Salsa Foundations Program

A Clear Path to Confident Social Dancing

The Salsa Foundations Program at Nashville Salsa Dancing is designed to help you build real, usable dance skills step by step — without rushing, guessing, or skipping fundamentals.

This program is made up of four progressive levels, each building on the one before it. Whether you’re brand new to Salsa or continuing your training, the Foundations Program gives you a clear path forward.

How the Foundations Program Works

Each level runs in a 4-week cycle
Classes meet once per week for one hour
Levels are taken in order, unless approved by an instructor
You move forward when you’re ready — not just when the calendar says so
The goal isn’t to memorize patterns. It’s to build timing, connection, technique, and confidence that actually show up on the social dance floor.

The Four Foundations Levels

Salsa Foundations 1

This is where everything begins. Foundations 1 focuses on:

Timing and musical understanding
Partner connection
Basic steps and right turns

This level is designed for dancers who are brand new to Salsa or want to rebuild their fundamentals from the ground up.

Next: Move into Salsa Foundations 2

Salsa Foundations 1

Salsa Foundations 2

Foundations 2 builds directly on the basics and introduces more structure and flow.

In this level, students:

Review Foundations 1 fundamentals
Learn the Cross Body Lead
Add left turns for both leads and follows
Begin shines, including Crossover and Susie Q

This level helps your dancing feel smoother, more confident, and more intentional.

Next: Move into Salsa Foundations 3

Salsa Foundations 3

Foundations 3 expands your turn vocabulary and partner work.

In this level, students:

Review Foundations 2 concepts
Learn the Open Break
Add inside turns and variations
Develop musical awareness through shines like Hip Walk

This level focuses on flow, responsiveness, and adapting movement to the music.

Next: Move into Salsa Foundations 4

Salsa Foundations 4

Foundations 4 is the final level of the Foundations Program.

In this level, students:

Review Foundations 3 material
Learn outside turns and variations
Refine technique, balance, and clarity
Explore shines such as the Front Double Cross

This level brings everything together and prepares dancers to continue training beyond the Foundations structure.

Next: Move into On2 Flow

What Happens After Foundations 4?

After completing Salsa Foundations 4, dancers are ready to continue their training in On2 Flow.

On2 Flow focuses on:

Dancing with greater fluidity and musical interpretation
Refining movement quality and transitions
Applying technique in a more open, expressive way

This is where dancers begin exploring more personal style while staying grounded in strong fundamentals.

Which Level Should I Start With?

New to Salsa? Start with Foundations 1
Already completed a Foundations level? Continue to the next level
Have prior experience and unsure where you belong? Instructor approval is available

We’re happy to help you choose the right place to start.