Classes | Beginners Dance lessons in Vancouver with Julio Montero

UPCOMING

Dance Classes

Cuban Social Dances and Bachata Lessons with Julio Montero's Dance Umbrella.

Students in Julio Montero's dance class at Ukrainian Hall, forming a circle and dancing the Rueda de Casino

2026 Lessons

Classes will take place in Vancouver, New Westminster, Coquitlam, Richmond & North Van.

See course details below.

Beginner

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This class will be your introduction to the original and beautiful Cuban style! Often referred to as "Cuban Salsa" outside its native island, the original name of this dance is Casino (that's right!) This Cuban dance, along with Son Cubano, have inspired the creation of Salsa dances.

(If you're looking for Bachata lessons, please click on the Bachata & Zouk tab.)

SCROLL DOWN to find a beginners class in your area. We're offering lessons in Vancouver, New West, North Vancouver, and Richmond. The Beginner course is priced at $173 total, and consists of 6 sessions duration 90 minutes each. You will receive a total of 9 hours of quality instruction for just $173, and you'll automatically qualify for our Umbrella Pass, which allows you to drop in for free in other Beginner classes being offered by our school while you are registered. We only charge a one-time fee for your registration. To learn more about the benefits of our Umbrella Pass, please click on this link.

In just 6 consecutive weeks, you will learn the basic steps and turns. Emphasis is placed on creating a solid foundation through a structured step-by-step approach. Use our amazing Umbrella Pass for faster learning. Email us at info@vancuba.com if you have any questions.

Vancouver location: U.O.C., 154 East 10th Avenue, BC V5T 1Z4

Richmond location: Stage One Academy, 5731 Minoru Blvd #170

Vancouver Beginner - Thursday June 4th
173$
From 6:30 to 8:00 pm
- Level: Beginner
- 6 weekly in-person classes / 90 minutes per class
- Location: U.O.C. 154 East 10th Ave
- No partner required
- Full Course price: $173 (GST included)
- Umbrella Pass included
- FREE parking underground
Richmond Beginner - Monday June 8th
173$
From 6:00 to 7:30 pm
- Level: Beginner
- 6 weekly in-person classes / 90 minutes per class
- Location: Stage One Academy
- Address: 5731 Minoru Blvd #170, Richmond, BC V6X 2B1
- No partner required
- Full Course price: $173 (GST included)
- FREE parking around the venue
- Umbrella Pass Included

Beginner

North Van Beginner - Sunday April 26th
173$
From 12:00 to 1:30 pm
- Level: Beginner
- 6 Weekly in-person classes / 90 minutes per class
- Location: The Space – House of Performing Arts
- 123 Carrie Cates Ct #224-225
- No partner required
- Course price: $173 (GST included)
- Umbrella Pass included
New West Beginner - Sunday April 26th
173$
From 5:00 to 6:30 pm
- Level: Beginner
- 6 Weekly in-person classes / 90 minutes per class
- Location: In Movement Dance Studio
- Address: 802 Agnes St.
- No partner required
- Full Course price: $173 (GST included)
- Umbrella Pass included
- Instructor: Svetlana
Bachata Improver - Vancouver April 14th
173$
Come immerse yourself in this course that comes fully loaded with learning material and a practice component.
- Level: Improver
- Prerequisite: must have completed our Beginners level
- Time: 6:30 to 8:00 pm
- 6 Weekly in-person classes / 90 minutes per class
- Location: 154 East 10th Ave
- No partner required
- Course price: $173 (GST included)
Coquitlam Intermediate - Tue April 14th
173$
From 8:00 to 9:30 pm
- Level: Intermediate
- 6 Weekly in-person classes / 90 minutes per class
- Location: Pinetree Community Centre, 1260 Pinetree Wy.
- No partner required
- Full Course price: $173 (GST included)
- Umbrella Pass included
- Instructor: Camilo
Vancouver Beginner - Thursday June 4th
173$
From 6:30 to 8:00 pm
- Level: Beginner
- 6 weekly in-person classes / 90 minutes per class
- Location: U.O.C. 154 East 10th Ave
- No partner required
- Full Course price: $173 (GST included)
- Umbrella Pass included
- FREE parking underground

Improver

For students who have completed Beginner level, and also for those who have completed our course formerly known as Intermediate 1. In this stage, consolidation of our foundations is the goal, as we learn more combinations.

Prerequisite: DO NOT sign up for this class if you've never taken lessons with our school. Email us at info@vancuba.com to discuss your specific case.

Vancouver – Improver - Wed May 27th
173$
From 8:00 to 9:30 pm
- Level: Improver (must have completed Beginners first)
- 6 weekly in-person classes / 90 minutes per class
- Location: Ukrainian Hall 154 East 10th Ave
- No partner required
- Course price: $173 (GST included)
- Umbrella Pass included
New West – Improver - Sun June 7th
173$
From 2:15 to 3:45 pm
- Level: Improver (must have completed Beginner first)
- 6 weekly in-person classes / 90 minutes per class
- Location: təməsew̓txʷ Aquatic and Community Centre Room 2A/B
- 65 6th Ave E, New Westminster
- No partner required
- Course price: $173 (GST included)
- Umbrella Pass included
- Instructor: Svetlana
Richmond - Improver - Monday June 8th
173$
From 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm
- Level: Improver (must have completed Beginners first)
- 6 weekly in-person classes / 90 minutes per class
- Location: Stage One Academy
- Address: 5731 Minoru Blvd #170, Richmond, BC V6X 2B1
- No partner required
- FREE parking around the venue
- Umbrella Pass Included

Intermediate

In this course we explore all the colourful dance combinations and steps that make the Cuban Casino dance so distinctive. Expect to quickly evolve as a dancer, because the foundation received at Beginner and Improver levels will become extremely helpful.

Prerequisite: DO NOT sign up for this class if you haven't completed the Improver level with our school.

Vancouver – Interm. 1 - Thu May 28th
173$
From 8:00 to 9:30 pm
- Level: Intermediate (must have completed Improver first)
- 6 weekly in-person classes / 90 minutes per class
- Location: Ukrainian Hall 154 East 10th Ave
- No partner required
- Course price: $173 (GST included)
- Umbrella Pass included
Vancouver – Interm 2 - Wed May 27th
173$
From 6:30 to 8:00 pm
- Level: Intermediate 2 (must have completed Interm 1 first)
- 6 weekly in-person classes / 90 minutes per class
- Location: Ukrainian Hall 154 East 10th Ave
- No partner required
- Course price: $173 (GST included)
- Umbrella Pass included

Advanced 1

This is entry level advanced, where we stimulate your creative mind with sophisticated figures and combinations, while further polishing our techniques. This is where you start to develop your unique identity as a dancer. Dancing Casino is by now part of your lifestyle :)

Prerequisite: DO NOT sign up for this class if you haven't finished Intermediate level with our school.

Vancouver – Advanced 1 - Mon May 25th
173$
From 6:30 to 8:00 pm
- Level: Advanced 1 (must have completed Intermediate 2 first)
- 6 Weekly in-person classes / 90 minutes per class
- Location: Ukrainian Hall 154 East 10th Ave
- Course price: $173 (GST included)
- Umbrella Pass included

Advanced 2

In this course we explore complex combinations, fancy ones too, and diversity of styles. Versatility is the goal. At this stage, you'll also be encouraged to improvise and be more creative. Getting the full picture of being an advanced dancer consists of understanding the relationship and the equilibrium that must exist between you, your partner and the song.

Prerequisite: DO NOT sign up for this class if you haven't done Advanced 1 with our school.

Just Rueda de Casino

This is a purely and strictly Rueda de Casino Structures course where you will exclusively learn complex Rueda figures and combinations. In this fun course, we strike a stark contrast from partner dancing. The moves you will learn here are primarily for having fun in a Rueda de Casino format, departing from classic roles performance and incorporating the concept of "active follower". Just Rueda de Casino focuses on creative, fun participation, plus the ultra dynamic component of Casino role switching. For further clarification: people interested in Casino partner dancing should sign up for a regular course, where as usual, there will be Rueda de Casino learning. What makes the Just Rueda course different is the exclusive choreographic emphasis on Rueda de Casino figures and the heightened difficulty level.

Bachata & Zouk

Attention: each Bachata course costs $173 and consists of 6 sessions, duration 90 minutes each. You will receive a total of 9 hours of quality instruction for $173.

Bachata as it was conceived in the Dominican Republic (land of Merengue as well) is a truly beautiful dance that showcases both, simple and elaborate footwork combined with hip movements. To dance it properly, you must connect your footwork and body expression with the different rhythmic sections of a Bachata song. Bachata offers a unique dancing experience whereby you're free, yet connected. It sets a stage for playful interactions and spontaneity as well.

Zouk & Konpa: dive into the heart of Caribbean movement through two iconic genres: Konpa and Zouk. Konpa (or Compas) is the vibrant foundational pulse of Haiti. It blends African rhythms with European ballroom influences, characterized by its steady, mid-tempo beat and prominent brass sections. In class, we focus on its signature "Gouyad"—a grounded hip movement emphasizing elegance, connection, and a soulful groove.

Zouk is the rhythmic evolution originating from Guadeloupe and Martinique in the 1980s, famously pioneered by the band Kassav'. It blends these Haitian roots with African, French, and Latin influences, defined by electronic synthesizers and heavy bass. We will explore its fluid footwork and the melodic "Zouk-Love" connection that has captured dance floors worldwide.

Together, all of these these rhythms offer a fascinating journey through the history, culture, and irresistible energy of the social dances of the Caribbean.