Salsa, Bachata & Merengue Dance Class Series!

Our popular beginners-intermediate Salsa, Bachata & Merengue dance class series is back at La Peña for 4-weeks, starting Tues. April 19th!

Join us for the first series of 2022 and explore the possibilities of your body and how to communicate with others through dance, rhythm and flavor! Partners are not necessary!

SERIES DESCRIPTION

Beginners – Intermediate Class Series (4 Weeks) Tuesdays at 6:15pm-7:15pm, April 19-May 10

This is a 4-week series designed for beginner-intermediate students to learn and enjoy three popular Latin dance styles: Salsa, Bachata and Merengue!

Classes are taught by Venezuelan dance instructor Juliana Mendonca (she/her).

Juliana’s teaching style is not a traditional ballroom style latin dance class. She first teaches her students to connect to their body and to connect to the rhythms before getting to the steps and turns. This foundation will help you loosen up your hips, knees, shoulders and arms to allow each student to get their own authentic feel for each genre and its unique rhythm.

SERIES SCHEDULE (4 weeks) 4/19/22 – 5/10/22

• Tuesday, April 19, 2022, 6:15pm-7:15pm
• Tuesday, April 26, 2022, 6:15pm-7:15pm
• Tuesday, May 3rd, 2022, 6:15pm-7:15pm
• Tuesday, May 10th, 2022, 6:15pm-7:15pm

Series Tuition Cost: $86 for entire series .

BONUS PERK! Students get a FREE ticket to an upcoming BAILA! party at La Peña (April 22 or May 19). (Promo code will be emailed after first day of class.)

Please note: Drop-ins to this series are NOT available.

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR Juliana Mendonca (she/her) is a dance performer, choreographer and teacher. She graduated with a degree in dance from University Institute of Caracas, Venezuela in 2005, she also served as an instructor at the Performing Arts Department of the University of the Andes in Mérida, Venezuela (2012-2015). Juliana co-founded Raíz de Agua, a music and dance company. Juliana currently lives in Oakland, California with her husband and daughter, working as a dancer, choreographer and teacher.

*COVID-19 POLICY: This class series will not require vaccinations and masks will be optional. However, if City of Berkeley health policies change at any given moment, we will be adhering to those requirements. If the class cannot be held in person due to new mandates, the class will be held online. Thank you for your understanding!

La Peña Community Agreements:

Classes are the most fun when everyone feels safe! We invite you to participate in creating a community culture in which we support and hold each other accountable for making La Peña a safe and inclusive space that we can all enjoy.

• Treat everyone with respect.
• Practice thoughtful communication and language.
• Practice consent.
• Honor everyone’s gender identity and preferred pronouns.
• Be self-aware.
• Take care of yourself and each other.
• Practice active listening.