If you have always wanted to learn both salsa and bachata but did not know where to start — this course solves that problem in one go. Salsa on1 & Bachata — Full Beginner Level by Mihai Banu is a compact, practical course that covers the essential steps, turns and moves of two of the most popular Latin dances, all at beginner level.
The course philosophy is beautifully simple: all you need to know is how to walk. If you can walk, you can learn to dance salsa and bachata. This mindset makes the course immediately accessible and encourages complete beginners to start without fear. You need nothing more than four square metres of space and comfortable clothes.
Instructor: Mihai Banu — Latin dance teacher
Platform: Udemy
Level: Complete Beginner (zero experience needed)
Total Length: 1.5 hours of on-demand video (1h 24min total)
Lectures: 9 lessons across 3 structured sections
Rating: ⭐ 5.0 out of 5.0
Students: 1,027 enrolled
Price: €19.99 at time of writing — check current price on Udemy
Certificate of Completion: Yes ✓
Access: Lifetime, on mobile and desktop
Language: English
Last Updated: 2/2022
Bonus: Covers TWO dances — Salsa on1 AND Bachata Modern Style
💡 Price note: Udemy courses are frequently on sale. The price shown (€19.99) was valid at the time of writing — click the link to see the current price.
Mihai Banu is a Latin dance teacher who developed this course in direct response to what his own students asked for — a clear, beginner-friendly breakdown of the basic steps, turns and moves taught in his beginner classes. The course reflects real classroom teaching rather than a theoretical curriculum, which gives it an authentic and grounded quality.
His teaching approach is clear and encouraging throughout. The moves are explained on the count, from different camera angles, and performed to music — exactly the way a good in-person dance teacher would deliver a class. He acknowledges from the outset that students in different cities may encounter slightly different basic step variations, but emphasises that the core steps and turns are universal.
The course is divided into three clean sections — an introduction, a full salsa on1 section, and a full bachata section. Nine focused lectures deliver everything a beginner needs to get started with both dances.
The course opens with a free preview lecture that sets clear expectations and immediately puts the beginner at ease:
Introduction to the Salsa on1 & Bachata Beginner Level — an overview of what the course covers, the philosophy behind it, and practical tips on space and footwear before you begin
The salsa section is the heart of the course and covers everything a complete beginner needs to start dancing salsa on1 — both solo and with a partner:
Salsa on1 Steps & Turns — the fundamental footwork pattern and basic turn technique, practised solo first to build muscle memory before adding a partner
Salsa on1 Steps & Turns in Partner Work — applying the solo technique in a real lead-and-follow context, with clear guidance for both leader and follower
3 Salsa Cross-Bodies — the signature move of salsa on1, taught in three variations: the basic crossbody lead plus two easy moves that combine basic steps, turns and easy tricks
Additional partner combinations — building on the crossbodies to create flowing sequences you can use on a social dance floor
What makes this section particularly valuable is the dual solo/partner approach — you first build the movement in your own body, then transfer it to partner work. This mirrors how good in-person dance classes are taught and avoids the common beginner mistake of trying to lead or follow before you have internalised the footwork.
The bachata section delivers a complete beginner introduction to modern-style bachata — the most widely danced bachata style internationally:
Bachata Steps & Turns by yourself — solo practice of the fundamental four-step pattern with the characteristic hip tap, plus basic turn technique before adding a partner
Bachata Steps & Turns in partner work — transitioning the solo technique into connected partner dancing, with lead and follow clearly explained
3 Bachata Moves — three complete beginner moves that each contain basic steps, turns and easy tricks, giving you enough vocabulary to start social dancing immediately
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
Dance salsa on1 with a partner using the correct timing and footwork
Execute the cross-body lead — the most essential move in salsa on1
Dance bachata modern style with a partner, including basic turns and three complete beginner moves
Practise both dances solo first, then transition to partner work with confidence
Walk into a beginner salsa or bachata social night and feel prepared
Understand the structural difference between salsa on1 and bachata — two dances, one course
Apply the moves to real music, not just counting
Two dances for the price of one — salsa on1 AND bachata modern style in a single course
Perfect 5.0 rating — the only course in our comparison with a flawless score
Over 1,000 students enrolled — real proof of demand and satisfaction
Solo-then-partner teaching method — mirrors real-world dance class structure
Moves explained on the count, from multiple angles, and to music — three layers of clarity
Extremely beginner-friendly philosophy — if you can walk, you can do this
Very affordable at €19.99 with lifetime access
Certificate of completion included
Short runtime at 1.5 hours — this is an efficient introduction, not a deep-dive program
Last updated 2022 — content is solid but not the most recently produced
Only 1 rating on Udemy — the 5.0 score is excellent but based on very limited reviews
Fewer lectures than some courses — 9 total across both dances means less repetition and fewer variations
You will need a partner to fully practise the partner work sections
No subtitles in other languages (English only)
Salsa on1 style only — if you want Cuban salsa, see Course 2 in our comparison (Master Salsa Basic in 5 Days)
This course is perfect for you if:
You are a complete beginner wanting to learn both salsa and bachata at the same time
You want a compact, no-nonsense course that gets you dancing quickly without lengthy theory
You appreciate the solo-first approach — learning the moves in your own body before adding a partner
You want to learn salsa on1 (New York style) specifically — as opposed to Cuban casino style
You want a course that reflects real classroom teaching, not just a video tutorial
You might want a different course if you want a much more comprehensive salsa programme with 6+ hours of content — in that case, Course 1 in our comparison (Intro to Salsa Dancing by Edwin Aybar) is the better choice. If you specifically want Cuban-style salsa, see Course 2 (Master Salsa Basic in 5 Days).
Salsa on1 & Bachata — Full Beginner Level by Mihai Banu is a brilliantly practical course for anyone who wants to learn two Latin dances efficiently and without fuss. The 5.0 rating and over 1,000 students speak for themselves — this course delivers exactly what it promises.
In just 1.5 hours you get a complete beginner foundation in salsa on1 and bachata modern style — both solo and in partner work, both explained on the count and to music. The teaching philosophy is simple and effective: if you can walk, you can dance.
For €19.99 with lifetime access and a perfect 5.0 score, this is outstanding value — especially for anyone who wants to get started with two dances at once. We recommend it without hesitation.
💡 Price note: Udemy courses are frequently on sale. The price shown (€19.99) was valid at the time of writing — click the link to see the current price.
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