The Salsa With Silvia Dance Studio in DC and Bethesda: Salsa, Bachata, Virtual Dance classes, Ballet and more for kids, camp programs and more.
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What do we teach in our 4-week series?

we recommend that you Always ask your teacher if you are ready to take classes on an upper tier!

IF YOU HAVE PREVIOUS DANCE EXPERIENCE AND THINK YOU ARE READY TO TAKE MORE ADVANCED CLASSES, CLICK HERE TO BOOK A CONSULTATION.

SALSA ON 1

Salsa on 1 SYLLABUS

Our studios focus primarily on Salsa on 1 style, which means that the first step is done on the first beat of the eight count of the music. Learning Salsa on 1 will help open the doors to learning other styles of Salsa .

BACHATA STYLES

Bachata SYLLABUS

This style is the classic Bachata, which will give you the foundation. We recommend that you start with Bachata before you dive into Sensual Bachata & Traditional Bachata.

Sensual Bachata Syllabus

This style of Bachata involves more body movement, head rolls, body rolls, sensual movement and connection between partners. We recommend that you take this style after going through our Modern Bachata classes.

Traditional Bachata syllabus

This style of Bachata is the root of all Bachata styles. It originated in the Dominican Republic and it features faster syncopated footwork.

OTHER STYLES

We also offer Dance Fitness, Bollywood, Argentine Tango, Reggaeton and more. Check our group class schedule to register.

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Salsa and bachata classes and social dancing at the Salsa With Silvia studio in DC and Bethesda

What you need to know: Our classes are typically broken down into 4-Week cycle series. For best results, please be sure to follow our tier system for better progression. In addition to our 4-week series, we also offer ongoing practice classes to enhance your social dancing skills. Be sure to also check out our specialized workshops, designed to drill specific material and help you become a better dancer. Our social dance events are a great way to practice your skills and gain more experience on the social dance floor. In addition, we also offer private lessons where you can select an instructor and learn in a one-on-one session.

SALSA on 1

Tip: In addition to our 4-week series, we recommend that you take our series along with our ONGOING PRACTICE CLASSES. These are the classes that don’t have the words 4-wk series in their class title.

INTRO to Salsa On 1

Week 1 Intro To Salsa On 1

During Week 1 we study foundations of lead & follow, Musicality & Rhythm & Basic step.

Week 2 Intro To Salsa On 1

During Week 2 we study right hand turn follow, Right hand turn lead (underarm).

Week 3 Intro To Salsa On 1

During Week 3 we study the all mighty Cross Body lead (CBL).

Week 4 Intro To Salsa On 1

During Week 4 we review what we've learned in previous weeks.

Beginner 1 Salsa On 1

Week 1: Beginner 1 Salsa

During Week 1 we study Outside Cross Body Lead (CBL) and the Suzie Q.

Week 2: Beginner 1 Salsa

During Week 2 we study Broken Left Turn (BLT) with hair comb/drape.

Week 3: Beginner 1 Salsa

During Week 3 we study Hammerlock with Enchufla (Back Break). Footwork: crossover.

Week 4: Beginner 1 Salsa

During Week 4 we review and give you styling tips, right turn variations and practice patterns.

Beginner 2 Salsa On 1

Dance shoes are strongly recommended at this level! Click to purchase.

Week 1: Beginner 2 Salsa

Footwork: Forward Slide/Backward Slide. Partner work: Enchufla Double.

Week 2: Beginner 2 Salsa

Now we start looking into back breaks: Single Hand Copa, Double Hand Copa.

Week 3: Beginner 2 Salsa

Cross Body Lead (CBL) With Hand Toss. Footwork: Double Suzie Q.

Week 4: Beginner 2 Salsa

Review, Styling tips, Right Turn Variations, Practice patterns.

Intermediate 1 Salsa On 1

Dance shoes are strongly recommended at this level! Click to purchase.

Week 1: Intermediate 1 Salsa

Double Cross Over. Partner work: Shoulder Check with single and double hand lead.

Week 2: Intermediate 1 Salsa

Partner work: The Wrap. Right Turn behind the lead's back.

Week 3: Intermediate 1 Salsa

Cross Body Lead (CBL) with Hammerlock. Outside CBL with double turn for follower.

Week 4: Intermediate 1 Salsa

Review, Styling, Practice patterns. Reminder to check with your teacher before you move on.

Intermediate 2 Salsa On 1

Dance shoes are strongly recommended at this level! Click to purchase.

Week 1: Intermediate 2 Salsa

Footwork: Grape Vine. Partnering: Drop Catch + Windmill combo.

Week 2: Intermediate 2 Salsa

Now we build on what we know: 180 Cross Body Lead, Simple Dip, Titanic.

Week 3: Intermediate 2 Salsa

Make sure you work on core strength! Intro to double turns and application during partnering.

Week 4: Intermediate 2 Salsa

Review, Styling, Practice patterns. We are not providing a video here because your instructor will teach his or her own variation implementing a lot of what you have learned throughout the levels. WHAT'S NEXT? Check our Accelerate Series.

Advanced Salsa

Our advanced Salsa Classes (Tier IV classes) don’t follow a specific syllabus. The instructor creates advanced Salsa patterns that require advanced skills. Be sure to have taken the prerequisite classes from previous Tiers before you jump into these classes. If you are new to the studio and believe you are an advanced dancer, please schedule a tier consultation so you can be tagged to be able to register for advanced level classes.

BACHATA

Intro To Bachata Syllabus Videos

Week 1 Intro To Bachata

History/ tier system (solo) basic step, basic in place, basic turn , forward & back. (In partner) what does it mean to lead and follow? Open position in basic, basic follows turn and leads turn, basic in place (talk about pressure needed to indicate it) forward and back with different hold.

Week 2 Intro To Bachata

(Solo) hips! Break down basic hip movement in opposition to step and practice it in the basic, basic in place, and now add box step and rotating basic in place, body control rolling through the feet technique. (In partner) follows turn to closed position, box step in closed or open, rotating basic and switch spots in closed, back to back turn.

Week 3 Intro To Bachata

(Solo) break down basic upper body side to side movement in bachata, apply it to steps already learned. (In partner) options: introduce getting to closed in box step(circle arm on 5), caminando, half rotation in closed but open follow by 8 and then move forward and back, tossing to closed, tossing to follows turn.

Week 4 Intro To Bachata

(Solo) give a short footwork pattern for the first time; cross basic , box step , basic turn, rotating basic in place. (In partner) REVIEW and arm styling on basic in place, switch spots in open with follows turn, hair comb time to social dance!

Beginner Bachata Syllabus Videos

Week 1 Beginner Level Bachata

Body movement review + in depth hip explanation In partner: Review core concepts from intro (connection, turns, closed position, toss) add delayed turn and/or inside prep for follow, box with swivel, and half completa with open to move forward .

Week 1 Beginner Level Bachata

Solo: Learning sequences with music: box step, in place, side to side, forward and back in combinations. In partner: Open basic, two handed turns: hammerlock, elbow connect, using frame rotation in closed to open frame of follow and varieties of that .

Week 3 Beginner Level Bachata

Footwork sequence In partner: Shadow position, crossbody in closed into inside prep turn, caminando with variation in timing.

Week 4 Beginner Level Bachata

Footwork sequence. In partner: Shadow position, review combination, how to put techniques to create a social dance.

Intermediate Bachata Syllabus Videos​

Week 1 Intermediate Level Bachata

Prep step turns and hand tosses which include: behind the back (hammer lock), drapes or sombreros, rainbow arms, arm wrap and diagonal arm styling.

Week 2 Intermediate Level Bachata

Cuddle position with walks at different tempos. Slide steps and step tap connected with your partner.

Week 3 Intermediate Level Bachata

Shadow position for leads and follows with transitions to getting back to squared position.

Week 4 Intermediate Level Bachata

Front body waves from squared position and cuddle. Combing combinations from previous weeks.

SENSUAL BACHATA LEVELS & SYLLABUS

PLEASE NOTE: The Sensual Bachata Classes are Tier IV classes, which means you won’t be able to register for them unless you have completed our Beginner & Intermediate Level Bachata Series first.

NOTE: ONLY After taking our Bachata levels listed above, you can dive into Sensual Bachata and Traditional Dominican Bachata. Please note, this syllabus  is just a guideline/base. Your teacher may choose to  combine moves in different order.

Baginner Sensual Bachata Syllabus

  • Week 1: Connection Exercises & Waves
  • Week 2: Lead and Follow Shadow Position
  • Week 3: Paseala & Pinza
  • Week 4: Combining combos

Intermediate Sensual Bachata Syllabus

  • Week 1: Rompe and shadow position
  • Week 2: Madrid Step
  • Week 3: Upper & lower body isolations
  • Week 4: Combining combos (Or Dips & Cambrets)

Advanced Sensual Bachata

Our advanced accelerated programs are recommended for students who have gone through all previous levels or have previous experience. Click here to find out more about the advanced dance programs that we offer.

TRADITIONAL BACHATA LEVELS

Tip: After taking our Bachata classes, you can dive into Sensual Bachata and Traditional Dominican Bachata.

Beginner Traditional Bachata Partnerwork Syllabus

  • Week 1: Basic steps, body movement, simple turns and rotations and connection tips
  • Week 2: Different variations of turns and rotations, partnerwork moves, and footwork
  • Week 3: Various footwork and syncopations
  • Week 4: Hip movement

Intermediate Traditional Bachata Syllabus

  • Week 1: Body movement, bachata technique fundamentals and partnerwork combinations
  • Week 2: Partnerwork combinations with footwork, syncopations
  • Week 3: Hip movement and different regional styles of Traditional Bachata
  • Week 4: Partnerwork footwork and combinations

Intermediate/ Advanced Bachata Footwork

Our advanced accelerated programs are recommended for students who have gone through all previous levels or have previous experience. Click here to find out more about the advanced dance programs that we offer.

Visit | Contact

  • Washington DC Location

3232 Georgia Ave. NW, Suite 104

Washington, DC 20010

Phone: (202) 643 1870

Email: dance@salsawithsilvia.com

  • Bethesda, MD

4731 Elm Street (Second Floor),

Bethesda, MD, 20814

Phone: (301) 760 4423

Email: dance@salsawithsilvia.com

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Our Reviews

Reema D.
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Salsa with Silvia is THE PLACE TO BE. Whether you’re looking to improve your dancing, rent their beautiful studio for your private event, or bring your kids for an experience. You will leave feeling satisfied and happy that you took the step to come in. There is a reason this studio is the #1 Latin Dance studio in the DMV. You can feel the love that was put into the studio from starting out in just a basement to two studios! The staff is extremely friendly and helpful. The teachers are patient, understanding, and energetic.
Zey
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Salsa with Silvia is more than a dance studio. Lots of magic happens there. You’ve got all the basics- amazing instructors, good variety of classes in style and level, a professional business, and a safe and reliable environment. In addition, you learn how dancing is about much more than just moving your body. By joining the studio you enter a community, so you meet amazing people and make new friends. The owner Silvia is always engaged and she is always willing to help.
Adi A.
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The teachers are experienced and patient, and there are different levels that you can choose from. You can either stay at your own level, or try others at the same time, its very flexible. They also teach Bachata and not Just Salsa, so you can enjoy both as I did. The stuff is really nice, and they also have a Social party once a month so you can practice your moves. Best studio I tried!
Don M
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I took my first salsa lesson with Mario and it was excellent. It was obvious that he is a professional and very good at what he does. I'm an adult male and i was a bit scared because have never been inside a dance studio. He was able to teach me some dance steps and I look forward to having additional classes. The facility is new with a very nice design and professional operation.
Andrew P
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My partner and I came here for our first private salsa lesson. I was a little anxious as I have no dance experience/rhythm and also wasn't sure how they'd handle two men learning two dance together. Our instructor, David, was absolutely awesome. He didn't miss a beat (..) and had such an easy way of interacting with us. He made even a nervous nelly such as myself feel calm and confident. The studio was also very nice and modern. We could not have had a better experience with Silvia's, and will be back for another lesson from David soon!
Miriam K
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My fiance and I wanted to learn how to dance before our wedding, and we were fortunate to have Jason Potell as an instructor. Jason helped us develop choreography that matched a song we loved, and we had lots of fun working on it. The other great thing was that he helped us figure out our own style, and coached us in a way that enabled us to dance better as a couple, rather than trying to get us to follow a prescriptive routine. Thanks to Jason, we learned a lot, and we also had a blast doing our first dance as husband and wife.
Md U.
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I have now taken lessons at Salsa with Silvia for over 3 months and several classes. I have no hesitation in saying that Salsa with Silvia is one of the best Salsa schools in the Wash DC/MD area. The instructors at the studio are just amazing. I have taken classes with three of them, Kelly, Jennifer and Joffre, and I enjoy each of their classes.
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