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Before I start with the actual review, let me answer a few question the reader will have in mind.(picture courtsey Facebook)
Why the need for a review?
Recently there is an unsurpassed mushrooming of Salsa classes, this created a lot of confusion , as to which classes would suit you. And there are many bogus instructors cashing in the moolah.
How am I qualified to be a reviewer ?
I have the dubious distinction of learning from some of these teachers Raunaque (1 month) , Kiran Shriyan (3 classes) , Ravi Akhade(1 month), Anand Majumdar (1 Class), Vijay Bandekar (2 classes) Vivek(1 month),Salsa India (1 month).Besides any consumer has all the rights in the constitution to grade/rate/ review the services availed by him.I am still on lookout to increase my repertoire of moves and instructors
A disclaimer :I am not a expert at Salsa, I am a beginner level Salsa student (though learning forever at this level for last 4 years), infact I am not an expert in any field, so treat this review lightly, I’m just another lonely guy in this maximum city looking for some fun.I am also one of the Organizers of Mumbai Salsa Meetup Group with over 800 community members.
Lets begin with the review of SALSA INDIA now.For ease I have used some metrics to review. One last question you may want to ask?
Why Salsa India is reviewed first?
I feel Salsa India is the best school for Salsa, so I am benchmarking it , so others can keep up.
- Branding :
The Salsa India brand is usually promoted through word of mouth, social media (namely FB, newsletter through email and sms ) , inserts and reviews in print media, and thorough their annual Salsa India festival. The target audience seems to be affluent teenagers and working professionals.
Due to a branding strategy aimed at the affluent and the wannabe , the reach of Salsa India is limited. I think Salsa India has to permeate at school levels and college level. It seems like it is cashing on the present while ignoring the future.When I see Kaytee I think he should do what Shiamak has done to dance here . One of the best dance schools to emulate.
- Classes :
I attended a Basic level class about 2 years back, Nicole and Kaytee took turns teaching us. I found the instructors though of very high caliber , were still not able to reach to beginners like us.The methodology was not clear, some days we would have warm ups, some days not,we never knew when Kaytee would be coming or Nicole.Though i preferred Nicole teaching as the mood was lighter.
I feel there is a lot to be done in this area. And since it been sometime since I attended Salsa India classes, I certainly hope things have changed now.
Do send me your feedback and I will be happy in attaching your testimonial along with this review.
What a person wants at the end of the class is to remember all his moves and to know that he is a improved dancer, and had lots of fun achieving this.I was not satisfied , and it all looked like a hurried class, with only one objective to make lot of money.Nothing wrong with it, but give us value!!!!
- Quality of Instructors : They have some of the best talent available.But they need to multiply.
- Location : This is a bit disappointing , only 6 venues in Mumbai, not good enough !!!!
- Community Building
It is now very imperative for any person or corporate to give back to the community, in this regard Salsa India is doing a great job, by organizing a yearly Salsa India festival , which showcases some of the best Salsa talent in the world and in the country, creating a platform for everyone to network, learn and grow.
They also have Salsa parties which is open to all at Dragon fly and at Zenzi for the time being.
Rating : 7/10
Next week i will be reviewing more Dance classes, if you think you got something interesting to share , which I can use as a testimonial or negative feedback , do write to me at manoj@mumbaisalsameetup.info
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U said it urself Dude (DUD) that how things are really shaping up these days in the Internet & Real world… Guys ! Manoj has himself formed a Loop.. Check it out – How ?
(1) A disclaimer :I am not a expert at Salsa, I am a beginner level Salsa student (though learning forever at this level for last 4 years), infact I am not an expert in any field, so treat this review lightly, I’m just another lonely guy in this maximum city looking for some fun.
(2) Why the need for a review? —- Recently there is an unsurpassed mushrooming of Salsa classes, this created a lot of confusion , as to which classes would suit you. And there are many bogus instructors cashing in the moolah.
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Some people can Distribute Gyaan to N’ number of people and institutes but can’t stand up for themselves and keep claiming themselves to be Beginner for the last 4 years. If Manoj has the real gutso and spirit he would have opened an institute by himself (though it may not be his choice) but atleast started claiming himself to be an Expert in Salsa…
We people get so much influenced or bothered by such Bogus reviews ( Note here that the Reviewer attened Kaytee class 2 years back and assuming certain things today as he has not done his homework by visiting his current classes… likewise he attended Anand’s class only once and had the courage to write a review)…
Wake up Guys ! You don’t need to entertain such reviews which are based on half informations and specially the Trainers don’t need to React to his comments or chain of comments which gets triggered due to idleness and showing ones’ presence on the net… (Anand – You don’t need to comment at such platforms .. Hopefully Kaytee will remain an awakened soul and restrian from entertaining such Bakwaas)
I have attended the workshops at SIDC congress in Mumbai, and have to admit they bring some of the best talent from across the world for these workshops. The quality and class was amazing. All set to join them for the class, i approached them and must says everything was downhill from their. Very soon i realised the mumbai team dont reflect the same professionalism and attitude. They dont answer the phone let alone revert to emails. Finally when i did manage to get information and landed for first class the instructor was ony 40 mins late for a 60 min class and had the cheek to ask for money payable for first class! i went ahead and joined Darshan instead and couldnt have been more happier with my decision.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I certainly agree with what Pooja has rightly and truly admitted.
Since my inception to learn Ballroom and Latin Dance I have Googled and Googled enough to atleast hunt down 4 classes here in Bombay.
The fact that I live here in Andheri preferred me to select institution located at Lokhandwala but unfortunately they don’t answer the phone nor they bother to call you back.
Somehow I have managed to Join “Arts in motion @ SION” though travelling at times makes it very difficult but guess what I am not repenting for the travel, its worth every penny…
Rahul, iam with you on this totally. What more to say..Anand’s review and the comments on it proved everything. Manoj must himself first learn what he is writing about. Instead of reviewing the dance/institute, he ends up reviewing people and that too personally which is evident.
manoj,
your reviews are entertaining read and I have experience a lot of stuff that you mention first hand..
kudos.. keep it up..
cheers,
tippi