CUBAN SALSA (ELF)

ALEX

IOANNA

FEB - JUN 2024

  • What is Cuban Salsa?

    Salsa (literal translation: sauce) is a highly popular partner dance of Cuban origin. The name originated from a popular radio program sponsored by a spicy tomato sauce manufacturer. Salsa originated from the Cuban son and further developed in the Caribbean, Latin America, and North America.

    It is not a static style, but rather emphasizes movement. This means that there is no fixed sequence in which the dance is performed. The man leads and determines the figures based on the music. The dance is not done across the floor, but rather in place. Intricate arm movements are a typical characteristic of salsa.

    A set of dance steps in a salsa dance is divided into 8 counts, spread over two measures of 4 counts each. Since the 4th and 8th count are rests, they are often counted as follows: 1, 2, 3... 5, 6, 7...

  • What is Cuban Salsa ELF?


    Everybody leads and follows in our unique Cuban Salsa class. Join us as we break free from traditional dance roles, where both partners learn to lead and follow without the constraints of gender norms. If the absence of a dance partner has been a hurdle for you in the past, seize this opportunity!

  • Thursday with Alex


    Level 1 ELF
    (Everybody leads and follows)
    THURSDAY 19:00 - 20:00
    Studio Art Deco (1st floor)
    €180/ €153 for students (-25j)
    15 sessions

    Language: EN/NL

ALEX

Alex, from Bucharest in Romania; started dancing ballroom & other latin dances in 1993 and over the years has achieved numerous awards, both national and international in his career as a competition dancer and as a teacher. As a dancer he was part of the Romanian National Team in ballroom and latin, and a finalist and semi-finalist at the Romanian National Championships and Cups.  As a dancer his biggest achievement is wining the European and World Champion title in Rueda de Casino in 2007 and 2008. In 2009 he became the Vice World Champion in Salsa in the competitions organised by the International Dance Organisation (IDO).

His teaching career both for social and competition dancing started in 2005. The couples who trained under Alex, became World and European Champions in Salsa, Bachata and Latino Show. For 3 years Alex lived in Turkey, and his students represented Turkey in the World Championships organised by the World Dance Sport Federation (WDSF) and became national champions. 

Alex has a dance experience of over 30 years and a teaching experience of over 10 years. Even though he teaches Bachata, his favorite dance is still the Tango.

Alex loves the expression of passion and other feelings that you can express through dance and his favorite quote about dance has to be: “Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, except backwards and in high heels”.

IOANNA

Ioanna is qualified in international latin and ballroom dances by authorised professional dance academies in Greece. Besides, she has attended ballet and contemporary dance classes for 9 years. During her dance training years, she participated in national and international performances and competitions. She has experience as a dance instructor of latin and ballroom classes both in Greece and in Belgium