I wanted to love this so bad, but it just wasn't it. Mind you, this is my first American dance…read moreclass. I just spent a month in Colombia taking 4 hours of bachata a week with a 1:1 teacher for 20$ an hour. I learned so fast because I was learning one to one with a professional competitive dancer. Learning bachata with a strong experienced lead makes a huge difference as being the woman, I'm supposed to follow. If the lead doesn't know what they're doing, as in the classes here, you not only learn a lot slower, but often learn incorrectly. I signed up for a full month of lessons here however, my first class was a turn off. The classes are extremely full. There might be 30 to 50 people in the room. I don't know what I was expecting. Maybe 15 or 20 equal men and women that you would get to know each other over the course of the month. Just something more intimate. I also thought you would also dance with the teacher kind of get the feeling physically of what the correct dance looks like, however, this is not the case, you're just watching. It is also very fast-paced, so if you're neurodivergent or take a little bit to get the hang of things, it's probably not for you. Especially since the class is only an hour you only learn a little bit at a time, once a week in class. There's also really no time for you to like invest in learning a specific step, the 30-50 or whatever people in the room are all on the same clock, and one step is rushed to the next. After my first class I was looking into the cost of individual dance lessons here however they are ridiculously expensive at $100 an hour. I have a decent job, but still cannot afford that. The location is also not that convenient unless you live in the general area and can walk. Parking is really difficult, it's not right off the freeway or anything so if you live in another part of town, give yourself at least an extra 15 minutes to park and walk to the location. I guess I will be back in Latin America soon to learn more one-to-one! Or maybe at a bar in Portland they'll teach us some steps

This place is run by amazing humans and the teachers are great. I really enjoyed their practicas…read moreand other socials. I also love how they put teh class videos online. As a background, I have done 20 years of partner dancing. I am physically fit and able. The classes usually start with a warm up for about 10 minutes. Tl;Dr version: you will not be able to learn salsa here unless you really really stick with it, have some innate ability and previous dance experience, have a good musical ear etc because salsa 1 is too crowded to learn anything and step up to salsa 2 is way way too fast and do not teach much things you can use in social dancing. More info: My issue with VMAC is that their classes are insanely crowded at level 1 (this was salsa). And I mean insanely crowded. Probably because they are also on PCC curriculum so there are lots of PCC people there. The only reason I was able to pick up things was because I knew a bit of salsa and a lot of lead/follow/frame. But I can't see the instructors half of the time (the class had I think 75 or so people!!!!). I went to practicas which means another extra hour which is also why I was able to do ok. But moving to salsa 2 was horrible. It is not because I am not a good dancer. I think I was one of hte better ones in salsa 1. But salsa 2 is 3x the speed and 3x the number of moves. They show 4 "shines" / solo steps but they do not really break it down, they just do it quickly, and then almost within minutes increase the speed again. And since these steps are done in succession throughout the class, if you do not get one, and mind you, you will not esp. moving from salsa 1, you are now trying to find a way to do the ones you can. And salsa 2 can be busy as well, at least the first two weeks of the session so these super fast teaching/immediate application can be frustrating because you might not be able to see it. I am not surprised the later weeks got busier as people dropped out, probably because of this. Then they will teach you a move. Usually it is complicated and involves swapping places with your partner which means you can't see the move very well half of the time. So now you are stuck with frustration of not being able to do the shines they show, and then you can't see half of the steps. Salsa 2 is a HUGE step up, and also is 6 months so now you are in a class with people who have 5 more months of experience (in contrast, salsa 1 is 3 months). And since you do not know many moves, going to a social sucks. My friend is a lead and he had very few things he could do and his follows would get bored. Shines are great if you already have the beats, the fundamentals, but I think the teachers have not been beginners in a long time and do not udnerstand, esp. for leads from what I have seen, that they will not do any of those 4 insanely fast taught shine steps since they do not have much other things to do at a social. Hard to do steps that you can do alone when you are doing a partner dance you are just learning. I do not know where else they teach salsa in Portland, but this is not a good place to take salsa classes IMHO. They are too focused on number of attendees and showing you things that you can't use and not showing enough of things you can. Stepping from salsa 1 to salsa 2 is just a huge step up, and with the way/speed it is taught, you have very little chance of picking up things. Pick a place that teaches in smaller groups. I also took bachata and it was a slightly smaller class and though they do also show things that you have not learned already at the warm up, it is a slower pace and they do go over it in other weeks. Sorry to be a downer, but this was a very frustrating experience and it can be better if they focused on things we can actually use on the dance floor to get more of a feel as relatively new dancers instead of this obsession with teaching us 4 different shines every class in a rapid way that is not being broken down and then we have to put them together, in the same class, at an even faster tempo. Also in practica one of the teachers would just chat with her friend the other ambassador instead of dancing with one of the leads who didn't have a partner and had to wait (I looked) 5 minutes for them to remember to rotate by which time they moved to another thing. John and Sophia are very fun to learn from in practica.

I tried salsa over 10 years ago in a club setting (2 hour class before the party starts) and it…read moredidn't click. I wasn't progressing. Fast forward to 2013 and I decided this was the year for me to learn salsa. Enough with the class here, class there adding up to just knowing the basic step. I found Miguel's class via Yelp and went almost every week for almost 2 years. I went from basic step to club dancing to performing at a festival to boogieing in Cuba. Miguel is an incredible dancer, an attentive teacher and a generous human being. I've been to several other teachers and he's the only one that focuses as much on how women should move as the men. His hip movements put us ladies to shame! Portland is very lucky to have him teaching there. Go. Take his class, keep coming, it will be worth it.

What a great atmosphere! No pressure, just fun and dancing all evening. Definitely will be…read morereturning!

Loved this studio, but unfortunately it's closed now. It's been bought out and is now a traditional…read moredance studio - No pole classes from what I can tell, which is too bad. This was a supportive, judgement-free zone .

I am so happy that the Diva Den became a part of the Shawn Gardener Dance studio. It is wonderful…read moreto have so many great instructors and class options for such a reasonable price.

So fun! A little intimidating when going alone as many have their groups or friends established…read more Advice is go with a friend.

After taking loads of classes here, and even taking triple back-to-back classes sometimes, I…read moretemporarily have stopped coming here because I don't have the flexibility in my schedule to come. It really is mostly a location thing and I had to prioritize another (also great) workout studio near my home that I could walk to in a shorter time that it took me to drive or ride my bike to Pulse. But about this place: I love that you can take classes back to back so you can get both strength training and cardio out of the way. And they even have wonderful recovery/muscle-repair type classes as well. Anyway, I miss Pulse! I hope their schedule and my schedule align sooner than later because I would love to go back and dance my butt off!

I've been taking classes from Linda and her instructors for over a year now and they are all…read morefantastic. I really like how they have Intro classes to the social dances which teaches the very basic steps and a couple of patterns and then progress up to Intermediate classes where you learn lots of patterns. Mostly I appreciate how they tailor the speed of the class to the level of the students enrolled. Taking ballroom and social dance classes has really been good for building my confidence, self-esteem and stamina. Highly recommended!

Upon arriving at this place, we didn't know what to expect. We had almost given up when google maps…read morebrought us to another location. But we were pleasantly saved by retrying and driving around, and glad we went. The fact that they do a lesson to start is absolutely charming. There were many ages here, from teens to elderly and everything in-between, and everyone was full of spirit. People were very willing to invite us nervous Nellies to dance, and helping us try new moves with enthusiasm. Made us feel extremely welcome. There is a small buffet of food, and gave us the idea to next time bring a dish. Also drinks too. First tome is only $5, which is an incredible deal. There are three amazing ballrooms. I was so impressed with the layout of this place. Linda is such a nice woman. She has charisma and grace, and is a marvelous dancer. The other room was more for west coast swing. I was taught basic steps of WCS, rumba, and foxtrot. I was so excited! Classes are available too, I'm definitely into taking some classes. People were dressed nice. Everything was so classy and interesting. I absolutely adored everything. There is also parking. EXCELLENT!

An ex-girlfriend and I went to a few salsa lessons with Tammy and Kelly, and I had SO much fun that…read moreI began taking lessons by myself after we broke up. I've continued to take lessons for the last 7 years off and on, gradually transforming myself from an awkward/stumbling music lover into a smooth and confident salsa dancer! When I started dating the amazing women that is now my wife, she began lessons with Tammy and Kelly so that we could dance together - and by the time of our wedding we surprised many of our friends who had no idea that I could dance! Tammy and Kelly are an amazing teaching team and can help you reach whatever goals you may have with your dancing!

From the owner: Partnership Dancing including ballroom, swing, salsa, cha cha, rhumba, and merengueread more

Daniel is a dance instructor who is geninely delighted by his job. He introduces creative and…read moreaccessible choreography, teaches quickly but patiently, and is always open to incorporating your own ideas. He loves to make his students shine and delights in showing them off - wedding couples, quincenearas, nursing home residents, everyone. My fiance and I took a six-pack of lessons and ended up with a solid, beautiful first dance that makes us both feel confident and that I'm sure will wow our guests. We've both loved working with Daniel - he's just such an energetic, hardworking, and generous spirit. He always goes the extra mile for the people he works with. I highly recommend him for private dance lessons!

From the owner: Daniel can come to you or you can come to him at his new studio in downtown Vancouver. Dance…read morelessons from someone who cares for your dreams and goals. Whether it be private ballroom lessons in the six major dances -Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, Rumba, Cha Cha, Swing and Latin dance styles -Salsa, Bachata, Merengue, Samba or Hip Hop, Jazz and Contemporary. Schedule a group dance lesson with family & friends or for business events & team building. Make Daniel your new individualized dance instructor. You will love the fusion of styles and his specialization of working with all levels and all ages.

Jen has the best Zumba class around...hands down! It doesn't matter your fitness level, your age or…read moreyour experience level, just come shake it with our Zumba family! At only $8, you can drop in at any time and with no gym membership needed, it's a great value!

Best Zumba class ever !! Jennifer the teacher is bar none the best most fun instructor . This class…read morewill create a fire for exercise that will never burn out. Thanks Jen !!!!!.... Jen has moved to Utah ... Is no longer teaching .. For real I am sad .. Real tears .. I was u able to attend last couple classes and am truly sad . I don't have face book and never got to say good by. I attended her class pretty faithfully for at least 5 years ... There is for sure a hole in my life right now. Miss you Jen

My dance partner and I had danced on Sunday and really enjoyed the Beauty of the Ballroom , the…read morepeople and the music. I have a new partner who I have interest in coming back to dance. I was wondering if they still offer the dancing on Sunday later in the evening. I really enjoyed it. Thank you. Keith Neuman

Moving your feet isn't so bad when you have a company like this leading the way. It's the…read morepractical way of pursuing one's Dancing With The Stars dream, only in a much slower pace just short of a Dance Dance Revolution. From the fox trot to the tango, they've got it all. Classes are going to range from $35-50 per month / 5 weeks, which I think is a fairly good deal considering all of the dance instruction. Most people who I've encountered here seem very happy with the whole set up. Facilities are top notch as there is plenty of room to dance and rest along the sidelines. Though class enrollment fills up quickly, the actual onsite classes have just enough people to make sure everyone gets some bit of individual attention. The instructors here are super friendly and specialize in all sorts of different dance styles. Not everyone is born with twinkle toes, but they seem to do a great job in being patient and helping people get to where they want to be. Fear not solo visitors, they're also very good at pairing people with the right skill level. For those interested in taking their dancing to another level, this is a place to also train for competition. I've seen some photos of locals who are now professionals after taking their first dance steps here as a beginner. Whether you're a notice or a professional, this is an excellent place to learn. And if that's not enough, this is an excellent alternative to the gym for people looking to get fit.

Don't waste your time. I made the drive twice, planning to attend one of the classes on their…read moreschedule, but both times the studio was locked and dark, and the instructor never showed up. I'm done.

Wonderful teachers with easy-to-follow instructions and demonstrations. Great class variety also.read more