After trying a few Thursday and Friday night salsa events throughout San Diego I was eager to find a good salsa instructor to help me better my skills. But how can one decide? I mean there are so many. Luckily I saw this open house event done by "Salsa Beat" led by Juan/Erica and I knew right away that's where I belonged. Their business is geared towards making you comfortable and confident. They also offer online classes if you cannot make their live instruction which funny story my cousin and I were in Mexico, and he shared that from the city where he resides (Palo Alto) they have a lot people watching the online videos as Juan and Erica are very thorough and take their time teaching folks. read more

Amazing place alont of great dancers and Juan and Erica are amazing teachers. Perfect place if you want to learn from the basic to professional moves. read more

After following The Salsa Beat for a while on Instagram I decided it was time for me to see what they were all about. You know what they say "you can't believe everything you see on social media". Well I am here to say they are the real thing. I signed up for their free open house and when the class was done I signed up for a 6 week progressive course. I liked that after the class they let you know what class they recommend for you if you wanted to proceed with the course. Not once did I feel like I was being pushed or "bullied" to join the course. I appreciate that! Since I've started the course I can say I'm having a great time!!! Juan-2-3 and Erica and excellent instructors and super welcoming. You can feel the pride and love they have for salsa dancing and the joy it brings them and in turn sharing it with others. You will learn your frame, form, finding the beat, feeling the rhythm and dance etiquette. They are great at giving feedback and constructive criticism. You can tell that it's coming from a place of love and wanting to give their students a better understanding as to why certain steps and done after the other. If you want to learn to dance salsa or already know how to dance (like me) and want to learn how to dance on 2 this is the place for you. Highly recommended! read more

The Salsa Beat - Very nice dance floors to dance salsa - Performing Arts Near Me - San Diego, California

Juan is the real deal! Outstanding instructor, organized, patient, fun, talented and professional. Some instructors know how to dance but not all know how to TEACH. You get both with Juan! He has a structured approach to teaching salsa and can break things down into bite size pieces so you learn proper technique which makes you and your moves look great. Let's face it, it's hard to be a beginner and make mistakes all the time but Juan creates a comfortable, safe and FUN environment that makes it all super enjoyable. He even integrates some teaching about Salsa music and rhythms into the lessons. Smart instructors can assess what level their students are at and ask what their goals/ambitions are for taking the class. Juan did this on day 1. At the end of each class, he has me record a quick video of him where he reviews/demos what we went over that session so I can remember all the finer points and use it to practice. He's been very accommodating with scheduling too (which has been key given my challenging calendar) and a clear, responsive communicator. Juan is clearly dedicated to his craft and in helping his students reach their goals. 100% awesome read more

Had the pleasure of having Juan & Erica lead a private salsa class at our home for a going away party of 30+ people...they were AMAZING! Showed up on time, were really fun, and led a class that everyone was able to follow along with and enjoy! The party wouldn't have been the same without them! They really care about making sure we were all engaged and were understanding the moves. Their demonstration dance at the end was the perfect finish to the class! 100% would love to do lessons with them again in the future! Best of luck on your adventures Juan-2-3 & Erica! :) read more

The Salsa Beat - Performing Arts Near Me - San Diego, California

I had been dating the same girl for five years and was ready to propose. She had danced salsa competitively while in undergrad and had always wanted me to learn how to dance. With that in mind, I decided to start taking lessons in secret so I could surprise her by proposing in a salsa club. After conducting a pretty thorough internet search of the salsa instructors in the San Diego area, I decided to give Juan's class a try. I'm glad I did. His introductory level class is structured in such a way that you can jump in any week and not feel like you're behind the curve. The first third of class usually focuses on the core basics of salsa (foot patterns and posture). The remainder of the class introduces students to a series of combinations that can be used in the club. There is no need to bring your own partner, as he rotates pairings pretty frequently. His teaching style is high in energy and incorporates a lot of humor. If you take his group classes, you'll learn quickly and you'll have a lot of fun while doing it. An added feature of his lower level classes is that he invites some of his more advanced students to help him teach. He usually has at least three other instructors with him for each group class. This keeps the student to teacher ratio pretty low. If you feel uncomfortable with a move, there is always someone nearby to help you. After taking the group lessons for almost two months, I decided to start taking weekly private lessons from Juan. Although I had been progressing steadily in the group class, the private lessons helped me to improve much more rapidly. After a month of private lessons, I had progressed to Juan's level two group class. In the end, Juan's instruction helped me to become a reasonably competent salsa dancer in a short amount of time. My girlfriend (now fiancé) was certainly impressed with what he had accomplished. Thank you, Juan. read more

My husband and I have had the wonderful opportunity to take privates with Juan over the past year. We have both benefited greatly from the experience while having tons of fun! Juan's commitment to his students combined with his organization and talent have made it possible for us to get the best of both worlds. My husband has learned to lead more smoothly and confidently while learning new patterns that continue to provide a good challenge. What's most valuable to me is Juan's ability to focus on helping me during our lessons as well even though my goals (e.g., timing, styling, speed) are very different from my husband's. The skills we have learned during our lessons with Juan make dancing together so much more enjoyable! read more

Juan is one of the best dance instructors I have taken lessons from! Immediately in his class he has a way of making you feel like you have the potential of becoming an experienced salsa dancer at any level that you are currently at. He is fun, energetic and consistent while being clear and precise in his instruction. His focus is to help you technically and rhythmically to achieve your goals as a salsa dancer and to accentuate the assets you have to improve. I look forward to many more classes and private lessons with Juan so I can become a better stylized salsa dancer while having a lot of Fun! read more

Juan is a great salsa teacher. I travel to California on occasion and when ever I am in the San Diego area I always make sure to do a private dance lesson with Juan. He is a very passionate teacher with expertise in Cha Cha, On1 Salsa and On2 Salsa. I find the classes very helpful and great value. If you are looking for a great salsa teacher and dance experience give Juan a cal and you wont be disappointed; He sure met and exceeded my expectations. Mike Toronto Canada read more

If you are looking for the BEST salsa dance instructor, I fully recommend Juan Hernandez, as someone with superb teaching and mentoring abilities! Juan uses those skills in combination with his mastery of salsa, extensive knowledge of rhythm and music, and passion for dance to create a perfect learning environment for the student. Juan is very patient with beginners and communicates in a way that makes the student feel comfortable. Every dance lesson the stress from daily business life dissipates into thin air as you concentrate on the lesson's routine and you feel rested and rejuvenated afterwards. In addition to Juan's instruction you get a lot of attention from the extremely skillful coaches, who will guide you through the routine and answer any questions. Having recently started salsa, my lessons with Juan elevated my abilities and confidence to step onto salsa dance floor. Thank you Juan! Ella read more

We've been working with Juan and Dancing Diego for years, and have done group classes, private lessons and performance teams. All have been fantastic experiences, and the crew has helped me progress and grow. I really appreciate the focus on the musicality and rhythm, and partner connection. There's a lot more than just learning patterns and moves. They've really created a welcoming environment, which is super important when you're new to dance. We've meet some great friends through their classes and events, and seen many others make great connections (and of course become great dancers too!). Go for it! read more

I have taken Juan's level 1, 2, 3 and now level 4 classes. I can speak to his instruction from both sides of the dance: as both "a follow" and as "a lead." As a follow: In the past, I usually don't get as much out of the salsa classes as a follow because so much time is spent on instruction for the leads, but Juan (after switching into his "Juanita" role) takes the time- in every class- to explain proper connection and very useful styling tips for women for our hands and hips while dancing. These little details have definitely transformed my dancing and my friends have noticed and commented. Yay! As a lead: Honestly, being new to the lead side of dancing I have to give guys out there a "Big High Five" because it's mentally exhausting and a little scary, but with Juan's clear instructions I have been able to lead some of his level 3 combinations successfully! Double Yay!! Juan has an amazing way of simplifying moves to their basic parts and then adds on all the bells and whistles so that by the end of class you are amazed with your own salsa dance abilities! At least I was like, "What? I actually just did that?! Awesome!" Juan's classes compared to other classes that I've taken: 1) He produces some of the best leaders in the biz! **I noticed this during my first class with him. ** 2) He has a great system in place for moving people up the class levels so that people don't slip through the cracks. If you are moving up, it's because you are doing the work and you deserve to be there. **This way the classes move at a nice pace and stay challenging without leaving people totally lost and frustrated.** 3) Lots of laughter, smiling faces, and a great learning environment where I'm not afraid to ask questions (in fact he welcomes them- Cause he really knows his stuff)! read more

Interested in learning to dance salsa? Why settle for just learning a few steps or patterns and only the basics of how to lead and follow? Get the look and feel you deserve from a great teacher, like Juan Hernandez (and his beautiful and equally talented wife, Erica) - making learning to dance fun and easy as "Juan-2-3". Juan has recently created his own unique syllabus and offers group classes and private lessons. Whether you are just getting started or wanting to take your salsa dancing (On 1 or On 2) to a whole new level, consider giving Juan a chance to show what he may be able to do for you. He is also the host of a popular monthly dance open to the public and is available to choreograph or perform for special events by request. read more

My husband and I LOVE working with Juan-2-3 and Erica. We had tried private lessons before but never felt a real connection with Salsa until Juan and Erica started teaching us. It isn't just about learning the steps; they teach you how to hear the beats, how to feel the music, and how to move to your own style. They personalize your lesson plans and the techniques they give you. It's not "you have to do it this way", it's "how can we make it work better for you". My husband is 6'2" which is very challenging as a salsa lead when everyone you dance with averages at 5'4". Juan and Erica take the time to adjust movements and placements that help us dance together with options for us if we dance with others. We learned to connect and communicate with body language and how to fine tune our movements so we can look good on the dance floor. Having both instructors available is super beneficial because I get to learn how to follow from Erica but then actually get to follow with Juan and vice versa with my husband. So we get multiple feedback and advice on how to become better leads and follows. Juan-2-3 and Erica are professional, fun, non-judgmental, encouraging, and adaptable. I highly recommend them to anyone who is looking to either start their Dancing journey or enhance their current one. read more

I'm a total beginner, and Juan was great at not only making me feel comfortable, but also in giving me good advice on what to practice and not trying to fit too much in to a single lesson. He saved me from making a complete fool out of myself when I was in Cuba. read more

After living in Kansas for nearly a year, my Salsa skills had waned a bit. However, after taking a few of Juan's classes, I am getting back to my old self quickly. One of the challenges I have faced with other instructors is their ability to transfer knowledge. Juan is not only a phenomenal dancer, but he is an incredible teacher who can relate to people of all levels and backgrounds. He uses humor and wonderful analogies to convey exactly what he wants you to do. Highly recommended! read more

Juan is an amazing Salsa instructor. Two years ago, I started dancing with Juan in his group classes. He made everything very fun. I have never looked back and am not social dancing in many styles. He is a caring and sociable person is excellent teacher especially for the first time beginner - he makes everyone comfortable with this friendliness and the way he teaches the basics. He is also a great instructor for those who have more experience because he does a great time communicating technique and the more advanced moves. read more

I've been taking Salsa lessons from Juan for years. I've also taken numerous lessons throughout San Diego as well, and Juan is no doubt one of the best teachers in town. Juan is always very well prepared for each class. He creates structured lesson plans that help students progress much faster. He is very knowledgeable, but also does not "over teach", and instructs the proper class materials for the different class levels. Juan is a great instructor and technician, where he explains the techniques very clearly. He often uses humorous analogies in his teaching which makes the class more engaging and fun. His down-to-earth super friendly personality also makes him very accessible to students. read more

Juan is a great instructor... He's an awesome dancer but also really knows how to break down moves and important aspects of salsa dancing so that anyone can get it. I'd definitely recommend him for any level of salsa dancing. read more

I absolutely love learning from Juan! He is an incredible salsa dancer, but he is also very warm and down to earth. He is always smiling and laughing :). This makes for a great learning environment. Juan knows to keep the atmosphere fun and light, while also injecting solid technique into his teaching. Juan also excels in the ability to take a single pattern or shine and break it down in different ways. This is really helpful for beginners, as well as for advanced dancers, because you can get a more complete understanding of the move. There are different levels of classes, but I believe each class focuses on learning a shine as well as a partner pattern. It is a great way to learn how to make your mark on the dance floor by yourself, or with someone else on the dance floor! ;) I definitely feel like Juan is an excellent teacher. He has helped me grow so much in my dancing, and I really appreciate having had the opportunity to learn from him. Thanks so much, Juan!!! You rock! Or salsa :D. read more

Juan and Erica are amazing salsa instructors for any level of dancer. They break all the moves down in a very understandable way, and make the classes so much fun with a great sense of humor while still ensuring that you get the correct technique. They have such a passion and love for salsa dancing, and genuinely care about their students in helping them get what they need in order to become better salsa dancers. Simply put, they are awesome! :) read more

I had a private lesson with Juan and there are so many good things to say about it. A bit of background I've been dancing cuban salsa for a while, but I haven't dance On1 much. Juan was able to identify and prepare a session where I could get as much as possible in order to improve. He also complimented it with his good humor! He is very knowledgeable in the little things, the technical details that make a lot of difference. For either lead or follower. Styling, technique, rhythm, he brings a very holistic view to dancing, and is able to communicate well the different things you can do to bring your dancing to the next level. He even provided additional materials so I can continue moving forward on my own. Overall a fantastic experience. read more

Juan-Two-Three has amazing customer service. They are so profession. Brandon and Natasha are awesome instructors! They know how to keep the students engaged, and know how to have fun! They are also incredible dancers themselves. If you are looking for Salsa entertainment and performces, I highly suggest hiring Juan-Two-Three Salsa Dance Entertainment. They are extremely flexible, nice, and passionate about what they do! Great company, great people, great everything! read more

I need to go back!! I was worried attending this class at the beginning since I've never been to a dance studio; Juan was amazing teaching all of us in class by making everyone feel great! Techniques were easy to follow, 1,2,3 cha cha cha simple! If you're looking for good instructor beginner or advanced, highly recommend Juan-two-three...I need to make my way back! It was so much fun! read more

Regarding level one: I enjoy dancing and can pick up moves quickly. My bf on the other hand has no rhythm and 2 left feet. The pace of the class was too quick for him, but I would recommend to anyone to keep at it. My bf would need personal lessons as the group atmosphere could not give him the attention he needs. Even for a quick learner as myself, some of the 8 step count moves with spins were complicated and I thought it would have been nice to spend more time on them and actually have the instructor walk around with corrections. Unfortunately, the instructor and his 2 helpers did not walk around helping ppl. For level 1 there are 16 different steps that are taught, probably 3 or 4 are done at each session. He recommends that once you have done each step 3 times, then you are ready to advance. read more

Juan is a phenomenal salsa teacher! I've taken group classes from him for only two months, and I already have improved so much. He gives precise direction and feedback which makes it possible to build correct technique. He's very encouraging and gives detailed instruction. I can't recommend Juan's classes enough! read more

I started lessons with Juan months ago and look forward to his class every week. He has great energy and his classes are always fun. It's a very accepting environment for beginners which is where I started. Everyone I've had contact with there from instructors to students are encouraging, patient and all enjoy a love to dance and a desire to share with others. I recently started his level 2 and level 3 classes and appreciate his patience and attention to technique. Specifically have liked how he points out how a lead is done and what it should mean for the female. read more

My girlfriend and I took a private lesson with Juan. He has a great combination of patience, technique, sense of humor and tips to help remember the tips. We used to take group lessons and Juan did a quick assessment of our baseline and was able to jump into key areas where we needed some work. He was also able to help us resolve some of the aspects of learning together that were slowing our progress. It is clear that Juan has a passion for both dancing and teaching! read more

I have taken L1 6 week course of salsa dancing provided by Juan Hernandez as part of Qualcomm's internal activity program QLiving. I absolutely loved the class. Juan is a professional dancer, but even more so, he is an excellent teacher. He is very charismatic and charges the whole group with good mood and makes the class really enjoyable. He is attentive to details of every person taking the course and always encourages the students in all possible ways. As a Qualcomm engineer I found this class to be a great way to maintain healthy work-life balance, possibly the best one QLiving offers. I wish there were more publicity, so that more people would sign up for the class. read more

Juan is such a caring and charismatic instructor. He takes the time to make sure his students understand patterns, moves and the rationale behind all things salsa. His instruction on rhythm and musicality is unique and truly helps you be a stronger and more progressive dancer. I've danced my whole life and salsa for about 10 years and still learn so much from Juan's classes. He's friendly, patient and absolutely hilarious. You're sure to have a great time taking classes from Juan. read more

I am a student of Juan's brother Patrick and one day he came to our studio as substitute teacher and I can honestly say that he made the day unforgettable. He has amazing personality and so much knowledge and passion for dancing, he is very sweet, caring and helpful to students. I truly hope he will come to our studio again and I'll have great pleasure to share the joy of his class. Thanks Juan. You and your brother are the best, I guess been awesome runs from your family lol. I wish I could give you not only five, million stars for your rating. Come to our studio more often please. read more

My boyfriend and I took a private lesson with Juan while visiting San Diego. We are from the Bay Area and love salsa dancing. Juan is an amazing teacher! He is also kind, friendly, and patience. His great sense of humor made the class even more enjoyable. He obviously has years of experience performing and teaching. Juan was interested in learning about our dance goals. He did a rapid evaluation of our dancing skills and based on this evaluation, he was able to promptly identify the main areas that needed improvement. He prepared a lesson for us that included new dance moves, tips to achieve our dance goals, and improve keys areas. We also learned technical dance moves that make salsa dancing look more stylish. We had such a great experience during our first lesson with Juan that we took two more lessons with him two days later. At the end of each lesson, Juan provided us with additional material so we can continuing practicing and advancing on our own. I would recommend Juan to anyone. He is a great instructor. He clearly love dancing and teaching. read more

Prior to becoming a regular in Juan's Salsa classes, I had taken more than a handful of classes from various teachers around Southern California and each time I walked away feeling frustrated with the lack of significant progress. They all teach you the basics: how to count to 8, which foot goes first, when to pause, yada yada yada. When a friend, whom is an experienced dancer himself, recommended Juan to me I thought it was going to be yet another trip around the same rodeo. I couldn't have been more mistaken. I've been a student of Juan's for 8 months now and there hasn't been a week where I didn't look forward to his class. He creates a fun and supportive environment that makes me feel encouraged every time I walk out the door. His teaching style is unique in that he manages to communicate very effectively with dancers of all skill levels. He uses simple analogies to explain the mechanics of each move for both the leads and the followers. I've never seen another Male teacher take on the role of the follower and demonstrate every aspect of a move which is a huge benefit for his female students. Even when he goes over a move that he has already taught us, he takes the time to analyze our performance and explain how we could improve it even more. And if all that wasn't already enough, he brings in experienced students to participate as coaches which provide me with valuable feedback when I dance with them. I learn something new in each of his classes and I'm having a ton of fun in the process. Thanks to Juan's instruction and support I feel comfortable attending social Salsa scenes without any hesitation. There isn't anyone else I would recommend over Juan if you really want to learn Salsa in San Diego. read more

Salsa dancing is always fun, but it can also be intimidating as well. Juan was one of my first salsa instructors who instilled confidence in my social dancing skills and I wouldn't be where I am now if it weren't for his instructions and guidance. He always makes his salsa lessons challenging but unique and definitely fun. He continues to encourage his students to be better, and he always blends his lessons well with a focus on body movements and musicality and not just exhaustive dance patterns. There is always a "purpose" in his lessons which is great. For those of you looking for a great salsa class to take, whether you're a beginner level or advanced, I highly recommend Juan as your instructor .... you will not be disappointed !! read more

Juan is one of the best instructors in San Diego to learn and improve your salsa dancing. The moves he is teaching is very unique and very well structured and explained. Defently recommend for any level. read more

Juan of Juan-Two-Three masterfully put together a very complex project for my 40th birthday party and in very little time, too! My dream was to have my husband Justin and my friends perform a choreography to a Hip Hop and Salsa medley. Part of what was complex about this was that it included 8 dancers of varying dance experience in 3 different cities across the country. Juan met with me several times to hammer out the details on paper - and then he was off to the races with arranging for a hip hop consultant (Jaami), for customized YouTube videos to be recorded and posted for my friends to learn on their own, for the music to be spliced and edited, for a highly entertaining salsa instructor (Michael) to teach guests at my party, AND for my husband to get private salsa lessons. My husband said that Juan(ita) is the best follower with whom he has ever danced! Juan is very mindful and detail-oriented to where he made adjustments to our choreography based on how we progressed. Many Thank Yous to Juan and Jaami for being at our first and only complete rehearsal the morning of the event. Juan takes the stress off his client and makes it look so easy! read more

Juan's classes are addicting!! I am doing 3 a week and loving it. His musicality classes are extra special and not to be missed. In those classes he breaks down the count for each instrument and leaves you with a better ear for the different beats layered in each song plus different shines for each instrument read more