Been dancing Salsa for a while, but you want to be better? Feel like your dance moves are predictable? Do the ladies read your moves before you even lead them? Is there not enough variety in your repertoire? Has a creative urge hit you? You know certain moves are possible, but for some reason, does the execution elude you? Or is your desire more fundamental? Do you simply want to get better at this Salsa (Mambo) thing?

So far so good. So, let’s do it! Let's get some help. Oh, you tried? You asked a few of your friends, but it didn’t work out too well. Now you’re more confused than ever. Looks like you need help. Well, how about a class or two? You know-- you find an instructor, someone who knows the things you want to learn and have that person teach those things to you. Finding a dance instructor in the DC metro area is not difficult. They are all over the place. From the Tango to the Two-step, from Samba to Swing, and of course Salsa (my favorite), instructors abound. But what do they offer, and more importantly, what should you look for in a dance instructor?

My advice is to consider four critical characteristics when you look for a dance instructor. These are vital. First and foremost, an instructor needs to have teaching ability. The instructor must be able to convey to the student the desired outcome. This means that the instructor must be able to describe, explain, and illustrate. Also, the dance instructor must have the ability to demonstrate what the students are supposed to do, and successfully transfer that dance information to the student.

Second, the instructor should have a thorough knowledge of the steps, the technique, and the associated styling. This means that the instructor must be able to take those complex dance elements, and reduce them to simple steps, relate them to other moves, and/or demonstrate the similarity between these and other steps.

Third, your instructor needs to have people skills. The instructor must be able to relate to the people in the class, enjoy working with people, and be able to work with a diversity of people and a variety of dance capabilities.

And fourth of course, the instructor must have a desire to teach. The dance instructor must have the attitude, interest, and ability to translate the Salsa steps, styling, and related elements into form, format, or content that the student can understand, along with the innate desire to do so.

Additionally he or she should be patient, thorough, and supportive. Patience is a critical asset for the instructor. It is frustrating for both teacher and student when you are having trouble explaining and obtaining the students' understanding about some dance element. Thoroughness matters if the full learning process is to be successful. Seek out the instructor who expects you to do it well and will not accept that which is only adequate. The instructor who is willing to offer constructive criticism will generally demand more of you and as a result, push you more towards excellence. After all the reason for attending class is to learn the "what and how" of dancing. In addition the instructor should also be aware of and informed about the various Salsa activities in the area. You’re looking for a person who is involved in Salsa

In closing, remember that the class environment should temper all of your expectations. Salsa is taught in many forums. Classes can be group or private, single level or multiple levels. The teaching goals vary based on the type of dance class being taught. The teaching objectives of a large basic dance class may be to only introduce the basic dance step and to assure that every one has fun, whereas the goal of an advanced class may be to teach a specific dance step or steps at each session. Ask the teacher about the class objectives. Visit the class and observe how the dance class is taught. Try out the class, and the instructor. See how you like it. Ask the other students in the class about the things they like and dislike. Students will often be surprisingly candid.

Finally, I remember reading that the most important ingredient in any class is the student. After all the purpose of any dance class is to teach dance so that the student is able to perform in a manner equal to that of the teacher or better than the teacher is.