Worshops in Arlington and Washington, DC
Reserve My Spot
“Incredibly fun despite having very little experience!” ~ Miles K., Arlington
Monday 4-Week Salsa Series
Starts 7/6, 8/3
Salsa 1 — 7:00 PM
Salsa 2 — 7:45 PM
No partner needed • Couples welcome
Beginner-friendly, personalized instruction
Interested in future salsa classes, dance practice or workshops? Email dance@dancefactory.com or join our Salsa Email list.
“Fantastic Salsa Class!”
James and Michael led a fantastic salsa workshop. They were engaging, clear, and made everyone feel comfortable from the start.
The class was well-paced and fun, with a great balance of learning basic turns and more dynamic dance patterns. I highly recommend them for anyone looking to learn salsa!
~ Marilen W., Arlington, VA
Why Dance Factory?
Clear Progression from Beginner to Social Dancer
Our step-by-step approach is designed to help you build a solid foundation, and feel confident on the dance floor.
No partner required, couples welcome.
Join our Salsa Email List for more classes, dance practice and workshops.
FAQ for New Salsa Students
Is there a change of partners during class?
Yes, during the practice drill sections, students rapidly rotate partners. Learning to dance with different people is a core skill of social dancing and accelerates your learning.
For Couples: In the partnering sections of the class, couples are paired together, while other students rotate with one another and the instructors.
Can complete beginners join Salsa 1?
Salsa 1 is the best place to start if you are new to Salsa or want a review of the basics.
In Salsa 1, you will learn the foundation of Salsa dancing, including basic timing, footwork, simple turns, partner connection, and beginner-friendly patterns. The goal is to help you feel comfortable, coordinated, and confident enough to keep dancing.
What is the difference between Salsa 1 and Salsa 2?
Salsa 1 is for beginners and students who want to build a strong foundation.
Salsa 2 is the next step for students who already know the basic rhythm and want to improve their turns, combinations, lead-and-follow skills, and social dance confidence.
If you are unsure which level is right for you, contact us and we’ll help you with enrolling in the right class. We encourage students with some experience to enroll in Salsa 2.
Do you offer more advanced Salsa levels?
We focus our classes on a streamlined 2-level system that gets you social dancing with a confident foundation. Mini dance routines are included in these classes.
More advanced styling and complex combinations are integrated directly into our workshops for students. Since 1976, we’ve found that practicing new routines in a real social setting—surrounded only by your fellow classmates—is the absolute fastest way to become a fantastic dancer.
Do you teach Bachata and other Latin dances?
Yes, we teach other Latin dances including Bachata, Merengue, Rumba, and Cha-Cha in private lessons and workshops.
Salsa provides a great foundation for partner dance mechanics like connection, frame, and rhythm. It is faster to learn other styles once you understand Salsa basics and partnering skills. You can comfortably pick up the basics of these other dances in just a few private sessions or workshops after learning Salsa.
What Should I Wear to Salsa Class?
Wear whatever makes you feel comfortable and ready to move! There’s no need for special dance clothing.
Clothes: Jeans, chinos, a comfortable shirt, or casual tops are perfect. (Layers are a great idea, as you’ll warm up quickly once we start moving!).
Shoes: Any comfortable dress shoes, flats, or sneakers work - ideally footwear with a smoother sole so you can turn easily.
Can beginners learn Salsa easily?
Salsa can feel challenging at first, but it becomes much easier with clear instruction and regular practice.
The most important beginner skills are timing, posture, basic steps, and partner connection. Once those feel more comfortable, turns and combinations become much easier to learn. Yes, with the right structure and building blocks, beginners can learn salsa easily.
Can I Learn Salsa If I Have Two Left Feet or A Weak Sense of Rhythm?
Dance Factory has helped many students with little confidence or experience. Our students learn the fundamental techniques and understand the basic steps. These are building blocks to learning more elaborate dance patterns and remembering them outside of a class.
Students also learn mini routines to build confidence and enjoy dancing more.
Any comments or questions?
Look forward to hearing from you.