Salsa Syllabus
by Carolyn Barreno
I developed a Salsa Syllabus of steps and patterns to help my students track their progress. I design all my group classes to be drop-in friendly. We always warm up with fundamentals, then from week to week I cycle through the Syllabus so students attending regularly will dance all the patterns over time. To learn more about class structure and knowing when you're ready to level up, please visit my FAQs.
Beginner Steps
Basic footwork (the basic, side breaks, 5th position & simple variations)
Right turn (leader's and follower's)
Left check turn (leader's and follower's)
Cross body lead ("CBL")
Catwalk
Open break, side press ("guapea")
Reverse CBL
Alternating turns (left and right)
Drop hand catch
Shoulder checks (“peek-a-boo”)
Copa
Cradle/hammerlock arm positions
• NOTES •
Many of these patterns may be taught in a variety of holds or with simple hand changes.
Right turn (leader's and follower's)
Left check turn (leader's and follower's)
Cross body lead ("CBL")
Catwalk
Open break, side press ("guapea")
Reverse CBL
Alternating turns (left and right)
Drop hand catch
Shoulder checks (“peek-a-boo”)
Copa
Cradle/hammerlock arm positions
• NOTES •
Many of these patterns may be taught in a variety of holds or with simple hand changes.
Intermediate Steps
CBL with follower's turns (left and right)
Reverse CBL with follower's turns (left and right)
Bounce (with various endings)
Right spin turn (follower’s)
Copa with follower's turns (left and right, incl. reverse)
Follower's free spin (from copa and CBL)
Copa to back walks
Side flick/mambo walk
Basket
Back spot turn
Leader hook turn (CBL and Rev CBL)
Cross body check
Cape
Burrito (aka tunnel)
Bridge
Windmill
Around the world/whip
360 CBL
• NOTES •
These patterns will be taught in a variety of holds or with hand changes. Additionally, we will add more complicated hand tricks to beginner-level patterns.
Reverse CBL with follower's turns (left and right)
Bounce (with various endings)
Right spin turn (follower’s)
Copa with follower's turns (left and right, incl. reverse)
Follower's free spin (from copa and CBL)
Copa to back walks
Side flick/mambo walk
Basket
Back spot turn
Leader hook turn (CBL and Rev CBL)
Cross body check
Cape
Burrito (aka tunnel)
Bridge
Windmill
Around the world/whip
360 CBL
• NOTES •
These patterns will be taught in a variety of holds or with hand changes. Additionally, we will add more complicated hand tricks to beginner-level patterns.