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SalsaNewYork Reviewed Instructor:

 
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Compiled by Manny Siverio
Louis Tirado

INSTRUCTOR REVIEW 
(Review originally posted on SalsaNewYork on 11/01, Listed as a instructor on SalsaNewYork as of 4/01)
Louis Tirado is a hard working & down-to-earth NY Mambo Instructor who began dancing mambo in 1996. He studied with both Jimmy Anton and Carlos Konig before moving out to teach on his own. He has been a member of the Carlos Konig’s Dancers and is currently a member of Addie Diaz’s Addie-tude Dance Company. His resume as a performer shows us that he has graced the stages of Germany, New York and Los Angeles in such events as the 1st Annual East Coast Salsa Congress, the 3rd Annual West Coast Salsa Congress, Jimmy Anton’s Bi-Monthly Social Dance and the Diamante Cable TV show. Not only does he teach group and private sessions, but he has also flown to teach workshops in such places at Miami, Florida. I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Louis for several years now and have always enjoyed his easygoing nature. Respecting my SalsaNewYork policy of not reviewing new instructors until they’ve put in some quality time teaching and developing a following, Louis waited until I approached him. Since I’ve been gathering raw footage for a documentary on NY Mambo Dancing over the last few months, I had the perfect opportunity of killing two birds with one stone (reviewing and filming footage).

Louis’s class very much reflects Louis himself. It’s organized, simple to follow, yet places special attention to detail and dance tips. Louis has that unique ability of putting people at ease with his jolly easygoing nature. But don’t take this as an act of weakness, but rather as one of his main strengths as a teacher (especially when it comes to teaching beginners). He is one of the few people I know that respects his own skills and abilities, yet who can still step back and laugh at himself. It shows students that it’s okay not to be perfect, its okay to misstep or occasionally screw up because it even happens to the better dancers (they just know how to cover it up better).

Louis loves to teach beginners. Its not that he can’t teach higher student levels (i.e. immediate level, etc.), it’s just that he prefers teaching beginners over more advanced mambo practitioners. I guess you can say its what he likes to specialize in and because of the satisfaction he derives from teaching them. It’s this caring that has given him this “MIDAS TOUCH” with many newcomers who have walked into his class. He loves to see newcomers master the basics much like parents love to see their children master most rudimentary skills. It’s also why he prefers small group classes. He likes to monitor individual student progress and hates to see newcomers get lost between the cracks. In other words allow for more personalized attention and interaction between student and instructor. Teaching to Louis is not just about making numbers ($) but in producing students who can go out there and have fun dancing.

LOUIS'S MAMBO CLASS
Classes are taught in 8 week cycles. Each class within the cycle is organized so that the skills learned one week will help in the development of skills learned in following weeks. It’s about teaching a strong foundation to build upon, much like learning to use interchangeable pieces of a puzzle. No matter what piece you start with, you’ll always come up with the same picture.

Every class is divided into two halves. The first half of the class focuses on open floor shines (solo dancing or steps). Louis carefully breaks down each step and drills the class repeatedly until he feels everyone is comfortable with the move. Each step is verbally broken down and rehearsed to the count of the clave before being practiced to slow music. The idea is for the new dancer to get the feel of the motion as it’s being done to slow music and not race through it as if it were a “mambo footwork obstacle course”. New steps (shines) are gradually added until a simple routine (sequence of moves) is created. The rate in which steps are taught is determined by each class’s learning curve.

The second half of the class focuses on partner dancing. Louis’s main goal in this section is to instill good partnering habits. In other words provide a solid foundation in his students leading (male) and following (female) skills. It’s easy to teach students hundreds of turn patterns, but its not so easy to “show” them how to physically “communicate” with one another on the dance floor. They have to learn and experience first hand what it means to be “connected” to another person while dancing. A turn pattern is illustrated to the class. Louis will break down and practice portions of the pattern until the group can do it from beginning to end. Partners are rotated so that everyone has a chance to practice with everyone else. As each week progresses, newer turn patterns are added to older patterns taught in previous weeks. Combining the new with the old serves as a review for the class. This will keep the material fresh in the student’s mind, give them an opportunity to brush up on past skills and help them develop confidence for the dance floor. The really cool thing about Louis’s class is that after the 8 week cycle is over, he will schedule what he calls a group field trip to places like Jimmy Anton’s Bi-Monthly Social Dance. It’s the best present he could give to his students (to get them out of the class and onto the dance floor). Louis makes it a point to dance with all his students and help get their feet wet in the wonderful world of social dancing.

Louis’s Style in a nutshell
If I were to compare Louis to other NY Mambo Instructors I would say that he has a very laid back and fun loving style of mambo dancing. To him it’s all about kick’in back and having a good time. He has a contagious smile that rubs off on his partner in no time. He loves to have fun while dancing and eagerly loves to spread the wealth to all those around him. So if you’re looking for a good small beginner class, with emphasis on developing a solid foundation of leading and following, then maybe Louis Tirado is the instructor for you

Social Dance:

Website:

Articles:

Instructional Videos

  • None at this time.

Dance Company

Contact Info:

Privates:

  • Louis Tirado is currently available to teach private classes. Those interested should contact him directly to discuss fees and scheduling.

Children:

  • Louis mainly caters to an adult mambo student crowd at this time.

Class Schedule:
New York Spaces Studio
131 W. 72nd Street
(between Broadway & Columbus Ave).

New Group Class Starting dates are pending. Please contact Louis directly for further information.

  • Tuesday:
    7:00 - 8:00 p.m. Beginner
    8:00 - 9:00 p.m. Intermediate 1 

3lasses are subject to change without notice  
it is always a good idea to confirm classes or clubs before heading out

Louis Tirado

Class Fees/Tuition:

  • $10 per person per class

  • $15 per person for 2 classes

 

Classes are subject to change without notice  
it is always a good idea to confirm classes or clubs before heading out

 

Directions:
Take the 1, 2, 3 or 9 train to the 72nd Street Stop. You'll be on 72nd Street and Broadway. Walk east toward Columbus Ave. Look for 131 W. 72nd Street on the left side of the street.

  • NYC Transit : NYC Public Transit Authority Website which supplies you info on train/bus routes, transportation, etc.

  • Mapquest.com : Map/direction providing website for those using their own vehicles to get to class location. 
    Yahoo.com: This is the link to the Yahoo maps starting page. According to Steve Shaw, it may be the better of the two Map websites.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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