Maria is an extraordinary teacher, hands down. My fiance and I have been taking lessons with her for a couple years now, and we keep coming back because it's fun, we continue to grow, and we even enjoy some laughter along the way. In my opinion, it's rare to find an instructor who is flexible enough to teach many subjects in multiple ways. She has a really great eye for diagnosing a problem and offering multiple solutions. She meets us where we are, gives great feedback, and remains positive. In addition, she will give you great tips and homework to consider. She's pretty flexible with scheduling, but can be busy at times given her professional career. We highly recommend her to anyone and everyone. Just don't try to take our weekly spot with her, thanks! read more

I had been to a few dance classes here and there over the years, but mostly I would leave them feeling overwhelmed and discouraged. When I started to look into dance lessons in earnest, I really was looking for a teacher who created a safe, comfortable learning environment to go at my own pace. Maria is that teacher! I've enjoyed my lessons with her because she is patient, she explains things well, and she normalizes the ups and downs that come with learning something new. She was able to get me to a point to be able to join one of her group classes, which has been a fun experience too. That's not something I could have imagined myself doing even like a year or two ago, but Maria helped make that possible. I'm so glad I found her! read more

Dancing with Maria has been one of the best things I could have done for myself. As a mom of a young toddler I was looking for an outlet and hobby, while I grew up social dancing occasionally I had never taken a formal class. Maria put me at ease quickly, explained things thoroughly, is super kind and made a fun environment to dance. Months later I take her weekly bachata and salsa classes as well as privates. I highly recommend her classes they're smaller and less intimidating than other places I've tried. So thankful I found this place! read more

I've been taking classes with Maria since January 2020 and I've already learned so much. I'm a teacher and I can say wholeheartedly that Maria is an amazing teacher. She genuinely cares about her students and her passion for her craft comes across in all of her classes. I started taking group salsa classes with her in person, which were great! When the quarantine began, Maria quickly switched over to teaching virtual classes on Zoom. Though obviously not the ideal situation, it was cool because I was able to sign up for her unlimited package and learn even more dance styles from her! She has adapted really well to the situation and I'm still learning a lot, even from home. She even started teaching a flexibility/mobility class, which has helped me a lot with my technique. Recently, I hired Maria to do a virtual dance class (cumbia) for my birthday party with family and friends and it was so fun!! Everybody had varying levels of dance experiences, but they all loved it. Maria was professional and also was really open to my input. If you're looking for something fun and affordable to do for your quarantine birthday, I highly recommend! Overall, I'm very grateful to be learning dance from Maria. I grew up with a family that LOVES Latin dance and it holds a lot of cultural value for me. I appreciate Maria because I know she shares the same perspective and teaches with a lot of passion and dedication. If you're looking to learn Latin dance, Maria is IT!! read more

Maria Diaz Latin Dance - Dance Studios Near Me

I bless the day that I found Maria's website poisebymaria.com. I always wanted to learn how to dance and I couldn't have chosen a better instructor than her. Maria is patient, very detailed, and provides everyone the opportunity to learn at their own pace. Maria has been my sole dance instructor for over two years now and I appreciate that she keeps salsa, salsa. If you decide to learn and start social dancing you'll soon find that people can blend other dance styles with salsa or try to dance like they are performing. I started off with Salsa and Bachata group classes. Then branched out to cumbia and finally salsa caleña! I took advantage of my availability and took a package deal of 16 private lessons with Maria! Just know that you do have to dedicate time to practice on your own and it helps to go out social dancing early on. I receive a lot of compliments when social dancing and honestly it feels very great to know that my dance style is unique to other salsa students. Another perk about being Maria's student is that you get to dance with her. Large salsa classes do not permit time to dance with the instructor(s). My dancing journey has only begun and my goal is to learn to lead to support my mom in her dancing journey! I'll be signing us up for semi-private classes with Maria in the near future ! read more

I have been taking classes with Maria for over a year now. I had no prior dancing experience when I started taking her private lessons, so i didn't know what I was getting myself into. She has gotten me to a level where I feel comfortable dancing with others. Started initially learning cumbia and then gravitated to learning salsa and bachata along with her group lessons. In my opinion what sets Maria apart from others is her patience and professionalism. Coming from someone with two left feet she never gave up on me and had the patience to go at my pace. She makes learning fun and goes at the pace you feel comfortable at while also encouraging you to believe in yourself. I would gladly recommend Maria to anyone who is trying to learn how to dance and is trying to get past that initial fear. read more

I got a private lesson for me and my partner with Maria. She's a great teacher. It was a fantastic experience! I hope to book her for more lessons soon. read more

Awesome salsa and Cumbia teacher who really does care about the teaching aspect and adapting for her clients I have had lessons in other parts of California and Colombia and really can say that Maria is unique and well crafted in her approach to teaching read more

Maria was such a pleasure to work with! My husband and I wanted to learn a choreography for our first dance and within a couple of months Maria solidified a routine for us and got us ready for our big day. Maria is very professional and her dancing tips were very helpful. We had so much fun dancing at our wedding and everyone was surprised with our dancing skills! Thank you so much Maria! read more

Maria Diaz Latin Dance - Dance Studios Near Me

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A couple years ago I decided to learn how to dance Salsa. After a few weeks of searching, I decided to take Maria's lesson. If you move like robot and not having an ounce of dance talent in your body, please do yourself a favor and take her lesson! Her class was very structured and she will take you step by step through the basic, she's very passionate and knowledgeable. I ended up taking her lesson for the next 3 month before the pandemic hits. I'm planning to go back again. read more

Great instructor! Took bachata with her. Always a blast learning with Maria :) She makes it fun to learn and listens to what you're trying to accomplish to tailor the class for you. One of the best in town read more

Maria is the best. I've been taking lessons from her for almost a year. I had never taken dance lessons before but Maria made it very easy to learn. From the beginning she was interested in understanding my goals which helped guide the pace and overall instruction. I really appreciate the fact that we focus on the basic steps but also build little by little upon it each week - it keeps things fun and never so hard that I get discouraged. She is very nice, easy to work with, and very accommodating when it comes to scheduling. I don't live that close to the studio but she is well worth the drive. I highly recommend her! read more

I've always wanted to learn to dance and I've taken several dance classes: salsa, bachata, hip hop, tango, etc but I never felt like I actually learned. It was mostly choreography which made it hard. Maria teaches individual loves and how to incorporate them into different combinations. I finally feel like I'm learning to dance. I take private salsa dance classes with her and I also joined the beginner salsa/bachata group classes. I highly recommend her. I don't do too many reviews but she deserves the support. Feel free to reach out if you have questions for a student of hers read more

I found Maria online during a random search for cumbia lessons. Her experience persuaded me to reach out to her. I was not disappointed. I was looking for an instructor to teach me cumbia, in time for my wedding. Maria delivered! I went from 0-60 in a couple of months. My wife was both surprised and very happy. Thank you Maria!! Looking forward to continuing the lessons. read more

Maria was amazing and super patient. Well laid out class ! Very helpful Will definitely be back !! read more

I love Maria! She is an incredible talented instructor, dancer, and person! I've been taking salsa and bachata private lessons from her and Cesar for years now. She is extremely patient, knowledgeable, detail oriented and will focus on every dance step. She even taught me styling and flexibility techniques which has changed my posture and the way I walk. Her classes are structured but fun and exciting. You will learn something new every lesson. Thank you for everything you taught me! read more

My husband and I had always wanted to learn how to dance salsa. So, we started by taking group lessons at La Granada. Unfortunately, we wasted a lot of time and money, and did not learn a sufficient amount because the instructors would spend more time talking than actually teaching and dancing. Getting close to our wedding, we felt like we still did not know enough. We actually wanted to have a salsa routine that we would dance at our wedding for fun. We had about 1 month left until our wedding, so we were unsure of whether that would be possible (our instructor at La Granada flaked on us for private classes). Maria was amazing! She crammed 2-hour classes for 4 or 5 classes. She taught us a routine we were comfortable with. She used our limited capabilities and made something beautiful. Our wedding guests were shocked to see our dance. Maria made my dreams come true. I am so happy that I met Maria. I will definitely request more private classes in the future. She is perfection! The pricing is very reasonable! Do not waste your time or money elsewhere! read more

Maria Diaz Latin Dance - Dance Studios Near Me

Maria is a great latin dance teacher! I started taking Salsa dance lessons with Maria without knowing anything about Salsa dancing and within a couple months I moved from Salsa basics to also taking Bachata lessons. Her patience was incredible and her innovative techniques made dancing fun. Anyone looking to take Latin dance lessons should definitely consider taking classes with Maria. read more

I decided to take classes with Maria after I attended a friends event and watched everyone having a blast dancing bachata and salsa. Eventhough I had no previous experience with dancing, she was able to help me understand the basics of bachata and salsa. After just a few classes with Maria I gained the experience and confidence to dance outside of a class setting. I definitely recommend taking dance classes with Maria :) read more

I had taken group salsa lessons for a year and hit a plateau in my dancing. I came to Maria for a summer of private lessons to help me next-level my salsa, and start bachata. You will not find a better instructor. Not only does Maria have a keen eye and mind for detail, but she possesses infinite patience. She took the time to get to know me well, identify my key weaknesses, and build upon my key strengths. She knew how to maximize our one hour sessions together, and even let me dance with her partner so he could give me feedback. She kept a detailed record of what we worked on in each class and gave me "homework" to practice after each lessons. Moreover, she is very organized and flexible. She knew I worked long hours and always did her best to accomodate my requests for late evening classes. You won't find a harder working instructor in the business who gets you better results. My dancing improved greatly in our two months together, and I feel confident social dancing in a way I never did before. If I move back to LA, the first thing I'm doing is booking more time with her. She is pleasant to be around, extremely competent, and an amazing dancer and teacher! read more

My wife and I have been working with Maria for over a year now and the progress has been great! We've gone from zero experience dancing to confidently performing our First Dance at our wedding. We got several complements from our guests about our choreograph and dance skills, which is thanks to the work we put in with Maria. We have done a mix between group and private classes and found them both very helpful. Maria's years of experience is noticeable and comes through in her instructions. Her lessons are clear and easy to follow. She has been able to, through observation alone, pinpoint where we struggle and provides thoughtful individualized feedback on how to improve our techniques. Honestly, working with her is a pleasure and a blast and we look forward to continuing to learn from her. 1000% recommend her. read more

Maria is a great instructor and I highly recommend taking private lessons with her. She has a very easy going yet systematic approach to teaching, which worked very well for me. She is very good at breaking down dance moves in a way that makes sense for the particular individual. She keeps detailed notes so she always knows what to review, what's next, and how you are progressing. I am definitely not a natural dancer, but I feel a made a lot of progress with Maria and intend to keep learning since my experience has been great so far. Additionally, the scheduling was super easy and the prices (especially the packages) are a great value. Again, highly recommended! read more

After taking group classes for many years without results... I bit the bullet and gave private classes with Maria a shot... and WOW... the difference is Day and Night!!!! In less than 3 months I am now able and confident enough to go Salsa Dancing at any club and have a good time! Maria really knows her stuff and customizes the lessons based on your needs and preferences. She also corrected some foundational flaws from my prior experiences and helped me build a strong foundation which has allowed me to learn new moves very quickly. All in all, it's been an awesome experience and I only wish that I had started sooner, MUCH sooner! read more

Maria Diaz is an INCREDIBLE latin dance teacher working in the LA area! She has hosted multiple dance lesson "parties" for me and my friends, both in-person and during COVID-19 virtually. Both types of lessons have been the highest quality, most fun, most interactive dance classes. She is also incredibly willing to tailor the class to the needs of the audience! She teaches everything from beginners salsa to advanced for regulars like me. I can't say enough about Maria. I've learned so many new combinations, she has helped me practice, brings awesome energy every week, and I'm excited for our private virtual lessons every week. Her lessons and her style are so unique and she specializes in teaching her native Colombian salsa. I've had 5 private virtual lessons with Maria and I will definitely have more!!! Maria tailored our private sessions to MY NEEDS! We practice flexibility, complex dance combinations, and she always has good tips to share about taking care of your body as a dancer and athlete! Did I mention that Maria is a UCLA graduate (go Bruins!) and is studying physical therapy!? She has so many amazing tips for keeping my body moving and flexible especially during the stay at home era when we are doing a ton of extra sitting/laying. I can't recommend her enough! Try her out and it'll be a great class no matter what style you take. read more

I looooove Maria's classes! She's extremely talented and versatile in her instruction and takes the time to make sure she moves at a pace you feel good about. She is an incredible instructor that I'd recommend for beginners to advanced! She has a special way of making everyone in the class feel included and in private lessons, making sure you have the most effective learning experience during your time with her. She's knowledgeable and teaches many forms of latin dance and makes it fun! Reach out to her if you're wanting to learn, needing to brush up on your skils, or for a workout. You won't regret it! read more

I've been taking dance classes with Maria for the last year and I have to say, she is the best dance teacher I've ever had. I came into Salsa not knowing much and feeling really uncomfortable going out and dancing because I was afraid of looking like a fool. However, in the span of a year, not only has she helped taught me a crazy amount, but she has really helped overcome that fear of dancing out in social settings. She is very structured with her teaching style and breaks down each of the moves really well. If you have no experience dancing, or even if you do, I definitely recommend hitting her up! You wont regret it! read more

I had an INCREDIBLE time learning salsa at Maria's studio. Every week I learned something new. As a teacher myself, I appreciated Maria's focus on individual needs while steadily increasing difficulty each class. read more

HIGHLY RECOMMEND MARIA!!! She is beyond talented and works with intent. She comes to class with her lesson prepared and always takes notes on previous sessions to allow her to stick to a plan. She is patient, kind, and non-judgmental. Her professionalism is second to none and she uses alternative ways of teaching that can appeal to multiple audiences. I am so lucky to be working with her and hope everyone considers her in their dance endeavors!!! read more

You either stand in the corner wishing you could dance, or you dance. With Maria, you dance... It took my love of Latin dance a few years to come to fruition as I watched my wife soar across the dance floor and I was paralyzed with fear. There were many competent LA instructors in that time, that I admit I would still review more favorably if for the simple reason that there wasn't someone like Maria to compare them to yet. Much has been said here about her detail and patience. Both of which are immensely true. As some diagnosed with ADHD, following an order of steps and hand patterns simultaneously is always akin to riding a paddle boat against the current! While I sometimes loose track, her eyes remain laser focused. Studying each detail like building blocks that when pieced together create skyscrapers. So yes, there are other competent instructors in La. If for whatever reason you can't make it to Maria, I know they would be just fine. But with a fair amount of certainty I can assure that she is actually the best. read more

More than impressed with Maria. Honestly I'm quite the klutz and get easily discouraged, but Maria makes the class fun and accesible so it's easy to learn. I love it, I always look forward to my next class with her. read more

I took 10 hrs of private lessons with another instructor and i didn't learn anything... i really wanted to learn and I was not getting it till I came across Maria! She is amazing, great personality, a motivator, great teaching skills, she can dance, very patient, she takes her time and fixes every little detail so your moves are smooth... I have been going to Maria for about 5 months now, she thought me how to dance and now I'm very confident about myself when I'm out dancing. She is up to date with her steps and moves so you learn what people dance today, my other instructor was teaching me things that were 5 years old, with Maria everything is new, hip and sexy. I started going to her right before my wedding and she prepped me for it and my wife she was shocked when she saw that I went from being stif as robot to moving my hips like a pro. Thank you Maria for teaching me how to dance read more

Other than being an awesome teacher she's a badass dancer. Her attention to details in your dancing says a lot. She truly cares and looks to not just teach you moves but to craft your own style. She anticipates citations in your social dancing and guides you step by step. What ever level you are, beginner or professional her courses will get you to the next level. read more

My grandma taught me how to dance salsa when I was a kid, but I completely forgot since moving to the US. So, I wanted for a long time to (re) learn how to dance. I wasn't sure about taking classes since it is very different from my sport of boxing, but in just a few classes I was able to learn a lot. At least I'm not an embarrassment anymore. She is teaching me the new and old school styles of dancing and clearly knows what she is doing. I'm not the guy with the best rhythm, but she's making me look good. If you are unsure, give it a try. It is worth it. read more

I have been taking private lessons with Maria for a few months now and she is absolutely amazing. Not only is she a great dancer and teacher but she's a kind soul with amazing patience. I didnt know anything about salsa except that I've always wanted to learn and she has made this a wonderful experience. She is flexible and goes out of her way to accommodate your schedule. If you want to learn how to dance shes your girl. I highly recommend Maria. read more

Maria is the type of dance instructor who has the patience and the drive for her students' development -- and with her obvious passion for dance, you've got yourself a great dance instructor automatically. She has great patience to work out with you from the footwork basics up through the many spin variations. She always nudges you forward with new steps while helping you hone the basics and each successive progression of your dance-learning journey. She provides you with clarification, tips and exercises to overcome any hiccup. The lessons are never boring, as there is always a new step or variation to learn. She provides you with the tools in a natural, organic way for you to learn and grow. Her positive attitude never fails. I wouldn't hesitate on recommending her. read more

Maria is an amazing teacher! My husband and I took her class for our first dance for our wedding! We are first time dancers, we honestly didn't have any idea what we were doing but she made us feel very comfortable during our classes and she was so nice and understanding of our poor dance skills lol. She was able to fit us in her schedule and and work around ours too and since we have such a busy work week she was always asked for our availability which made it super easy for us to keep up with our classes. Over all at the wedding our dance came together and my husband and I had the best time! And it really brought us together we worked as a team and we aren't so afraid to dance anymore. Maria is kind patient and a great dancer! I would really recommend her to anyone who needs or wants to take a dance class read more

As a former student of Maria and attending a Latin social she was at one night, I can confidently say that her instruction is rare to come by. Her dance technique as well as her ability to teach is truly a gift not all can possess. If you ever get a chance to attend her class, you will not be disappointed. She is one of my favorite instructors and you can see that she lives and breathes dance. She has mastered the fundamentals. Her form is impeccable and she is able to teach and break down steps for anyone to learn. She cares about her students like no other and has that tough love that you urge for more. What are you still doing sitting there, go sign up for a class! read more

I started taking private salsa lessons with Maria eight months with the only intention of learning only basics steps and it has turned into a profound experience. What I love about Maria is her advanced touch for detail, which makes each lesson to be well-built. I extremely recommend Maria to be your instructor. read more

Maria's classes are always great confidence-boosters. She adds a Colombian flair to everything she does and it is very refreshing. Here is to more Bachata and Cumbia Salsa, La Profesora Maria :) read more

Our organization hosted a salsa night and Maria did a wonderful job instructing everyone involved especially the beginners. During times like this, to have a patience expert salsa instructor is a necessity and a joy. Thank you Maria for being a great teacher! read more