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Questions? Call 844-543-7645 or email us. |
On a mission to bring you the best
Salsa and Bachata Dance Programs
in Los Angeles
Welcome to the Family
Come see why over 2,100 dance students in Los Angeles are Movers & Shakers.
Come see why over 2,100 dance students in Los Angeles are Movers & Shakers.
Over 271 5-star reviews on Yelp, Google, and Facebook
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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Summer 2023: Salsa and Bachata Dance Programs
Enrollment Open Now!
(Until Programs Hit Capacity)
(Until Programs Hit Capacity)
✅ Full-time PROFESSIONAL dance instructors (not student or hobby instructors)
✅ Free parking (unlimited)
✅ Beginners welcome!
✅ Free parking (unlimited)
✅ Beginners welcome!
Select Your Program:
SALSA 101
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Foundations are everything! It's crucial to get the proper habits in your muscle memory from day one.
Salsa 101 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! |
SALSA 102
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For salsa 101 graduates and any salsa dancer with some experience. This 10-week program will progress step by step, including plenty of review.
Salsa 102 is still building on foundational level building blocks. The curriculum is structured and methodical. It’s designed to give you all the tools you need to be ready for level 103. |
SALSA 103b
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The 103 series includes levels 103a, 103b, 103c, and 103d. You may take them in any order. Each curriculum is offered at different times throughout the year.
Once you complete the full 103 series and can execute the material, you will be a delight on the dance floor! People will line up to dance with you because they want the feeling of dancing with someone with your skills! Students in the 103 programs should already feel mastery of 101 concepts and some level of comfort with the 102 material. Those with considerable outside experience who already have solid foundations may also join. The 103 series is your bridge to locking in rock solid intermediate salsa skills. Foundational concepts are still covered (because we are obsessed with details!) but you will be exploring a wide variety of intermediate patterns to get you ready for just about anything on the dance floor. A few things you’ll learn: • Musicality • Ladies styling • Feeling and flavor • Partnering patterns (intermediate level) • Solo patterns (intermediate level) • Dancing solo smoothly and confidently so you actually enjoy it! • Spinning/turning (including doubles) with easy balance, speed and connection • Proper hand transitions for the best connection • How to remember patterns (for leaders) • How to build your own patterns (leaders) • How to eventually drop into any class, anywhere, and actually be able to execute the material well because you understand the 80 concepts underneath the patterns to make them go well |
BACHATA 101
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Foundations are everything! It's crucial to get the proper habits in your muscle memory from day one.
Bachata 101 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! |
BACHATA 102
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For bachata 101 graduates and any bachata dancer with some experience. This 10-week program will progress step by step, including plenty of review.
Bachata 102 is still building on foundational level building blocks. The curriculum is structured and methodical. It’s designed to give you all the tools you need to be ready for level 103. We will focus on:
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BACHATA 103a
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For high-intermediate to advanced bachateros.
Take your dancing to the next level! Focus will be on more advanced patterns and details. Foundational details will be reviewed at times but will not be the focus. You should already be solid with most foundations. We will focus on:
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PERFORMANCE TEAM
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Take your dancing to the next level with the Movers and Shakers performance team!
No partner needed. You will learn a choreography over 5 months and have the opportunity to perform at night clubs around Los Angeles, the Las Vegas Salsa Bachata Super Congress, and possibly the Los Angeles World Salsa Festival. The performance team is a GREAT way to level up your dancing skills and will also make you a better social dancer! Come try out day 1 and see if it's the right fit for you! |
More Options
Salsa/Bachata Schedule Summary
- SALSA 101 Tuesdays, 8:00pm-9:45pm, starting 6/27
- SALSA 102 Sundays, 8:00pm-9:45pm (weeks 1 & 2) | 6:00pm-7:45pm (weeks 3 to 10) , starting 6/11
- SALSA 103b Mondays, 8:00pm-9:45pm, starting 6/12
- BACHATA 101 Wednesdays, 8:00pm-9:45pm, starting 7/12
- BACHATA 102 Tuesdays, 8:00pm-9:45pm, starting 6/27
- BACHATA 103a Thursdays, 8:00pm-9:45pm, starting 6/15
Need A Different Day/Time?
Trusted to Run Programs At:
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Community, Friendships
You are joining more than just dance class - you are joining the Movers and Shakers family.
Just moved to Los Angeles? You'll encounter a circle of ultra positive winners here who are ready for new friendships.
Lived in Los Angeles for a long time? Perfect - your social circle and "family" is about to expand.
A few things we do to bring the students together from all the Movers and Shakers salsa and bachata programs:
You are joining a vibrant, enthusiastic, strong community of winners. Countless friendships have been made through the Movers and Shakers community.
Just moved to Los Angeles? You'll encounter a circle of ultra positive winners here who are ready for new friendships.
Lived in Los Angeles for a long time? Perfect - your social circle and "family" is about to expand.
A few things we do to bring the students together from all the Movers and Shakers salsa and bachata programs:
- Official monthly events: We all go out to eat, then have a party at either the home of the director of the academy or a student’s home, then go out dancing together
- Salsa / Bachata Dance Festivals: We’ve brought Movers and Shakers to events in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and even Hawaii!
- Student organized events: Movers and Shakers are eager to socialize and they often step up to host events for the students. Skydiving, beach parties, and salsa / bachata dancing potlucks are just a few examples.
- Practice sessions: Movers and Shakers often meet outside of class to practice together!
You are joining a vibrant, enthusiastic, strong community of winners. Countless friendships have been made through the Movers and Shakers community.
Movers and Shakers Dinner Event
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Movers and Shakers Student Party
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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.
Beginners Welcome Here!
We know the feeling of stepping into a dance class for the first time. It can feel daunting in many ways.
For that reason, we are focused on creating an environment that is fun, warm, welcoming, and totally supportive for first time salsa and bachata dancers.
You'll feel it from the first moment you walk in the door!
For that reason, we are focused on creating an environment that is fun, warm, welcoming, and totally supportive for first time salsa and bachata dancers.
You'll feel it from the first moment you walk in the door!
Movers and Shakers' Values
- Fun, fun, fun! Dancing should be the best part of the week. We strive to make dance class 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!
Why 10-Week Programs?
When dancing salsa or bachata, when the foundations are great, everything is great, and when the foundations are a mess, everything is a mess.
As a first time salsa or bachata dancer, trying to properly piece together movements from drop-in classes or short-term programs is simply impossible. That’s why we have pioneered the 10-week, structured programs and the full Movers and Shakers track that is structured, progressive, and comprehensive.
We are obsessed with details and on a mission to give you everything you need to dance well with great technique from day 1, be a delight to dance with, easily connect with any partner on the dance floor, dance with confidence, and have fun!
The academy director invested tremendous time and finances to train all around the world for 17 years - that training is what eventually led to the Movers and Shakers curriculum.
Movers and Shakers will take you from A to Z and hold your hand every step of the way.
As a first time salsa or bachata dancer, trying to properly piece together movements from drop-in classes or short-term programs is simply impossible. That’s why we have pioneered the 10-week, structured programs and the full Movers and Shakers track that is structured, progressive, and comprehensive.
We are obsessed with details and on a mission to give you everything you need to dance well with great technique from day 1, be a delight to dance with, easily connect with any partner on the dance floor, dance with confidence, and have fun!
The academy director invested tremendous time and finances to train all around the world for 17 years - that training is what eventually led to the Movers and Shakers curriculum.
Movers and Shakers will take you from A to Z and hold your hand every step of the way.
Am I A "Leader" Or A "Follower"?
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.
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.
Do you balance the numbers of leads and follows in the salsa and bachata classes?
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.
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.
Waiting List
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.
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.
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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?
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.
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.
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.
Locations
Movers and Shakers operates out of three studios that are all very close to each other on the west side.
Check the location for your specific program.
Check the location for your specific program.
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ViBE Dance Studio
2939 S Sepulveda Blvd,
Los Angeles, CA 90064 |
Soho Dance LA
1618 Cotner Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90025 |
The Floor
9618 W. Pico Blvd. (Suites 505, 507, 508-B), Corner of Pico & Beverwil (Balcony at Beverwil) Los Angeles, CA 90035
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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 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.
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.
Gallery
Just a few fun pics here. Find MANY more on our Yelp page.
Are These The Best Salsa And Bachata Dance Classes In 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 who enter our level 101 salsa or bachata class for beginners with no experience because we get to give you all the info correctly from the start, with no bad habits, and watch you grow!
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 who enter our level 101 salsa or bachata class for beginners with no experience because we get to give you all the info correctly from the start, with no bad habits, and watch you grow!
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 — 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 — 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.
Events
2023 Las Vegas Salsa Bachata Super Congress
Join the Movers and Shakers family at the 2023 Las Vegas Salsa Bachata Super Congress!
Join the Movers and Shakers family at the 2023 Las Vegas Salsa Bachata Super Congress!
Questions? Email us
or
Call 844-543-7645
Call 844-543-7645
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!