Kathleen & Norman – teachers for cuban dances
We’re happy you’re here and hope to inspire you with the same passion, depth, and warmth that we’ve already shared with students from around the world through Cuban dance and culture. Cuban Salsa is a rich blend of different dances and rhythms. That’s why we embrace and teach a wide spectrum of cuban dances: Casino, Son, Timba, Guaguancó, Bolero & Cha-cha-chá. Each one brings its own flavor—and together, they tell the story of Cuba and Salsa.
Wir freuen uns, dass du hier bist, und möchten dich mit derselben Leidenschaft, Tiefe und Herzlichkeit begeistern, mit der wir schon viele Tanzbegeisterte aus aller Welt für die kubanische Tanz- und Musikkultur gewonnen haben. Kubanische Salsa ist eine reichhaltige Mischung aus verschiedenen Tänzen und Rhythmen. Deshalb unterrichten wir ein breites Spektrum an kubanischen Tänzen: Casino, Son, Timba, Guaguancó, Bolero und Cha-cha-chá. Jeder bringt seinen eigenen Charakter mit – und gemeinsam erzählen sie die Geschichte Kubas und der Salsa.
14.08.2025
(until 25.09.2025)
Casino Beginner (Course)
El baile de Casino is the authentic cuban social dance, which is mistakenly referred to as ‘salsa’. Our methodology embodies flow, coolness and movement through space and therefore reflects the true spirit of Cuban dance.
Deutsch/English
21.08.2025
(until 25.09.2025)
Son Beginner (Course)
Dancing Son is a return to the roots – a more intimate and profound way to connect with the music and your partner. It embodies elegance, closeness, and a deep focus on the rhythm and percussion. Son is danced contratiempo on2, which gives it its distinctive connection to the music.
Deutsch/English
31.10.2025
Salsa Musicalidad: Teoría y Práctica (Workshop)
Accompanied by live percussion, this workshop dives into the rhythmic and dance roots of Salsa. We combine theory and practice to explore its musical structure and cultural origins, e.g. Son and Guaguancó.
31.10.2025
Son Técnica (Workshop)
In the 3-hour CubaJena Workshop Block „Son“, you’ll join us for the first 1.5 hours to explore the fundamentals of Cuban Son.
01.11.2025
Timba Suelta (Workshop)
Musically, Timba is highly complex. In this workshop, we’ll develop a deeper feel for it by moving beyond rigid counting patterns like ‚1,2,3 – 5,6,7.‘ This approach will help us move more freely and express the music more naturally with our bodies.
Past workshops
19.05.2023
Salsa Suelta
Salsa Suelta is danced solo and conveys a feeling for the rhythm of the music with the help of original movements from various Afro-Cuban dances.
20.05.2023
Guaguancó Básicos
As a form of Cuban rumba, the guaguancó is a pantomime game between woman and man: While the woman seduces and provokes with her femininity, the man tries to win the woman over with various gestures – called vacunao (vaccination).
20.05.2023
Salsa con Rumba
The flirt and rhythm of the guaguancó can often be found in modern timba (occasionally also in son cubano). The workshop therefore focuses on the combination of salsa and guaguancó.
18.05.2024
Son Cubano Básico
The Son Cubano is danced elegantly with an upright upper body in the so-called contratiempo: unlike in the Salsa, the steps in the Son are set to 2,3,4 – 6,7,8.
19.05.2024
Son Cubano Intermedio
The Son Cubano is danced elegantly with an upright upper body in the so-called contratiempo: unlike in the Salsa, the steps in the Son are set to 2,3,4 – 6,7,8.
19.05.2024
Casino a contratiempo
Cuban timba and salsa music from Puerto Rico, Colombia and New York are all derived from son montuno. For this reason, the music is often more strongly emphasized on beats 4 & 8, which makes dancing in contratiempo on2 more intuitive and musical.
08.06.2024
Guaguancó
Salsa music is full of it and a great bunch of Timba songs is based on it: The legendary cuban Guaguancó. Learn the key concepts and basic movements of Guaguancó and how to apply them in a salsa or timba song.
09.06.2024
Casino a contratiempo
Learn how to recognize different rhythms in the music and how to dance to the supposedly “weak beats” of Son-based Timba music by leveraging the contratiempo on2 rhythm.
20.09.2024
Casino Technique
Workshop
05.10.2024
Introduction to Timba
Basics & Musicality
16.11.2024
Casino Intensivo Workshop
4 hours technique workshop to level-up your cuban salsa foundation. Ideal for joining our Casino Improver class afterwards.
07.12.2024
Son Basics Workshop
Dive into the 1920s of Cuba and immerse yourself in elegance, precision, and passion. Ideal for joining our Son Improver class afterwards.
8€ ath the door
10.05.2025
Son Intensivo (Workshop + Party)
4 hours workshop to level-up your cuban salsa foundation: Dive into the 1920s of Cuba and immerse yourself in musicality, elegance, precision, and passion.