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Learn to Dance
Salsa or Bachata

Los Angeles' Top Experience For Beginners
— 
 

2024 / 2025 Enrollment Open

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Current Offerings:

  • Salsa and Bachata | Beginner to Advanced

  • Performance Team | Open and Advanced Levels

An Experience Like No Other…

Learn in the fastest way with…

  • Los Angeles' most comprehensive structured programs

  • Weekly practices with instructor on site

  • Full-time professional instructors (no student or hobby instructors)

Make friends! Be invited to...

  • Private parties

  • Group outings 

  • Trips

  • And more...

Feel at home in a welcoming, FUN, safe environment

Come solo or with a partner

Welcome to Your Dance Family!

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Come see why over 2,700 dance students in Los Angeles are Movers and Shakers…

 

It’s not just dance class…

 

It’s a community…

 

and you’re invited.

"All my friends are through Movers and Shakers"

Over 529 5-star reviews on Yelp, Google, and Facebook
​⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Trusted by The Best - We've Also Run Salsa or Bachata Programs For:

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Trusted To Teach for Television

“Basketball Wives,” “Love Undercover,” and a dance demo for Steven Spielberg as he produced “Westside Story,” are just a few examples.

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Trusted by Celebrity Students

"Dirty Dancing" star Jennifer Grey (aka "Baby"), also a "Dancing With The Stars" champion, is just one of the celebrity students our academy director has worked with.

100% Full-Time, Professional Dance Instructors

(No Student or Hobby Instructors)

Details, details, details!

 

Get better, faster...

 

Avoid years of frustration...

 

We accept only instructors who understand the details at a high level and can give you proper foundations from day 1.

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Beginners Welcome!

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First time taking salsa or bachata class?

 

Feeling nervous?

 

We get it...

 

And don't worry...

 

You will be welcomed at Movers and Shakers with open arms.

 

Find your fit with the schedule below 👇

Salsa and Bachata Core Curriculum

Full-time PROFESSIONAL dance instructors (no student or hobby instructors)

Free parking (unlimited)

No partner needed

Beginners welcome!

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(Not sure what bachata is? See video demo)

Foundations are everything! It's crucial to get the proper habits in your muscle memory from day one. 

 

Bachata 101 (Beginner) starts at the very beginning and is structured, progressive, and comprehensive. You'll graduate this 10-week program with all the foundations needed to hit the dance floor with confidence! 

 

We will also take you out dancing. 

 

Perfect for first time bachata dancers. It doesn't matter how many left feet you have - EVERYONE becomes a bachata dancer through this program.

 

ALSO perfect for experienced bachata dancers who never learned proper foundations or need to go back and clean up.

 

The environment is safe and welcoming. Every student is taken care of. Come join the family!

Program: Bachata 101

Prerequisites: None. For first time bachata dancers!

Length: ​​ 10 Weeks (~20 hours)

Price:

  • Regular: $597

  • Early Bird: $497 (~24.85/hr)🔥

  • $100 OFF! Price increases soon

 

SCHEDULE 1 (FULL)

  • Wednesdays, 8:00-9:45pm

  • 8/21 - 10/23/2024 

SCHEDULE 2 (Spots Available)

Location: The Balcony on Beverwil

Instructor: Danny week 1, Ariela weeks 2-10 

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Bachata 102 graduates are rising stars in the dancing scene!

Leaders will know enough to dance through entire songs without repeating patterns. 

Follows will be able to smoothly follow many patterns. 

Since foundations are the MOST important thing, Bachata 102 continues to cover foundations, but in the context of intermediate patterns. 

The bachata 102 series includes levels 102a and 102b. 

Each 10-week program teaches different material at the intermediate level. 

You may take them in any order.



Topics covered:

  • Sensual bachata foundational movements

  • Modern/urban bachata partnering patterns

  • Hips, body rolls, and intro to liquid movement

  • Intro to Dominican concepts

  • Leading intermediate patterns clearly

  • Following intermediate patterns smoothly

  • Proper hand transitions for the best connection

  • Lead/follow connection in general

  • Intro to  general styling

  • Intro to ladies styling

  • Intro to feeling and flavor


  • Intro to musicality

  • Solo movements

Program: Bachata 102a

Prerequisites: Bachata 101 or if outside experience, speak with director. 

Length: ​​ 10 Weeks (~20 hours)

Price:

  • Regular: $497

  • Early Bird: $417 (~20.85/hr)🔥

  • $80 OFF! Price increases soon

Schedule: (Space for 8 leads. Space for follows.)

Location: The Balcony on Beverwil

Instructor: Ariela

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(See instructor video demo)

Swagger, s#xiness, connection.

When you're dancing with 103 skills, your whole bachata world changes.

The bachata 103 programs focuses on "sensual" and "modern/urban" style bachata with an occasional sprinkle of Dominican elements to make you a well-rounded bachata dance dynamo.

You'll be ready to take on any bachata song with musicality and grace.

Program: Bachata 103

Prerequisites: Bachata 101, 102a, 102b or if outside experience, director approval.

Length: ​​10 Weeks (~20 hours)

Price:

  • Regular:  $497

  • Early Bird: $417 (~20.85/hr)🔥

  • $80 OFF! Price increases soon

Schedule:

Location: West LA Academy of Dance

Instructor: Inna and Christopher together

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Foundations are everything! It's crucial to get the proper habits in your muscle memory from day one. 

 

Salsa 101 (Beginner) starts at the very beginning and is structured, progressive, and comprehensive. You'll graduate this 10-week program with all the foundations needed to hit the dance floor with confidence! 

 

We will also take you out dancing. 

 

Perfect for first-time salsa dancers. It doesn't matter how many "left feet" you have - EVERYONE becomes a salsa dancer through this program.

 

ALSO perfect for experienced salsa dancers who never learned proper foundations or need to go back and clean up.

 

The environment is safe and welcoming. Every student is taken care of. Come join the family!

Program: Salsa 101

Prerequisites: None. For first time salsa dancers!

Length: ​​ 10 Weeks (~20 hours)

Price:

  • Regular: $597

  • Early Bird: $497 (~24.85/hr)🔥

  • $100 OFF! Price increases soon

SCHEDULE 1 (FULL)

  • Sundays, 5:00-6:45pm

  • 9/22 - 11/24/2024 

SCHEDULE 2 (Spots Available)

Location: The Balcony on Beverwil

Instructor: Danny week 1, Ariela weeks 2-10

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Salsa 102 graduates are rising stars in the dancing scene!

 

Leaders will know enough to dance through entire songs without repeating patterns. 

Follows will be able to smoothly follow many patterns. 

Since foundations are the MOST important thing, Salsa 102 continues to cover foundations, but in the context of intermediate patterns. 

The Salsa 102 curriculum consists of 102a and 102b, which may be taken in any order.


​Salsa 102a and 102b teach completely different material at the intermediate level. 

Together, they complete your intermediate level salsa education.



Topics covered:

  • Leading intermediate patterns clearly

  • Following intermediates patterns smoothly

  • Proper hand transitions for the best connection

  • Lead/follow connection in general

  • Intro to  general styling

  • Intro to ladies styling


  • Intro to feeling and flavor


  • Intro to musicality

  • Intermediate level partnering patterns

  • Solo patterns (shines)

  • Weekly spinning training, structured bit by bit, for balance, speed and ease

  • Weekly cuban motion training, structured bit by bit, for feeling and flavor.

Program: Salsa 102a 

Requirements: Salsa 101 or if outside experience, must speak with director. 

Length: ​​ 10 Weeks (~20 hours)

Price: 

  • Regular:  $497

  • Early bird: $417 (~20.85/hr)🔥

  • $80 OFF! Price increases soon

Location: The Balcony on Beverwil

 

SCHEDULE 1 (FULL)

Instructor: Danny

SCHEDULE 2

Instructor: Danny week 1, Ariela weeks 2-10

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 Time to unleash!

The salsa 103 programs cover advanced material while still building foundational concepts underneath.

Double spins included in partnering patterns.

Each 103 season teaches different, unique, material at the advanced level. 

Topics covered:

 

  • Leading advanced patterns with crystal clarity 

  • Following advanced patterns effortlessly 

  • Advanced shines including upper body movement


  • Team spinning training, including doubles, for balance, speed and ease 

  • Musicality


  • General styling


  • Ladies styling 

  • Feeling and flavor 

Program: Salsa 103

Requirements: Salsa 101, 102a, 102b or if outside experience, must speak with director.

Length: ​​ 10 Weeks (~20 hours)

Price: 

  • Regular: $497

  • Early bird: $417 (~20.85/hr)🔥

  • $80 OFF! Price increases soon

Schedule:

Location: The Balcony on Beverwil

Instructor: Marina

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Class for salseros who “don’t need to take class...”

but you want it...

because you love salsa and you're still committed to getting even better...

Welcome to salsa 104. 

Partnering only (no shines).

“Anything goes” in this program and every salsa 104 season is unique material.

Led by two professional instructors (a lead and follow), you’ll be sweating and challenged every week. 

Topics covered:


   •        Advanced partnering patterns
   •        Leading with crystal clarity
   •        Following effortlessly 
   •        Musicality
   •        Ladies styling
   •        Mens styling
   •        Feeling and flavor

Eligibility: 

  • Approval required to join

  • Leads:
    Crystal clear leading

  • Follows:
    Double spins on 1 foot consistently

    Traveling turns finishing with balance
    Spotting on all turns

Length: ​​ 6 Weeks (~12 hours)

Price: TBA

Schedule: TBA

Instructor: TBA

Accelerated Program

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Learn 1 year of salsa in 4 days!

For first time salsa dancers.

Not for everyone.


Call 844-543-7645 for info.

Performance Team

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The performance team is a GREAT way to level up your dancing skills and will also make you a better social dancer!
 

No partner needed.

No performance experience needed.

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More Dance Learning Options

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Contact us for birthday parties, quinceañeras, wedding dance lessons, school events, retirement home events, Valentines day dancing dates, Latin Heritage Month events, other private events, and more!

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Preparing for your wedding dances? We take care of wedding couples every week! Let's explore it together.

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Team building? Culture change? Something else? What's your vision? Let's explore it together.

Salsa / Bachata Schedule Summary

Program
Day
Time
Start Date
Bachata 101
Sat
3:00-4:45 pm
10/19/2024
Bachata 102a
Wed
8:00-9:45 pm
10/30/2024
Bachata 103
Wed
8:00-9:45 pm
10/23/2024
Salsa 101
Sat
1:00-2:45 pm
10/19/2024
Salsa 101
Sun
5:00-6:45 pm
9/22/2024
Salsa 102a
Mon
8:00-9:45 pm
10/21/2024
Salsa 102a
Thu
8:00-9:45 pm
10/24/2024
Salsa 103
Tue
8:00-9:45 pm
10/22/2024

Need A Different Day/Time?

Contact Us

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Why 10-Week Programs?

Proper Foundations:

 

With salsa and bachata, when the foundations are great, everything is great…
 

but when the foundations are a mess, everything is a mess.


As a beginning salsa or bachata dancer, trying to build proper foundations from drop-in classes or short-term programs is simply impossible.


That’s why we have built the Movers and Shakers curriculum that is structured, progressive, and comprehensive.


The curriculum will give you proper foundations, and we've found 10 weeks to be the perfect length of time for each program.

Balance of ladies and gents:


Because we have the same students for the full 10 weeks, we’re able to reliably balance the ratio of ladies and gents (follows and leads).

Friendships:


With the same students in class for each 10-week program, friendships always naturally develop. You’ll have friends to go out dancing with and support you!

Friendships, Community, FUN

Parties, practices, social events, dancing together at clubs, and even travel opportunities: you'll find your home at Movers and Shakers!

 

You are joining more than just dance class - you are joining the Movers and Shakers family.
 

We take "fun" seriously, and you are about to make many new friends!

As a new student, you will be welcomed with open arms.

All photos below are real Movers and Shakers students.

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Official Monthly Party

Hosted at a student's home, the academy director's home, the beach, or elsewhere, these parties typically attract over 100 students and are a huge hit!

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Student-Organized Events

Movers and Shakers are eager to socialize and they often step up to host smaller impromptu events for the students. Skydiving, beach parties, and salsa / bachata dancing picnics and potlucks are just a few examples.

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Salsa/Bachata Dance Festivals

Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and even Hawaii are a few places we've brought Movers and Shakers.

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Weekly Practice Sessions

Movers and Shakers hosts an official weekly student practice session (optional but encouraged), with an instructor on site to dance with you and answer your dance questions! It's FUN, social, and helps you dance better, faster.

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Social Dancing

Movers and Shakers love to go out dancing in packs! You'll have many people to dance with and support you along the way.

You are joining a vibrant, enthusiastic, strong community of winners.

Just moved to Los Angeles?

You'll encounter a circle of ultra positive dancers at Movers and Shakers who are ready for new friendships.

 

Lived in Los Angeles for a long time?

Your social circle and "family" are about to expand.

Diversity

Everyone wanting to learn salsa or bachata is welcome at Movers and Shakers. The diversity of humans is incredible in just about every room that we fill. 

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Movers and
Shakers' Values

  • Fun, fun, fun! Dancing should be the best part of the 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 support camaraderie and getting to know each other. Countless friendships have developed through Movers and Shakers Dance programs!

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Frequently Asked Questions

. No need! Movers and Shakers programs are built for first time salsa and bachata students like yourself. Everyone in the room is in the same boat as you. The beginner 101 programs start from the VERY top and teach you everything from A to Z. Unless there are specific scheduling needs, we actually recommend skipping the private lessons and going straight to the group programs.

I don't feel ready for group programs. Should I take private lessons first?

. Whichever inspires you the most right now! ​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.

Which should I learn first, salsa or 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.

What's the difference between salsa and bachata?

. In short, bachata has gained popularity more recently than salsa. Until the past decade, bachata was mostly only danced in the Dominican Republic. It has now, however, exploded in popularity around the globe. The "history of salsa & bachata" section below has more information on why. These days people often find videos on social media of modern, sensual style bachata and are hooked right away. A few years ago when we asked people on the phone if they'd like to learn salsa or bachata, they would typically respond, "What's bachata?" These days however, many people call asking specifically for bachata.

Why haven't I heard of 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 — 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.

What is the history of salsa and bachata?

. Traditionally, in salsa and bachata, men are the leaders and ladies are the followers. The leader is the dancer who's deciding what patterns to do next and the follower's role is to go along with what's being led. We use the terms "leaders" and "followers" instead of "ladies" and "gent's" because sometimes these days people like to choose their role. In short, if you're not sure, you'll be a leader if you identify as male and a follower if you identify as female.

Am I a "leader" or a "follower"?

. Yes! There is free, unlimited parking on site at all Movers and Shakers locations.

Is there parking?

. Come solo or with a partner - either is great! In class we rotate so you’ll get to dance with everyone.

Do I need a partner?

. Yes! Thanks to having the same students through the programs, we tend to do a very good job of balancing leads and follows! Although perfect balance is never a guarantee, and if students don't show up to class it can cause an imbalance, overall you can be confident that we are well aware of the importance of a close balance and we do a great job balancing the programs.

Do you balance the numbers of leads and follows in salsa and bachata classes?

. If this is your first time taking salsa or bachata classes, start with level 101 (beginner). Even when students grow up dancing in their families/culture/community, on day 1 in class they realize that there are so many details that they’re learning for the first time. Starting from the beginning we'll serve you the best. The goal is to give you rock solid foundations that will make your dancing amazing and clean for the rest of your life. If you have taken fewer than 20 hours of class, probably level 101 (beginner) will still serve you the best. If you excelled in your classes, or took more class, or have more experience social dancing, call us and our academy director can help you determine the best level. Sometimes he’ll even do a dance with you and within 30 seconds will know exactly what will help you the most.

I grew up dancing - what level should I join?

. Price ranges from approximately $20-$25 per hour.

What’s the price?

. Spots are secured when payment is completed. Sometimes students would like to come try a class first. We definitely support that! However, programs often fill, or nearly fill, with paid students before the first day. In this case, after the first class of the season, we open remaining spots to people in the order that they registered. So, if you're not sure yet about completing the payment to secure your spot, complete the registration without the payment, contact us, and we'll take it from there.

What is the waiting list?

. 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 over 1,000 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.

New to Los Angeles?

. Only you can be the judge of that, but we certainly strive to be the best in Los Angeles! We feel that we've found a serious pain point in the latin dance community, which is lack of structure in learning, and created the solution. The program structure actually developed organically to meet the needs of the students. We realized that the drop in classes we were teaching at night clubs were just not able to get the students what they needed, so we built structured curriculums and launched them at the studio. ​As the programs evolved, we saw that there was still a big gap between level 1 and 2, so we created level 1.5. There was still a gap, so then we added level 1.75! Later these were renamed to levels 101, 102, 103, and 104. With tremendous attention to detail and dancing 1 on 1 with students in every class, a lot of students report to us that they've never experienced so much focus on details in a dance class. With that feedback, we stuck with it and the programs grew more and more. We are especially excited for students