Reviews of Azucar! Latin Dance Company (Dance School)

Gabrielle Bishop

I decided to take salsa lessons this fall after attending one of the socials in town earlier in the summer. Heard great things about Jeff and Ana, so signed up with Azúcar Salsa Level 1 in the Glebe. With no prior dance experience, I found classes with Azúcar to be such a fun and relaxed experience. Jeff and Ana create an upbeat, inclusive and non-judgemental space to take your first steps through dance. They go the extra mile to create a community through Azúcar, to keep you motivated, practicing and feeling excited to come to class or check out social dancing. If you’re a procrastinator like me, the weekly open practice sessions (Practika!) on Saturdays are great motivation! Salsa has become the highlight of my week, and I’ve actually decided to re-enrol in Level 1 to build more confidence with the steps. If you’re on the fence about taking classes, go for it! Can’t recommend enough!

Talek

To remain unbiased I'll focus on Ana. She's an excellent teacher who has the range of teaching beginners to advanced dancers. She excels in her musical knowledge and stands as a solid role model for women to feel empowered while dancing (as most instructors tend to be male). She also helps run city wide events like salsa at city hall to selflessly promote salsa within the community by bringing together all of the other schools & DJ's. She also runs this as her full time job which I both admire and support. She is the reason I volunteer my time there as an instructor. Take a class and see for yourself.

Laura Sherwin

My boyfriend and I started with Azucar 6 months ago with no prior dance experience. We took it unsure if we would even like dancing but it only took one class to become obsessed. We started off with just a salsa class but after one session we started taking both salsa and bachata classes. All the instructors are so amazing and kind, they all want to see you grow as a dancer and enjoy the classes. Neither of us have much natural rhythm and both have 2 left feet and can already see how much we have learned and improved in this short time. We have also done private lessons with Jeff and have loved every minute of it. In one hour Jeff can assess your dancing and correct mistakes you didnt even know you were making and by the time you leave you feel like you dancing has improved 10x compared to when you started. If you are at all considering taking a dance class give Azucar a try, you wont regret it.

Ashley Kennedy López

So much fun!! They do the salsa at city hall in the summer. It’s a great summer date night. It’s fun and romantic and overall a great time. Give it a try, you’ll love it!

Christine EN

If you think you are destined to fear the dance floor for all of your life, guess again! Azucar! instructors will guide you into the lovely world of salsa dancing with patience and so much love. It's amazing how Jeff and Ana have so much genuine care for all their students. Also interesting to mention : maybe one of the only places in Ottawa where the instructors will take time to make you understand the intricate layers in salsa music, helping you get to know the different instruments and percussion sources. Jeff''s handle on the congas will blow your mind and forever change your reflexes on the dance floor. I have found that even the small things I have learned at Azucar have helped me shine and grow as a social dancer! :) Thank you guys!!!

Alex McDonnell

We LOVED the level 1 salsa class taught by Jeff and Ana. Great energy and beginner-friendly.

Zahura Ahmed

I had a great experience with Azucar! I had never done salsa before, so I signed up for the 7 week beginner course, and it was amazing. Jeff and Ana are wonderful teachers, who have a clear passion for what they do. Their teaching style is easy to follow and they are always willing to repeat difficult steps. I 100% highly recommend!

Anna Kulikov

Jeff & Ana are the king & queen of salsa in the capital. They are super passionate about teaching and dancing. Highly recommend their studio.

Samuel Bourassa-Blanchette

I have known Jeff and Ana as dance teachers for nearly three years now. I have been impressed by their professionalism and dynamism. They create a safe space for fun and targeted teaching whether you see them at a pre-social dance drop in workshop, sign up for one of their numerous groups classes or decide to go for private lessons. In workshops and group classes, they focus on learning a movement that teaches practical skills while adding style and flair to your move repertoire. In the private lesson context, they allow time to consolidate what you have learned in the past and help you build from there. Their attention to musicality and posture really helped me feel more confident and enjoy myself more on the dance floor. For the reasons above, I highly recommend you approach them if you want to start learning about latin dance or if you are experienced and you are looking for a unique mentoring experience.

Mary

The instructors are wonderful. They are fun, supportive and clearly care about helping their students grow. You quickly have opportunities to meet tons of others to go out with and practice. They also have free practice time outside of the scheduled lessons which is great for helping you learn the moves each week. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a place to take dance lessons in Ottawa :)

Brian McConville

I started my journey with Azucar! close to three years ago, and haven't looked back since. Their dance instructors are incredible, and it is where I discovered a new type of music / dance that I fell in love with, Bachata. Their current Bachata instructors, Darnell and Katrine, are some of the best the city has to offer; their teaching styles, friendly demeanor and positive approach to instruct dancers are fantastic! This is a school where dance teachers are open and very caring of their students, both within the studio and outside of it. The owners of the studio, Ana and Jeff, go out of their way to help and talk to everyone and make people feel at ease, whether they have seen you there a hundred times or just meeting you; this is by far the best place to learn how to dance.

Anna N.

Can't say enough good things about this studio. I started off with one salsa class and promptly signed up for 2 others. The instructors have a very approachable teaching style and are also pretty funny, which makes learning new things entertaining as well as rewarding. Try it out!

Fred Gillette

Anna and Jeff provide a step by step method for learning several popular Latin dances. I am currently learning Salsa and I am enjoying their structured technique. They have social dancing every week and often provide additional work shops at other local events. Azucar! is a no-pressure environment where the fact that you have two left feet is no problem at all. If you're into fitness, dance is an easy way to get those 10000 steps that your fitbit is tracking.

Michel Ferron

Every time I looked at people dancing the Salsa, I wondered how hard it would be to do it myself. I would say, the worst is to find a good teacher that will take the time to ensure you understand and comprehend the moves that he/she teaches you. I am from Aylmer and to go to Azucar latin dance school (downtown Ottawa) is not the best location considering the courses are given at 18:00Hrs (rush hour). I tried a closer school but was not convinced I would performed the way I want to so I decided to give it a shot. It turn out that I discovered where it is I will continue with my learning of the Salsa dance in the area. Ana and Jeff are just as described in the other review; professional, friendly, funny and accessible. Me and my wife completed the intro course and the first course of level 2 before Christmas. We are returning in January for more fun learning and if I was reading this in the search of the ideal Salsa school in Ottawa, I would say….. you found it.

Charles Rivet

It all started, may 1.5 years ago, with my wife wanting to learn to dance Salsa. Research turned up Azucar and I really liked the content of their blog, so I booked dance lessons for two... The rest is, as they say, history... For someone who had the dancing finess of Russian Dancing Bears to actually start enjoying this is a tribute to the approach Jeff and Ana, the owners/teachers, have in teaching Salsa - a mixture of hard techniques and soft touch. A reflection that dance is not only technical moves, but a reflection, an interpretation of the music. And to have all this together, one must understand the music (rhythm, structure, story, drops, etc. - which they also teach) and must be able to adapt the techniques to it. And then there's the chemistry between Jeff and Ana and with all the other instructors and students that make this more of a family. I did not expect it, but they actually make me like dancing! If you want to learn to dance Salsa (and other latin styles) with more depth, you have to try Azucar!

Navneet Khinda

Fantastic instructors who have solid experience in both learning and teaching dance. They care about good technique and good form, which is important to prevent injuries. They provide structured classes that build on each other and most importantly, Azucar has a really fun atmosphere! I recommend going to their free open houses if you are unsure!

Mims Mims

Very nice

Tom Parker

I absolutely love classes with Jeff and Ana. The dancing is excellent and the atmosphere is light and fun. The dance community that they have built and encourage all their students to be part of is also amazing and provides tons of opportunity for social dancing and out of studio practice!

Anderson Everton

I would highly recommend this school to anyone interested in taking dancing classes. What sets this school apart from the others is the teachers. Ana and Jeff make you feel at home right from the get go, they are very talented artists but even more talented teachers.

ciara lynch

I have taken Dancehall and Salsaton classes with Emilie Phaneuf at Azucar Latin Dance Company. I have no hesitation in recommending her classes. I did some ballet as a child but have no other dance background and started with Emilie as an adult. She is everything you would want in a dance teacher. Passionate about what she does, a great choreographer, a great dancer herself but also an amazing and enthusiastic teacher. We always have a laugh in the classes so, although you learn a lot, you have lots of fun doing so. I always love going to my classes with her and the other students Come and take a class and find out for yourself!

Brian Gibb

By far the best decision I made in 2015 was to take salsa classes at Azucar Latin Dance Company in Ottawa. The Company is run by a dynamic young couple, Jeff and Ana, who make the classes fun. They have taken me from an absolute beginner to dance floor ready in a few short weeks. I highly recommend giving Azucar a try.

Richard Larson

When I moved to Ottawa, I decided to try Salsa lessons on a whim and happened to pick Azucar! because they were nearby. It turned out to be one of my very best decisions to date. Jeff and Anna are fantastic instructors who go above and beyond in all aspects. They not only teach with terrific clarity and knowledge, but also manage to create a welcoming environment even for those of us starting out with two (or more) left feet. I'm hooked, and once you take a class with them you probably will be too!

Adri K

Really enjoyed Ana and Talek's salsa class. I like that they were able to adjust to every level in the class, and found a way to incorporate something for everyone. Nice to have an on2 studio in the city!

J-L U

After attending a salsa social at city hall in July 2015, a friend recommended Azucar. As this was my first introduction to Latin dance styles I was very nervous. But the staff are very supportive and the studio has a welcoming environment for all dancers regardless of their level of experience. I am proud to be a student at Azucar and look forwards to continuing to learn with them in the years to come.

Krista Daviault

Having long loved the Latin dances, I'd been trying to get my boyfriend interested in taking salsa lessons with me for a long time. He finally decided to give it a go, so we started looking into places offering classes in Ottawa. We came across Azucar, and while not the cheapest (although still very competitive!) or closest place to us, we decided to go with them based on the fantastic reviews we read on how friendly, professional, accessible, and FUN the studio is. Well, having just completed the intro course (and now signed up for the second - my boyfriend is actually excited to continue, which I never expected...!), we have to completely agree with all the wonderful things people have said. Jeff and Ana are not only excellent dancers, but excellent teachers. Their emphasis on getting the fundamentals right is greatly appreciated, and they made the classes accessible, enjoyable, and at a reasonable pace to gain confidence and still feel like you're making progress. Can't wait to continue with Azucar and get to know more of the Ottawa salsa community!

Lyzanne Barsalou

I signed up for my first ever salsa class last year. From the minute I walked into Azucar's studio, I felt like I had just stepped into a new lifestyle. The salsa instructors, Jeff and Ana are some of the sweetest and kindest people you will ever meet. They make you feel welcome from the start and can convert even the "two left feet" people into nonstop dance machines. If you sign up for a class here you are guaranteed to fall in love with the salsa scene. Do it for your happiness.

Dina Khrino

We really enjoyed our classes with Jeff and Anna! They were very accommodating and personable. They went above and beyond what we were expecting in all our interactions with them. Their teaching style is fun and constructive. We went in not with nothing and after a few classes left with a beautiful choreographed dance. We will be back for more soon!

Alex Bruce

Ana and her team are wonderful. Great location in the Glebe, several timeslots through the week catering to all levels of Bachata & Salsa. Azucar is one of the few schools focused on Salsa On2! Ana is one of the best "explainers" and if you want to improve even just your basic step, your basic body movement, she has a fantastic way of just-breakin-it-down-for-ya.

Michael Leclair

I joined Azucar! Latin Dance Company during Summer of 2016, and it was one the best choices that I have ever done in my life. I generally have high standards when it comes to taking lessons of any sort, and Azucar exceeded my expectations. I have improved so much on my salsa dancing skills over the last 10 months, and that was largely due to the instructors. I am still taking lessons with them today because they continue to inspire me. The instructors are amazing people. They are very knowledgeable, kind, have excellent people skills, great sense of humour, easy to understand, and very genuine. I can honestly say that the instructors care about their students as they support them in excelling their dancing skills, and they create a fun and welcoming environment. They also invite their students to dancing events in Ottawa so that students practice the techniques taught in class, and they organize trips to salsa events outside of Ottawa such Let's Go to Moka in Montreal. I was able to meet so many people within the salsa dancing community in Ottawa, and I have made a lot of new friends as a result of joining Azucar. If you join Azucar, you will have one of the best experiences of your life. I guarantee it.

L Spencer

I have been taking lessons with Emilie Phanuef (Azucar's Salsaton & Dancehall Instructor) for many years. She has transformed me from someone who likes to dance into a dancer. I highly recommend all of her classes.

Stefani Di Gaetano

Natalie Gelman's Afro Beats class is the best hour of my week. She is such a generous, energetic, positive, and supportive teacher. Her knowledge is astounding, and an important part of her teaching in ensuring that we as her students understand where these different dances come from and what their origins are. She has introduced me to so many wonderful styles of dance and music that have enriched my life so much, and it’s an honour to dance and celebrate life with Natalie on a weekly basis. She will constantly inspire and challenge you to become a better dancer, and it’s impossible to not have fun in her class! Emilie Phaneuf's Dancehall and Salsaton classes will have you shaking and moving in ways you never thought you could! Emilie has such a positive attitude and contagious smile, and she makes you feel comfortable and supported while challenging you to improve and try new things – all the while listening to awesome tunes and having a blast! My journey with these two teachers at Azucar! has been so incredible and I look forward to many more wonderful experiences ahead!

Sarah Adamson

Jeff gave us bachata lessons for our wedding dance. We loved working with him - he is a great teacher!

Peter Boyd

Great teachers and a friendly atmosphere.

Paul Matzinger

You'll be surprised what you'll learn, how much you'll learn and how much fun you'll have while doing it. You'll also be connected to the dance community here in Ottawa so you'll have no issues finding social dances and partners. The instructors are wonderful. Just do it, you'll be thanking yourself :)

Shani Jinadasa

What makes this dance class special for beginners is that Anna & Jeff know to break down the steps in an easy to follow way. After every class they do the dance steps for you to record and practice at home. This is the only class that I have tried, lets you record what you learnt in class. It is a treat to watch them teach the Advanced classes. They also have a YouTube chancel under “ Salsa Supplementary “with helpful stuff Instructors are amazing and it is a very friendly atmosphere. I have never done Latin dance before and I am enjoying the classes tremendously with these guys. They are the best in Ottawa !

Gabriel Starl

Not having danced since childhood, it was wonderful to be introduced to Azucar by a friend. I have seen beginner to advanced students work under Ana and Jeff's tutelage, and all seem very happy. The owners (Jeff and Ana) are wonderful dancers themselves and excellent teachers, always looking for opportunities for their students to expand their skill set and comfort by telling their classes about the other dancing opportunities and organising trips to Montreal. Highly recommended.

Adam Clement

I've been taking salsa classes with Jeff and Ana since September 2015. Every time I walk out of their studio, I'm a better dancer than when I walked in.

S Yorke

I loved my classes at Azucar! Emilie Phaneuf is such an awesome teacher - she is always full of great energy, and is so good at getting you in the mood to dance! I would recommend any class at Azucar with Emilie, she is excellent.