CrossBody Dance + Movement

CrossBody Dance + Movement teaches Latin dance to adults across two Pittsburgh locations: Downtown (422 Wood Street) and Squirrel Hill (1918 Murray Avenue). The studio specializes in Salsa (On1 and On2), Bachata, Kizomba, Rueda de Casino, Latin Hustle, and Brazilian Zouk, with a mission to create a welcoming community where dancers of all levels can learn, grow, and feel confident on and off the dance floor.

The studio is run by world champion Latin dancers Rachel Booth and Vincent Jones, who serve as owners and directors. Rachel brings deep expertise in both On1 and On2 Salsa styles and Bachata, plus additional training in Latin Hustle, American Rhythm ballroom styles, Viennese Waltz, and Tango. Vincent brings over 15 years of Latin dance experience and focuses on building practical, applicable skills. Together, they have won numerous awards at national and international competitions including the World Salsa Summit in Miami, World Latin Dance Cup in Colombia, Canada International Salsa Congress, Calgary International Salsa Congress, and Montreal Salsa Convention. They have performed across New York City, Washington DC, Chicago, Toronto, and throughout the East Coast and Midwest.

The teaching team includes Mike David, a dynamic Kizomba instructor and DJ who is director of Steel City Kizomba and has trained extensively in Kizomba, Semba, and other African dances; Sarah Catherine Slevinski, a professional instructor with 15 years of full-time teaching experience who specializes in helping complete beginners and teaches ballroom, Latin, swing, tango, and country; Wendy Guo, who teaches Bachata and Brazilian Zouk drawing on her Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology and extensive teacher training in Bachata Sensual, Traditional Bachata, Bachata Fusion, and Brazilian Zouk; Santiago Carrasquilla, a social dancer who emphasizes partner connection, musicality, and joy; and Russ Brown, who has been dancing socially for a decade and teaches Salsa, Bachata, and Rueda with a focus on confidence, creativity, and energy.

Classes are structured around a skill-based methodology. Beginners start with six-week Beginner Bootcamps in either Salsa or Bachata (or both), where you can join any week and progress based on demonstrated skills rather than class count. Weekly group classes are offered at multiple levels: Intro and Beginner classes focus on timing, basic steps, frame, rhythm, body movement, and partnerwork; Advanced Beginner and Pre-Intermediate classes emphasize smoother body control, musicality, and turn patterns; Intermediate and Advanced classes are built for experienced dancers seeking precision and deeper mastery. The studio also offers private lessons and small group coaching, specialized intensives and workshops, and weekly Kizomba and Rueda classes.

Beyond classes, CrossBody runs regular social events. Latin Thursdays happens every Thursday from 9pm to 1am and includes workshops at 8pm (drop-in $15 or $20 with Latin Thursdays admission). Second Saturday socials run the second Saturday of each month from 3pm to 7pm. Monthly events also feature Latin Hustle, West Coast Swing, and "Y Mas" themed nights. The studio organizes dance teams, offers team choreography and wedding choreography, and rents event space. No partner is required for any class, and the studio emphasizes that beginners with no dance experience are welcome.

Your first class is free. Classes are beginner-friendly and move at a comfortable pace. You'll be rotated with partners, and instructors break everything down clearly. Come in comfortable shoes and clothing you can move in; no experience or partner required.

Rachel Booth and Vincent Jones are world champion Latin dancers and co-owners. The teaching team includes Mike David (Kizomba specialist and DJ), Sarah Catherine Slevinski (15 years full-time teaching experience, beginner specialist), Wendy Guo (Bachata and Brazilian Zouk, Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology), Santiago Carrasquilla (Salsa & Bachata, focus on connection and musicality), and Russ Brown (Salsa, Bachata, Rueda, decade of social dance experience).

Classes are beginner-friendly with no partner or experience required; instructors break everything down clearly and new students often feel confident by week four.