Classé Dance Studio

Classé Dance Studio is a Latin dance community in Vienna, Virginia, founded in August 2017 by director Linda Saenz. What began as private lessons taught house-to-house and in local dance clubs has grown into a thriving studio serving over 700 students across the D.M.V. and beyond. The studio's foundation is built on three core principles: mastering proper technique and fundamentals, giving maximum effort, and offering direct, honest feedback to help dancers improve.

The studio teaches a wide range of styles: Bachata, Salsa, Contemporary, Active Dance, Latin Heels, and Peruvian Folklore. Classes are structured by level—Intro, Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3—so whether you're learning your first basic step or refining advanced musicality, there's a class for you. The Contemporary programme serves both children (ages 7–12) and adults; Active Dance blends Latin, pop, and cardio for a fitness-focused experience; and Latin Heels builds confidence and feminine styling with heels technique.

The instructors bring serious credentials. Director Linda Saenz teaches Bachata Level 3, Salsa Ladies Styling, and private lessons. Bachata classes are led by Kurt Nordstrom (Intro), Janine Taira and Kathy Bakhtiary (Level 1), Tommy Tran and Byron Garcia (Level 2), and Tommy Tran and Linda Saenz (Level 3). Salsa instruction comes from Honour (Intro), Trevor and Emilio (Levels 1 and 2), and Linda Saenz (Ladies Styling, offered once a month). Angel Ramirez teaches all Contemporary classes for kids and adults. Dana Gibson leads both Active Dance levels. The team has trained with world-class dancers in Europe and South America, constantly refining technique and teaching methods.

The studio operates extended hours: Monday–Friday 10am–11pm, Saturday 12am–7pm, Sunday 10am–2pm. Group classes are offered throughout the week, with private lessons available for personalized, one-on-one instruction. Beyond classes, Classé offers performance and competition teams for dancers ready to step up, custom choreography and professional performances for quinceañeras, weddings, and private parties, and social events where students can apply what they've learned on the dance floor. The studio has trained over 150 past and present team members and earned 14 competition awards.

Arrive 5–10 minutes early to check in and warm up. Most classes involve partner rotations, so no partner is required. Wear comfortable clothes and dance shoes or clean sneakers with smooth soles—avoid rubber soles that stick. Instructors emphasise connection, respect, and a judgment-free zone where honest feedback helps you grow.

Led by director Linda Saenz, Classé's diverse instructor team includes Kurt Nordstrom, Janine Taira, Kathy Bakhtiary, Tommy Tran, Byron Garcia, Honour, Trevor, Emilio, Angel Ramirez, and Dana Gibson. Each brings talent, experience, and a commitment to proper technique and genuine student growth.

All styles offer Intro classes with no experience required; no partner needed, and the studio emphasises a relaxed, welcoming environment where rotations help everyone adapt.