1-3pm Dates: 9/7 - 12/7 2019. No classes on 9/21 or 11/30 (Thanksgiving weekend) Location: Soho Dance LA (see map at bottom) Price: $479 (24 total hours. $19.95/hr) Registration: 12 Week Program. WILL fill. Register early. Instructors: Devon Katrina. Assisted by Justin Formanek, Stephen Passman, and/or Daria Yushkova |
Bachata 2
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Direct progression from bachata 1 and also a great fit for bachata dancers with some experience. This 12-week series will progress step by step, including lots of review as we go. We keep the class small so that the instructors can rotate in and dance with you as well. Class WILL fill. Register early!
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Status: Space available
Cap on # of students: 16 (8 male, 8 female) Time: Saturdays 3-5pm Dates: 9/7 - 12/7 2019. No classes on 9/21 or 11/30 (Thanksgiving weekend) Location: Soho Dance LA (See map below) Price: $479 (24 total hours. $19.95/hr) Registration: 12 Week Program. WILL fill. Register early. Instructors: Justin Formanek. Assisted by Devon Katrina, Charnise Taylor, and/or Stephen Passman |
Bachata 3
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Highest level bachata program and quickly earning the reputation as the "sexiest" Bachata class in town - we're not afraid to get close! In this 12-week series you'll progress through sexy, advanced, but practical moves that you can take to the dance floor. Focus this season is on MUSICALITY for social dancing - that means adjusting your dancing to fit the breaks, hits, and feeling of the music. We are constantly reviewing previous material as well so that your dancing is truly transformed by the end of the series. Bachata experience required. The instructors will rotate in and dance with you during every class for one on one feedback. Class WILL fill to capacity! Register early.
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Status: Space available
Cap on # of students: 16 (8 male, 8 female) Time: Sundays 12:15-2:15pm Dates: 9/8 - 12/8 2019. No classes on 9/22 or 12/1 (Thanksgiving weekend) Location: Soho Dance LA (see map at bottom) Price: $479 (24 total hours. $19.95/hr) Registration: 12 Week Program. WILL fill. Register early. Instructors: Danny Kalman & Nicole Gil |
salsa 1 (leads full, space for follows)
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In this 12-week series you will start at the VERY beginning and will learn all of the foundations of salsa in a structured, proper way. The environment is safe and welcoming. Perfect for first time salsa dancers (we don't care how many left feet you have - EVERYONE becomes a dancer through this program). ALSO perfect for experienced salsa dancers who never learned the proper foundations or details. We keep the class small so that the instructors can rotate in and dance with you as well. Class WILL fill. Register early!
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Status: Space available
Cap on # of students: 16 (8 male, 8 female) Time: Sundays 5:00-7:00pm Dates: 9/8 - 12/8 2019. No classes on 9/22 or 12/1 (Thanksgiving weekend) Location: Soho Dance LA (see map at bottom) Price: $479 (24 total hours. $19.95/hr,) Registration: 12 Week Program. WILL fill. Register early. Instructors: Lior Haykeen. Assisted by Moshe Chen (and potentially other assistant instructors) |
salsa 2 Saturdays
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Direct progression from salsa 1 and also a great fit for salsa dancers with some experience. This 12-week series will progress step by step, including lots of review as we go. We keep the class small so that the instructors can rotate in and dance with you to give one on one feedback during every class!
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Status: Space available
Cap on # of students: 16 (8 male, 8 female) Time: Saturdays 3:30-5:30pm Dates: 9/7 - 12/7 2019. No classes on 9/21 or 11/30 (Thanksgiving weekend) Location: Soho Dance LA (see map at bottom) Price: $479 (24 total hours. $19.95/hr) Registration: 12 Week Program. WILL fill. Register early. Instructors: Danny Kalman and Nicole Gil alternating. Assisted by Daria Yushkova and/or Chanel Nami |
Salsa 2 Sundays
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Direct progression from salsa 1 and also a great fit for salsa dancers with some experience. This 12-week series will progress step by step, including lots of review as we go. We keep the class small so that the instructors can rotate in and dance with you to give one on one feedback during every class!
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Status: Space available
Cap on # of students: 16 (8 male, 8 female) Time: Sundays 3-5pm Dates: 9/8 - 12/8 2019. No classes on 9/22 or 12/1 (Thanksgiving weekend) Location: Soho Dance LA (see map at bottom) Price: $479 (24 total hours. $19.95/hr) Registration: 12 Week Program. WILL fill. Register early. Instructors: Justin Formanek with assistant |
Salsa 3 Sundays
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Direct progression from salsa 2 and for dancers with experience. This 12-week series is currently the highest level salsa class and will also progress step by step, including lots of review as we go. Focus this season is on MUSICALITY for social dancing - that means adjusting your dancing to fit the breaks, hits, and feeling of the music. We keep the class small so that the instructors can rotate in and dance with you to give one on one feedback during every class!
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Status: Space available
Cap on # of students: 16 (8 male, 8 female) Time: Sundays 2:30-4:30pm Dates: 9/8 - 12/8 2019. No classes on 9/22 or 12/1 (Thanksgiving weekend) Location: Soho Dance LA (see map at bottom) Price: $479 (24 total hours. $19.95/hr) Registration: 12 Week Program. WILL fill. Register early. Instructors: Danny Kalman & Nicole Gil |
Salsa 3 mondays
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Direct progression from salsa 2 and for dancers with experience. This 12-week series is currently the highest level salsa class and will also progress step by step, including lots of review as we go. Focus this season is on MUSICALITY for social dancing - that means adjusting your dancing to fit the breaks, hits, and feeling of the music. We keep the class small so that the instructors can rotate in and dance with you to give one on one feedback during every class!
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Status: Space available
Cap on # of students: 16 (8 male, 8 female) Time: Mondays 7:30-9:30pm Dates: 9/9 - 12/9 2019. No classes on 9/23 or 12/2 (Thanksgiving weekend) Location: Soho Dance LA (see map at bottom) Price: $479 (24 total hours. $19.95/hr) Registration: 12 Week Program. WILL fill. Register early. Instructors: Danny Kalman & Nicole Gil |
2019 Season 4 schedule quick view
- Saturdays: Open Practice, 12-1pm
- Saturdays: Bachata 1, 1-3pm
- Saturdays: Bachata 2, 3-5pm
- Saturdays: Salsa 2, 3:30-5:30pm
- Sundays: Bachata 3, 12:15-2:15pm
- Sundays: Salsa 3 Sundays, 2:30-4:30pm
- Sundays: Salsa 2, 3pm-5pm
- Sundays: Salsa 1, 5:00-7:00pm
- Mondays: Salsa 3 Mondays, 7:30-930pm
Movers and shakers' values
- Dancing should be the best part of the week. We make sure that every class is FUN and strive to make it something that every student looks forward to every week.
- EVERYONE can dance - it doesn't matter how many "left feet" you have. You will learn here.
- Class atmosphere should be welcoming and comfortable - we make sure this is the case.
- All Movers and Shakers are family. We always support camaraderie and getting to know each other and countless friendships have developed through Movers and Shakers Dance programs!
What's the difference between salsa and bachata?
While both are latin partner dances, salsa tends to be faster, more technical and more energetic, and bachata is slower, closer contact with your partner, easier, and more sexy/sensual.
BOTH salsa and bachata are played together in night clubs, which is why Movers & Shakers Dance Academy specializes in these two dances together (and only these two dances).
Salsa has it's roots in Cuba (and arguably Africa), while bachata comes from the Dominican Republic.
BOTH salsa and bachata are played together in night clubs, which is why Movers & Shakers Dance Academy specializes in these two dances together (and only these two dances).
Salsa has it's roots in Cuba (and arguably Africa), while bachata comes from the Dominican Republic.
Why haven't I heard of bachata?
On the phone when we ask people if they'd like to learn bachata, about 50% of the time they respond, "What's that?" While salsa has been internationally famous for decades, bachata has really only spread around the globe at scale in the past decade. For that reason, many people who are newer to the dance scene may have heard of salsa, but not bachata... YET.
Now that it has been unleashed, however, bachata has spread throughout the globe with TREMENDOUS SPEED. It's sensual nature (modern bachata more than the original Dominican bachata), ease of learning, and modern fusion of the music with already massively popular R&B and Pop music, have created a recipe for virality - many people fall in love with bachata very quickly.
Hardcore bachata dancers and some bachata musicians love to throw out the phrase "Bachata is taking over," and in many ways they are right.
Now that it has been unleashed, however, bachata has spread throughout the globe with TREMENDOUS SPEED. It's sensual nature (modern bachata more than the original Dominican bachata), ease of learning, and modern fusion of the music with already massively popular R&B and Pop music, have created a recipe for virality - many people fall in love with bachata very quickly.
Hardcore bachata dancers and some bachata musicians love to throw out the phrase "Bachata is taking over," and in many ways they are right.
Should I learn salsa or bachata First?
Either is fine!
While salsa is a bit more technical and bachata is a bit easier, you really can learn either first. We have students who learn salsa first and students who learn bachata first, and students who learn both at the same time. The good news is that since they are both latin partner dancers, they share many similarities and learning either one will help you with the other!
Since salsa & bachata music are played together in clubs, you'll probably eventually learn both.
While salsa is a bit more technical and bachata is a bit easier, you really can learn either first. We have students who learn salsa first and students who learn bachata first, and students who learn both at the same time. The good news is that since they are both latin partner dancers, they share many similarities and learning either one will help you with the other!
Since salsa & bachata music are played together in clubs, you'll probably eventually learn both.
COOL promo vid
For your viewing pleasure
Social Dancing Sample
See the Movers & Shakers Academy directors, Danny Kalman & Nicole Gil, social dancing. This is a freestyle dance to live salsa.
Location
All classes are in Westwood, between Santa Monica and Beverly Hills at Los Angeles' most beautiful dance studio, Soho Dance LA
1618 Cotner Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90025
Los Angeles, CA 90025
NEW TO LOS ANGELES?
Westwood, the location of the Movers and Shakers Dance salsa dance programs and bachata dance programs, is in the heart of West Los Angeles. It's near UCLA and many areas you may have heard of: Santa Monica, Malibu, Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Mar Vista, Sawtelle (little Tokyo / Osaka), Culver City, Marina Del Rey and Century City.
To the east is West Hollywood, Hollywood and Downtown Los Angeles and to the north is The San Fernando Valley, with Van Nuys, Sherman Oaks, North Hollywood and more.
Although these are the nearby areas, students drive from ALL over for Movers and Shakers salsa dance classes and bachata dance classes. Every week students come from Orange County, East Los Angeles, Burbank, and they've even come from as far as Bakersfield and Santa Barbara!
Come join the hundreds of other Movers and Shakers. We are a big and welcoming family where you will find many friends and many dance partners to go out with and explore the Los Angeles salsa and bachata dance scene.
To the east is West Hollywood, Hollywood and Downtown Los Angeles and to the north is The San Fernando Valley, with Van Nuys, Sherman Oaks, North Hollywood and more.
Although these are the nearby areas, students drive from ALL over for Movers and Shakers salsa dance classes and bachata dance classes. Every week students come from Orange County, East Los Angeles, Burbank, and they've even come from as far as Bakersfield and Santa Barbara!
Come join the hundreds of other Movers and Shakers. We are a big and welcoming family where you will find many friends and many dance partners to go out with and explore the Los Angeles salsa and bachata dance scene.
Gallery
Just a few fun pics here. Find MANY more on our Yelp page.
History of salsa & bachata
Salsa
Salsa has deep roots in the Caribbean, influenced by traditional African dances. Salsa can be traced back to the dawn of the 20th century, where it was established in Eastern Cuba. At the time, the musical flavor of salsa along with the developing dance became an integral part of Cuban culture.
It wasn't until the early 1950’s when the dance reached Havana that it continued to develop into the kind of dance that most people are familiar with today. The tide turned for Salsa when it was integrated with American Jazz music — hence, becoming an in-demand main-stay on the dance floors of the hottest joints in Havana at the time.
After the Cuban revolution, immigrants came into the United States and brought with them the dance. In the 1960’s, Fania Records, which mostly signed Latin musicians, became the home of a great deal of salsa music and other music. This makes Fania Records almost wholly responsible for spreading Salsa in America.
Bachata
While Salsa originated in Cuba, Bachata comes from the Dominican Republic. Unlike Salsa however, Bachata has some European Influences which sets it apart. In the 1950’s Bachata was considered a low form of entertainment since it was prevalent in brothels and places of entertainment frequented by lower class citizens at the time.
Bachata does not just pertain to the dance, but it also refers to a type of music as well — and this is considered as the Latin version of the “blues.” Though Bachata may be considered a romantic and sensual type of dance today, it used to convey a wider range of emotion — heartbreak, romance, and sadness.
The man largely credited with bringing bachata to the United States is Juan Luis Guerra. From there, the music transformed with a more urban feel as modern artists emerged such as Romeo Santos, Prince Royce, Bachata Heightz, Xtreme, Toby Love, and Aventura. This could be the second major phase in the evolution of bachata music.
The third phase in the evolution of bachata music started when DJ's began to layer bachata rhythms on top of already mega popular R&B and pop music. This sound created mass appeal and helped it to spread around the globe like wildfire. The most prolific DJ of such remixes is DJ Soltrix. The dance evolved with the music into what is now called Modern, Urban, Sensual, or Romantic Bachata, which is what is taught at Movers and Shakers Dance Academy.
Salsa has deep roots in the Caribbean, influenced by traditional African dances. Salsa can be traced back to the dawn of the 20th century, where it was established in Eastern Cuba. At the time, the musical flavor of salsa along with the developing dance became an integral part of Cuban culture.
It wasn't until the early 1950’s when the dance reached Havana that it continued to develop into the kind of dance that most people are familiar with today. The tide turned for Salsa when it was integrated with American Jazz music — hence, becoming an in-demand main-stay on the dance floors of the hottest joints in Havana at the time.
After the Cuban revolution, immigrants came into the United States and brought with them the dance. In the 1960’s, Fania Records, which mostly signed Latin musicians, became the home of a great deal of salsa music and other music. This makes Fania Records almost wholly responsible for spreading Salsa in America.
Bachata
While Salsa originated in Cuba, Bachata comes from the Dominican Republic. Unlike Salsa however, Bachata has some European Influences which sets it apart. In the 1950’s Bachata was considered a low form of entertainment since it was prevalent in brothels and places of entertainment frequented by lower class citizens at the time.
Bachata does not just pertain to the dance, but it also refers to a type of music as well — and this is considered as the Latin version of the “blues.” Though Bachata may be considered a romantic and sensual type of dance today, it used to convey a wider range of emotion — heartbreak, romance, and sadness.
The man largely credited with bringing bachata to the United States is Juan Luis Guerra. From there, the music transformed with a more urban feel as modern artists emerged such as Romeo Santos, Prince Royce, Bachata Heightz, Xtreme, Toby Love, and Aventura. This could be the second major phase in the evolution of bachata music.
The third phase in the evolution of bachata music started when DJ's began to layer bachata rhythms on top of already mega popular R&B and pop music. This sound created mass appeal and helped it to spread around the globe like wildfire. The most prolific DJ of such remixes is DJ Soltrix. The dance evolved with the music into what is now called Modern, Urban, Sensual, or Romantic Bachata, which is what is taught at Movers and Shakers Dance Academy.
Looking to learn salsa in Santa Monica or bachata in Santa Monica? Movers and Shakers are right next door and you're in good hands. Learn to dance with Movers and Shakers and it could change your life!
