NY Salsa Partnerwork Technique

One of BAILA Society’s most popular classes featuring three levels of instruction, Monday's partnerwork class features male and female instructors for every level, and a new pattern every week. For beginner students that have mastered the ‘Salsa 7’ in Saturday’s class, this partnerwork class is the next step in creating, practicing, and executing more complex figure variations. Veteran social dancers will be able to learn fluid figure sequences while frequently rotating partners to gain proper leading and following skills. This class is often attended by professional performers who are looking for detailed instruction in advanced techniques.

This course addresses three major aspects of social dancing: communication, style, and spinning technique.

First, each class will utilize a turn pattern to demonstrate essential leading and following techniques necessary for non-verbal communication on the dance floor. Leaders will learn how to execute figures with the appropriate signals, timing, and momentum. Followers will learn how to respond rapidly to these signals with the appropriate body resistance and speed. The goal of this aspect of the course is to facilitate clear and seamless social dancing with a variety of dance partners.

The turn patterns demonstrated in each class will change weekly, but the skills emphasized will remain the same. The instructors will also present variations in styling that can be used with each figure. Improvisational "hesitations" will be introduced to help the dancer feel more comfortable with these situations on the dance floor.

Lastly, spinning technique with a partner will be presented in detail. Technique drills will be a routine part of each class followed by a close examination of body alignment, balance, momentum, hand & arm positioning, and timing during partnerwork spins.

Overall, both leaders and followers are expected to develop a social dancing technique that is comfortable, effective, and impressive.