I've been a student for a about a year and a half now and its been a great journey. From the start Latin Rhythms was great from Ale at the front desk being awesome to the instructors teaching. At first i was nervous, I had never been on a dance floor before but they walk you through it, teach you some basics and they make it fun. Everyone always asks who I dance with (as a single guy) and thats my favorite part; its extremely social, you rotate partners every couple minutes and you slowly get to meet new people who will quickly become your best friends. A year and a half in, i now call myself a dancer and ive met more friends here than in the previous 4 years. So after getting over the forced fun awkwardness of the basics the second big thing for me was going out and dancing which i did at the Latin Rhythms socials. The positive reinforcement that i got from students and teachers was great, everyone has to start with the basics and everyone has been there. It really is an entire community built around helping you to get better and enjoy it. No one is a master from the get go and everyone just enjoys a good dance, doesn't need to be fancy. So here in my journey, I'm taking 5 classes a week, most of my friends are dancers and I'm learning salsa and bachata. I highly recommend latin rhythms because of the instructors, they have something for everyone and they are the best. I do take classes at other studios but for the beginner, the fundamentalist or if you want to work on a specialization, this is the best place in town. Its the people, the community and the environment that makes this place special. read more

I love this studio! The instructors spend time with each student during the class ensuring everyone continues to excel. I've made many friends here as well. I appreciate the positive fun atmosphere. read more

This was my first time visiting Latin Rhythms, Wow! Everyone I danced with was so polite and so friendly. Man, I'm not a great dancer but after watching the people danced I felt like anything was possible by the end of the night. We watched 3 couples compete and man they were amazing. They play a bit of everything Salsa, Bachata and merengue. Is BYOB!! They do have water and Gatorade for sale. There are two bathrooms. Bring comfortable clothes and be prepared to sweat. read more

Latin Rhythms Dance Studio - Performing Arts Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This is a special place. Every instructor is talented & welcoming. If I had more time, I would be here almost every day. Big shout out to Jorge Alvarez who teaches super fun cha cha, salsa & shines classes that I look forward to every week!! read more

I took a beginner salsa class with a handful of friends, and I can proudly say that I didn't step on any toes! Our instructor Nancy gave us a crash course in salsa, and taught us enough to be dangerous. I also learned that dancers apparently don't like he number 4. They like to count 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, and back to 1. Weird. This studio is a great space. It turned into a Latin dance social (Saturday) later in the evening with a $10 cover charge. Well worth it. So many different types of people, and everyone is there to have fun and dance. Love that nobody was being judgy. Can't wait to come back again! Friends and I had a great time! read more

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Owner was awesome! Very well knowledgeable, excellent teacher, very patient, very fun!

Maricza Valentin, Jorge Alvarez, Victor Monroy and Team are Exceptional! All instructors are able to take someone from First steps to Dance Pro. Their personalities and experience shine throughout the coursework; this allows you to choose which flavor of the content you learn best from! I absolutely love how technical they are and provide an excellent balance in rigor between achievable and need to work on. You end up feeling empowered and fulfilled at the end of classes with enough material to take home to really make it a part of your dancing tool kit. It is such an honor to be a student of Maricza, Jorge and Victor. Thank you for all you have done for me and my dance! read more

Do not book through Groupon, conveniently they make it very difficult to use. My other gripe you can only communicate through social media THEY NEVER ANSWER THE PHONE !! This is not a post intended for the instructors but its a dig on the management of the business. I was able to get a refund from Groupon. read more

My boyfriend and I came here to take the Basic Salsa 2 series (4 classes) with a Groupon, after taking an intro level class at Chicago Dance. It was nice to not have to repeat the intro level, but they do require you to come in for a 5-minute evaluation a week or two in advance (ours was a 9:30pm on a Monday - a tad inconvenient, but understandable). The studio is beautiful, and the atmosphere is very friendly, but we were both unimpressed with the instruction. We learned probably 2-3 moves over the course of 4 weeks, which felt like a painstakingly slow pace. The majority of each class was spent doing the same footwork pattern (about 5-6 moves from the previous level) over and over again. While it was helpful to learn combos and how to put moves together, this was far too much repetition; everyone in the class seemed bored after the first week. The classes were also pretty unorganized - it didn't seem like there was any thought given to what we would learn that night and how much time we would spend reviewing vs. learning new moves. The instructor demo-ed a move in week 2 that we never ended up learning, and often we would end class by cramming a new move in at the end after repeating the footwork pattern for the majority of the lesson. She usually forgot to have us rotate partners, or would have us rotate once sporadically. It was also very, very hard to hear with the music next door. Overall, the studio was nice, and people were friendly, but we were unimpressed by our particular session. We watched the end of classes before us, and it does seem like people learn to dance well and they offer a nice variety of classes, but we are hesitant to try another round of classes here given the slow pace of progression and our experience with the quality of instruction. read more

The best studio in Chicago. Period. It's a home away from home, it prepares you on the right path to becoming a successful dancer. Hands down the best. read more

Latin Rhythms Dance Studio - Performing Arts Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Love the dance instructor he was spunky, fun, really good teacher and very personable. 8/10 as it could use some decor to set the vibe.

Awesome dance studio! Our instructor Nancy was amazing we had a great time. I would love to back again to attend an open house or a dance party in the evening. It only $10 cover charge to the party. It's BYOB we chose to bring snacks and beverages to share with others it was fun. I has inspired me to above and beyond my comfort zone of learning to dance anything. I'm not a dancer I don't have much rhythm but today I felt better about it. read more

I cannot recommend Latin Rhythms more strongly!!!! This place is amazing, the admins are very responsive when it comes to questions and billing. I had never done any kind of dance other than some Zumba classes prior to going to classes here and I feel so supported by my instructor and fellow dancers! I've been learning salsa, thus far the only instructor I've worked with has been Ernesto and he is amazing!!! So fun to work with, very knowledgeable and patient. This place also hosts regular dance socials which are a great place to practice your newly learned OR well refined skills!! I'm planning to start taking bachata classes here as well once I'm out of grad school. Thank you Latin Rhythms for making this such a fun experience! read more

You will not only find amazing instructors, but also a welcoming community that quickly becomes family at Latin Rhythms Dance Studio. Each instructor has their own teaching style, but all make time for group and individual feedback throughout the class and keep the mood light with humor. Be prepared to learn strong technique, have fun, and make meaningful friendships in your classes at LR! If your taking more than one class, I highly recommend taking advantage of one of their memberships. read more

I started going to Latin Rhythms about 6 months ago. It was recommended by a good friend of mine who was very active in the latin dance scene. I've always liked salsa and bachata music but I never took it upon myself to learn how to dance to it. After the first month of class I was hooked. My first bachata instructor Nadia was and still is phenomenal. She has such a vibrant personality and her humor will make you relax and have a good time. We had people who had never danced in her class and as intimidating as this dancing can be, I can tell they were comfortable and having a great time. The second month I started taking salsa with the owner Maricsa. I found salsa to be more challenging . However, Maricsa is so experienced with dancing that she knows all the little tips and tricks to make it easier to understand and execute. If you take her class you really can sense her passion for her craft and that is the type of instructor that you want to help build your dance skills. Maricsa has amazing energy and she takes the effort to get to know you. I don't know how she does it but she has hundreds of students that have been going there for over 15 years and she almost knows everyone's name. The best part about coming here is that you meet great people who all enjoy dancing. You get that family vibe and the next thing you know you are all group texting each other to go out dancing. The dance socials they throw every other week are blast. I've been to almost every single one. This place has a reputation for being the best latin dance studio in Chicago. I would definitely make this your first choice. read more

Maybe the stars are still in our eyes , or it's that feeling you get after a certain amount of spinning; my gf and I just finished our first lesson . But we had the most fun with our first lesson. Nadia, our instructor (, a total firecracker,) got us moving right away, in each other's arm within what seemed like a few short minutes, as time flies when you're having fun. But seriously learned steps, slides, a spin move, then leading and following. It was all grand fun. Cant wait for next lesson. read more

I was interested in this studio because it's not far from where I live and the parking is convenient. It was also recommended by a friend. I called the studio and asked for a return call about which class to sign up for and they never called me back. So, on a very snowy and incredibly cold evening I stopped in because the website states that you can come in any time for a free evaluation. The girl at the front desk was really distracted by whatever she was doing on the computer and barely addressed me. I asked her about what class to sign up for and told her I'd taken a beginning class at another studio and she said, "Well, I'd get you and evaluation but...." she looked around for a minute "no one is available right now. So, I'd recommend you sign up for the beginner class." She went back to the computer. I went to Latin Street instead. read more

I have been taking classes at this studio for almost a year now. And while many hobbyists come and go, the core group of individuals who regularly attend this studio are true artists, with an inconceivable passion for dance arts & Latin culture, which can be witnessed at one of their socials or scheduled performances. Artistry is nurtured at Latin Rhythms . Kudos to the instructors and the supportive community they have fostered at the studio. read more

I think LR is a great place to take classes. Each teacher has their own style of teaching and you will definitely hit the Latin Clubs knowing what to do on your feet in any style. They challenge you and have a variety of classes. I did not give it a 5 for only one reason. I think those that work at the front desk can have more consistent customer service. Dont get me wrong I love my people at LR. They are great and I get what I pay for. But as a business, promoting and convincing people to attend a class, and making them feel welcome to a class, there are one or two at the front desk who unfortunately do not fulfill that role as much as others. So I definitely give LR a thumbs up for taking classes and I will give a sideways thumb for the few personal at the front desk who can use more work in customer service. read more

I have taken classes at other dance studios and my extensive experience through the Latin Rhythms curriculum has been nothing but positive. The classes are developed around a learning pathway that seems natural to develop solid dancer techniques. There's a heavy emphasis on rhythm and timing. Students are taught to 'find the 1' in salsa first before rediscovering the intricate depth of latin music when rediscovering 'the 2' for mambo. Styling classes are available for more advanced students who have mastered basic technique and of course there are ample opportunities for dancer performance and individual study. Student dance teams are audition required intense experiences into working as a team and strategy building to rigorous practice and culminating into a performance on stage in front of the school or even more so - a dance congress. I highly recommend dance teams for confidence and technique building. From yoga to body movement, spin classes and advanced level performance and dancing.... My 6 years invested at LR have been some of my finest and most joyful. The friendships I have developed have been life changing. It's the kind of dance school, where it is nearly impossible to leave without a smile on your face and new dance moves in your heart. LR is a 'family' of dancers and I am proud to be one of them. Some of the toughest classes I've had - have taught me the most and kept me coming back year after year. I highly recommend this school. All dancers at one point were the people who stare at the shuffling feet wondering if they are doing it right. We all begin the same - it's devotion and passion of commitment that create a dancer. The best time to start is now and LR is the best place to begin. read more

****************************************************************************************************************Heads Up teacher do discriminate by race here , when i asked why, I was told to speak to the manager. Don't know what is going on here but there is some undercover things happening .**************************************************************************************************** This is hard to write because there are some really great people here and after my first class i was hooked. I was the crazy person you see doing the basic while waiting for the train or while shopping for groceries. Unfortunately there were some things i started to take notice of. Instructors do play favorites and at one point i realized what i was doing here was watching someone else taking a dance class and if I am lucky i probably would get two or three words in between and i was the person struggling it got so bad that my classmate started giving me instruction. Stay long enough and you start to see there are clicks and now where back in highschool. At the end of the day all i wanted was equal treatment and on that end latin rhythms does not deliver read more

I took a class here during the winter, and enjoyed it very much. They teach several styles of dance (mambo, bachata, cha cha cha, cumbia), but focus on salsa. Their salsa series is the most extensive salsa curriculum of any studio I've seen. Victor is an excellent instructor. He's very thorough while maintaining a casual demeanor, and is very encouraging toward his students, especially those unfamiliar with Latin dancing. The new space in the West Loop is great. Huge loft ceilings divided by curtains, with benches and tables and chairs to sit at while waiting for your class to begin. Every last Friday of the month, Latin Rhythms hosts mixers for students to practice but they're open to anyone. They also rent the studio for events, it would be a great place to throw a party. read more

I can't say enough good things about this place. I started taking salsa and bachata lessons here a few months ago - I had taken some lessons at another studio in the city, and this one is much better. The instructors are all very open and friendly, and it seems like they all follow a very similarly structured curriculum so you actually learn from class to class. They also have excellent socials every other Saturday night. I never thought I'd be able to go dance at an open Latin social night, but thanks to the lessons I've taken here, I have! If you live in the West Loop area and you're interested in learning Latin dance, you have to check this place out! read more

Singles and couples are both made to feel comfortable. My husband & I, along with our teen son, have been taking classes for 9 months now and have enjoyed every minute. A tribute to the lessons was shortly after a late evening dinner at Lalo's in Chicago (Maxwell ST), a DJ began to play Latin music. He alternated between Bachata & Salsa. My teen son recognize a favorite Salsa song and asked me to dance. What a moment. Amongst adults on a public place my teen son had the confidence to dance Salsa with me, mom. Proud fun moment. In fact we danced 3 in total. We weren't perfect, yet we had a ball. Thank you Maritza & Isaac. LRDS is family friendly without diluting a great place for singles to meet. read more

I have never taken classes from any other dance studio, but so far I am very pleased with my beginning salsa class. I like that you can try out the first class before committing to the four week class, but I think you will want to. I am learning at a good pace which the first two weeks really focus on the fundamentals and the next two weeks we will focus on more fancy options. I had the experience during the last class that I felt like I could dance, which is not something I have experienced before so it gives me hope by the end I will feel more confident than I expected to. I was able to witness an advanced bachata class which has me very interested in getting up to that level as it was very sexy. The other thing that seems nice is it seems like more than a class, as it seems like more of a community. With a lot of gatherings during the week and studio nights, and yoga offered, there is always something going on. read more

If you're a beginner (and/or trying to impress your girlfriend), I HIGHLY recommend this place. I walked in there on day 1 with NO DANCING EXPERIENCE and completely intimidated...after taking classes from beginner 1 to intermediate 1, I actually look like I know what I'm doing and all my friends are really impressed when my girlfriend and I show off moves that they teach us. I am always amazed by the fact that I can ACTUALLY dance a little bit!! The pacing is great. The instructors are great. The atmosphere is fun. A bunch of us (students) will usually go out after class to practice the new moves at Lalo's... and a lot of the times the instructors are there too which is kind of fun to see them outside of class. The only thing I would say is you NEED to stick with it if you want to learn. It won't do you any good if you go for a month, then not go for two months, then go another month... you really need to make it a habit f you really want to learn how to salsa dance. read more

With no prior dance experience and just a desire/longing to dance, I started taking classes at Latin Rhythms in December, 2009. I now find myself listening to Salsa music on my iPod and dancing in the aisles at work or in the streets! I am also eyeing the current class schedule to see if I can add Cha Cha Cha or Bachata because I am so hooked! My Salsa lessons are with Rey. Rey is a sweet, patient instructor, who gently nudges you to challenge yourself, makes everyone feel included and makes sure no one is left behind. He also makes the class a lot of fun and I am so disappointed when the hour is over. I find myself asking for just one more song, one more chance to dance! Latin Rhythms offers evening and Saturday classes plus "mixers" where you get a chance to practice dancing and meet other students. The studio is beautiful and offers a little cafe area to purchase water, smoothies, etc... and just hang out and talk to instructors and fellow students. The student population is diverse, all ages, and you do not need a partner to take a class. I take Saturday classes and have learned to allow myself an extra 10 minutes to look for parking, and it's free street parking. Classes are on a month by month basis so you can give it a try without a huge monetary commitment and no contracts. Memberships are also available which help you save money on classes, once you've decided you're hooked, like me. Check out the website for pricing info. Surprisingly very affordable! If you are vacillating on whether you should try classes at Latin Rhythms, vacillate no more. This is it! This is the place to open yourself up, spread your wings and dance! read more

I really love this studio. I'm currently taking salsa lessons right now with Sol, who's a great instructor. You can get a student discount ($45 for a session) as long as you show your student ID. Classes are very reasonably priced and they care about you to take the time to set up a good student teacher ratio. The space is very nice and of course I love it because its also right down the street from work. You are bound to find a class to fit your schedule and they are very flexible in case you end up missing a class. Everyone is so friendly and nice, you don't need to be shy about being a beginner. read more

The instruction is excellent. Period. I've tried classes with just about every instructor there and always learn something new. They really take into consideration reviews and suggestions from their students to improve your dancing experience. The receptionist is new and very friendly :) The owners are warm and greet their students by name. Customer Service and happy students are important to them. They have weekly mixers where the students can come and apply what they're learning in class. These mixers are fun and often showcase beautiful performances from fellow students, LR company dancers, or other professional guest. I started dancing there as a hobby...just to try something new. Now, nearly 2 years later, my children take classes, and my husband does too. I would recommend Latin Rhythms to anyone. read more

I had never taken a dance lesson before (minus the obligatory recital stuff in grade school!) so I was nervous. No need to be though, this place is great and they put you at ease instantly. You don't need a partner either, since you alternate with everyone in the room during partner times. Maricza was the instructor and I liked her so much I hope she is teaching in the fall so I can sign up again. She knows her stuff and doesn't make you feel like you have 2 left feet (even if you do)! read more

By far the BEST studio for latin dance instruction in Chicago; the creme de la creme of salsa dancing, if you will. I can only speak regarding salsa, since that's the only dance I've seen them doing/teaching. I've only taken a styling class from Maricza, but I've not seen anyone in Chicago that can touch her or the other instructors. Love the new studio and the idea of making it an atmosphere for learning and socializing (ie, cafe). The thing I like about them is that they're humble, friendly and have their own distinct style. Although a lot less commercialized and "under the radar" than other studios in Chicago, their performances speak loud and clear. read more

I've taken beginning Salsa through Rookie Intermediate Salsa at Latin Rhythms and really enjoyed it. I've mostly taken classes with Rey. The quality of the instruction is really high. Every teacher I've encountered at Latin Rhythms cared very much about every student getting it right. The social dances are really fun, too. You can see some great dancing. read more

I'm lucky enough to be living in Chicago where there are so many studio choices for taking Latin dance lessons. I've taken quite a few lessons from different studios but really found Latin Rhythms to be one of a handful of studios that stands above the rest. The community at LR is very welcoming to anyone. Students can progress at their own pace or join any of the student performance teams to really accelerate their skills. Instructors are welcoming and friendly. They are world class dancers but are very down to earth and really care about their student's development. I would highly recommend trying out the studio to get acclimated with the environment. read more

When I first started lessons here in 2007 I really liked it - real focus on technique and proper partnering. However with time, their classes seem to have less focus on proper technique. There doesn't seem to be a filter on who can progress through the levels, and often i found very poor leads in advanced classes. Decent studio and space, some really good teachers, but it can be distracting without real walls between the classes. Also, front desk staff is not helpful and often rude. read more

We went here for a fundraiser and it was fun we got to get a few key items and now we have a few dates planned enjoyed the atmosphere of this place for the fundraiser. read more

This place is great! I've been going for about 6 years since it was located on Western and 25th. The instructors are wonderful! It feels like a family there. I stopped taking lessons after Intermediate 2 salsa. That was kind of hard so I went back to Intermediate 1 for a few months. I love dancing! The other students are cool to hang out with. The age group is also younger I noticed than places like Latin Street (here they're in their 20s or 30s mostly). Maricza and Sol are great and really good dancers. I've taken class with both. The studio is movIng soon to a new place close by. I can't wait! read more

Year after year, their instruction keeps getting better and the social parties are the friendlies and best for dancing I've experienced. This studio is simply the best in the City. Love, love. LOVE this place. My wife and I've been dancing here for the past 6 years and have taken just about every class they offer. It's a super fun environment - from the instructors, to the other students, to the parties, and the culture. This is THE place to learn salsa and Latin dance. I've been to other Latin dance studios, but Latin Rhythms has the most attention to detail and proper technique while still making it lots of fun. They focus on timing and technique above all else. It's not just a good time, it's a good time while learning proper dance technique. Their prices are reasonable and their studio is beautiful. I can't say enough great things about Latin Rhythms. It's just perfect for someone who wants to have fun learning to social dance. You get to switch partners every few minutes, meet lots of people, and really learn how to get out there and dance in a social setting. read more

Great place to learn! The classes are more rigorous then other studios I tried. Teachers and students seem younger, so teachers may not be as knowledgeable or helpful for those with joint issues. Membership is a great deal for the first year of dancing. read more

Overall, a great place to be! Every instructor has so much knowledge and experience. My fiance and I took our first salsa class not knowing what to expect, and now we can't stop going. I highly recommend Jorge for Salsa or any class really. He breaks down every move and makes sure the whole class understands the finer details in order to pull off each technique properly. After only a few months, my fiance and I went to salsa clubs and could hold our own with some of the more experienced crowd. Every month of lessons only get better. Don't wait to sign up! read more

I am learning Salsa, Bachata, Chacha and Cumbia here. The most fun and friendly instructors and student crowd you can meet for Salsa