Class Levels
Everybody is different, starting from varying levels and experience, with different attitudes to and speed of learning, but these are general guidelines.
It is much better to perform a simple move well, rather than perform a complicated move badly, and a rueda of well performed basic moves will look much better and be much more fun than a rueda of difficult moves marred by mistakes or poor execution or poor style.
The higher level moves usually incorporate the moves learnt in the earlier stages, with variations, extensions and combinations. If the foundation moves are not being performed correctly, naturally, effortlessly, with style and fun, then the higher level moves that are based on these foundations will be difficult or impossible to perform in a way that is enjoyable, fun and stylish.
Rueda is a formation dance, a team game, so even one person who is struggling badly with the moves will be making it difficult for everybody.
We would like people to try to be patient and persevere at each level until they really understand and can properly perform a significant number of the moves at that level before they expect to progress to the next level.
Practice makes perfect! Moves should be practiced as slowly as is necessary to get them right. If you can't do it slowly, you can't do it! When the moves are right, they can be gradually speeded up, making sure that they are being performed correctly at each speed before going any faster. If the moves aren't being performed correctly, you will only be practicing doing them wrong, and you will be getting good at doing them wrong, developing bad habits that will hinder you at a higher level and will be difficult to unlearn at a later stage.
The rueda syllabus and the rueda class levels are designed to develop skills in casino (Cuban salsa) style dancing and rueda moves, rueda etiquette and rueda technique. Apart from those new to salsa, who are taught separately the basics of salsa dancing to prepare for rueda, the class levels of rueda level 1, rueda level 2 and rueda level 3 refer to levels of rueda rather than levels of salsa dancing. It is no reflection on your level of salsa dancing to be in the rueda level 1 class - no matter how expert a salsa dancer you are, if you are new to rueda or still have to cover the moves that you are expected to know at rueda level 2, then the rueda level 1 class is where you will learn the most, it is the class which will be the most beneficial to you and where you will learn what will help you to progress faster in the long run. Similarly, the rueda level 2 class will build upon the rueda level 1 class to further develop the skills and knowledge that will be necessary and of great benefit at higher levels.
Below are general guidelines to the required standards for each level. If you are not sure which level is appropriate for you, please talk to the instructors, and, in any case, please talk to the instructors before moving to a higher level.
This may all seem a little formal, but remember, rueda is a party dance! So, at every level, relax, smile, have fun, and enjoy the party!!
Rueda Level 1 Requirements
Competent salsa dancers, who are able to stay in step and lead or follow.
Rueda Level 2 Requirements
A minimum of at least one month's experience of dancing rueda.
In addition to the requirements for rueda level 1, mastery of arriba, abajo, un tarro, dile que no, quapea, dame, enchufe, caramelo, adiós, pimienta, cuchara, vacílala, exhíbela, sácala, plus familiarity with other moves at rueda level 1.
Rueda Level 3 Requirements
A minimum of at least three month's experience of dancing rueda.
In addition to the requirements for rueda level 2, mastery of adiós, enchufe, dame, pelota with variations such as al medio, con cero, con gracia, con vuelta, coca cola, pa'afuera, pa'arriba, no le llegues, quédate.
In addition, mastery of dame dos, ida, lombriz, pasan las manos, setenta simple, siete, sombrero, plus familiarity with other moves at rueda level 2.
Sundays in Norwich
For the time being, we have decided to stop the public drop-in classes at Keir Hardie on Sundays. The last drop-in class was on Sunday 28th March 2010.
Ladies Cuban Styling
Sharon from Dance Cuban has run classes in Ladies Cuban Styling.