4-week terms commencing Thursday June 18

Classes: Thursdays, 7:00pm–8:00pm

Location: Melbourne City Ballroom – Level 2

Investment: $99 per term (direct debit)

Students can join at the start of any new term, subject to meeting the entry requirements.

Salsa 3.5 is designed for dancers who have built a solid foundation in Salsa 3.0 and are ready to take the next step.

Over 12 weeks, you'll learn how to convert the Salsa Foundation 2.0 and 3.0 syllabus from On1 to On2, while developing the essential shines, timing, and movement skills needed for more advanced On2 dancing.

This is not a beginner On2 course. Students should already be comfortable with the core TSF syllabus and be able to execute the material confidently before attempting to learn it on a different timing.

By the end of the program, you'll have a strong understanding of On2 timing, be able to dance the TSF syllabus comfortably On2, and be ready to work towards Salsa 4.0.

Salsa can be danced using different timing systems. At TSF, Levels 1.0–3.0 are taught On1, which is the most common starting point for social dancers.

On2 uses the same music, the same techniques, and many of the same patterns—but the timing shifts to better match the structure of the music. It places greater emphasis on musicality, rhythm, and connection to the percussion.

That said, On2 is often surrounded by a lot of myths.

Learning On2 does not automatically make you a better dancer.

A dancer with great timing, connection, technique, body movement, and musicality On1 will usually be a stronger dancer than someone who simply knows how to count On2.

On2 is not a magical upgrade. It's simply another timing system.

The good news is that it's also not as difficult as many people think.

Because TSF already teaches a structured syllabus, we're not asking you to learn an entirely new dance. We're simply taking movements you already know and applying them to a different timing. By following a step-by-step progression through familiar material, most students find the transition far easier than they expected.

So why learn it?

One reason is that many experienced salsa dancers around the world tend to dance On2 more often, particularly at advanced socials, congresses, festivals, and workshops. While On1 remains extremely popular, learning On2 means you'll be able to comfortably dance with a wider range of partners and participate more confidently in salsa communities both in Melbourne and overseas.

Our goal is for TSF students to be able to walk into a social anywhere in the world and feel comfortable dancing with beginners, intermediates, advanced dancers, On1 dancers, and On2 dancers alike.

The goal of Salsa 3.5 is not to replace your On1 dancing.

The goal is to add another tool to your dancing toolkit.

By learning both On1 and On2, you'll become a more versatile social dancer, gain a deeper understanding of the music, and have more opportunities available to you—without losing the skills you've already built in On1.

Salsa 3.5 is intended for students who have completed at least 9 months of Salsa 3.0 and are comfortable with the core TSF syllabus.

Because this course focuses on converting existing material to On2 timing, students should already be reasonably confident with the patterns before joining.

If you're unsure whether you're ready, speak to one of the instructors and we'll point you in the right direction.

Throughout Salsa 3.5, we'll focus on two key areas:

1. Converting the TSF 2.0 and 3.0 syllabus to On2
You'll learn how to take the partnerwork patterns you already know and confidently dance them using On2 timing.

2. On2 Shines Essentials
On2 dancers use a different set of foundational shines than those taught in our On1 program. We'll cover the essential shines, footwork, timing exercises, and drills commonly used in On2 classes, workshops, and social dancing.

The goal is to build confidence in both partnerwork and solo movement, giving you a strong foundation for future On2 training.

To help support your learning outside of class, Salsa 3.5 students also receive:

1. FREE Salsa 3.0 classes (for students who have completed all 12 months of 3.0)

2. TSF support videos and breakdowns

3. Additional practice and revision opportunities

4. Access to a structured pathway into Salsa 4.0

Our goal is to give you enough repetition and support that your progress continues between classes—not just during them.