COURSE 2

  • THE "TUMBAO" RHYTHM PT. 2
  • SIDE STEP & RIGHT TURN COMBO
  • DANCING IN CLOSED POSITION
  • PRACTICE AND REVIEW SESSIONS 

what you're going to learn



Lesson 1

RHYTHM TRAINING

This course is part 2 of the Tumbao rhythm , where we will learn about syncopations. Rojo then adds his favorite interactive exercise to help ingrain the understanding of these rhythms into your body. 

Lesson 2

REVIEW COURSE  1

We begin dancing by  reviewing Course 1's material: The "Basic Step", the "Crossover Step", and "Right Turn".  We will recap it all with counts and then to a new Tumbao track that Rojo's created.

Lesson 3

THE SIDE STEP

This lesson covers our third core basic step of Salsa, the Side Step. We will then learn how to lead and follow this step while in Closed Position, since we already covered Open position on Course 1. 

Lesson 4

NEW FOLLOWERS RIGHT TURN

Course 1 covered how to lead the follower into a push right turn, here we will learn a second way to execute this turn, an underarm turn

Lesson 5

LEADERS RIGHT TURN

Next we focus on how leaders turn right while connected to their partner. To step-up the challenge we will learn how to switch hands behind our backs- while turning .

Lesson 6

LET'S COMBO IT UP

Let's now make it a Combo using turns. Since followers spin to the right on 1,2,3 and leaders on 5,6,7, we can then create an infinite loop of turn combinations. 

LESSON STRUCTURE

In each lesson, you will learn fundamental techniques and footwork about the core steps used when Salsa dancing.  You will build upon each lesson as you continue to progress through the program, grow on your knowledge and begin to Salsa!
This is how the Zero 2 Salsa courses are structured:  
  • Learn the footwork associated with each move or turn.
  • Layer-in technique through a series of steps and important tips.
  • Practice at various music speeds to improve processing time. 
  • Gradually add components individually and build an entire move.
  • Combine moves into complete patterns.

We spend a majority of our time dancing together in order to: help you build better muscle memory; give you added confidence on the dance floor, and continue preparing you for the next stage.

what our students say



"Prior to becoming a regular... I had taken more than a handful of classes from various teachers a... and each time I walked away feeling frustrated with the lack of significant progress. When a friend, whom is an experienced dancer himself, recommended Juan to me I thought it was going to be yet another trip around the same rodeo.  I couldn't have been more mistaken… Thanks to Juan's instruction and support I feel comfortable attending social Salsa scenes without any hesitation.  There isn't anyone else I would recommend ..."

- Frank V.

"I just completed a 10-week ladies' styling class with Erica. I learned so much and had so much fun! I feel like I learned more technique in these 2.5 months in her class than I did over the past year! I'll for sure use some of what I learned social dancing. :) She's a great teacher (and so is her husband Juan). Erica never turns down a question and is great at breaking down moves. On top of that, she's super nice and encouraging!"

- Lindsey J.

Course Curriculum

course pricing



ALL ACCESS MEMBERSHIP

$24.99

Per Month

meet your instructors



Erica Hernandez

Erica is dedicated to teaching people how to Salsa Dance. She believes anyone can learn how to dance by finding a program that works with their unique background and learning style. She partnered with Juan-2-3 to create a curriculum that focuses on the key fundamentals of Salsa; connection, footwork, partner moves, spin technique, rhythm and musicality. After guiding hundreds of students through their step-by-step program, she has experienced the greatest joy for a dance teacher-watching her students have fun on the dance floor! 

Erica began dancing at the age of four. She learned ballet, jazz, and hip hop. She participated in Drill Team, Cheer, and Song learning about formations and how to synchronize movements on a team. While getting her BS in Electrical Engineering at SDSU, she fell in love with Salsa dancing. In 2005, she joined Majesty in Motion Dance Company and trained hard everyday. She earned a spot on the professional team where she performed and taught with her dance partner Juan-2-3. Since 2006, Erica has been teaching people how to Salsa Dance locally, nationally, and internationally. 

Juan-2-3 Hernandez

Colombian, born in Brooklyn raised between Spain and New York. In 1999, while in the Military and having lived in Japan for two years, Juan-2-3 arrived to San Diego. It was then that he was introduced to Salsa group classes and dance teams. Although he struggled to learn, his passion for Salsa never stopped. In 2002 he joined Majesty in Motion Dance company and worked his way up to their professional team, then became co-director of the company and meet his beloved new partner Erica, now wife. Unfortunately, in 2010 he had to quit the team due to military injuries that kept worsening. However, his passion to teach still thrives today. Besides continuing to teach, choreograph and perform Salsa, Juan now also hopes to reach the world and inspire people from all walks of life that "Anyone Can Salsa dance".

Rojo

Rojo, aka Steve Meyer has been involved in some sort of musical adventure since he was born. Joining the UCSD ballroom dance team, involving travelling and competitions in Ballroom, Latin Dances and Swing, also gravitating toward West-Coast Swing, a style that really helped him put moves together that “hit those hits…” Then Rojo discovered Salsa dancing. What he loves most about Salsa music is it’s richness in rhythmic diversity. Rojo competed and performed on the World’s biggest stages, and also got the opportunity to perform with the great Tito Puente himself. Teaching Salsa at all levels for over 10 years, his favorite teaching activity was “Drills, drills and more drills” to train footwork and technique. Rojo hopes to bring the same passion for the music, footwork and drills to The Salsa Beat community.