Do I Need a Partner?
Do I have to Rotate Partners?
What Do I Wear to Class/Do I Need Special Shoes?
What If I Miss a Class?
How Many People are in a Class?
Do You Teach Salsa "on One" or "on Two"?
What does "Abakua" on the Group Class Schedule mean?
Does Frankie Martinez personally teach his classes?
Does Frankie Martinez offer Private Lessons?
Do You Sell Frankie's DVD?
Do You Offer Practice Parties?
What Is Workshop Week?

Public Transportation?
#1, 9, V, F, N & R subways to 23rd Street Station.
M23 cross town bus to 6th Avenue
Any bus south on 7th Avenue or north on 6th Avenue to 25th Street

Parking?
There is street parking on 25th Street after 7pm, after 6pm on some surrounding blocks, and earlier further west (between 8th & 9th Avenues). In addition, there are paid parking lots on almost every block in this area.

How Much is a Class?
A single group class is $20. Most students register for a Four-Week Class Cycle for $70 , or buy a 5- or 10-class card, which also provide a discount. (For the many further discounts available, please see Group Class Price List.)

How Many Classes in a Class Cycle?
A Four-Week Class Cycle includes one class each week for four weeks.

When Does a Class Cycle Start?
Our Four-Week Class Cycle corresponds as nearly as possible to the calendar month; starting on Monday, and ends on Sunday, four weeks later.

How Much is a Private Lesson?
A single private lesson is $85. Visit the Private Lesson page for details on discounts on packages of four or more Private Lessons.

How Long is Each Class?
Most Group Classes are 55 minutes, with some exceptions (there is no additional charge for extended classes). See Group Class Schedule for class start and end times. Private Lessons are 55 minutes.

Do I Have to Register for a Specific Class?
While most students do register for a specific class (the same day and time each week of the class cycle), it is not required. Empire Dance offers Class Cards that allow you to sample many classes and attend classes any time before the Class Card expiration date (up to 3 months from purchase date).

Are Classes Progressive?
Most of the partner dance classes progress from week to week during the Four-Week Class Cycle. Most of the Dance Fitness and World Dance classes are open to new students throughout the four-week class cycle.

Can I Join a Class in the Second Week of the Four-Week Class Cycle?
Students often join in the second week of classes. Any students wishing to join a class in the third or fourth week of classes must take a private lesson to "catch up" to the material learned in the first two weeks, unless they have the express permission of the instructor, or have already completed that course.

What Are the Class Levels?
Levels 1, 2, and 3, are Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced, respectively. Level 1 is open to beginners -- no experience necessary to take Level 1 classes. "Open Level" classes are, as the name implies, open to all.

How Many Times Should I Take a Specific Level?
Students frequently take a specific level for several months. The syllabus at each level is far more extensive than can be accomplished in four weeks, so new material is taught month to month. Please obtain the instructors permission to move up a level.

Do I Need a Partner?
No partner is necessary. We rotate partners throughout the class, to give you the opportunity to practice with everyone in class.

Do I have to Rotate Partners?
If you come with a partner and wish to practice only with that person, simply inform your instructor, and step to the side during the class rotations.

What Do I Wear to Class/Do I Need Special Shoes?
Wear loose, comfortable clothing and street shoes with leather soles, NOT rubber-sole sneakers. For your first class you do not need special shoes. Speak to your instructor for shoe and dress recommendations.

What If I Miss a Class?
You can take a "Makeup Class" from any of the classes offered on the Group Class Schedule. Makeup Classes must be completed in the same class cycle as the missed registered class. Please use your make-up class as early in the class cycle as possible. Please only join a make-up class that is appropriate to your level.

How Many People are in a Class?
Class sizes range from 8 to 30 students. Enroll early to save on registration fees and reserve your space in class.

Do You Teach Salsa "on One" or "on Two"?
"On Two"... the style of salsa most popular in the NY salsa scene.

What does "Abakua" on the Group Class Schedule mean?
"Abakua" denotes group classes taught by members of Frankie Martinez's Abakua Afro-Latin Dance Company.

Does Frankie Martinez personally teach his classes?
Frankie Martinez teaches his classes six days a week and oversees Empire Dance's Latin Dance Program. Personally trained members of Frankie Martinez's Abakua Afro-Latin Dance Company substitute on occasion.

Does Frankie Martinez offer Private Lessons?
Yes! Call (212) 645-2441 for information and scheduling.

Do You Sell Frankie's DVD?
Frankie Martinez's Exploring the Afro Latin Funk (Body Movement and Isolations) DVD is available at (212) 645-2441 or at the Empire Dance Gift Shop. Shipping available or pick it up on the way to class!

Do You Offer Practice Parties?
Yes! There are free weekly practice parties (both at the studio and around town), as well as discounts at other events, for Empire Dance students. Empire Dance is known for its' popular and authentic dance events, and many of these events are open to the public at large. Please see the Events Calendar for details.

What Is Workshop Week?
Workshop Week happens about three times a year. A week "in between" class cycles, Workshop Week is your opportunity to have fun! Master classes, guest instructors and special events make this an ideal time to try something new, learn a specific skill, and better prepare for the next set of class cycles. Advance reservations are recommended. Click here for the next Workshop Week Schedule!