I've attended drop in salsa classes for the past 3 weeks and I LOVE IT. The energy is amazing. Micheal Angelo (the instructor) breaks it down in a way that's very easy to understand. Great classes for people of all levels. read more

Dance Academy of Salsa - Dance Studios Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I love going in i love the energy you feel and all the people you get to meet they teach you step by step

The best salsa instruction that I've ever had! 10/10 recommend! Instructors are lively, professional and make it a very enjoyable learning environment for beginners. read more

We decided to learn how to dance cha cha cha from square one for our wedding, and Michael Angelo got us through in less than 2 months. Learning how to dance with M.A. on a 1:1 level was an amazing experience. His experience in the dancing arts were demonstrated in the way he was able to understand the needs of our different learning styles - both rhythmically and kinesiologically. One thing that always deterred me from learning how to dance was not knowing if someone could be so patient with me, which M.A. proved to have. His teaching experience made it all go by so smoothly. From learning their basic steps and fundamentals, to song selection, brain storming, mixing the music and choreography - we worked together in less than 2 months before our wedding to put everything together, meeting only once a week. Now we drop in the studio every week to keep brushing up on our salsa and cha cha cha skills! read more

Dance Academy of Salsa - Dance Studios Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

YOU SHOULD BE DANCING, YEAH Whether you've got two left feet (like me) or emerged from the womb doing a lively bachata, it never hurts to take a lesson. My awesomesauce girlfriend "surprised" me with an impromptu class on a Friday night in late January, excited to learn the basics of Latin dancing with her partner -- me! I was a little hesitant because I'm SUPER white and have #whiteboyrhythm, but I managed just fine. Though we were tardy in arriving (what else is new?), the instructor Miguel got us going right away. We began with a simple cha-cha-cha and then progressed to a slightly more complex merengue. The pace was easygoing enough that even when we lost the beat, we could get right back into it no problem. Eventually we moved on to bachata and salsa, including some extremely cool behind-the-back maneuvers that had me feeling like Tony Manero in Saturday Night Fever. Miguel was very friendly and laid-back, not at all the overly intense dance instructor I had envisioned. Most of the class were singles, so everyone rotated with partners...... except for us. And THANK GOD, because I didn't want some random pendejo with his hands around my woman, especially as fine as she looked that night! I appreciate the fact he let us stick together as a couple. The studio space was nice and the bathroom -- though small -- was also clean. Located in the Boricua district of Chicago, the Dance Academy of Salsa offers up some highly informative lessons with a terrific instructor at a very reasonable price. I'm grateful to have had a chance to learn some new things and I would definitely recommend that anyone wishing to do similarly book a slot now! Thanks to this place in Humboldt Park, you too can feel like John Travolta** walking down the boulevard with your fancy moves and stylish attitude. ** paint can and disco shoes not included read more

Dance Academy of Salsa - You can take classes at this place in Humboldt Park -- no experience required!!! - Dance Studios Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I have been taking dance classes my whole life and I am very picky about instructors. However I am new to Salsa and Bachata Dance academy of salsa is a wonderful dance studio. I feel so comfortable there and am incrementally learning to become more and more comfortable and fluid in Bachata and Salsa. Michelangelo is so gifted at teaching basic- advanced moves in a clear, easily digestible way. He also shows you how to embellish when you start to feel confident in the basic steps. Because of this, No matter what level you are at, you will see yourself improve with every class as I have. Dance Academy of Salsa is the place to go if you want to really learn Salsa and Bachata. read more

There are couple of things that I want to point out about the experience I had. Salsa is danced on 1 when you go out clubbing. It is NOT true that salsa is danced on 2 when you go out. So I particularly don't agree with the fact that people is being misinformed. I go out to dance often to different places around the city. Salsa on 2 DOES NOT predominate the dance floor in the city of Chicago. I arrived 30 minutes before class was over. I was charged full price. Maybe I am wrong but I found that "unfair". Bottom line .... if teaching salsa on 2 is of preference then be honest to your clients and do not give false information. Prorating clients might keep your clients happier. read more

Had an amazing set of private lessons with Miguel. I came into town to visit family for the week and figured I'd try this place out--what an amazing experience! I was only going to do 2 lessons and ended up doing 3. Miguel is an amazing instructor and really knows how to breakdown dancing Salsa on the 2 (and the 1) but I wanted to learn East Coast Salsa and if you do too then trust me this is the place for you! Can't wait to come back to Chicago to hit this little gem of a school up again! read more

Knowledgeable and patient instructors; great community of classmates. Highly recommended

This place is perfect if you want to learn any Latin music dancing..... I recommend this studio come see Miguel

highly recommend! always fun, always professional. Miguel and Michelangelo are great teachers and great dancers- very sophisticated, but personable. When I started I had never danced salsa- I've been going for over a year now and truly love the dance and classes. they rotate partners often. All classes are fun- bachata, salsa and cha cha cha. great community of dancers. Again, highly recommended this studio! read more

DAOS is the BEST!!! Started with the Level 1 & 2 4-week salsa courses, which gave me a great intro and foundation. Now I do the drop-in classes for salsa and bachata and I love every minute of it! Michael Angelo does an amazing job at creating a fun and inclusive learning environment, while giving each person specific feedback to constantly improve! read more

Arrrrreeeeebaaaaaa!!!! Dear Dancers & dancers to be. Here's the story! My friends and I were searching for a spot to get our cha cha on! Im on a mission to master the bachata and salsa. I decided to give this place a go. It was my first choice. So I went....ALONE that is. I had to make sure it was a good spot to share with friends. Call me the tester!!!! $15 for Drop in classes. (Hard to beat) Schedule online (lots of options) They take cash/credit/debt (convenient) Lots of parking (pay for park) So, I get it. It's hard to do things like this alone but TRUST ME...if I did it then SO CAN YOU!!!! I was comfortable in no time. Michael Angelo was my instructor! He was amazing. Loved his energy. He was fun to learn with. The studio is so nice, clean and large. I did the bachata and I'm going back to try out the salsa classes and possibly get private lessons Telling all my friends ...family...& all you lovely people! So Who wants to dance with me? Well, what are you waiting for!? Just DROP IN ;) you will have so much fun. TRY IT. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain! Xoxo, Your dancing Chica Koko read more

Dance Academy of Salsa - Dance Studios Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

" And one, two, three, four, five, six seven", "And one, two , three, four, five, six, seven" The count is heard above the lively music. Yes- it's a Thursday night at the Dance Academy of Salsa. The brightly lit studio is filled with people of all sizes, ages and backgrounds. After all- salsa is a universal dance and it brings people together all over the world. But if salsa is not your thing- they also teach merengue, bachata and mambo (I just love to say those words!) Miguel, the instructor, is passionate, patient and helps people discern their left foot from their right. "And one, two, three, four, five, six, seven", the pace is picking up as we all seem to catch on to the rhythm and beat. Come with a partner, or come alone (they swap off partners throughout the evening). Classes range from beginner (just my speed for now) to intermediate and advanced. Check their website for classes and times. Drop in anytime to start- and if you like it- you can buy a 5 class package for $60. I catch sight of myself in the mirror. "Hmm . . . .not bad on the standard step", I think. But then the spin comes and I look about as graceful as a squirrel caught in a trap. But wait. A couple of more tries and I am spinning with the rest of them, "five, six. seven". My cheeks are flushed, my hands being held by the graceful Miguel, and my feet seem to know what to do. Salsa! Now I just can't wait until next week's lesson. read more

A fantastic place with wonderful instructors and a great vibe. I took Salsa I and then went on to Salsa II, because my cohort was fun and classes engaging. Michaelangelo is a terrific teacher. If you do not get something, he'll explain it again. And then again, if needed. And then otra vez in Spanish. And then with a prop if you still don't get it. A tremendously gifted, creative instructor. You will not leave without having a good grasp of the concepts, and then the Academy allows you to practice more during drop-ins. I cannot recommend this place enough. The winter is coming. Treat yourself to a little bit of sunshine at the Dance Academy :) read more

I walked in for the first time to take a level II lesson. I've danced for decades. I was shocked at how rude and rigid the instructor was. He was more concerned about the distinctions between dancing on the "one" and the "two," than providing instruction. I was awkwardly put with another fellow who, also was there for the first time, and commanded to prove myself with this stranger. Then, I asked the alleged teacher to dance with me and he commanded that I go first. The moment I took a step he shouted, "no!" I have never had an experience with a service based business that has been so rude, rigid with utter lack of respect for the customer. read more

the greatest dance classes I've ever taken. The instructors go out of their way to make sure you feel comfortable, confident and coordinated. You will leave every time so glad that you went. The best money I have ever spent. read more

We love this place! We did the Salsa 1 and 2 four week courses, as well as private lessons and a Friday night drop in class of mini lessons. You can walk in with zero experience or years of experience as there is something for everyone here and the teacher is excellent at reading the crowd and moving at the right pace for everyone. The group is welcoming, the teacher is awesome (shout out to Michael Angelo!!), the music is great and the classes/lessons are a blast. We can't wait to go to one of the socials and drop into more classes/events. Also-this is the best date or gift idea, it's SO MUCH FUN!! read more

Great time, learned the cross body lead and brought a friend with me for his first time! read more

Dance Academy of Salsa - Dance Studios Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Just finished a private Bachata lesson and WOW WOW WOW I cannot say enough good things! I am a complete beginner and my teacher was AMAZING. Very patient, funny, and really packed a lot into the lesson without it ever feeling overwhelming. Bachata is obviously a very sensual dance and he did a great job of connecting with me while maintaining professionalism effortlessly. The studio was gorgeous, they're taking COVID precautions very seriously, the music was upbeat and easy to dance to. I will definitely be taking another private lesson and I cannot wait until public classes start again! THANK YOU so much, for helping me find my confidence! read more

Fabulous instruction. This place feels like family. I live the drop-in option since I can't always predict my work schedule.

This is my favorite studio!! I've been dancing salsa for 7 years and this is one of the best studios I've ever gone to. It both feels very authentic and they give really good technical feedback that I've never received before. I come all the way from Hyde park to Humboldt park for these classes but they are really the best. I learned salsa in Latin America and this is still my favorite studio and it's affordable for excellent training. read more

Took Level 2 (Intermediate) and Level 3 (Intermediate/Advanced) Salsa On2 with Michael Angelo on Thursday night and learned a LOT. The Level 3 pattern was particularly intricate (approx 19 atomic moves strung together). Class size for both levels was small, so Michael Angelo had plenty of time to critique and provide very good feedback. Highly recommend this studio to On2/Mambo afficionados. They have a social on Fridays but I haven't been yet. read more

The energy at the Dance Academy of Salsa is amazing! The studio is bright and welcoming. Michael Angelo is an amazing instructor. I appreciate that he gives instruction on technique and styling for both the leads and the follows. I also love that we start many of our salsa classes with a shine routine! I highly recommend this studio for beginners and those who are advanced. There are classes for everyone! read more

Took classes after a friend bugged me to get out and do something besides playing video games. I hate getting up in front of strangers unless I'm crowd surfing or something. We took a night class with Miguel who in the right clothes, could be the man you imagine charming you on a hot night in the Bahamas with his high waisted pants, his lithe movements and soothing voice. He's graceful, patient, and professional. I'm two left feet and somehow he made me look somewhat graceful-nice. Classes are mixed sometimes and if you're not partnered up with someone, Miguel will partner up with you and certainly make it up. You can save on classes by buying a block of classes ahead of time which is super nice. read more

Yes. Yes. Yes! I can't recommend it enough! I took intermediate with Michael Angelo, and absolutely fell in love! The class is fun, fast-paced, and individually tailored to ensure everyone learns something. No matter your level, I'm sure you are going to be challenged! read more

Lets make it simple. Pros: Instructors are nice and are very patience. Other students are nice and they make you feel at home. Cheap. A class for a couple is 25.00 not bad. You can buy the VIP prepaid card for 100.00 and every time you go it's only 5.00 per person (deducted from your card). Convinient hours! 7 days a week 12-9! Cons: The place is kind of small. So if you are looking for place to get your groove on and learn the sensual latin dances this is the place. Friendly and fun! read more

I started taking Bachata classes at Dance Academy of Salsa about 2 mos ago. I took (and currently take) the Monday night bachata "drop in" class which is $15. I've never taken class anywhere else but based on what I've researched - you can't beat the price. I had zero experience prior to my first class and was quite nervous to give it a try. Everyone (instructors & students) are extremely welcoming and I was comfortable in no time. Class usually starts with a basic-step warm up. At this time Michael Angelo usually takes a quick glance around to note skill level within the class which I really appreciate. Throughout class he will dance w/ everyone and give direction based on what he observes. The classroom is quite spacious and participants can be majority male or female...I've experienced both. There is a rotation throughout class so regardless, you will always get time with different partners. If you come with your significant other, you will still be a part of this rotation. Miguel & Michael Angelo are both wonderful people and are very genuine in their approach to teaching. You can tell that they love what they do. I am completely satisfied with my experiences thus far and I look forward to branching out and learning other styles of dance with the academy. FYI: They take cash/credit/debit card - No ATM needed. read more

My boyfriend Eric S. and I dropped in on a Friday night for one of their 4-in-1 salsa, bachata, cha cha cha, and merengue classes. The class started at 7:00pm but we arrived around 7:40pm (quite a bit late). I called ahead and told the instructor we were going to be a little late. He told me not to worry and to just sign in once we got there, that he'd help us out if we needed some extra attention. Well, that's exactly what we did. The class had already started when we got there so we signed in and quietly found a spot. The instructor was patient and very friendly. He went through all the steps as many times as necessary until people learned them. We ended up getting the whole hour and a half of class because it actually ended around 9:00pm instead of 8:30pm. Score!! I had already taken some salsa lessons in Puerto Rico and I've been dancing merengue since before I could walk but this was Eric S.'s first latin dance class experience. He walked out of there with a pretty good grasp of the basics so we were both very pleased! We will absolutely be back for another drop-in class soon! Completely recommended for beginners and experienced dancers alike!! read more

Great dance studio! Newly renovated with a modern and inviting look. Dance floor was amazing. Took an on2 class and thoroughly enjoyed. Highly recommend. read more

Dance Academy of Salsa - Dance Studios Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I can hear the words to the music pulsating away as I enter the Dance Academy of Salsa: Quimbara, quimbara, quma, quimbamba quimbara, quimbara, quma, quimbamba Hey mamá, hey mamá, hey mamá, hey mamá The dance studio is unpretentious and cozy. The instructors make dancing fun. They have a passion for teaching. The instructors receive 5-stars. I noticed all ages and sizes of people were in the classes that I took. If you are looking to take dance lessons "just for fun" or you want to learn how to salsa for your wedding or a special event you should definitely consider taking lessons here. You don't have to be a dance novice to learn how to salsa dance. In fact, all you really need is an open-mind, comfortable dance shoes and a desire for learning. I enjoyed the variety of dances that are taught here (from salsa to merengue to bachata). The music is lively and loud, but you can still hear the instructor counting down the steps: uno, dos, tres, cuartro, cinco and dance! I found out about "Dance Academy of Salsa" because they were having a salsa contest at a very unlikely place (The Cubby Bear). On certain Sundays, the Cubby Bear has "Live Salsa Sunday" and Latin dance lessons. It is a lot of fun! I took lessons here "just for fun" and to get out of my comfort zone. I met some great people and really enjoyed the dance lessons. Plus, their price-point is reasonable. Come on, everybody do the conga I know you can't control yourself any longer Feel the rhythm of the music getting stronger Don't you fight it 'til you tried it, do the conga beat read more

We have taken two classes here and have enjoyed every minute of them. The owner and his son are nothing short of nice and make everyone from every dance level feel comfortable. They teach class making sure that everyone is getting it, not minding if they have to take some extra time on a particular step for someone in need. It was just $15 for an hour and a half where we learned 4 different dances! So fun. BYOB Friday nights. Highly recommend for a fun date night or if you want to go solo and meet someone! read more

I highly recommend taking dance classes here. I've taken beginner salsa classes at several studios, and this is the best one I've been to. Michael Angelo is an excellent instructor who has great attention for detail. He's patient, and will keep the lesson at the pace of how well his students are taking to the new material. Not only that, but his goofy personality will get you to loosen up and laugh at yourself as you learn. If you're looking for a fun way to break up your week, practice a social hobby, and learn how to take things less seriously, this is the place to do it!! read more

I came here alone on a Friday night for the walk in beginner mini series. I was a little nervous because I am a somewhat shy and the other attendees were a large bachelorette party and 3 couples. But once the class started, it was really fun. The steps were not too hard and Miguel's teaching style was simple and laid back. He made everyone laugh and feel comfortable. By the end of the class I had made a lot of new friends and even went out with a few of them that night to practice our moves. I have been to several dance studios in the city and this is certainly the one I enjoyed most. read more

I took lessons here with Adrienne Kostreva. She's a great dancer, but even more importantly, she's a great teacher. She's patient, enthusiastic, thoroughly breaks down steps and moves, and emphasizes learning good dance habits from the beginning. Her rates are also very reasonable. I recommend her highly. read more

I wish I could give more stars!! Miguel the instructor was fantastic and really knows what he's doing. For $15 we got a lot of dancing (did a Friday night drop in)! We really had so much fun and can't wait to go back!! read more

Very disappointed in this place! I called last week and was told there would be a special workshop Saturday from 4:30-6pm. I was excited to go and called Saturday around noon again to get pricing, parking info, etc. According to the guy I spoke with, who I think is the owner the workshop was still scheduled for 4:30pm. I showed up with a friend to find that the studio was closed! We waited until 5pm and no one showed up, there was no note left for people, etc. I felt like we were punked. I can't attest for the dance classes since I never took, nor will I ever take, any. What lack of professionalism from this place. read more

I've been taking salsa lessons here for about 2 months, and it's my favorite part of my week. I received one of the punch cards as a Christmas gift, and honestly didn't intend on being serious about it. However, now I plan on continuing my lessons and I'm really serious about becoming a competent salsa dancer, and it's because of the amazing experience I've had here at The Dance Academy of Salsa. The owners are incredibly welcoming and the other dancers are so much fun to dance with. I was originally really intimidated, and this is normally something I would NEVER try because I'm a pretty shy person. But the environment here is so laid back and welcoming, I never feel self-conscious or embarrassed. Michael Angelo, who teaches the class I go to, is an amazing teacher and I've already moved up to Level 2 after 2 months. They offer a variety of classes, including a musicality salsa class to help you become familiar with the rhythm and learn to dance on time. If you're looking for a good studio with a welcoming and competent teachers, this is the place to go! read more

I took lessons here with Michael Angelo as my instructor and it was such a blast! He is both a very gifted dancer and teacher, patient with every step of the process. Before this, I had rarely danced salsa on 2, but he helped me pick up the fundamentals quickly. Highly recommend! read more

LOVE THIS PLACE!! Wow Miguel has so much patience and is such an amazing teacher. I haven't gone in 2 months but I can't wait to go back. You move through levels with your class and from my experience everyone there is so kind and helpful. It's just so far from my house that it made it hard to go. I recommend this place to anybody that is new to Salsa and wants to learn! read more