Are Salsa Teachers too Specialized?

I find it rare that a salsa teacher offers classes in multiple styles of salsa. For example, shouldn't a knowlegeable teacher be able to dance both the "on2" style as well as the more typical LA style? What about Rueda? Too often often I've found you have to go to one place to learn LA style, another place to learn Rueda and yet another place to learn NY style.

For the student, it's good they are getting a variety of teachers.

For the teacher, wouldn't it be more profitable to offer more? Wouldn't it make for a more well-rounded teacher? ...as well as a more rounded understanding of salsa in general?

Also, what about merengue and chacha?

I couldn't agree more...

I think the specialization comes from the fact that
the different styles are so much a part of the individual
instructor that it's their way of promoting a particular
style...

I personally like all different styles but I think you
bring up a really great point...

I think that's very true for the most part, but recently I've noticed in LA that on2 is being taught along with on1 more and more. Also when I took Bernard Martnez's workshops one day was on2 the very next day was on1. It was great because he had completely different shines on both days.

I've definitely noticed that different salsa teachers have very distinct styles, especially after going to a 3 day event workshop where they brought in different groups from the states to teach and perform. I've also had experiences where I felt that the instructor is an awesome dancer, but did not necessary know how to teach it to the students.

Should a person therefore take lessons with as many different salsa instructors as possible in order to improve? switch from guy to girl?

I feel

I feel students should go to as many instructors as they can. I compare going to only one teacher the same as a person being closed minded. You can only learn and become aquianted with that which this particular teacher has to offer you. His philosophy on dancing, leading, shines, etc... Where as if you go to many you can see what is out there and incorporate all into your dancing. Hence, why so many people think that NY City dancers are the "Best". NY City has so many teachers, dancers, students from all over the world that all the styles have meshed into what we now have... Hey, but if you have no choice, then the teacher better know many styles....

I agree that students should be open to learning from many teachers. At one point, when I was affiliated with a studio, I had six different teachers at the same time, and they all had different strengths.

I focused on following and connection with one, body control and isolations with another, emotional expression with a third, etc.

The only down side was that, at the time, my technical foundation was not good enough to deal with teachers at really different levels of experience. It was hard for me to switch mind sets back and forth.

Right at the moment, I have one great coach that I trust absolutely. And when I get to the point where I "own" some more technique, I might consider adding another coach or two. I think this will help me become a well-rounded dancer.

Personally I can only stay with an instructor a certain amount of time before I burn out with them and HAVE to move on. Each time I move on I go through a period where my ability level increases very rapidly. It's like I finally have time to digest everything I've learned from the previous instructor.

dancer at heart said:

Should a person therefore take lessons with as many different salsa instructors as possible in order to improve? switch from guy to girl?

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Great question! So obviously there’s no “one size fits all” response.

When one is just starting out with the basics, etc., it can be too confusing to have multiple instructors...that whole too many chef’s in the kitchen thing. Your best bet would be to look around the clubs and see whose styles you like and found out whom they’re taking (or took) with …i.e., which Chef’s style of cooking do you like best.

Once you have the fundamentals in place, however, I personally advocate seeking out a variety of instruction. The same as Pygmalion points out for the multiple instructors she had, you can get different thing from different people…basically get as many “ingredients” as you can. The trick is to have so many ingredients on hand that you can create your own dance recipe based on what you like and what feels right to you.

Here in London, we have a small number of teachers who are teaching both On1 and On2 now. There are still some who "specialise" in On1 or On2 or even Cuban. To my knowledge, only the cuban dance teachers teach rueda also.

I am not very knowledgeable of teachers outside of London but I can think of about two teacher or three teachers who do both On1 and Cuban, and one guy who does everything (1, 2, cuban and rueda) to a high standard :shock: :banana:

salsa teachers

Pacion said:

Here in London, we have a small number of teachers who are teaching both On1 and On2 now. There are still some who "specialise" in On1 or On2 or even Cuban. To my knowledge, only the cuban dance teachers teach rueda also.

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I have had three or four main teacher influences so far in my life, they all teach differently, but I have learned from them all....however, I while I know they all teach salsa on1, I have not found one to specify what salsa they are teaching...I have one who is highly, highly...um..HIGHLY into competitions so arm styling and stuff is very important (besides being on time), and another who just wants everyone to have fun...
in fact, I just learn the move they are teaching and try to incorporate it into my style and see if it fits in (whatever style that is...just what I like)....I think as long as you can lead a follower, and the follower can follow a lead, its all gravey after that...

I have not taken any private lessons per say, can't afford them, do you guys have private lessons every week?? You are rich sala people! :wink:
I have taken over the past few years group weekly lessons (5-7 bucks a class for an hour or so) and also semester long classes (at arizona state university), which is like now 550 dollars per semester for 16 weeks, once or twice a week....private lessons are like 55 bucks an hour....must be nice....I think the biggest problem in group lessons is that its hard to determine if you are doing a good job or the partner is making up for something....Of course, some partners say you lead too soft, others too strong....and others, just right....cant win, so stick with your own style...
I would like to learn the other styles...the more the merrier... :lol:

Specialization is part of the world we live in...

On a more serious note, yes Salsa instructors tend to be "specialized"... I teach "on slots" beacuse this is what I know best... I can follow "rotational" but I prefer not to teach it... I teach some Rueda, which I know, but not the cha cha, as this dance I picked in the club and I do a "street version" of it...

I wish I could teach more styles, but...

Salsaonone, I highly recommend taking a private lesson from a female instructor, even if you can only afford one of them a month. They were enormously helpful for me. It was a real eye-opener for me the first time I did this. Really helped my leading.

Lofland said:

Salsaonone, I highly recommend taking a private lesson from a female instructor, even if you can only afford one of them a month. They were enormously helpful for me. It was a real eye-opener for me the first time I did this. Really helped my leading.

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Yeah, I know...I know...I know...most followers either don't know what a good lead feels like or they are afriad to tell the leader what the leader needs to work on....I always have to seriously contemplate trying to help a follower when they are in need of some pointers here and there...so I either don't say anything or ask them if they would like me to show them...But as a teacher (not a dance teacher), it drives me nuts not to help on first instinct....