Frequently Asked Questions at Latin Rhythms – Academy of Dance & Performance

•  How should I dress to class/what type of shoes should I wear?

Wear whatever you feel comfortable dancing in! Some people come straight from work, therefore are dressed professionally, however, many people come very casually dressed, down to their gym shoes. As for shoes…we recommend you stay away from black rubber-soled shoes, and/or strapless shoes. If you're learning to dance for the first time, ladies, we may recommend you come in with flat-soled shoes until you get the hang of it, before you rock your stilettos to class. If you have a few bucks to spare, and plan to be serious about your dancing, we highly recommend purchasing professional dance shoes, or flat suede-soled jazz shoes. We can assist you in these purchases at the studio.

•  Do I need a partner to take classes?

Absolutely not! While many people come with partners, the majority do not. We constantly rotate partners in class, so no one is ever left out… we promise.

•  Is there anywhere to park?

Yep! Plenty of free and safe street parking down Racine and Lake St .

•  How can I get to Latin Rhythms driving or via public transportation?

Our studio is just blocks west of the 90/94 expressway. If you are heading West, you can exit on Lake Street , make a left and head West for five blocks until you hit Racine , and voila! If you are heading East on 90/94, your exit would be Randolph . Make a right on this exit, and head West to Racine , then make another right, and you are there one block later. For more detailed directions, please visit: (Maricza… insert mapquest link here.)

The closest El to our studio is the Pink Line, which rides right over Lake St . While we are located on Racine and Lake, the two nearest El exits are on Clinton and Lake, (about 7 blocks East,) or Ashland and Lake, (about 7 blocks West).

•  What happens if I have to miss a class?

We have a wonderful and flexible make-up policy. If you know in advance you will miss your class day, please make sure you attend your same class level during one of the other days of the same week. For example, if you are signed up for Monday's Basic Salsa class at 9pm , but will miss a class… make sure you come to one of the other Basic Salsa classes offered during any of the other days of that same week, Tuesday through Saturday.

•  How do I know which level I should sign up for?

If you've never taken classes before, simple… you should start with our Basic level class. However, if you do have a little dance instruction under your belt, the best and most accurate way to have your level assessed is to make it into our studio, Monday through Friday evenings, any time from 5pm to 10pm, and Saturdays, 10am to 3pm. Any of our onsite instructors will be able to evaluate your level in a matter of minutes. You do not need to make prior reservations for this… just show up and speak to our receptionist. We offer a very solid and comprehensive curriculum at our studio, so other studio's dance levels may not translate exactly to the same levels at our studio. Your best bet is to come in and have your level evaluated personally.

•  How much are classes, and how often do we meet?

Each regular class session is $60/session, whereas a session is compromised of (4) 1 hr classes, once per week. Special ‘Student Performance” classes offered for 1.5 hrs per week are $75.

We do offer special LR Membership rates for bulk class purchases. If you purchase our 4 class membership, you pay $200 for 4 class sessions, (saving you $40). If you purchase our 6 class membership, you pay $300 for 6 class sessions, (saving you $60). And if you purchase our 8 class membership, you pay $400 for 8 class sessions, (saving you $80).

•  How do I sign up?

Simple… Come by our studio during our hours of operation, M-F 5pm to 10pm , or Saturdays, 10am to 3pm , and register in person. We accept cash, check or credit. Otherwise, you can register ONLINE. Click here, choose your class, have your credit card ready, and register away!

•  How do I book a private instruction?

Imelda Hernande handles all private instruction bookings. You can reach her via telephone: 773.606.616 or via e-mail: imleda@latinrhythmsdance.com . Essentially, you'll let her know what type of style and level you are interested in learning, what day(s) and time(s) you have available, and she'll find you the best suited instructor.

Our private rates are:

Basic & Intermediate Level Instruction:
One person $60/50 minutes
Two people $90/50 minutes

Advanced level Instruction:
One person $70/50 minutes
Two people $100/50 minutes

We also offer private bulk discounts. If you purchase (5) privates up front, you get the a discount on each private cost.

Basic & Intermediate Level Individual Instruction:
**Purchase 5 privates...and your private rate drops to $55/50 minutes!**

Basic & Intermediate Level Couple Instruction:
**Purchase 5 privates...and your private rate drops to $85/50 minutes!**

Advanced Level Individual Instruction:
**Purchase 5 privates...and your private rate drops to $65/50 minutes!**

Advanced Level Couple Instruction:
**Purchase 5 privates...and your private rate drops to $95/50 minutes!**

We also book special choreography privates for weddings and “quinceñas.” These private rates differ from our regular private rates. Contact Sol Solis to inquire further.

•  I'm interested in renting your space for a wedding/photo shoot/or private party… Who can I speak to?

We rent our studio our all the time! Sol Solis handles all studio rentals. Prices and packages depend on specific party needs. You can reach her via telephone: 312.375.9921, or via e-mail: sol@latinrhythmsdance.com.

•  How do I hire an instructor and/or performers for my private event?

Latin Rhythms' instructors and company members are constantly performing for events all over the city, and would love to perform for your event. Maricza Valentin handles all company and instructor bookings. You can reach her via telephone: 312.437.2277, or via e-mail: maricza@latinrhythmsdance.com.