Dance With Liza

Dance With Liza is run by Liza Marians, a dance instructor and choreographer who has been teaching social and wedding dances in San Diego for twenty-five years. She was professionally trained as a ballroom dance instructor at Mac Vitties Dance Studio in East County and has spent her career furthering her training with experts in the field. Liza began competing in 2022 and has won awards in Country Two-Step and West Coast Swing. She also runs Country DJ Events, a DJ service specializing in country western hoedowns, weddings, private parties, and corporate events across Southern California.

Mark Pablo is the co-instructor and choreographer, bringing over twenty-five years of dance experience and more than five years teaching alongside Liza. He is an All Star Champion dancer in West Coast Swing, on staff at the High Desert Dance Classic and San Diego's Dance Diego parties, and has coached participants on So You Think You Can Dance. Mark's expertise spans Hip Hop, West Coast Swing, Argentine Tango, Bachata, Salsa, Cha Cha, Merengue, Country Two-Step, and wedding choreography.

The studio specializes in wedding dance lessons, offering custom choreography and instruction for first dances, father-daughter dances, mother-son dances, surprise dances, and mashups. Couples typically take between 5 and 15 one-hour lessons over two to three months before their wedding. The studio teaches a broad range of styles including Salsa, Bachata, Merengue, Cha Cha, Rumba, Argentine Tango, Hip Hop, Nightclub Two-Step, Country Two-Step, Country Swing, Country Waltz, Cowboy Cha Cha, Country Line Dancing, Cajun & Zydeco, American Bronze Foxtrot, American Bronze Waltz, American Bronze Tango, East Coast Swing, Jitterbug, Lindy Hop, and West Coast Swing.

Group classes meet regularly at two locations: Dance Headquarters (5035 Shawline St, Kearny Mesa) and Mind, Body, & Soul Dance Studio (2801 Camino Del Rio S, Suite 201-4, Mission Valley). Classes include Country Swing (Sundays 10–11am), Country Two-Step (Sundays 11am–12pm), Salsa/Bachata (Mondays 6:30–7:30pm), and periodic workshops. The studio also hosts Renegade Country Dancing every second Thursday from 8:30–10:30pm at The Renegade Bar in El Cajon, with an optional partner dance class beforehand from 7–8:30pm. Showcases are held in July and December, giving students the chance to perform in front of an audience.

Private lessons are available with either Liza or Mark, or with both instructors together at no extra charge. The studio offers packages of 3, 4, 5, 8, or 10 lessons in 45-minute, one-hour, or 90-minute sessions. Group classes cost $15–17 per person, or $60 for any four classes (which don't have to be consecutive). The studio currently offers 25% off all private dance lesson packages and 10% off packages of five or more lessons. Make-ups for group classes are allowed within the same calendar year. Liza also offers free 30-minute music consultations to couples choosing their wedding song. The studio prefers to teach in private spaces and typically reserves evening slots at Dance Headquarters for privacy.

First-time visitors should check the current schedule or contact the studio before attending. Ask whether the class requires advance registration, whether a partner is needed, and what shoes or clothing are recommended.

Liza Marians has taught dance in San Diego for twenty-five years, with professional ballroom training from Mac Vitties Dance Studio, and has competed in Country Two-Step and West Coast Swing since 2022. Mark Pablo brings over twenty-five years of dance experience, more than five years teaching with Liza, and is an All Star Champion West Coast Swing dancer with expertise across Hip Hop, Argentine Tango, Bachata, Salsa, Cha Cha, Merengue, Country Two-Step, and wedding choreography.

The studio welcomes beginners; group classes are explicitly beginner level, and private wedding lessons work with couples who have no dance experience to build confidence and skill over a few months.