Best Studios in NY

posmo

Changui
I'll be moving back to NY in a few months and I'm wondering who's leading the pack in on 2 studios. I have a few years of on 2 studio experience but not from a NY studio and I'd like to find the best to train at. Since so many schools are founded by ex-students of Santo Rico/Yamulee it's tough to get make a decision without the opinion of people who live there/see the performances/taken classes at the studios.

Not trying to stat a rival war between studios, just want to see who's regarded as the top? For reference, some of my favorites are Adolfo, Jayson Molina, Rodrigo Cortazar.

thanks!
 
Eddie Torres (Adolfo's mentor), Frankie Martinez, and Yamulee. All three have very different styles and differ in what they excel at. Eddie: old-school shines and sabor-full style, Frankie: technique, body movement and precise footwork, Yamulee: very spinny partnerwork.

Some would also include Franklin Diaz for a more fusion/alternative style (he studied flamenco and plays timba in his classes, to give you an idea).
 
Eddie Torres (Adolfo's mentor), Frankie Martinez, and Yamulee. All three have very different styles and differ in what they excel at. Eddie: old-school shines and sabor-full style, Frankie: technique, body movement and precise footwork, Yamulee: very spinny partnerwork.

Some would also include Franklin Diaz for a more fusion/alternative style (he studied flamenco and plays timba in his classes, to give you an idea).

I would go with ET but his classes seem to be packed and his teams not as accessible unless you're the next super star..

Yamulee is one I'm considering, along with Zafire/Karisma/SR. Definitely someone with hardcore ET style, I love the old-school shines and style as you mentioned.
 
Santo Rico is also NY based.


Yeah, I like their style. I guess what I'm looking for is the best set of instructors, the ones who will concentrate and drill fundamentals and intricacies rather than just milling in patterns. So far I've just been comparing performances of each studio's pro teams to get an idea, and Yamulee/Karisma teams are great
 
You'd probably be fine at most of them depending on what works for you schedule and the teaching style that works best for you. If it you were me, I'd choose Santo Rico but that's the NY teachers I'm most familiar with.
 
I guess what I'm looking for is the best set of instructors, the ones who will concentrate and drill fundamentals and intricacies rather than just milling in patterns.
What do you consider "fundamentals"? Weight transfer? Basic step? Classic mambo shines? Body movement? Spin technique? Arm movement? Lead/follow technique? Musicality? I ask because partnerwork is also an important "fundamental", and necessary not only for for social dancing, but also to train the other "fundamentals".
 
What do you consider "fundamentals"? Weight transfer? Basic step? Classic mambo shines? Body movement? Spin technique? Arm movement? Lead/follow technique? Musicality? I ask because partnerwork is also an important "fundamental", and necessary not only for for social dancing, but also to train the other "fundamentals".

Not sure exactly how to categorize the terms, but I would benefit from intricate attention to all of those. I feel like many of them are tougher to grasp completely than some partnerwork concepts. Any comment on studios/instructors?
 
Santo Rico is very big on technique and fundamentals (timing, proper arm tension, leading/following, spinning, etc). All of their instructors are good at giving back personal feedback and corrections during class. They offer structured cycle classes which help you build on previous classes. I have been a longtime student and credit them for any good salsa technique I have.

I have only taken Eddie's Sunday Intermediate shines class, and while there is not much individualized attention, I absolutely love that class. It is always challenging and fun and leaves me inspired. I also highly recommend his son's class. It is a lot less crowded, he gives great tips on how to make the shines look cooler and more dynamic, and he is very accessible for questions, advice, etc.

I have only been to Yamulee about 3 times. I would probably have gone there more if it was easier to get to from where I live. Their teams are among the best in the city, and their dancers look amazing and fast, so I figure the school must be doing something right.

I've only taken Frankie's body movement class once. What he can do with his body is incredible to watch. He doesn't say anything throughout the class; you just have to follow what he does. However, people have told me he explains more in his other classes. I'm sure if I took the body movement class on a regular basis, I would catch on to the routine and see an improvement.

The great thing about NYC is unless you are tied down to a certain team, you can take classes from as many instructors as you want! No school is going to be the best at every single aspect of salsa. You have the freedom to try schools out, and pick and choose what works best for you!
 
Santo Rico is very big on technique and fundamentals (timing, proper arm tension, leading/following, spinning, etc). All of their instructors are good at giving back personal feedback and corrections during class. They offer structured cycle classes which help you build on previous classes. I have been a longtime student and credit them for any good salsa technique I have.

I have only taken Eddie's Sunday Intermediate shines class, and while there is not much individualized attention, I absolutely love that class. It is always challenging and fun and leaves me inspired. I also highly recommend his son's class. It is a lot less crowded, he gives great tips on how to make the shines look cooler and more dynamic, and he is very accessible for questions, advice, etc.

I have only been to Yamulee about 3 times. I would probably have gone there more if it was easier to get to from where I live. Their teams are among the best in the city, and their dancers look amazing and fast, so I figure the school must be doing something right.

I've only taken Frankie's body movement class once. What he can do with his body is incredible to watch. He doesn't say anything throughout the class; you just have to follow what he does. However, people have told me he explains more in his other classes. I'm sure if I took the body movement class on a regular basis, I would catch on to the routine and see an improvement.

The great thing about NYC is unless you are tied down to a certain team, you can take classes from as many instructors as you want! No school is going to be the best at every single aspect of salsa. You have the freedom to try schools out, and pick and choose what works best for you!
Excellent recommendations! I have taken a couple of Santo Rico workshops in salsa congresses, and found them to give a lot of detailed attention to students. The entire Santo Rico performance team was there, working with each workshop participant.

I also admire Yamulee performances, but have trouble understanding their classes.

My favorite teacher in NY is Frankie because he breaks down techniques to a very detailed level, and explains the "why" for each technique he teaches. The isolations class is the only one in which he doesn't talk because it's intended to be meditative.
 
A plus for Santo Rico - they moved from the Bronx and now teach at Adelante studios in Midtown, super-convenient!
 
Yes, Tomas teaches at Adelante in Midtown. His longtime pro team dancers teach at the Queens & Westchester locations.
 
I've seen several of yamulee shows live and seen one class. It seems they are quite bad :D
Basically it's obfuscated salsa contest and unless you are salsa master who enjoys solving crosswords while running backwards down the elevator it will be no fun and waste of time.
On the other hand several salsa masters enjoy their classes now and then because of the challenge.
 
In addition to the above suggestions I will add that you should take advantage of the awesome Afro-cuban classes that are available in NYC. Also Sekou McMiller's latin jazz classes!
 
In addition to the above suggestions I will add that you should take advantage of the awesome Afro-cuban classes that are available in NYC. Also Sekou McMiller's latin jazz classes!

I've heard of Sekou's classes, might be too advanced for me. Any details on the Afro-cuban classes you're familiar with? I'd definitely check that out
 
Alvin Ailey has Afro-Cuban. Some of my friends take Noibis Licea's class on Wednesdays. I have heard great things about it and will probably check it out one of these days. Cumbe in Brooklyn also has Afro-Cuban. I have tried La Mora's class there. I found it hard and she doesn't explain anything, you just have to go across the floor and follow what her dancers are doing. I also tried Tony Yemaya's Orisha class there, which was at a more beginner level and was easy to follow.
 
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