Top Questions Asked by Our Students


From "What are your House Rules" to "Do I need a Dance Partner?" and "Where I can find music to practice to?" Here you will find the answers to the most popular dance class questions asked by our prospect customers, students, and friends. 

If there is a question that you need help with, please contact us directly at 832-413-2623 or by email at dance@latindancefactory.com

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What are your House Rules or Studio Etiquette?

posted Dec 21, 2011 8:26 PM by Christian Franco Gutierrez   [ updated Dec 28, 2011 9:37 AM ]


"Even the most fun playgrounds need to have certain rules to maintain fairness to everyone" 
  • Please Be on Time: classes start right on the hour.
  • Cell Phones: should be turned off or on vibrate during class. Exceptions apply if you are on call or emergency. Please notify the instructor. 
  • Children: under 14 are not permitted at the studio without proper authorization. 
  • Students between the age of 14 to 17 yrs of age MUST be accompanied by a legal guardian. 
  • Just Watching and not dancing: is not permitted. 
  • Rudeness: to instructor, classmates, assistants will not be tolerated. 
  • Parking: is allowed in driveway or cul-de-sac. Please be courteous to your classmates and do not take more space than needed. 
  • Switching Partners: in all group classes, unless notified, is encouraged. 
  • Video Taping: for group lessons is not allowed. For private dance lessons, video taping is allowed for private reference only. No online video posting without instructor's consent. 
  • Missing Classes: Make-ups for missing classes are allowed only for excused absences during the month that you have registered. You can make up a class by attending our free/practice sessions, socials that include a free class, or other similar class at the same or lower level. Please consult with the instructor for options and availability. We do not give credit towards missed classes on new upcoming cycles or upcoming workshops unless you fully register for them. 
  • Refunds: All sales are final, there are no refunds. The only exception to our refund policy is when group classes or workshops are cancelled due to lack of proper size requirement (at least 4 people) to proceed. In this case, you can opt for a full refund of the tuition or proceed with other alternative options as discussed with the instruct. 
  • Group Tuition Fees: are due the first day of class to lock in the "discounted bundle" rate. Otherwise, it is "pay as you go" rate.
  • Switching from Group <> Private: Students can switch their group tuition (as credit) to Private Dance Lesson tuition if you would like a more personalized attention. 
  • Private Dance Lessons: Although we do offer flexibility in our scheduling, we do require 24 hours notice (individual privates) or 48 hours notice (group privates or Make it a Date) if a lesson/party needs to be rescheduled. Last minute cancellations or no shows will result in loss of partial tuition or booking fee. 
  • Private Dance Lessons Tuition Fees: are due on your first appointment to lock in the rate of your private dance lesson package. Otherwise, it is the standard rate per hour - pay as you go. Except if it is your first private dance lesson.
  • Excessive Absences / Rescheduling of Private Dance Lessons: repeated re-scheduling and unexcused absences will result in lost of full or partial tuition credit / booking fee towards any of our classes. 
  • Absence Policy: Letting us know that you will be absent prior coming to class is considered an excused absence and the instructor will work with you to make up that given class or classes within a logical time frame. 
  • Unexcused Absences: If you just do not show up and do not let the instructor know about your absence, then that is considered an unexcused absence and a make up may or may not be available for you depending on your situation. 
  • Stay Engaged to Your Lessons: Class attendance from Beginning level to Improver level is highly important since you are getting a foundation for more complicated moves. It will not be fair to your classmates if the overall class progression is slowed down by students that just come and go or show up whenever they like.






Do I need a dance partner to learn?

posted Dec 20, 2011 4:53 PM by Christian Franco Gutierrez   [ updated Dec 28, 2011 9:47 AM ]


No, you do not need a dance partner, but one is always nice to have so that you can practice outside of class. On our group dance classes we rotate partners to practice leading and following skills. For private dance lessons, if you do not have a dance partner, you will be dancing with the instructor or assistant instructor if applicable.   You definitely do not need a partner to learn how to dance salsa. Nearly all beginner classes accommodate students with no partners. In case you do have a partner, please remember that there are some advantages and disadvantages to dancing with the same person consistently.

Advantages of having a partner is that you have someone to practice with on a regular basis, which is great because a lot of practice is very important. However, practicing with only one partner should be avoided, since your lead/follow will adjust to the partner's mistakes or you will learn to automatically anticipate their moves from sheer habit. So as soon as you start dancing with someone else you mayl encounter problems. While developing the leading and following skills, it is best to dance with a lot of different partners so you don’t rely on your partner to know your moves and compensate for your mistakes.



Can I dance only with the partner I signed up with?

posted Dec 20, 2011 4:49 PM by Christian Franco Gutierrez   [ updated Dec 28, 2011 9:49 AM ]


Based on experience, in a group dance class it is best to rotate partners. You and your partner will get helpful input from dancing with other people which you can then bring back to your practice sessions with each other. Again this is not mandatory for husbands and wives wanting to just dance with each other. In private lessons, we will often switch partners with the instructors/assistants so we can offer you feedback on leading and following.




Do I need special shoes? Dancewear ?

posted Dec 20, 2011 4:48 PM by Christian Franco Gutierrez   [ updated Dec 28, 2011 9:50 AM ]


For people new to Salsa or Latin dancing, find out if you really like Salsa before you plunk down the bucks for new dance shoes. In the meantime, wear shoes that have a smooth sole (i.e. leather or suede) rather than something that will grip the floor (i.e. running shoes). For men, a thinner, more flexible sole is better than a thicker, rubbery sole. For women, flats or heels are fine, ideally shoes with support around the ankle. Avoid shoes with an open back (i.e. flip-flops or mules).

For a beginner class, special dancewear and shoes are not necessary. Just wear clothes that aren’t restrictive and a pair of comfortable leather-soled shoes (rubber-soled shoes are not recommended as you can’t do a spin with them, but are still ok at the beginner level). Keep jewelry to a minimum as that can get caught and/or can scratch or hurt your partner.

At a more advanced level especially for followers who spin more, shoes with soles that are conducive to spinning will be required (thin leather or suede soles are ideal). Running shoes are not recommended. However it will be a while before your normal shoes present a problem. It’s probably best if you wear the same shoes you wear when you go dancing. For example if you wear 2-inch heels when you dance in the clubs, you should also dance on 2-inch heels to get accustomed to the different balance involved.

If you take dancing more seriously or for a long period of time, you may want to invest in a pair of ballroom shoes (thin suede soles) which cannot be worn in the streets and a pair of dance sneakers to practice your shines or for a full day of workshops.




What should I wear to Salsa dance class?

posted Dec 20, 2011 4:47 PM by Christian Franco Gutierrez   [ updated Dec 28, 2011 10:10 AM ]


Wear clothes that "breathe," particularly in hotter weather. For men, we suggest a light t-shirt under your regular shirt to absorb perspiration (not pleasant for the ladies to hold you if your shirt is soaked!). For women, wear clothes you will feel comfortable moving around in (can be casual to more dressy).




What should I bring to my first Salsa dance class?

posted Dec 20, 2011 4:46 PM by Christian Franco Gutierrez   [ updated Dec 28, 2011 10:14 AM ]


If this is your first time at the studio, please print driving directions to find the dance studio. It is recommended you bring a water bottle since you will be getting thirsty from all that dancing. Some students bring hand towels to manage perspiration. You can also bring a notepad if you like to take notes right after your dance class. For private dance lessons only - you can bring a video camera to record the summary dance lesson of the private. In any scenario, do not forget to bring your smiles! 





What should I expect on my first Salsa dance class?

posted Dec 20, 2011 4:44 PM by Christian Franco Gutierrez   [ updated Dec 28, 2011 10:28 AM ]


Everybody's experience is different. In general, as with any form of learning, you will feel excited about meeting new people, feel eager to start dancing and at the same you will feel challenged and overwhelmed trying to understand the mechanics of the moves, proposing leads and following them. That is normal and part of the "overloading phase of Salsa or any other Latin dance". No matter what, you will have tons fun, you will feel good every time you master a dance step or move, and you will connect better with your dance partners by laugh and moving around the dance floor. 




How big are the group dance classes?

posted Dec 20, 2011 4:43 PM by Christian Franco Gutierrez   [ updated Dec 28, 2011 10:55 AM ]


We only take up to 20 students per class - that is why is recommended that you pre-register to save a spot in the class. Although our classes are small, this is a major advantage over large size classes because more individual attention can be given to each student, our classes can be adapted easily to the dynamics and interests of the students, and anyone that is having difficulty during the lesson is less likely to fall through the cracks.




Will I be the only one who never danced before?

posted Dec 20, 2011 4:42 PM by Christian Franco Gutierrez   [ updated Dec 28, 2011 10:57 AM ]


If you've never danced before, you will be in good company! Most people, especially in Level One have not danced Salsa, Bachata, or Merengue before and/or have limited or no dance background.



Do only couples sign up?

posted Dec 20, 2011 4:41 PM by Christian Franco Gutierrez   [ updated Dec 28, 2011 11:00 AM ]


A combination of couples and single people (male and female) sign up. No partner is required to join the lessons, but if you have one, that is nice to have for out of class practice. If you do not have a partner you will meet several other students that you can pair with during the lessons or workshops.




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