SALSA CLASSES AT VMAC
New units start the first week of every calendar month.
Once a monthly unit has started, we don't accept late registrations.
We recommend registering in advance for the next month,
as we sell out 1-2 weeks in advance.
Pass depends on the month...
Some months have 4 weeks and others 5 weeks.
$60 for months with 4 calendar weeks.
$70 for months with 5 calendar weeks.
NO DROP-IN PASSES!
Each student must pay for entire month-long class.
All sales final, no refunds. No extensions.
Once a monthly unit has started, we don't accept late registrations.
We recommend registering in advance for the next month,
as we sell out 1-2 weeks in advance.
Pass depends on the month...
Some months have 4 weeks and others 5 weeks.
$60 for months with 4 calendar weeks.
$70 for months with 5 calendar weeks.
NO DROP-IN PASSES!
Each student must pay for entire month-long class.
All sales final, no refunds. No extensions.
ABOUT SALSA
Salsa is a dance and musical genre from NY based on the Cuban Son.
Vitalidad Movement Arts Center has quickly become known to be "the place" to learn salsa in Portland OR.
We offer Adult Salsa classes for beginners and more intermediate/advanced dancers, both On1 and On2.
We don't just teach steps in our salsa classes, we teach proper body movement for salsa, salsa music timing, musicality, technique, and the roots of salsa, all in a fun, supportive atmosphere.
We hope our salsa classes will help to bring out the salsa dancer in you and help the salsa scene in Portland continue to grow and thrive.
Vitalidad Movement Arts Center has quickly become known to be "the place" to learn salsa in Portland OR.
We offer Adult Salsa classes for beginners and more intermediate/advanced dancers, both On1 and On2.
We don't just teach steps in our salsa classes, we teach proper body movement for salsa, salsa music timing, musicality, technique, and the roots of salsa, all in a fun, supportive atmosphere.
We hope our salsa classes will help to bring out the salsa dancer in you and help the salsa scene in Portland continue to grow and thrive.
SALSA PROGRAM AT VMAC

We highly encourage all students new to VMAC to take these classes from level 1 Beginners, even if they have been social dancing before or taken classes at other studios, to get familiar with our studio's teaching style, vocabulary, our VMAC culture and community.
SALSA 1 BEGINNERS (On1)
3 Units: 1A, 1B, 1C
(Not needed to be taken in alphabetical order, but all 3 units need to be completed before taking level 2 units. They're all for beginners!)
This class is for students new to salsa dancing. We will cover the basic steps of salsa, outside turn, cross-body lead, back-spot turn, cross-body lead with a turn, timing, leading and following technique. Some basic salsa shines will also be introduced. This class is intended to give students the confidence to go out and practice their fundamentals in a salsa club or social.
Thursdays 6:30pm - 7:30pm or 7:30pm-8:30pm, whichever works best for you!
with Carolina & Jamal
Pass depends on the month...
Requirements:
------------------------------
SALSA 2 BEYOND BEGINNERS (On1)
6 Units: 2A to 2F
(Not needed to be taken in alphabetical order, but all 6 units need to be completed at some point before taking level 3 classes)
This class will expand on the curriculum of the beginners salsa class. Each week we will focus on a a different salsa fundamental movement such as cross body leads, cross body lead with a turn, backspot turn, three sixty, copas, whips, and wraps, working on leading and following technique as well as variations of the fundamentals. We also focus on salsa shines to build students' coordination and timing, body movement and salsa spinning technique for multiple spins.
Thursdays 8:30pm-9:30pm
with Carolina & Jamal
Pass depends on the month...
Pre-requisites:
All 3 units of level 1: 1a, 1b, and 1c (They don't need to be taken in alphabetical order, just make sure to take all 3 at some point)
------------------------------
SALSA 1 BEGINNERS (On1)
3 Units: 1A, 1B, 1C
(Not needed to be taken in alphabetical order, but all 3 units need to be completed before taking level 2 units. They're all for beginners!)
This class is for students new to salsa dancing. We will cover the basic steps of salsa, outside turn, cross-body lead, back-spot turn, cross-body lead with a turn, timing, leading and following technique. Some basic salsa shines will also be introduced. This class is intended to give students the confidence to go out and practice their fundamentals in a salsa club or social.
Thursdays 6:30pm - 7:30pm or 7:30pm-8:30pm, whichever works best for you!
with Carolina & Jamal
Pass depends on the month...
- Some months have 4 Thursdays and others 5 Thursdays. $60 for months with 4 calendar weeks. $70 for months with 5 calendar weeks.
- For November/December we'll do a 2-month unit starting November 10th with 5 Thursdays, and close during Holidays.
- NO DROP IN PASSES! Each student must pay for entire month-long unit.
- All sales final, no refunds. No extensions.
Requirements:
- No prerequisites. Beginners level.
- Bring comfortable clothes and a smile!
- No partner needed. All students rotate around.
------------------------------
SALSA 2 BEYOND BEGINNERS (On1)
6 Units: 2A to 2F
(Not needed to be taken in alphabetical order, but all 6 units need to be completed at some point before taking level 3 classes)
This class will expand on the curriculum of the beginners salsa class. Each week we will focus on a a different salsa fundamental movement such as cross body leads, cross body lead with a turn, backspot turn, three sixty, copas, whips, and wraps, working on leading and following technique as well as variations of the fundamentals. We also focus on salsa shines to build students' coordination and timing, body movement and salsa spinning technique for multiple spins.
Thursdays 8:30pm-9:30pm
with Carolina & Jamal
Pass depends on the month...
- Some months have 4 Thursdays and others 5 Thursdays. $60 for months with 4 calendar weeks. $70 for months with 5 calendar weeks.
- For November/December we'll do a 2-month unit starting November 10th with 5 Thursdays, and close during Holidays.
- NO DROP IN PASSES! Each student must pay for entire month-long unit.
- All sales final, no refunds. No extensions.
Pre-requisites:
All 3 units of level 1: 1a, 1b, and 1c (They don't need to be taken in alphabetical order, just make sure to take all 3 at some point)
------------------------------
SALSA 3 INTERMEDIATE (On1)
3-month Program
THIS PROGRAM IS ON HIATUS UNTIL WE MOVE
Closed to the public - must be approved before taking this class.
This class dives deeper into understanding the fundamentals, leading and following technique, musicality, body movement and the many rhythms that make up Salsa music and dancing.
We do not currently offer 1 hour of level 3 by itself.
Prerequisites:
All 6 units of level 2 (2a through 2f) and/or audition
Pass:
$300 for all 3 months (approx. 25 sessions), paid in 3 payments of $100/month.
No drop ins.
All sales final, no refunds.
------------------------------
SALSA 4 (On2) INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED
3-month Program
This three month intensive course will expand upon and reinforce the techniques and concepts taught in the level 3 intensive. A strong focus will also be placed on learning the fundamentals of On2, including timing, the On2 prep and differences between On1 and On2.
Pre-requisites for this class: will be at least two rounds of the level 3 intensive and/or instructor approval. This course will also prepare students for Level 5 Salsa.
Wednesdays 8pm-9pm
with Carolina & Jamal
Pass: $180 for the 3-month program, paid in monthly $60 installments.
------------------------------------------------
3-month Program
THIS PROGRAM IS ON HIATUS UNTIL WE MOVE
Closed to the public - must be approved before taking this class.
This class dives deeper into understanding the fundamentals, leading and following technique, musicality, body movement and the many rhythms that make up Salsa music and dancing.
We do not currently offer 1 hour of level 3 by itself.
Prerequisites:
All 6 units of level 2 (2a through 2f) and/or audition
Pass:
$300 for all 3 months (approx. 25 sessions), paid in 3 payments of $100/month.
No drop ins.
All sales final, no refunds.
------------------------------
SALSA 4 (On2) INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED
3-month Program
This three month intensive course will expand upon and reinforce the techniques and concepts taught in the level 3 intensive. A strong focus will also be placed on learning the fundamentals of On2, including timing, the On2 prep and differences between On1 and On2.
Pre-requisites for this class: will be at least two rounds of the level 3 intensive and/or instructor approval. This course will also prepare students for Level 5 Salsa.
Wednesdays 8pm-9pm
with Carolina & Jamal
Pass: $180 for the 3-month program, paid in monthly $60 installments.
------------------------------------------------
SALSA 5 (On2 "New York Style") ADVANCED
Instructor Approval required
Advanced on2 Salsa consists of month-long units each month focusing on different concepts to continue to grow as dancers. Footwork and partner work will be taught weekly and carry over to the next week's pattern through the month. Other important areas of focus will be Pachanga, Rumba, Cha Cha Cha, Son, Afro Cuban, Body movement and isolations, musicality, spins and turns and more.
Wednesdays 9pm-10pm
with Carolina & Jamal
Pass depends on the month...
Instructor Approval required
Advanced on2 Salsa consists of month-long units each month focusing on different concepts to continue to grow as dancers. Footwork and partner work will be taught weekly and carry over to the next week's pattern through the month. Other important areas of focus will be Pachanga, Rumba, Cha Cha Cha, Son, Afro Cuban, Body movement and isolations, musicality, spins and turns and more.
Wednesdays 9pm-10pm
with Carolina & Jamal
Pass depends on the month...
- Some months have 4 Thursdays and others 5 Thursdays. $55 for months with 4 calendar weeks. $65 for months with 5 calendar weeks.
- For November/December we'll do a 2-month unit starting November 10th with 5 Thursdays, and close during Holidays.
- NO DROP IN PASSES! Each student must pay for entire month-long unit.
- All sales final, no refunds. No extensions.
PRIVATE LESSONS
Private Salsa Lessons are also available with Carolina, Jamal, Tara, Branden, or Malik.
More information is on our Private Lessons Page.
More information is on our Private Lessons Page.