Business Details
12 Years
experience
Your Trusted Dance Studio for Salsa & Bachata Lessons in Tampa
Tato Salsa, based in the Tampa Bay area, has been cultivating a vibrant dance community since 2014. Our mission is to provide structured, high-quality instruction in Salsa, Bachata, and Mambo styles, emphasizing musicality, technique, and cultural connection. With a team of experienced instructors, we offer progressive group classes, personalized private lessons, and specialized workshops designed to develop dancers of all skill levels. Our commitment to fostering a welcoming, family-like environment ensures students feel supported as they grow their abilities.We host regular dance socials and events, creating opportunities for students to practice and connect. Our syllabi-driven approach guarantees measurable progress, while our focus on leadership, partnership, and artistic expression builds confidence both on and off the dance floor. Through decades of combined teaching experience, we maintain a reputation for excellence in dance education. Our studios emphasis on community engagement and event participation reinforces our dedication to making dance accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
Services
Salsa Lessons
Bachata Lessons
Private Dance Lessons
Dance Workshops
Dance Socials
Details
- Year established: 2014
Highlights and features
- We offer structured 6-week progressive courses with clear learning objectives
- Our instructors have decades of combined professional dance experience
- We provide personalized private lessons tailored to individual goals
- We host regular social dance events for practical application
- Our welcoming community emphasizes safety, inclusivity, and fun
What people say
Friendly environment
Quality instruction
Growing community
Safe, fun atmosphere
Experienced instructors
Services
Salsa Lessons
Our Salsa classes teach fundamental footwork, timing, and partnerwork through structured 6-week progressive courses. Students learn musicality, basic turns, and connection techniques while building confidence in social dancing. Classes cater to all levels from absolute beginners to advanced dancers seeking complex patterns and styling.
Bachata Lessons
Bachata instruction focuses on traditional Dominican style with urban influences, covering basic steps, turns, and partner connection. Classes emphasize musicality through bongo rhythms and guitar patterns while developing social dancing skills. Progressive levels allow students to advance from fundamentals to intricate footwork and styling techniques.
Private Dance Lessons
Customized private instruction available in all dance styles for individuals, couples, or groups. Sessions target specific goals like wedding preparation, competition training, or skill refinement. Personalized feedback helps students master techniques at their own pace while receiving focused attention from experienced instructors.
Dance Workshops
Specialized workshops focus on specific techniques, performance skills, or cultural aspects of Latin dance. These intensive sessions provide concentrated learning opportunities with guest instructors and advanced choreography. Workshops help dancers expand their repertoire and connect with the broader dance community through collaborative learning experiences.
Dance Socials
Regularly scheduled social dance events provide practical application of classroom skills in a fun atmosphere. Events like Tumbao Thursdays and Sunday de Sabrosura feature live music, guest performers, and open dance floors. These gatherings foster community connections while giving dancers opportunities to practice with diverse partners in real-world settings.
People
Juan Tato Paredes
Owner/Instructor
Dominican-born pioneer of On1 Salsa in Tampa with 14+ years teaching experience. Featured in The Punisher movie and Bachata artist Alexa Velez's performances. International teaching experience across five continents.
Cristina Paredes
Instructor
Chicago native with extensive performance background, including international tours and dance company leadership. Specializes in Salsa/Mambo instruction with 13+ years teaching experience. Recognized as Chicago's top female dancer before relocating to Tampa.
Jeremy Perez
Instructor
Tampa-raised Salsa expert with 20+ years dance experience. Trained in Cuban Casino style and New York Mambo. Former lead instructor in Phoenix with extensive competition judging experience. Specializes in connecting musicality with movement.
May Golez
Assistant Instructor
Dedicated dance educator with 20+ years Tampa Bay teaching experience. Performs regularly at Florida dance congresses and cultural events. Also active in Filipino folkloric dance and tennis instruction, bringing diverse movement perspectives to classes.
Melinda Perez
Instructor
Bronx-born dancer with lifelong training in multiple styles. Specializes in connecting Latin dance with cultural heritage. Combines formal dance education with intuitive teaching methods to create engaging learning experiences for all skill levels.
Questions
What dance styles do you teach?
We specialize in Salsa, Bachata, and Mambo (Salsa On2) styles with progressive courses for all skill levels.
Do you offer private lessons?
Yes, we provide personalized private instruction for individuals, couples, or groups in all dance styles.
What should I wear to class?
Comfortable clothing and non-marking shoes with smooth soles are recommended for optimal movement and safety.
Are there performance opportunities?
Yes, we offer student performance teams, dance workshops, and regular social events for practical application.
How do class levels work?
Our progressive courses require testing between levels to ensure proper placement and skill development.
Do you host special events?
We regularly organize dance socials, guest workshops, and cultural events like Tumbao Thursdays and Sunday de Sabrosura.
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