About

The Acosta Dance Foundation invites you to train in their brand-new Pilot Classes.

Choose between Afro-Cuban on Mondays, Ballet on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and Cuban Rhythms on Thursdays. 

Adult classes are suitable for all levels of experience and specially designed to inspire you while developing your strength, flexibility and coordination - This is a unique opportunity to work with local professional dance teachers.

With no previous experience or professional level needed, classes are catered to allow you to train in various styles and techniques.

Programme: 

Afro-Cuban Master Dance (Orishas) - Mondays
Learn about the dances that form the basis of all Afro-Cuban dancing.

Orishas - Representing the Elements of Nature:
Orishas form the basis of Afro-Cuban dancing. They heavily influenced the evolution of Cuban folklore dancing. For many Cubans, Orishas are much more than just a dance; it’s a religion and a culture. Orishas are the Yoruba/Santeria religion's gods. Each of these gods looks a certain way, with a story and a character. Religious ceremonies are a Cuban spectacle as the practitioners attempt to portray them through dance.

Afro-Cuban Master Dance (Rumba) - Mondays
Learn about the history, styles and movements of the dance representing Cuba's street life.

Rumba - The Real Cuban Street Dance:
Rumba is a secular genre of Cuban music involving dance, percussion and song from African and Spanish influences. It originated in the northern regions of Cuba, mainly in urban Havana and Matanzas during the late 19th century. It is based on African music and dance traditions, namely Abakuá and Yuka, and the Spanish-based 'coros de clave'.

In this class, you will learn about the history, styles, and musical performance, along with the traditional movements, body language, gestures and mannerisms that distinguish Rumba as a secular dance representing Cuba’s street life.

Ballet For All (Beginnners) - Tuesdays
Classes for anyone with a basic understanding of ballet technique.

Ballet Beginners:
The perfect class for those getting started or revisiting ballet as an adult!

This class will focus on alignment, the foundation of ballet technique & movement quality - recommended for students that are absolute beginner ballet dancers or adults returning to ballet after having learnt as a child. Our beginner level will work on correct posture and basic positions of arms and legs. You will learn how to identify the right muscles to move the body and how to use the rhythm of the music.

Ballet For All (General) - Wednesdays
Classes for anyone with a basic understanding of ballet technique.

Ballet - General:
A basic understanding of ballet technique would be helpful so we can progress through barre, centre practice and allegro.

Cuban Dance Rhythms (Salsa) - Thursdays
Learn how to salsa through the basics of Cuban rhythms.

Salsa - An Introduction:
Cuban culture encompasses a wide range of dance forms. After the colonisation of Cuba by the Spanish Kingdom, European dance forms were introduced such as the French contredanse, which gave rise to the Cuban contradanza and spawned a series of ballroom dances between the 19th and 20th centuries, including the Danzón, Mambo and Cha-cha-cha. Many of these dance elements from European dance and religious dances were fused to form the basis of Cuban technique.

Cuban music also contributed to the emergence of Latin dance styles such as salsa. Salsa is a Latin dance associated with the music genre of the same name; it is an amalgamation of Cuban dances, such as Mambo, Pachanga and Rumba, as well as American dances, such as swing and tap.

Cuban Dance Rhythms (Popular Dances) - Thursdays
Learn the basics of Cuban rhythms such as Cha-cha-cha, Mambo & Son.

Cuban Popular Dances - Cha-cha-cha, Danzón, Son & Mambo:
Cuban culture encompasses a wide range of dance forms. After the colonisation of Cuba by the Spanish Kingdom, European dance forms were introduced such as the French contredanse, which gave rise to the Cuban contradanza and spawned a series of ballroom dances between the 19th and 20th centuries, including the Danzón, Mambo and Cha-cha-cha. Many of these dance elements from European dance and religious dances were fused to form the basis of Cuban technique.

Cuban music also contributed to the emergence of Latin dance styles such as salsa. Salsa is a Latin dance associated with the music genre of the same name; it is an amalgamation of Cuban dances, such as Mambo, Pachanga and Rumba, as well as American dances, such as swing and tap.

* Suitable for ages 18+