Okay here is an another review, hope it becomes as controversial as the “Quickstep Review”.

I would rather call it “My(Re)View” ,and avoid all the angst and trouble later on. BTW Anand and Me have patched up and hugged .In case anyone of you think we are arch enemies.

Please read the following review before we begin ,as i don't want any dance school to sue me, but if the urge is overwhelming please go ahead and sue me, you will probably make me famous.

1. Introduction and the disclaimer
2. Why the need for a review?
3. Testimonials

Review Starts Here

On the HOT SEAT “KIRAN SHRIYAN” and “SHRIYAN'S FITNESS AND DANCE CO”

For ease let me categorize the review in 5 sections.

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I have been planning to write a review on Quickstep since last few weeks , but have been on a impromptu vacation, so haven’t been able to find time. Again like all instructors of Salsa , I consider “Anand Majumdar” a good friend and a decent human being , but since I have anointed myself as the unofficial “salsa critic” for salsa dance schools in Mumbai.I will try my best to do justice to the same without thinking of our mutual friendship.

Something about the founder :

I didn’t speak to Anand directly about his credentials as a salsa dancer/teacher. I believe, almost all instructors bluff about their credentials. They will tell you they have actually travelled to Puerto Rico and learnt Salsa, or Argentina to learn tango. Please ask for their Passports in such cases .Also i avoid asking directly, as i don’t want to get influenced while writing a review, by meeting the person himself.

As far as i know Anand is a Sandip Soparrkar Student , who learnt the tricks of dance and business early from his Guru , and immediately started his own school , besides that he might have participated in some international congresses which I am not aware of.

Branding :

One thing I like about Anand Majumdar is he takes his work very seriously, I think Quickstep has a website , long before anyone could think of one. “Anand Majumdar” I believe is a brand in itself , not a premium brand like Sandip Soparrkar , but nevertheless a brand of some repute.

The Marketing Strategy is generally word of mouth by his diehard supporters( ex-students, friends) , and through his excellent website which is nothing much but a “data grabber”.

The typical student is “blissfully ignorant” about salsa and the options available, who duly signs on the dotted line, because of the brand presence of “Anand Majumdar”.

Also he has been target of some viscious campaining on the internet and otherwise, which i would say that Anand himself is responsible.

Classes :

He runs his classes at 4 locations, which is I think quite a bit , since I know he has twice the number of students , than any other instructors. I have attended only a trial class when i was visiting him, and found him too dictatorial about his teaching , the fun elements was not there, and I have met some of his young students who are actually scared of him. I personally don’t like instructors who take the fun out of the learning. Dancing is fun , otherwise one can always take up martial arts.

Here is a testimonial I received from one of his ex-students.

“

He took much pain in memorizing people’s names but the dancing wasn’t all that great. There isn’t much smoothness or following a particular style. Its a pretty commercial venture and largely self learnt or so I hear from his students. Even his classes don”t have absolutely professional instructors. Its also senior students teaching the juniors.

I never recommend him Just my opinion formed.

Anon ”

Quality of Instructors :

The website or the forums which run don’t promote any instructor besides himself, its again a “one man show” business, and such business have limited potentials , and students who learn are often compromised cause they are learning from a businessman and not a teacher.

Community Building :

I have found Anand very closed about “sharing, learning and growing” when i met him , here is a example , Meetup and Anand had organised a Salsa Party at “Play” at lower parel. Somehow only 4 meetup members turned up , and the next thing I hear Anand telling me he doesn’t want to extend his invitation for the salsa social to Meetup members.

Mumbai Salsa Meetup has Organised Salsa Party at “bohemia” for years, without turning back or refusing entry to anyone.

But I guess he has changed and looking at things in new perspective, since he has recently started Salsa Party at Rio for his students and has a forum on salsa for salsa enthusiasts.I just hope its not another marketing gimmick and he keeps the “business” away from the “Salsa”.

Rating : 4.5/10

Foot Note:

I write this reviews because I feel it brings positive changes to the people who run dance schools, as they feel they are going be held accountable and they cant bully ignorant students who look up to them to give them the best education and worth to all the hard earned money.

I would request you contribute you own 2 cents by commenting or if you are interested in featuring your own review on this blog, do send me a email at  manoj@mumbaisalsameetup.info , and I will be glad to post it on this blog and forum.

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Before I start my review on Raunaque Sidana . Let me make it clear, Raunaque is a close friend and if I appear biased (which I will try not too) , please pardon me.Raunaque is probably the inspiration behind my love of Salsa.It was in 2004 with his support I became the Organizer of Mumbai Salsa Meetup. Also you might be interested in reading how I am qualified to write this review , so please read the Introduction and the disclaimer.

Branding :

• Less focus on classes more on events, workshops,corporate's, small towns events. 
• One man Organization (doesn't develop a down-line of instructors.)
• Leverages on personal Charisma rather than professional conduct.
• Celebrity driven , bollywood aspirations.

Classes :

• Claims to be teaching at 7 venues, which I cannot confirm since the website is not complete, for a person who is in business of teaching Salsa since 2004 , I feel a website should have been working.
• There are absolutely no trained instructors which I have heard of, one of his student usually returns the favour by doubling up as a instructor.(These are my impressions when I was a student with Rauanque in 2004, hope things have changed.)
• I didn't find any processes in place for teaching, often classes are rescheduled or cancelled .
• With his great sense of humor classes are always fun though.

Quality of Instructors.

• None exist as per my knowledge.

Location :

• One web source claims 7, but I doubt.

Community Building ;

• Well chooses to associate himself only if he is going to get loads of focus.
• The Salsa evenings at Fever happening every Saturday are not published anywhere and from whatever reports I have got, people say the event at "Fever" is a failure.

Overall Rating : 4.5/10

If you have missed my review on Salsa India click here to read

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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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