Dance Lessons
Cuban Salsa, or “Casino”, is a style of social dancing that originates from an amalgamation of Cuban Dance Styles such as Son, Rumba and Pachanga. Salsa is identified by intricate patterns of arm and body movements combined with a syncopated step pattern. Three steps are taken over four beats, for the count of eight, then repeated. Danced in a 3-point circular motion, Salsa uses closed and open hold/frame with a partner, occasionally separating to dance Solo. The vibrant music is a poly-rhythmic combination of Tumbao, Montuno and Clave rhythms, amongst others. Conga, timbale drums, piano, bass, cowbell and Guiro provide a rich blend of rhythm and melody. The “Sabor” or flavour comes from the spontaneity and improvised use of the rich Afro-Cuban dance vocabulary performed in synergy with the Latin rhythms.
Why Choose Todo Latino?
Todo Latino Dance Company makes Salsa accessible for everyone. We are an Award-winning Dance Company - our Principal Dance Leader and Director, Amanda Hawley, has a reputation for excellence on a national level; her choice of teaching methods and strategies considers all learning levels and ability styles. Amanda has over 15 years of dancing and teaching in the roles of both Leader and of Follower, which gives her invaluable insight and understanding that she generously shares in her delivery. Determined to make Salsa, Bachata and Latin Social Dances inclusive and enjoyable for everyone, she has removed the traditional gender stereotypes associated with dance and introduced the use of inclusive and non-binary language throughout her delivery. Amanda is committed to creating a culture of acceptance and equality at all Todo Latino Dance lessons and events. Dance is for everyone, so come and join our community!
When Should You Join Us?
Whether you are a new dancer or perhaps are new to the area looking for a vibrant and welcoming dance community, we have something for you. Everyone at Todo Latino Dance Company is welcoming, respectful and waiting to dance with you; so come along and discover new dance skills where, along the way, new friends will become family.
Nobody regrets starting dancing; they only regret not having done it sooner, so don’t delay, book today!
Bachata is a social dance from the Dominican Republic. It is identified by soft hip movements, syncopated footwork, rhythmic freestyling and by simple turns. Bachata is danced in a box shape at various speeds in either a closed or an open hold/frame. The steps are influenced by the music, such as the rhythms played by the different instruments, which set the mood and inspire individual interpretation. Considered by some to be a more straightforward dance style than Salsa, which it can be when enjoyed to slow music, the faster tempo music inspires individual expression and dynamic response.
Why choose Todo Latino?
Todo Latino Dance Company is the original home of Bachata in the Midlands. We teach a fully inclusive and respectful style, focusing on movement, posture, and crucial musicality. For over 15 years, we have been the pioneers of traditional Bachata and remain the best Company delivering Bachata. Amanda Hawley, our Principal Teacher, studied in the Dominican Republic and is highly respected nationally for her excellent knowledge and teaching skills. She is a fantastic and patient Dance Leader who chooses to deliver a combination of traditional and modern Dominican Bachata. Amanda ensures you retain your individuality, whilst gaining a comprehensive understanding of the skills required to dance Bachata respectfully and inclusively. She focuses on developing good technique, texture and tone within your dance, helping you stand out for all the right reasons, generating a love for dancing freestyle everywhere you go.
When should I learn Bachata?
Bachata is a fundamental part of dancing in Nottingham. To fully partake in the Social Dance scene, we recommend that you learn Salsa, Bachata and Merengue. These dance styles complement each other, and understanding them together actually accelerates your progress to the dance floor.
What is Dance Fitness?
Dance fitness combines aerobic, cardiovascular and fat-burning exercises to Latin and popular music. You can expect to clock up around 5000 steps and burn in the region of 400 calories, all whilst having a great time! We mix 12 dance styles including Salsa, Jive, Bugaloo and Cumbia with tone and with strength activities to make fitness fun. You will want to sing along with the music, plus the immersion into all the different dance styles will develop your appreciation for their variety and culture.
Why choose Todo Latino for your fitness?
Amanda’s enthusiasm is contagious, before you know it you will have completed 50 minutes of exercise, super-charged your endorphins and cleared your mind! Dance fitness really does make you feel better. If you have any injuries or ailments, let Amanda know privately and she will tailor the session for you and offer adaptations and advice.
Private Latin dance lessons are open to anyone of any ability who would like to learn any of our styles of Latin and South American dance including Salsa, Bachata, Merengue and Rumba.
Often private tutoring can vastly improve your progress as these sessions focus specifically on your goals and are tailored to your needs and desires to learn.
You can either book these sessions as a one-on-one or with a partner of your choice and can expect to improve your dance skills and confidence significantly.
Dancers often complement their weekly sessions with additional private lessons to accelerate the speed at which they learn so they can confidently express themselves at our local parties and socials.
Prices start at £45 for an individual lesson or £55 for couples. Private Sessions
Why do people like private lessons?
Check out the reasons below for why a private session is right for you.
Dispel nerves
If you’re nervous about joining a group of learners, we can help you to build your confidence first with a private lesson.
Impartial Assessment
A private lesson is a discrete way to find out which group session will suit you and receive some positive feedback.
Make your first dance memorable
Learning a romantic Bachata routine as the first dance at your wedding or a special anniversary can be a hugely rewarding experience for you and your loved one. Private tutoring is the perfect escape for some quality time together whilst discovering your secret talents as dancers.
Also, ask me about special offers to brush-up your moves especially for Valentine’s Day or Christmas parties!
You can rely on our discretion, whatever your reason for private lessons, I’d love to hear from you!
Never danced before? Not got a partner?
Not a problem, you don’t need either; simply turn up and let us do what we do best. With over 15 years of teaching community dance for social enjoyment, we put you at ease in no time, more importantly getting you dancing and quickly making new friends. Our dance lessons are structured and clearly delivered using inclusive teaching styles and language with a lively and enjoyable ambience. Typically everyone in the group is of a similar level, with varied social dynamics, which creates an accepting environment where a community of learners with a shared interest become friends whilst gaining new dancing skills.
What to expect
This level aims to cover the fundamental steps and to help understand the stylistic posture and movement of the dance. Immerse yourself in the music to develop familiarity with the timing and rhythm, and to practice the skills and techniques required for social dancing and communication between partners.
By experimenting with this new knowledge, gaining and exploring musicality and movement, your ability to switch between steps will improve. The familiarity of the music and movement will develop your confidence and enjoyment. You will receive support learning at your own pace and be encouraged to retain your individuality and personality. We will equip you with everything you need to attend our Todo Latino social events, where you will have a great time amongst our warm and welcoming community of relaxed and fun dancers.
You will be amazed by your progress!
We can’t wait to meet you to help you start your journey
Why choose Todo Latino?
At Todo Latino, we have over 15 years of experience in helping people develop into the competent and proficient social dancers they aspire to be. We facilitate the development of sound technique and the understanding of steps, and of communication. Looking further, partner work will help establish a comprehensive scaffolding of the fundamentals; embellished with your individual expression and gestures, this will encourage personalities to shine through and advance your dancing style.
Who is this group suitable for?
This group is perfect for Advancing Novices who can competently demonstrate the fundamental step patterns, partnership skills, musicality, and communication required for basic social dancing, and who want to progress on to new moves and techniques and develop their ability. If you’re new to Todo Latino and looking to join our community, four months of regular lessons should be the right level of experience for you to join our Competent group; we have a group that suits you. Dancers returning after a break will find this group the ideal way to refresh your moves.
What to expect
In this group, you will progress to proficiently demonstrate an impressive selection of step combinations and to apply the fundamentals to all actions. You will become dextrous and able to dance to upbeat tempos, responding to the tone of the music with gestures and expression. Your dance personality will shine bright. We are equipping you with fantastic skills to dance at our Todo Latino events, or for your next trip to South America!
Come along and join the Todo Dance Family ...
What next?
Having progressed thus far, you now need to motivate yourself with new challenges for long-term interest and enjoyment. In this group, you will play with tempo and travel to stay fresh and engaging on any dance floor.
What to expect
Having mastered combinations of shapes, frames and fundamental steps, you will keep your technique precise and maintain great methods… all whilst incorporating new material from the styles of dance that influenced Salsa, such as Son, Rumba and the Orishas, into your dance. You will continue to use everything you have learnt previously, combining it with new exciting flavours more skilfully and instinctively.
Members of this group are encouraged to mentor and to offer to support to new and developing dancers in our other groups; if you would like to share your knowledge and experience, please talk to your Dance Leader to take part.
Why continue your development with Todo Latino?
As a company we continue our professional development to shape our practice, and deliver lessons using the most up-to-date methods, ensuring lessons are good-humoured, pleasurable, structured, supportive and inclusive. Our continued commitment has motivated dancers to attend our lessons for over a decade because learning is exciting and enjoyable!
STUDIO: - Partnered lessons
Under current guidelines partnered dancing is permitted between individuals from different households/bubbles - Please do what you are comfortable with, you can choose to change partners or stay in your chosen pair for the duration of the session. We will continue to follow best practice guidelines to mitigate risk from Covid-19 and follow any changes in guidelines from Gov.UK.
STUDIO - Solo Lessons
Solo Lessons are for people who want to develop their skills, musicality, confidence, and style
ONLINE: Partner lessons
As part of our Covid-19 response plan, we have decided to make all of our group lessons accessible online. Lessons will be broadcast live for you to participate in, or to save for a more convenient time. We fully understand that not everyone is ready to return to the Studio yet. We genuinely hope this new way of attending our lessons will keep you dancing and feeling safe during these unusual times.
ONLINE - Solo Lessons
We have decided to continue delivering our lessons online for the foreseeable future – this is so that people can return to the Studio as they feel safe to do so, or can attend a lesson whilst isolated or perhaps working away from home. Once again, lessons will be broadcast live for you to participate in, or to save for a more convenient time. We fully understand that not everyone is ready to return to the Studio yet. We genuinely hope this new way of attending our lessons will keep you dancing and feeling safe during these unusual times.
