Salsa y Control
Salsa and bachata classes in Allston and Cambridge. Partner dancing from leve…
A Latin dance studio specializing in Salsa, Bachata, and other Latin social dances.
Before your first class
Level 1 classes start with understanding salsa music's rhythm and timing, basic steps, and partnering fundamentals, covering right turn, hesitation left turn, and cross-body lead.
$20 drop-in per class, $90 for 5-week session, $180 for 10-class punch card.
About this studio
Salsa y Control is a Boston dance company founded in 2003 by brothers Johnny and Andres Giraldo, who began performing intricate salsa duets in 1999. The company has grown into one of the biggest dance organisations in the region, now with over 105 performing members across multiple dance teams.
The Allston studio opened in 2008 under Andres and Leah. Today, Salsa y Control runs classes at two locations: the main studio in Allston at 161 Harvard Ave, and at The Dance Complex in Cambridge. The studio offers salsa and bachata instruction across levels 1 through 4, with separate classes for footwork and partnering. You can choose to learn as a lead or follow.
Classes run in rolling 5-week sessions. In Allston, Monday evenings feature salsa partnering levels 1, 2A, and 2B with Johnny and Kelly S. Tuesdays offer a mix of salsa and bachata at levels 1–4 with instructors including Andres, Kelly B, Lumyr, and Tara. Cambridge classes at The Dance Complex run Thursday evenings, with level 1, 2A, and 3 salsa partnering classes. The studio also hosts special workshops and socials. August 8th brings workshops in Salsa On2 and Merengue with Clara y Al. Upcoming socials include the Sabor Latino Salsa Class & Bachata Social at El Barco (August 12th) and the Tambo Salsa Social at Dantes Alighieri Society (July 31–August 1st).
The Allston studio occupies three connected rooms. Room 13 is 750 sq ft, Room 13A is 950 sq ft, and Room 13B is 650 sq ft. All three rooms have mirrors, Bluetooth and aux sound connections, and air conditioning and heat. The studio is available for rental at $30–$50 per hour depending on the room.
What to expect
Your first visit
Drop-in students are always welcome at $20 per class. Level 1 classes cover basic footwork and leading or following technique. Level 3 introduces flavour, inside turns, half right turns, and cumbia turns, with emphasis on proper hand and arm placement and freestyle footwork.
Instructors
Who teaches here
Classes are taught by Johnny Giraldo, Kelly S (or Kelly Silfies), Andres Giraldo, Kelly B, Lumyr, and Tara. Johnny and Andres are the founders and perform in the company's dance teams.
New to dancing?
What beginners can expect
Level 1 classes start with understanding salsa music's rhythm and timing, basic steps, and partnering fundamentals, covering right turn, hesitation left turn, and cross-body lead.
Studio history
Salsa y Control originated in 1999 when brothers Johnny and Andres Giraldo began performing salsa duets with unique, intricate footwork. The company later expanded to include partner dance performances with Felicita. In 2003, Johnny, Andres, and Felicita formally established Salsa y Control Dance Company, driven by the desire to inspire others to express inner emotion through dance. The Allston studio opened in 2008 under Andres and Leah.
Gallery
The people, the parties and the dancing here
Amenities
Pricing
Approximate lesson costs
Class schedule
Weekly classes and workshops
Salsa y Controlhasn't set up a public class schedule yet.
If you own Salsa y Control, 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 Salsa y Control
Quick answers to the most common questions
What dance styles does Salsa y Control teach?
Salsa y Control teaches Salsa, Bachata, Merengue. The full list of styles is shown above on this page along with each genre's classes and lesson options.
Where is Salsa y Control located?
Salsa y Control is located in Allston, MA. See the map above for the exact address and one-tap directions.
Does Salsa y Control offer private lessons?
Contact Salsa y Control directly to ask about private lessons and current class options — their website has the latest details.
Does Salsa y Control teach kids and adults?
Salsa y Control 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 Salsa y Control?
The fastest path is to visit Salsa y Control via their website or check the class schedule above. Many studios offer a free or discounted intro lesson — contact them directly to ask.