Authentically Latin Fun Community Rapid Learning Dance classes that deliver teaching excellence in a fun and friendly space TAKE YOUR FIRST STEP Established in 2004 & with over 20 years of teaching experience, learn from some of the most highly trained teachers in Australia!
Danzar Latino2024-05-04T21:19:19+10:00

Our motto:
to offer the highest quality of teaching
in a fun & friendly space 

Imagine you could be moving to music, learning a new skill, getting fit and expanding your social network all at the same time… Salsa, Bachata & social dancing allows you to achieve all of this and develop a skill you’ll truly love!

At DANZAR LATINO
we offer classes that use one of the most advanced teaching methodologies in the industry
to deliver authentic Latin dance classes in:

  • Cuban Salsa (Casino)
  • Afro-Cuban (Rumba, Orishas etc)
  • Colombian Salsa (Caleña/Cali Style)
  • LA Salsa (On 1)
  • NY Mambo (On 2)
  • Bachata (Moderna & Dominican)
  • Reggaeton & Body Isolations

We’re also dedicated to creating a welcoming space for all students, where you will become part of a fantastic social community, feel a sense of achievement, and have a tonne of fun!

DANCE STYLES

CUBAN SALSA
/ CASINO

This is a dynamic and fluid style of dance that combines elements of traditional Cuban Son with modern Salsa based turn patterns. This is a great style to develop your body movement and flavour!

COLOMBIAN SALSA /
CALI STYLE

Cali, Colombia is known as the Salsa capital of the world and is home to this highly energetic and impressive dance style. Cali Style is renowned for being sharp and technical and is perfect to develop your footwork and musicality!

CUBAN RUMBA /
GUAGUANCO
This is a highly rhythmic and expressive genre of dance that is comprised of three styles; Yambú, Guaguancó and Columbia. This dance style is emblematic of Cuban culture and is a great way to develop your body movement and styling!

AFRO-CUBAN

There are many styles of dance that fall under this genre, which has its roots predominantly in Central and West Africa, and of course Cuba. Aside from developing your body movement and coordination, these styles will help you to embody different emotions and characters!

WEEKLY
TIMETABLE

WEEKLY
TIMETABLE

VIDEO GALLERY

TESTIMONIALS

TESTIMONIALS

  • Myself and my husband have 2 left feet and wanted a basic first dance routine to make us feel more confident on our big day! From start to finish working with Caroline was a dream, she was super patient and took time to break down everything for us and pull together a routine that was suitable for our song and style. Caroline went over and beyond to ensure we were comfortable and even helped edit our song with fades and different cuts to share with our musician on the day! Thanks again Caroline! Couldn’t recommend enough to any upcoming brides and grooms who want an awesome routine and teacher Laura & Scott xx

    Laura Cox Avatar Laura Cox
    September 18, 2023

    We had Sanushka and Caroline from Danzar Latino visit us during their QLD holiday to facilitate some group and private classes. Everybody was so impressed with their professionalism, their knowledge, their tailored teaching style and joy that they shared whilst here. Our crew wish to continue with online classes until we can next have them return to QLD. Massive gratitude and respect for your dance art. #therealestatedancer

    Mark “Potts” Driscoll Avatar Mark “Potts” Driscoll
    January 11, 2021

    I tried learning salsa on and off for years and made very little progress to be able to dance socially. Salsa music sound like noise, and whatever I learn in class don’t stick. Until I met Sanushka; he broke the art down to a science for my analytical brain. The rest is history, I’m now a salsa social dancing superstar; and the girls can’t get enough of me. Just kidding LOL. Still a beginner but with new found enthusiasm to improve.

    Hong Avatar Hong
    March 21, 2021

    How can I rave about this place enough? Caroline was so patient & thorough. She was the perfect teacher - so kind with her instructions and feedback. She managed to completely transform our lack of confidence into a beautifully choreographed piece including 2 lifts when i never even considered one. Even on the day with the obstruction of my dress, the perfectly chosen & taught steps, we were so happy with the end result. We also left this very late - learnt it all with 1 class a week just a few weeks before the wedding! Thank you Caroline!

    Nishara S Avatar Nishara S
    November 11, 2021
  • All three teachers were very nice and did a good job at choreographing and teaching us our wedding dance in four lessons. Sanushka was great at challenging us to do an easier version of the lift after we couldn't do the first version. Very happy with their services.

    Sunshine X Avatar Sunshine X
    November 1, 2019

    A massive thank-you to both Caroline & Steph at Secret Garden School of Dance! We had never danced before, so they had a challenge ahead of them. I wanted to do a fast-paced, upbeat song (shut up and dance with me), and they were absolutely fine to match it to our skill level. In just seven lessons, they hard us spinning, lifting, dipping and twirling! The moment of doing this dance in front of our family and friends will live rent-free in my head forever. It was just so special! As a bonus, we had so many compliments on it!

    Natasha Venizelos Avatar Natasha Venizelos
    March 26, 2023

    Without a doubt my favourite dance school in Melbourne! My wife and I have been students here for several years and also decided to ask Sanu to prepare a choreography for our wedding dance. The wedding dance went beyond our expectations and it is a moment we will never forget! Sanu and Caroline have an outstanding attention to details and their teaching style is impeccable: logical, clear, passionate. All the teachers at The Secret Garden are very professional but at the same time the classes are fun and energetic. I highly recommend trying their Cuban salsa class, you won’t be disappointed!

    Giovanni Negroni Avatar Giovanni Negroni
    June 18, 2022

    My husband and I were due to marry in 2020, however when Covid hit, it pushed our wedding right up to April 2022. With many postponements that came our way we were at ease when it came to our bridal dance. When I approached Sanushka to teach us, he went above and beyond to ensure that we not only learned the dance but we enjoyed every bit of it despite lockdowns in-between and the uncertainty of things. Sanushka including the staff at the Secret Garden of Dance were so friendly and accommodating. Sanu choreographed our dance to illustrate our love story having a meaning to our first dance. My husband and I would like to express how grateful we are to Sanushka for going above and beyond to make our first dance a beautiful memory.

    Natashia Fernandopulle Avatar Natashia Fernandopulle
    July 4, 2022

TEACHERS

Sanushka
Ranasinghe

Founder and director of
The Secret Garden of Dance & Danzar Latino

Sanushka has been a professional dancer and teacher for over 17 years and is the founder and principle teacher at The Secret Garden of Dance and Danzar Latino. He has taught and learnt over to 50 styles of dance, including Salsa, Afro Cuban, Swing, Tango, Hip Hop, Michael Jackson, Latin American & Ballroom. Sanushka has also performed, competed, conducted workshops & judged at various events including the World Salsa Solos (Brisbane), Sydney Cuban Salsa Congress, Melbourne International Latin Festival, Byron Bay Latin Fiesta and the Victorian Salsa and Bachata Championships.

Sanushka’s success as a choreographer and teacher was brought to the public attention in 2012 when one of his bridal couples Frankie and Ryan made worldwide headlines for their jaw dropping Lindy hop/Swing routine. Their wedding dance went viral on YouTube, was featured in major newspapers, online forums and editorials both in Australia and the UK and was televised on the major TV networks in Melbourne.

Sanushka’s love of music and dance started at an early age with Michael Jackson and he has inspired him immensely and has helped him achieve his unique style. He also incorporates other styles of solo dancing including Hip Hop, Funk, Reggaeton, Cubaton & Dancehall.

Sanushka also has a strong musical background and he brings this experience to his lessons, developing his students timing and rhythm. He’s also very passionate about the peripheral elements of dance, such as its rich diversity, culture and history.

Caroline
Puriri Komarnicki

Co-director and senior teacher at
The Secret Garden of Dance & Danzar Latino

“Sanushka not only taught me everything I know and made me into the professional dancer that I am today, but has also equipped me with vital skills as a student, dancer and teacher. He taught me the value of breaking limiting beliefs such as ‘you have to start from the age of 3 to be a professional dancer with a background in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Contemporary etc’.” Caroline began learning how to play music at the age of 3 and later on decided to pursue flute in which she completed up to Grade 8 through the Australian Music Examination Board, and guitar for pleasure. She later completed a degree in Sound Production & Audio Engineering, as well as Electronic Music Production.

Just over 3 years later and Caroline is now teaching and dancing full time at The Secret Garden of Dance, has taught at overseas events and has worked with some of the industries best in her primary style.

Having an extensive background in music and sports, Caroline then decide to begin dancing at the age of 21 as she wanted to learn how to “properly express herself to the music she loved and do it justice.” From her very first lesson, Caroline was enamoured and inspired and soon after decided to be the best that she could be and take it beyond what she had ever imagined.

FAQS

Do you run classes in terms / courses?2019-08-09T09:00:23+10:00

Short answer: Yes we do (but you can also drop into any class casually)
We run 6 week short courses in a term structure, allowing our students to build on the previous week’s material. However, we welcome casual drop in students as well. We introduce new material and dance content every 2 – 3 weeks so you won’t feel like you’re drowning in class! We have various levels that allow our students to develop their dancing, so you will never hinder your progress.

Do I need a partner to attend a class?2020-05-07T03:32:11+10:00

Short Answer) No you don’t!
We welcome all students whether you chose to come on your own, with a friend, family member, partner or a fellow dance student.

What should I wear for classes?2019-08-09T09:01:31+10:00

We recommend you wear active wear, casual attire and avoid clothes that are too tight or restricting. Some students come straight from work and others are in shorts and t-shirt. We also have bathrooms where you can get changed.

What’s the best footwear / shoes for your dance classes?2019-08-09T09:00:49+10:00

Recommended: Sneakers, trainers, walking shoes, flats, low heels with ankle support, Ballet flats, Ballroom and Latin dance shoes
Please avoid: Stiletto heels, heels with no ankle support, heavy boots, shoes with thick rubber soles, sandals/thongs/jandals/slip ons/flip flops!

What’s the duration / length of a dance class?2019-08-09T09:01:10+10:00

Short answer: 1 hour
Our classes are typically 1 hour in duration, whether it’s a private or group class. We may start or end the class 5 minutes earlier to complete payments, make another booking or answer any questions.

What payment methods do you offer?2020-05-07T03:38:52+10:00

We accept cash, eftpos, credit card (Visa & Mastercard only) and online bank transfer

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