salsa class

Classes (in both English & Spanish)

Latin Dance & AfroCuban Dance

$20 per class, $15 for 2nd class on same day

Save $20 with a Class Card!
$60 for 4 classes (good for two months)
Fill 5 class cards in 10 months (20 classes total) and get 1 class free

Pay by check, cash, or Zelle.

Individual Private Lessons, 1 hour
$60 for women; $70 for men

4 Individual Private Lesson Package
$200 for women; $240 for men

Dancing with René

René is teaching two classes on Sundays:

Classes are held at CM's Fitness & Dance Studio (6706 Penn Ave. So. Mpls. MN 55423). Masks are required for unvaccinated students. To join the class please email (salsacontimba1@gmail.com) or text (612-578-2110) René directly.

Private lessons are available on Sundays at the Shift Fitness Studio by appointment. Private lessons are one-on-one only due to social distancing and the physical size of the studio. You must wear a mask. Please email (salsacontimba1@gmail.com) or text (612-578-2110) René directly about private lessons.

Dancers at all levels are all welcome.

If you are a Beginner, René will introduce you to the principles of Latin dancing, the rhythm and timing of the music. You will learn basic footwork, posture/dance positions, and connections between partners. You will learn easy dance patterns that include single front right and left turns and more.

Intermediate dancers learn the Caribbean rhythms inherent in merengue, salsa, bachata, cha-cha-cha, mambo, etc. as well as technique in leading and following. You will be introduced to simple variations and patterns to supplement your dancing, cross body leads, back breaks, and turns in connection with your partner.

Advanced dancers will perfect style and positions, turn techniques, doubles, and triple turns. You will learn complex variations of patterns, syncopated footwork, body isolations, combinations of Latin rhythms, and much more.

AfroCuban Dance

Cuban native René Thompson teaches the AfroCuban dance traditions he learned from his mother and grandmother. AfroCuban dance is the ancestor of Cuban rumba, which is the forerunner of Cuban salsa. You will learn the AfroCuban history and orishas related to the dance patterns as well as Cuban rumba and how it relates to contemporary salsa dance.