Salsa program & Level guide

Find the class that fits you now and see how Lux’s progressive Salsa program builds from On1 fundamentals into On2 training. Level placement is based on readiness—not simply time spent dancing—and our instructors are happy to help if you’re unsure where to begin.

Newcomer

Start here if you’re brand new to Salsa, new to dance, or prefer a gentler pace with plenty of repetition. Learn timing, basic steps and turns, partner connection, and simple partnerwork. The foundational syllabus repeats monthly, so you can join anytime and repeat as needed.

Typical

0–3 months or 0–15 hours of Salsa experience

Beginner

Choose Beginner if you’re comfortable with basic Salsa steps—or have prior dance experience and feel comfortable learning at a quicker pace. Build more varied footwork and partnerwork, quicker sequencing, and increasingly detailed turns, transitions, and armwork.

Typical

1–9 months or 10–40 hours of Salsa experience

Intermediate

Choose Intermediate if you’re an experienced Salsa dancer who is already comfortable dancing On2. Expect a faster pace, layered partnerwork, intricate footwork and shines, and greater emphasis on technique, control, execution, and musicality. Solid social-dance vocabulary is expected.

Typical

6–24 months or 40–100 hours of Salsa experience

Advanced

Choose Advanced offerings if you’re a highly experienced Salsa On2 dancer with consistent timing, technique, and partner connection—and you’re ready for faster, more complex material with intricate footwork, rapid direction changes, and complex turns and hand transitions.

Typical

18+ months or 100+ hours of Salsa On2 experience

HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS

Two timings. A more versatile dancer.

Salsa is danced in several styles around the world. Lux mainly teaches linear salsa, in which partners generally move along a shared line (or “slot”). On1 ("LA Style") and On2 ("NY Style" or "mambo") are two of the most widely taught ways of timing linear salsa to the music.

At Lux, Newcomer begins On1, Beginner introduces On2, and Intermediate and Advanced training continue On2. The steps and partnerwork are closely related; the primary difference is where the movement falls within the music.

Salsa On1

Newcomer

On1 places the primary change of direction on beats one and five. In our experience, this timing tends to feel more intuitive to first-time dancers, helping newcomers get moving, learn more, and feel successful sooner. On1 is also widely used in Austin’s beginner-friendly social scene, so students can immediately practice what they are learning with more of the partners they are likely to meet.

Salsa On2

Beginner + Intermediate

On2 shifts the primary change of direction to beats two and six while using much of the same Salsa vocabulary. On2 is not inherently harder or reserved for advanced dancers. Lux introduces it in Beginner so students can adjust to the new timing while reinforcing familiar steps and partnerwork—before the pace and complexity increase in Intermediate.

For dancers who want to take their training further, On2 becomes essential. At the major Salsa festivals and congresses that help shape how Salsa is danced across the global community, On2 is generally the assumed timing for workshops and social dancing. Learning On2 prepares students to participate fully in those experiences, train with a wider range of artists, and continue advancing beyond the local dance scene.

Quarterly Transition Intensives

Focused group sessions use timing exercises, musicality work, and drills to help On1 dancers understand and establish the On2 rhythm before or alongside regular classes.

View the Next Intensive

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Mini-Groups

Ready before the next intensive? Coordinate with a few classmates, and Lux can arrange a small-group session focused on the transition. Because the cost is shared, mini-groups offer more individual attention than a weekly class at a lower cost than private instruction.

Explore Mini-Groups

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Private Lessons

One-on-one instruction allows us to tailor the transition to your experience, timing challenges, and goals. Private lessons are especially useful when you want targeted corrections, accelerated support, or scheduling flexibility.

Explore Private Lessons

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Which Salsa class is right for you?

Find your starting level

Two timings. A more versatile dancer.

More than one way to make the switch

Not sure where you fit?