Pivot Dance Emporium
Salsa, bachata, swing & hip-hop classes in Seattle. Free first class.
PIVOT Dance Emporium is a dance studio in SODO, Seattle, founded by Angela Nedkov, a ballroom and salsa professional with over 30 years of experience.
Before your first class
All beginner series welcome absolute beginners with no experience needed; partners are rotated in class and the studio emphasizes a fun, supportive, no-judgment environment.
Wear comfortable clothing that allows you to move freely; wear shoes with a smooth sole.
Comfortable clothing that allows free movement and shoes with a smooth sole (dance shoes, sneakers, or flats).
PIVOT offers plenty of parking: on-street parking in front or nearby (subject to city regulations), the 4-hour parking lot adjacent to the blue side of the SODO Park Building, or the 4-hour parking lo
About this studio
PIVOT Dance Emporium is a dance studio in SODO, Seattle, founded by Angela Nedkov, a ballroom and salsa professional with over 30 years of experience. Angela has worked as a master instructor at Salsa Con Todo in Fremont for the past nine years and previously created and led a ballroom and Latin dance program at Emory University. The studio teaches salsa (including Cuban salsa and On2 style), bachata (traditional Dominican style), swing dancing (Lindy Hop and Balboa), hip-hop/breaking, and jazz vernacular dance.
Classes range from absolute beginner to advanced levels. Four-week progressive series cost $99–$125 per person and meet once weekly for 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes. Drop-in classes are $25, or your first drop-in is free. The studio also offers guided practica sessions, where an instructor diagnoses the root cause of technical problems rather than just repeating moves—focusing on posture, frame, weight transfer, and timing. Private lessons are $125 each, with packages of 4 lessons for $480 or 8 lessons for $940.
PIVOT runs several performance teams: the IROKO Seattle Salsa Performance Team (for dancers with On2 experience), the PIVOT Salsa Performance Team, the PIVOT Bachata Performance Team, and the Seattle Slaydies Performance Team. All performance teams are $155 monthly with auditions required (except Seattle Slaydies). Student training teams at three levels cost $155 monthly and require assessment for levels 2 and 3.
The studio hosts regular social events: Thursday nights at The Mountain Room Bar (8:30 PM–10:15 PM) with a beginner-friendly salsa class led by Angela and open dancing to DJ BEMBE; a Cuban Salsa Social (Friday, 7:00 PM–10:00 PM) with a 1-hour beginner class on casino and rueda; and a Salsa & Bachata Social rooted in African history and rhythm (Saturday, 7:00 PM–10:00 PM). The studio also offers small studio rental with mirrors, smooth floors, quality sound, and a seating lounge, available hourly for private lessons, rehearsals, and choreography.
Instructors include Angela Nedkov (founder), Esther Dominguez Short (trained in LA style, New York On2, and Afro-Cuban movement), Kaushal Kumar P (competitive salsa dancer with placements at India International Dance Congress and Toronto Salsa Congress), Scott Livingston (ballroom-trained salsa instructor and member of Yamulee Seattle), Orb/Orbitron (33+ years in hip-hop/breaking and house dancing, judge and teacher at major street dance events), Ana Lisa Sutherland (multiple titles from swing events including Northwest Balboa Fest and Lindy Focus), and Aaron Lewis (jazz vernacular dance instructor).
What to expect
Your first visit
Your first drop-in class is free—text or call ahead to reserve a spot and arrive 10 minutes early to check in. Classes are welcoming and beginner-friendly, with partners rotated during class so you don't need to bring one. Expect clear instruction on fundamentals in a low-pressure environment.
Instructors
Who teaches here
Angela Nedkov (founder, 30+ years in ballroom and salsa, master instructor at Salsa Con Todo); Esther Dominguez Short (LA and On2 salsa, Afro-Cuban movement); Kaushal Kumar P (competitive salsa, trained with Yamulee and Empire Mambo); Scott Livingston (ballroom-trained salsa, member of Yamulee Seattle); Orb/Orbitron (33+ years hip-hop/breaking, judge and teacher globally); Ana Lisa Sutherland (swing champion with titles from Northwest Balboa Fest and Lindy Focus); Aaron Lewis (jazz vernacular dance).
New to dancing?
What beginners can expect
All beginner series welcome absolute beginners with no experience needed; partners are rotated in class and the studio emphasizes a fun, supportive, no-judgment environment.
What to wear and bring
Before your first class
Dress code
Wear comfortable clothing that allows you to move freely; wear shoes with a smooth sole.
What to bring
Comfortable clothing that allows free movement and shoes with a smooth sole (dance shoes, sneakers, or flats).
Studio history
PIVOT Dance Emporium was founded by Angela Nedkov, a ballroom and salsa professional with over 30 years of experience. Since 1995, Angela has worked as a dance instructor, trainer, and performer at studios in Boston, Manchester, Atlanta, and Seattle. She spent nine years as a master instructor at Salsa Con Todo in Fremont and previously created and led a ballroom and Latin dance program at Emory University.
Styles offered
8 dance styles taught here
Gallery
The people, the parties and the dancing here
Amenities
Pricing
Approximate lesson costs
Class schedule
Weekly classes and workshops
Pivot Dance Emporiumhasn't set up a public class schedule yet.
If you own Pivot Dance Emporium, claiming the studio lets you add a public schedule in about 2 minutes. A free Google Calendar is the easiest path — visitors see your class times inline + can add events to their own calendar.
Frequently asked about Pivot Dance Emporium
Quick answers to the most common questions
What dance styles does Pivot Dance Emporium teach?
Pivot Dance Emporium teaches Ballroom, Latin, Salsa, Bachata, Swing dancing (Lindy Hop, Balboa), Hip-Hop and 2 more. The full list of styles is shown above on this page along with each genre's classes and lesson options.
Where is Pivot Dance Emporium located?
Pivot Dance Emporium is located in Seattle, WA. See the map above for the exact address and one-tap directions.
Does Pivot Dance Emporium offer private lessons?
Contact Pivot Dance Emporium directly to ask about private lessons and current class options — their website has the latest details.
Does Pivot Dance Emporium teach kids and adults?
Pivot Dance Emporium welcomes students of varied ages and experience levels. Contact the studio to learn which classes fit your age group and level.
How do I sign up for classes at Pivot Dance Emporium?
The fastest path is to visit Pivot Dance Emporium via their website or check the class schedule above. Many studios offer a free or discounted intro lesson — contact them directly to ask.
Is there parking at Pivot Dance Emporium?
PIVOT offers plenty of parking: on-street parking in front or nearby (subject to city regulations), the 4-hour parking lot adjacent to the blue side of the SODO Park Building, or the 4-hour parking lot where Raven Studios is based.