Los Sabrosos Dance Co. is dedicated to providing multiple opportunities for dancers to grow and challenge themselves in their dance journeys. Further build your technique, precision, and show-presence to stand out in any dance environment! These teams will be applying to congresses and dance events across the city and country.

List of Teams & Directors

Escencia Latina, Agustin Garcia-Pawlowski
Directed by Los Sabrosos co-founder Agustin, join this amazing performance team to build upon your Salsa partnerwork, upgrade your styling and turns, and wow anyone you approach for a dance at socials from now on!

Las Sabrosas Ladies Salsa, Nicolette Garcia-Pawlowski
Directed by Los Sabrosos co-founder Nicolette, join this awesome ladies team to improve your Salsa, upgrade your styling and turns, and shine on the dance floor!
All genders and gender presentations that would like to learn feminine styling and ladies technique are welcome.

Bolly Rangeela Bollywood, Samannaaz Khoja & Geeta Tahiliani
Directed by instructors Samannaaz Khoja and Geeta Tahiliani, the focus of this group is to get you comfortable performing in front of a live audience. This experience is perfect for those looking to level-up their Bollywood dancing skills, increase their stage presence, and have lots of fun while doing it!

Vetiver Bellydance Troupe*, Maria Hamer
Internationally renowned dancer, Maria Hamer, directs an Intermediate/Advanced level fusion Bellydance troupe training in performance, stage presence, finger cymbals, costuming, musicality, staging, and more!

Bachatalicious, Stanton Kochanek & Heidi Islas
Directed by World Champions, Heidi and Stan, this advanced beginner partner team will really take your Bachata to the next level by perfecting your existing techniques and transforming your performance quality!

Las Sabrosas Ladies Bachata*, Heidi Islas
Directed by World Champion Heidi, join this fierce ladies team to build on your existing Bachata skills, upgrade your styling and turns, and burn up the dance floor!
All genders and gender presentations that would like to learn feminine styling and ladies technique are welcome.

Fuerza Steel*, Heidi Islas & Stanton Kochanek
Directed by World Champions, Stan and Heidi, this awesome advanced Bachata and Salsa partner team will really expand your dancing, upgrade your Salsa and Bachata techniques, and have you shine on the dance floor!

*Denotes intermediate/advanced or semi-pro teams. Requires audition or personal invitation to join.

Summary of Team Member Policies & Benefits:

People registering for two teams will only pay $110 per team and those registering for three will only pay $100 per team. Please use the “Multiple Teams Registration” menu on the Team page of the Los Sabrosos website if joining more than one team.
All team members receive a fifty percent (50%) discount on group classes. Team members must be registered on their team for the current month in order to use discounts. Those who sign-up for discounted group courses without registering with a team for the same month will be billed for the difference.
All team members have one (1) free hour of studio practice time every week. The hour must be used for working on team choreography or training. Studio space subject to availability, please request your time slot using the online portal at least 24 hours in advance. Please turn off lights and clean up if no else is in the studio by the end of your practice time.
Team members are responsible for associated costs such as shoes, costumes, event entry fees, and transportation, among others.
Team membership payments are due at the beginning of the month, before the first class. Payment must be on file in order to access benefits.
Monthly tuition is due for the duration of a team member’s participation in the team, regardless of vacations or travel. Being absent from practices for a month because of travel does not exempt members from paying for the month so long as they plan to continue with the team once they return and still have access to choreography content through the WhatsApp chat.
All members commit to a minimum of one (1) weekly hour of practice outside of class.
Additional policies may apply for specific teams.

Expectations For Team Members

Team Practice

Commitment

Joining a dance team is a serious commitment, for it involves more intense training than simply taking classes. You are also committing to work more closely with the team directors and your fellow dance team members. While you may have your own personal dance goals, your actions will impact the team as a whole. For this reason, please make sure you have the capacity and willingness to commit to the team for the whole season (check with team directors for minimum expected commitment).

Attendance

Regular attendance of all team members is critical for ensuring that the team as a whole can make consistent progress advancing choreography, learning formations, and improving technique. All members are expected to attend weekly team practices, barring illness or extenuating circumstances. When in practice, try to be as present as possible, i.e. not looking at your phone (unless taking notes) or letting yourself get too distracted. If the team director asks for attention, please stop side conversations and listen promptly.

If you are unable to make practice, please alert the team directors as soon as possible. You are expected to make up missed practices within the week by working with one or more other team members, and/or scheduling a private lesson with the team directors.

Team members who miss 3 or more practices in a season may have a diminished role in upcoming performances. If those missed practices are consecutive, the team director may choose to have that member sit out of the performance entirely. This is not meant to simply be a punitive measure, but to account for the decreased progress of team members who are unable to regularly practice with the team.

Lateness

It’s important to show up to practice on time, i.e. warmed up, in dance shoes, and ready to dance by the start of practice. For example, if team practice is at 10am, and you show up at 10am, you are late because you are not prepared to dance. Please arrive 10-15 minutes early to get changed and warm up.

If you know you will be late to practice, please alert the team directors with as much advance notice as possible. When you arrive, get yourself ready quietly but with a sense of urgency. If the team is running the routine, join at a natural break point to minimize disruption.

Team members who are regularly late may have a diminished role in upcoming performances.

Videotaping in Class

Videotaping practice in its entirety is prohibited, since practices are meant to be in-person only (unless otherwise specified) and videos are not a substitute for attending. Team directors will allow members to record a summary video at the end of practice and post it in the team chat after practice.

If you choose to tape a portion of the class for yourself, you may share the video with team members who also attended class; however, please do not share the videos with those who did not attend.

If you practice on your own, make sure to record a run through and either send it to the team directors or post it in the team chat for feedback.

Code of Conduct

We follow studio policy for the general code of conduct and any conduct violations. In general, if something happens or if you ever have questions or concerns, we want you to feel comfortable talking to instructors and/or directors. Detailed below are more specific instances that may be relevant to teams.

If you do not adhere to our code of conduct, you may be asked to leave the team without a guarantee of money back.

Feedback (Team Directors)

Regular feedback is how we grow as individuals and as a team. Team directors will provide feedback to team members to support the individual and team dance goals. This can include feedback on technique, execution of choreography, conduct, and other matters related to the team. Team directors will strive to ensure that feedback is constructive, prioritized, and actionable.

When receiving feedback, it is good practice to ask for clarification as needed, and to do your best to not personalize it. If you find yourself overwhelmed or unable to process the feedback in the moment, please communicate this to the team directors and they can help you focus on one component of it until you are ready for more.

Team directors will also solicit anonymous feedback from team members periodically and do their best to address any majority concerns or suggestions. You are also welcome to communicate feedback to them directly.

Feedback (Teammates)

Team directors should be the only ones providing instruction. Unsolicited advice from one teammate to another is inappropriate during practice and class. If a teammate asks for feedback, however, then you can provide feedback from your perspective (e.g. “When we do this part, I feel X” or “I think the move is X, not Y” not “You did this wrong” or “What you’re doing looks worse”).

Hygiene

Hygiene is important because we are often in close proximity with each other, especially for partner routines where there may be sensual movements or tricks. Please make sure to wash and shower regularly, wear deodorant/antiperspirant, and bring towels or changes of clothing if you sweat profusely.

Relationships

Relationships and other close bonds happen and are not prohibited. If you are in a relationship with another teammate or team director, please take care so that the relationship does not disrupt the dynamic of the team as a whole. This means the relationship should not conflict with the overall team bond, team practices and policies, or cause any other negative impacts on the team. Team directors will assign dance partner pairings based on a multitude of factors, and therefore cannot guarantee that couples in a relationship will be paired for any particular routine or performance.

If a relationship does cause a rift within the team or prioritizes the couple over the good of the team, this may result in consequences for the individuals in question (at the discretion of the team directors).

Behavioral Issues

Team directors bear a significant amount of responsibility. They lead and manage the team and will make final decisions on all team matters. Undermining the directors or final team decisions without their consent may result in a strike, dismissal, or other consequences.

Performance

Performing is an exciting benefit of joining a team. Although not obligatory, we do expect dancers to perform in Los Sabrosos showcases (May and December) and anniversary events (August). Any additional performance opportunities are optional.

Requirements for Performing

Regular Attendance

In addition to the general practice and attendance expectations laid out above, it is especially important for teams to practice together leading up to a performance, to be able to drill formations, refine styling, and reinforce technique. Therefore, dancers are expected to be in the rehearsals leading up to an event if they wish to be able to perform. If you are not able to make those practices, it prevents the team from achieving consistent practice conditions and can cause additional stress and uncertainty for your other teammates. In such cases, it is at the discretion of the team directors whether you will be able to perform for that particular event.

Tech Rehearsal

Technical rehearsals allow you to run the routine on the stage you will perform in, and typically occur the day of the performance. It is crucial that the full team be present for tech and ready to go at least 5 minutes before in Los Sabrosos jackets/shirts, black pants or leggings, and dance shoes.

Performance-Ready

For performances, you must be ready to go in costume, hair and/or makeup, and dance shoes at least 1 hour before. Please be flexible as performance times can change.

Team Registration

Performers must be registered for the corresponding calendar month of each performance, even if not attending the full period. Exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis. Any exceptions require approval from the team director(s) and LSDC administration team.

Travel

Performance and competition are big commitments. This requires significant logistical planning on the team director’s part (e.g. interfacing with the event), planning for the team, and financial commitments. Team directors will decide whether the team is able to perform for a specific event.

Attendance

We can’t count on knowing which day our team will be scheduled to perform, due to the congress or competition schedule, so it’s important that the team is flexible and adaptable. When performing at congresses, you must be available every single day to perform. When registering and considering whether you can attend, understand that these performances are often non-refundable, and consider whether you could attend any/all days.

Financial Commitments

Agreeing to perform at an external event involves certain necessary costs, including but not limited to buying a performer’s pass, paying for a hotel or Airbnb, travel costs, and food. Once you agree to an event, it is your responsibility to pay for the expenses in a timely manner. If for whatever reason you are unable to participate after you have committed, you may not be able to refund these costs.

Accommodations

We encourage team members to book accommodations early and as a team. This may include sharing a room with one or more teammates, if you wish, to reduce costs. Once you have planned or said that you will stay with or travel with teammates, if your plans change for any reason, communicate this as soon as possible. Note that you may be responsible for part of the expenses, especially if accommodations cannot be adjusted.

Professionalism

At any event where we are the entertainment, we are representing the Los Sabrosos Dance Company, and should act professionally. When representing the studio in an external event, please wear your Los Sabrosos team jacket. Los Sabrosos merch can be purchased at the studio. Also keep in mind that your behavior and actions at any event also reflect on the studio.

Other Studios

Team members are always allowed to take classes and workshops at any dance studio. However, team members must not practice a team routine in a studio that is a direct competitor. Team directors and/or Los Sabrosos instructors are not permitted to teach classes or workshops at studios that are a direct competitor. Additionally, sharing videos and/or photos with a studio that is a direct competitor is also not allowed.

Social Media

Public performance pictures, and behind the scenes pictures may be shared on social media. Dance rehearsals, practices, and other training videos should not be shared on social media. Team directors may ask that you not share full videos of performances initially – this is usually to allow the team to continue to refine the routine before it is shared widely.

For ease of communication, Team directors may use messaging apps such as WhatsApp, GroupMe, etc. to create team dedicated chat rooms. As in any other team space, all communications, including text messages, audio, images, and digital materials must remain civil and with the standards of LSDC conduct policies.

Students must be aware that with the use of electronic platforms there is always a risk of their private information, such as name and phone number, being accessed by third parties. For most platforms, this also means that other chat members can easily gain access to the student’s contact information. Chatroom presence is not a requirement for joining a team.

Expectations for Advanced/Semi-Pro Teams

All of the above expectations apply, but the following are particular to advanced/semi-pro teams.

Joining Advanced/Semi-Pro Teams

Advanced and semi-pro teams may add new members each season, either through auditions or the personal invitation of the team directors.

If you are interested in joining one of these teams, you are encouraged to reach out to your instructors and/or team directors to learn more about the team and what you can do to continue improving. As you take classes or participate on one of the other teams, make sure to demonstrate the following:

Your commitment and dedication to improving your dance skills
Willingness to accept and apply feedback
Camaraderie with your peers
General responsibility and consideration (e.g. be on time)

Expected Commitment

Semi-pro and competition teams have a minimum expected commitment of six months, due to the intense amount of training team directors provide.

Competition

Competition is based on skill, individual and team commitment, and camaraderie within the team. For those looking to step up their dance game, push their skills to the next level, and grow beyond their comfort zone, competition is a great goal to work towards. Everyone needs to be able to work together to make that happen.

Participation

No one is obligated to compete, and there is no guarantee that you will compete. The team directors will make all final decisions for each competition (i.e. being able to compete in one does not automatically guarantee you will compete in subsequent competitions).

Choreography

Choreographies are intended for a team. It is up to the discretion of the team directors if you can compete said routine in an individual event. You may not at any time perform or compete a team routine without the direct consent of the team directors.

Questions and Communications

If at any time you have any questions or concerns about these expectations or being part of the team, please do not hesitate to discuss them with the team directors.