For a while now, I spent more time sporadically learning bachata than salsa from various teachers in Los Angeles rather than carving out a designated time in my weekly schedule for proper lessons. I have always loved Latin dance, but was missing this spark to truly invest into it.
The joke was on me because every time I would go out dancing to practice, I would get tremendously jealous of people who could dance salsa beautifully with so much grace and flow. I was my own problem in this situation. I could be just like them! But I wasn’t, and I simply accepted to live vicariously through these amazing dancers.
I think as you get older and the responsibilities of life begin to weigh on you, you can feel overwhelmed with the lack of time. To manage a career, social life, personal life, exercise, remembering to eat (no, seriously!), etc., it feels like it never ends, so to commit to learning a brand new skill with dedication and commitment can feel daunting.
Enter Danny Kalman.
The First Date
When I talked to Danny over the phone for the first time (and we met by stroke of luck), there was immediate sense of openness and realness I felt in my conversation with him on a human level. I had heard of Movers and Shakers for a long time as some of my closest friends had been a part of the circle and absolutely loved it, much of that due to the kind of teacher Danny demonstrates himself to be.
I mentioned to Danny that I wasn’t new to Latin dancing, but I had never taken a legitimate learning course over a period of time to truly learn salsa. He invited me to crash a salsa 102 course and I was SO nervous. Salsa 102? These people were going to be pros! I was a bit apprehensive about it, but Danny assured I would be okay and to at least try it — so I did.
Three days later, I was officially a Salsa 101 Shaker (that’s what the ladies are called instead of “followers”) at Movers and Shakers. Why did I finally give in? Because the universe very clearly presented me this opportunity to finally invest in this subconscious hobby of mine and I would have been a fool not to take it.
Here are my biggest takeaways from my first practice class and what stood out to me to finally say YES!
The First Class
I walked in without a clue as to what I was doing. I didn’t even have dancing shoes and was slightly embarrassed and felt like a total nerd wearing socks. I’m honestly believe I’m one of the most extroverted people to exist on the planet, but I was a tad bit intimated by everyone. So many questions were ruminating in my head — Are they super good? Will I even be a good follow? What if I step on a lead’s foot and hurt them… with my socks?
As I was going through this inner crisis, there was something that really stood out to me right off the bat. It was every interaction Danny had with someone as they walked in. It was so obvious that these weren’t just students to Danny, but people he actually cared about. For someone who has trained hundreds of people, to still have an enthusiasm and genuine care for every single addition immediately made me feel a sense of belonging. While I marinated in this small moment of good feelings…Danny called me to the dance floor for a “level check”.
This is where Danny dances with you for a few minutes to gauge where your skills are currently at. So not only do I show up to this dance academy without proper shoes, I also now have to dance in front of everyone before class - there was just a pit in my stomach, I was so nervous! GOOD FEELINGS GONE!
But I quickly realized… no one cared. They all had to go through their first time in some way too.
Class is Officially in Session!
It didn’t take very long for me to learn that there was A LOT of technique and form I never knew to pay attention to in salsa. There were times when I stumbled, missed a beat, or got tangled in the steps, but Danny’s patience was unwavering not only with me, but with every student. He has a unique ability to break down each move into manageable parts, making even the most complex routines seem achievable. I noticed how he believed in every student’s potential, always offering encouragement and constructive feedback.
Over the course of two hours, I started picking up on important styling techniques and footwork I never really learned being thrown into social dancing. In social dancing, I just went for it. But experiencing my first class, there was SO much knowledge to garner. And not only that, Danny made class FUN! I could tell how every person in there wanted to be there and the enjoyment they each get from their interactions with Danny.
THAT is what sold me, I loved how much laughter is infused into these classes. If I was going to learn salsa, I wanted a teacher like that because what truly sets a great dance teacher apart is their ability to create a community. Danny is so much more than just your teacher, he becomes your friend.
Making the Decision to Join the Academy
It was clear to me that to continue growing, I needed to immerse myself fully in the world of salsa. The decision to join the salsa academy was a quick one. Having such an amazing experience in one class completely deteriorated my feelings of overwhelm in how I would manage my time — I wanted in. I understood why my friends loved this place so much.
To anyone considering learning salsa, I can’t stress enough the importance of finding a great teacher. They will be your guide, your motivator, and your biggest cheerleader. For me, Danny was the reason I signed up for a salsa academy and I am SO excited to see how my skills grow overtime by learning from him. Also, to know I’m training my mind and body to do something different is exciting and a challenge I really needed.
What I’m most excited about? To finally dance in my new dance shoes for my first Salsa 101 class!
If you’ve been inspired by this story and are eager to start your own salsa journey, I strongly recommend Movers and Shakers! I promise it’s one of the most fun investments you could make in yourself!
Salsa and Bachata Classes in Los Angeles
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About the Author
Nishima Gupta  | Nishima is a salsa and bachata dancer in Los Angeles. She’s also a writer in the entertainment industry creating stories that focus on the South Asian community to help a larger audience understand her culture, one that is also so deeply rooted in dance. Nishima loves creating new friendships and fostering a community through them, as well as putting herself outside of her comfort zone and exploring all the wonderful things the world has to offer! |
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