1. What is the structure of a typical class?

Pleasure and fun is really important in our class. Salsa should be enjoyed and this reflects in our classes. This does not mean that we don't take teaching serious of course. We put a lot of effort in creating new challenging combinations as well as providing clear and concise lead-follow tips for each combination that we teach.

Usually we start a lesson with shines (a.k.a solo footwork). We explain a new one and review the ones taught over the previous weeks. After the explanation and reviewing, the shines are danced to music. The lesson then continues with a "warm up" couples dance.

When everyone is nice and warm we review the combination from the lesson before and teach a new one. Next to lead-follow tips and general dance techniques (on e.g. posture, spins, turns and line of dance), we also provide tips to prevent possible injury while executing certain advanced combinations. Depending on the course dance level, the combination(s) are rehearsed/practised to either slow or fast music.

During class we switch dancing partners frequently so that each student gets a chance to practice the aforementioned techniques with different partners

2. What is the average group size?

This varies per location, starting hour of the class and sometimes evens per dance course level. We try to prevent that the groups get too large because otherwise the teachers will not be able to give any personal attention to the students. Currently, the size of a class varies from 6 to 20 couples.

3. What can you tell us about the lesson location?

In Amsterdam we teach at Visser & Ter Beek. This dance school has a large wooden dance floor. Only one wall has mirrors so you can check your styling and posture.
There is a bar and comfortable seats situated around the dance floor. Most of the time students stay after their lesson to socialise and have drinks of course. Free dancing is on Mondays after regular lessons. Parking in the area is for free.

In Utrecht we teach in a studio complex called Sophie's Palace. We generally have two rooms at our disposal, each with a single mirror wall. The studio complex lacks a drinking bar but has smooth linoleum floors. Parking in the area is not free but is not too expensive either.

4. How do you deal with unbalanced classes (too many women or men)?

We take the class balance into account whenever a student enrols for a class. When necessary we ask available students to fill in. If the class is still unbalanced we try to switch more.

5. How would you describe the dance style that you teach?

We teach LA-style, or dancing on1. The main aspects of LA-style are the cross body lead and that you start with the left foot front for the leader. This style is very dynamic, also because of the dips and tricks and currently the most popular style in the main cities of Holland

6. How long have you (and any other teachers in your school) been teaching Salsa?

Maybe this question provides us with the opportunity to introduce our team.
Currently we have four teachers and three assistants with their own specialities.

Richard is the main teacher of the school and also the founder of Dance Explosion. He has been teaching salsa for quite a long time. His speciality is creating shine patterns and challenging combinations with a lot of turns. He is also very good at styling and teaching it. He loves to dance and that shows in both his teaching and dancing style.

Emrah started dancing salsa as a student of Richard and worked his way up becoming a teacher. He started teaching almost two years ago and is very driven. He teaches Richard's and Javier's turn patterns and combinations and his speciality is explaining the details. He is very determined to make sure that every student really understands every aspect of the combination(s) being taught. He is also the clown of the team and jokes around most of the time. In spite of that, or maybe just because of that, he finds it important that students give him their full attention when he explains something. He certainly knows how to make sure that the students do pay attention.

Javier is the strictest teacher of the school. He is always assisted by his dance partner Rosalyn. They started out giving workshops at the master level class of Dance Explosion. Currently they also teach several advanced groups in Utrecht on a regular basis. Their speciality is good flowing combinations with some tricky hand/wrist switches. They certainly make it look easy and eventually you will too. Their motto is flexibility.

Kimberly is the only female teacher at Dance Explosion. She teaches lady styling and occasionally assists Emrah. Her dynamic personality and high energy reflects in her dancing. Her style is sexy, strong and daring. She teaches the style she likes to dance but encourages her students to develop their own style. She provides 'the tools' and gives valuable pointers to her students on how to incorporate these into their own style. She just hates "puppy-hands". If you happen to see her somewhere at a party, ask her what she means by this. Your best guess is not even close.

Maria is the main assistant of Richard and Emrah. She also keeps things going behind the scenes. Bookkeeping is just one of them. Her style can be described as graceful, refined and very feminine. Her strength is her knowledge and detailed explanation of the ladies steps for every single combination.

Ineke also assists Emrah and Richard on occasions. Chances are that you will have your photo taken by Ineke. This is required for making your pass which in turn will most probably be handed over to you by her also. At times she takes over the bookkeeping whenever Maria is not available. Her dancing style can be described as joyful and easy going.

7. What is in your experience the most difficult thing about learning to dance Salsa?

Patience and determination. It does take a while before one gets better at Salsa dancing, but who wants to wait that long? "Bring it on while we're still young". But it doesn't work that way. Beginners (and sometimes even those with previous (salsa) dancing experience) must first be 'brought down to earth' and presented these -in their view- horrific fact. Only with practice and more practice will one improve over time. This calls for patience and determination on the part of student and teacher as well.

8 Do you teach any other dances besides Salsa (Merengue, Son, etc.). How is the lesson time divided over these dances?

We also teach Casino Rueda, Merengue and Bachata. Friday night is our "Rueda-night". We then end the class with a rueda and danced to 1 or 2 songs. During the whole course we dedicate some time on introductory bachata, but the main part of the program is and remains salsa, salsa and more salsa.

9. Do you pay any attention to other aspects of Salsa culture (origin, history, music, etc.) and if so how?

During classes we explain the structure of the music (clave and other beats). We want our students to understand the structure of the music and what dancing salsa is all about.

10. What has inspired you to become a Salsa dance teacher?

When Maria and I (Richard) were students I was eager to learn the details. That was also the part I missed in the Salsa school where we were dancing. That lack of learning the details in a move and the desire to bring innovation in the salsa scene inspired me to become a teacher myself. From the many responses I've received over the past years during my teaching career, I am positive that Dance Explosion offers its students more than the average Salsa dancing school. This is rather subjective though, so whether this will also apply to you? Come along for a trial dance lesson of your own choice! You know how to reach us.

Discuss or ask questions about Dance Explosion.

Info:

Website Dance Explosion

Telefoon 06 23339771

Additions, comments & questions to: ehautus@xs4all.nl
Edwin Hautus (DJ Eetu)