Online Latin Dance Starter Course Curriculum

This is a self paced version of our Latin Dance Starter Home Study Course designed so you can learn at your own pace, in your own time, where ever you are.

  • 01
    Welcome to Rio Rhythmics Latin Dance Starter Home Study Course
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    • How to Use Latin Dance Starter Home Study for best results.
  • 02
    Welcome to the course!
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    • How to use this course
    • A message from Tarcisio and Jada
    • Before we begin...
  • 03
    Lesson 1: Getting comfortable moving with a partner and the basics of Bachata and Forró.
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    • Lesson 1: Introduction
    • Lesson 1: A little bit of history about the culture - why we dance the way we do.
    • Lesson 1: Warm Up Exercises (IMPORTANT - Don't skip these, they'll give you more swing over time!)
    • Lesson 1: Let's find the 1, 2 timing together.
    • Lesson 1: Turning individually.
    • Lesson 1: Timing option #2 - 1, 2, 3, pause individually and with a partner.
    • Lesson 1: Turning and stepping 1, 2 timing with a partner.
    • Lesson 1: Dois pra la, dois pra ca - basic step pattern for Bachata and Forró.
    • Recommended music list.
    • Lesson 1: 1, 2, 3, pause timing with a partner - with music.
    • Lesson 1: Bachata Basics, individually and with a partner.
    • Lesson 1: Forró basics, individually and with a partner.
    • Lesson 1: A re-cap of the main takeaways and what to expect next lesson.
    • Lesson 1: Comments and questions. Please ask your questions here and let us know your wins and 'aha' moments. Remember the more you participate the more you're get out of it!
  • 04
    Lesson 2: Diving into Merengue and Zouk Lambada.
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    • Lesson 2: Introduction - Lesson 1 re-cap + what to expect in Lesson 2.
    • Lesson 2: Warm Up (This is the same each lesson, make sure you don't skip it!)
    • Lesson 2: Stepping with your weight in the bent knee (basic mechanics for Merengue and Zouk Lambada).
    • Lesson 2: Merengue and Zouk Lambada basic step patterns individually.
    • Lesson 2: Merengue with a partner.
    • Lesson 2: Re-cap plus more on weight placement and Bachata.
    • Recommended music list.
    • Lesson 2: Comments and questions. Please ask your questions here and let us know your wins and 'aha' moments. Remember the more you participate the more you're get out of it!
  • 05
    Lesson 3: Introducing Salsa.
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    • Lesson 3: Re-cap of Lesson's 1 & 2
    • Lesson 3: Introduction and Warm up
    • Weekly Warm Up exercises.
    • Lesson 3: Pivoting and Forró
    • Lesson 3: Merengue & Zouk Lambada Exercise
    • Lesson 3: Merengue & Zouk Lambada step individually - stepping into a bent knee.
    • Lesson 3: Merengue & Zouk Lambada demonstration with music.
    • Lesson 3 - Your first Salsa basic steps, individually.
    • Lesson 3: Salsa with a partner and more on leading and following.
    • Lesson 3: Key takeaways & what to expect next Lesson. Then it's time for music on and practice!
    • Lesson 3: Please leave your comments & questions here. Let us know what you've found easiest and what you've found most challenging.
    • Lesson 2: Comments and questions. Please ask your questions here and let us know your wins and 'aha' moments. Remember the more you participate the more you're get out of it!
  • 06
    Lesson 4: Your first turns!
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    • Lesson 4: Introduction and what to expect this lesson.
    • Lesson 4: Revision plus the importance of the warm up.
    • Warm Up Exercises.
    • Lesson 4: Merengue and Zouk Lambada exercise for moving backwards.
    • Lesson 4: Merengue and your first turn!
    • Lesson 4: Salsa, cross behind basic with a partner.
    • Lesson 4: Bachata, turn of the follower.
    • Lesson 4: Re-cap and what to expect in Lesson 5.
    • Questions and comments. Remember to let us know how you're going, what's feeling good, if you're feeling any challenges and any questions you might have!
  • 07
    Lesson 5: Introducing Samba no Pé and working on your floor craft.
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    • Lesson 5: Introduction and what to expect this lesson.
    • Warm Up Exercises
    • Lesson 5: Re-cap of Lesson 4.
    • Lesson 5: Merengue exercise & step pattern.
    • Lesson 5: Merengue with a partner.
    • Lesson 5: Zouk Lambada.
    • Lesson 5: Introducing Samba no Pé from Brazil.
    • Lesson 5: Merengue with a partner.
    • Lesson 5: Salsa - a new variation to lead cross back basic.
    • Lesson 5: Re-cap and what to expect next lesson.
    • Questions and comments. Remember to let us know how you're going, what's feeling good, if you're feeling any challenges and any questions you might have!
  • 08
    Lesson 6: Let's travel! It's time to move around the dance floor some more in Merengue & Zouk Lambada.
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    • Lesson 6: Introduction & what to expect this lesson.
    • Warm Up Exercises.
    • Lesson 6: Re-cap of Lesson 5.
    • Lesson 6: Merengue.
    • Lesson 6: Zouk Lambada.
    • Lesson 6: Salsa individually - technique, style, transitions & a new variation.
    • Lesson 6: Salsa with a partner.
    • Lesson 6: Bachata.
    • Lesson 6: Re-cap plus what's coming in Lesson 7.
    • Congratulations, you're well into the second half of the course! We'd love to hear how you're going. Please take this QUICK Survey (it will only take a couple of minutes!)
    • Questions and comments. Remember to let us know how you're going, what's feeling good, if you're feeling any challenges and any questions you might have!
  • 09
    Lesson 7: Expanding your repertoire.
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    • Lesson 7: Introduction
    • Warm Up Exercises
    • Lesson 7: Salsa
    • Lesson 7: Merengue
    • Lesson 7: Zouk Lambada
    • Lesson 7: Forró
    • Lesson 7: Re-cap and what to expect next lesson.
    • Questions and comments. Remember to let us know how you're going, what's feeling good, if you're feeling any challenges and any questions you might have!
  • 10
    Lesson 8: Bringing it all together plus new moves. You're now dancing 6 Latin dance styles, congratulations!
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    • Lesson 8: Introduction & what to expect this lesson - time to bring it all together!
    • Warm Up
    • Lesson 8: Merengue
    • Lesson 8: Salsa
    • Lesson 8: Bachata
    • Lesson 8: Zouk Lambada
    • Lesson 8: Samba no Pé
    • Lesson 8: Forró
    • Lesson 8: Wrap up & congratulations!
    • Course completion Survey
    • Questions and comments. Remember to let us know how you're going, what's feeling good, if you're feeling any challenges and any questions you might have!
  • 11
    Next steps
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    • Congrats! Here's what's next...
    • Before you go...

Ready to take your first steps into the wonderful world of Latin dance?

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FAQ

  • Do I need a partner?

    While this is partner dancing and the course ideally suits following along with a partner you can absolutely join on your own. You can learn your part as the leader or follower (or both) and then once you're feeling more comfortable put those skills into practice at your local dance studio or Latin dance social night.

  • How much room do I need to practice?

    Not much at all! If you can clear yourself around 1.5 x 1.5m or 2 x 2m you'll have plenty of room to practice everything in the course.

  • Do I need special equipment to follow along?

    Not at all. All you need is a screen - phone, tablet, laptop or TV. So long as you can put volume on it and can prop it up so you're hand's free to follow along.

  • Do I have to complete the course in a particular timeframe?

    This self paced version of our Latin Dance Starter Home Study Course is just that, you'll have access to all eight lessons as soon as you sign up, and because we know that Latin dance is a life long skills and it's handy to be able to revise parts and come back to them you'll have course lifetime access! This means that you're receiving ongoing access to video lesson's of all the material we teach in our signature Starter Course at our Studio where we charge $192 but you're getting it all for just $79!

  • How much time will each lesson take?

    Around about 40 - 60minutes depending on how much practice you do as you go along.

Ready to take your first steps?

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Want to talk to a human?

We love questions!

We know from experience that each persons reason for wanting to learn Latin dance is different, and that many times while you want to get started there's something that holds you back. Whether it's thinking you've got two left feet, you've been told you've got no rhythm, you think that dance requires a special skill or you think you can't get started on your own. The list goes on. The biggest reason people have started dancing with us for the last 25 years is for FUN. The joy, connect and freedom we've seen social Latin dance bring people is phenominal. And that's why we're now bringing our signature courses online after 25 years teaching from our Studios in Brisbane, Australia. We want to improve as many people's lives as possible through Latin dance, culture and community and would love to welcome you into the Rio Rhythmics Dance for Life! Tribe. Reach out to our team via [email protected].

What our students have to say.

“Wonderful teachers who encourage their students to dance at a high level in well paced classes.”

Student

Jane

“Learning to dance Latin is the probably one of the best things I've ever done, and learning it from Rio Rhythmics, the pioneer of Latin & Brazilian dancing in Australia, the "bestest" (for the lack of another superlative) decision ever!! Not only do they teach Latin dancing, they live Latin dancing and culture and I have to warn you, it is contagious. The best teachers, the best teaching technique, A great atmosphere to learn, socialise and party!! I've made lifelong friends, have acquired a lifelong addiction to Latin music and dancing, learnt a new language, Learnt to samba with a costume just like in Brazil during the annual Rio Rhythmics Carnaval and met my fianceè who shares my passion of dancing all at Rio Rhythmics!!! ”

Student

TJ

“I showed up for my first class – was greeted with enthusiasm and made to feel comfortable. Standing in front of the mirrors for the very first time was nerve-wracking, as well as the first time I had to grab a girl for a dance. The teachers, however, had obviously seen this a million times and made me feel completely at home. Even with my lack of natural grace, they encouraged me – showed me how to step and how to move. The classes were fun – with passionate and talented teachers. There was never a time where I felt laughed at – even at my most awkward. A year later – and hundreds of classes (I now dance most nights – and can barely miss a party night!) – and I can’t stop! I still have plenty to learn – but I’m improving every day. The attention of the teachers has been faultless – and I now social dance – and ask girls to dance without any worry of looking silly and I can relax and enjoy every dance. There are now many other places I can dance – but Rio is like home to me, the staff and other students like family – and my ears constantly filled with music. Thank you Rio Rhythmic for introducing me to a wonderful world I barely knew existed.”

Student

Nigel