Salsa at edc STUDIO
NY Style Salsa On2
So you want to take salsa dance classes in Edmonton!
Whether it is the music, the energy in the dance, or just the energy you get from those dancing around you, Latin music and dance can have a wonderful impact on your life!
Salsa is where it all begins for all of us in this infectious and addictive dance craze!! From the first time, you heard a Salsa song at a local nightclub, or while vacationing, it did not take long to realize why this dance could become so addictive!
The complex rhythms and drum beats pulsate through you, the connection you feel when sharing a dance with another dancer, can’t be compared to anything. While salsa dancing you cannot help but feel happy!
Salsa has become one of the most popular dances around the world and now you can dance it on a social basis every week here in Edmonton!
Do it for fun, for exercise or to meet new people. Regardless of where you want to go with salsa dance, we can get you there! We have trained dancers from their first steps to competing at the international level. For us dance is everything!
Join us at edcSTUDIO where “Every Day Counts”. Check out below what we have to offer.
LA Style Salsa On1
This level is a must for those that have never taken Salsa before. (NOTE: If you have experience in other dance genres and feel that you could advance quickly, please contact us for a private to cover the foundational material required to be in our intermediate level.)
| Each class will begin with a stretch sequence accompanied by body movement exercises that will be repeated at the beginning of each class. Learning is accomplished through repetition, and therefore, repeating these exercises will allow body movements to flow naturally and as a whole. Your body will become conditioned to move sequentially through your salsa basic. We will cover understanding the music, timing, footwork, lead and follow techniques, social dance patterns, and dance etiquette. By the end of the first cycle, you will be able to get through an entire salsa song all while having fun and enjoying life! See you in class! |
NY Style Salsa On2 – Fundamentals
This course will begin with an explanation of On2 musicality and how to listen to the 8 bar count and find the 2 in those 8 bars. Each class will begin with a stretch sequence accompanied by body movement exercises that will be repeated at the beginning of each class. Learning is accomplished through repetition, and therefore, repeating these exercises will allow body movements to flow naturally and as a whole. Your body will become conditioned to move sequentially through your salsa basic. The salsa basic is infinite and involves all parts of the body. Starting with the weight transfer of the feet, up to the bending of the knees which then moves the hips, and extends through the core which then moves the upper body and shoulders which causes the arms and hands to move as an extension of the core. In 101-NY Style On2-Beginner students will learn how to break or change directions on the 2 and 6 of the 8 bars as they move their body through the Salsa Basic.
NY Style Salsa On2 – Intermediate
This course is geared for the dancer that has social danced or performed on2. We will revisit the techniques required to dance On2 socially. We will focus on the differences within the styles (Santo Rico vs Eddie Torres/Adolfo Indacochea). The course will focus on proper lead and follow techniques. solo (shine) sequences will be taught in order for students to understand and differentiate between core beats, half-beats, and syncopation. This class will connect the musicality to the footwork and body movement involved in translating these different beat interpretations.
The History of Salsa: A Global Dance with Deep Roots
Salsa is one of the most dynamic and influential social dances in the world, known for its energy, musicality, and cultural depth. While salsa is often associated with Latin America, its true story is one of migration, fusion, and evolution, shaped by Afro-Caribbean rhythms and refined in major cultural hubs like New York City.
Afro-Caribbean Foundations
Salsa’s roots trace back to Cuba and Puerto Rico, drawing heavily from Afro-Cuban musical traditions such as Son Cubano, Mambo, Rumba, and Guaguancó. These styles blended African rhythms with European musical structures, creating rich, syncopated music designed for both storytelling and movement.
As Caribbean communities migrated—especially to the United States in the mid-20th century—they brought their music and dance traditions with them. In New York City, Cuban and Puerto Rican musicians began blending traditional sounds with jazz influences, big-band arrangements, and urban sensibilities. This melting pot laid the groundwork for what would eventually be called salsa.
The Birth of Modern Salsa in New York
The term “salsa,” meaning sauce, became popular in the 1970s as a way to describe this spicy blend of musical influences. Record labels like Fania Records helped propel salsa into the mainstream, turning it into an international phenomenon.
Dance evolved alongside the music. As salsa music became more rhythmically complex, dancers adapted their movement to reflect the structure and accents of the music. This evolution led to the development of distinct salsa styles around the world, including Cuban (Casino), Colombian (Cali style), Los Angeles style (On1), and New York style (On2).
What Is Salsa On2?
Salsa On2, also known as New York–style salsa, is danced with the timing focused on the second beat of the music. Rather than emphasizing the downbeat, On2 aligns the dancer’s movement with the clave and percussion, creating a smoother, more musical interpretation of salsa.
This style was popularized by legendary dancers such as Eddie Torres, often referred to as the “Mambo King.” Salsa On2 emphasizes precision, timing, and musical awareness, making it the preferred style for dancers who want to truly connect to the music.
Why Salsa On2 Is the Gold Standard
Salsa On2 is widely considered the most musically accurate and technically refined salsa style. Because it follows the rhythmic structure of the music, it allows dancers to:
- Interpret complex rhythms with clarity
- Develop cleaner footwork and body control
- Maintain strong partner connection
- Dance comfortably at faster tempos
For performers and competitors, Salsa On2 offers unmatched elegance and versatility. It translates seamlessly from social dancing to stage choreography, making it ideal for performances, showcases, and competitions.
Teaching, Performing, and Competing On2
Studios that specialize in Salsa On2 often emphasize strong fundamentals, musicality, and technical excellence. Training in On2 builds disciplined dancers who understand timing, structure, and expression—skills that elevate every aspect of dance.
In the competitive and performance world, Salsa On2 dominates professional stages due to its clean lines, musical depth, and visual sophistication. Dancers trained in On2 are known for their precision, control, and ability to interpret music at a high level.
Salsa Today
Today, salsa is danced worldwide, but New York–style Salsa On2 remains the benchmark for serious dancers. Rooted in Afro-Caribbean tradition and refined through decades of evolution, Salsa On2 represents the perfect balance of culture, technique, and artistry.
Salsa is more than a dance—it’s history in motion. And Salsa On2 is where that history, music, and mastery come together.
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