Class Descriptions

      SALSA

AADW is excited to help bring Salsa to South Jersey! Our studio offers salsa (On1 & On2) classes designed to progressively introduce beginners to the technique, artistry and musicality of salsa dancing! Each class, students will get the opportunity to train their basics while learning new movement concepts intended to expand their dance vocabulary, understanding and musical expression.

AFROCUBAN RUMBA & FOLKLORIC

AADW aims to help introduce the South Jersey area to other forms of AfroLatin Dance. As such, we will also be offering classes in AfroCuban Rumba and other folkloric dances. These dances are diasporic movements rooted in the rich musical and dance traditions of West African tribes that were enslaved and brought to Cuba, such as the Yoruba and Bantu tribes; as well as Africans who were brought to Haiti. These dances are fun, social dances that often represent courtship and celebrate other parts of the human experience. Other dances are considered more sacred, and are meant for worship and spiritual expression.

AFRO-LATIN THERAPEUTIC DANCE

In our Afro-Latin therapeutic dance classes and workshops, Aliya combines her training as a Professional Counselor and Dancer to create an atmosphere of healing through movement. Students are given the opportunity to engage in activities and natural body movements designed to promote personal recovery and an overall sense of wellbeing. These movements are very fluid to the body and pull from African American, West African and AfroCuban dance styles. These classes and workshops tend to be more intimate and require pre-registration. All skill levels welcomed, as this is not a technique focused class.

KIDS & TEENS LATIN DANCE

Starting in the Summer, AADW will be offering Salsa and Bachata classes to Kids (ages 9-12) and Teens (ages 13-17). These classes will be progressive and technique based to help students build upon their skills and Latin dance vocabulary each week!

Drumming for BIG Emotions

This wellness class will aim to help kids learn to manage and communicate big emotions (anger, sadness, frustration, etc) in a healthy way! Through the use of drumming, kids will learn an to channel these emotions through creativity and music. This class will also teach additional healthy coping skills that help to manage the way emotions show up in the body, such as calming breaths, counting and butterfly hugs. The aim of this class is to help kids build emotional intelligence, learn healthy emotional communication and strengthen their emotional resilience. This class will be held over the 2025 summer, and will require pre-registration to manage the class size. The class will be for kids ages 6-12 years old. Drums will be provided. Please contact us at adenugadance@gmail.com to reserve your child’s spot! Also, stay tuned for when this class will be offered to younger children and teens!

DRUMMING CIRCLE

During the Summer months, AADW will be offering outdoor drumming circle jam sessions! The event will be open to anyone in the community, and all are welcome to join in! Feel free to bring whatever percussive instrument you’d like or come to lend your singing voice and hand claps!! People are also encouraged to come out to dance to the music, and all ages are welcomed to join in! Stay tuned to learn when you can come jam with us and bring the whole family!