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 Latino2025-02-04T11:21:56+11:00

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

  • This studio is the hidden gem of dance in Melbourne! I was so impressed by Sanushka's style and methods of teaching from a workshop I attended in Cairns that I specifically moved to Melbourne to learn from him and his studio. He teaches you so much more than just steps; he teaches you about the music, how to understand it and really breaks things down in a way that I have never seen from any other teacher. I am now travelling in Europe and am still able to apply so much of what he has taught me to push my learning further than I ever thought possible. Caroline is the co-director along side Sanu who is a also phenomenal dancer and teacher who has learnt from the best. Her precision and technique is so impressive and she also breaks things down in a way that helps you learn really efficiently. I honestly owe so much to these magnificent teachers for the amount of joy they have passed onto me through dance and music. Whether you're a complete beginner or advanced in any style of dance...get in touch! Sanu, Caroline and the team are so welcoming and approachable that you will feel comfortable to ask any questions or doubts that you may have. When I return this will be my first stop 🙂

    Emi Stumpo Avatar Emi Stumpo
    November 25, 2022

    Steph was amazing and fun to work with. She took her time getting to know us and choreographed our dance to suit our level of coordination and our personality! We thoroughly enjoyed our dance on the night and so did our guests (we believe!) Definitely recommend Secrete Garden of Dance if you are up for some additional memories for your big day!

    Judy QI Avatar Judy QI
    November 15, 2023

    My Fiance and I had absolute no clue about dancing. Aiming at performing a dance for our wedding , Sanushka lead us step by step. He managed to bring out the beat in us we never even knew existed. More than learning a dance that will stay with us forever, we also had a great time laughing and just having a blast at every session. Thanks Sanushka. Keep at it !!! You are a pro indeed

    Erini Eskander Avatar Erini Eskander
    December 18, 2024

    Over the past four or five years, I've attended many workshops hosted by Sanushka and his professional team of instructors. Every single time I've come away as a better dancer. He's given me new ways of moving to and thinking about the music. Sadly, I live too far away for weekly lessons because they'd certainly be worth it. If you're serious about being a better dancer, then The Secret Garden of Dance is for you.

    dean perry Avatar dean perry
    March 25, 2022
  • 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

    Hi Sanu, I hope you are wonderful ! A very belated happy new year – 3 months into the year. With our wedding now a distant beautiful memory, the honeymoon conquered and thoroughly enjoyed we wanted to take the time to say, thank you on behalf of Haran and I. Wedding dance classes was something we knew we needed but didn’t realise how special it would make our journey. The experience not only made two people with left feet look decent at dancing, but it made our journey to getting married so memorable – coming to your studio in Camberwell every week and enjoying a dinner or dessert after on Bourke Rd was always a pleasure. It was a highlight in our week and something that we could enjoy just the two of us leading up to our special day. We look back with so many fond memories! Your upbeat and warm nature made classes so much fun, you were committed to helping us succeed and get to the level we wanted to for our dance. You pushed us to be the best versions of ourselves through dance and were patient when we needed to learn more moves! Our wedding dance was magical, and our friends and family not only were shocked to learn we could dance but loved the performance. I would recommend The Secret Garden of Dance any day. Would do it all over again! Any couple would be lucky to have this experience with The Secret Garden of Dance – so a huge thank you to Sanu, Caroline and the team for everything. We loved every moment and cant wait to meet again! Racquel and Haran

    Racquel D'Souza Avatar Racquel D'Souza
    April 14, 2023

    We took lessons in preparation for our wedding for both our First Dance and my Father-Daughter Dance. We cannot recommend this school highly enough!!! Sanushka is absolutely amazing, he is highly skilled teacher who is able to adapt his teaching to all levels of dance, who has excellent communication skills and his classes were truly enoyable. He offered excellent ideas and suggestions for choreography and music, helping us to work our what we did and didn't want. We had the best time at all of our lessons, and our dances were just incredible - everything we could have hoped for! We will definitely be back! Highly recommend!

    Jessica Biernacki Avatar Jessica Biernacki
    February 23, 2022

    Caroline was a fantastic dance teacher. With only 6 weeks to go before our wedding, she was able to teach us a unique and interesting first dance that was far beyond what we thought we would be able to achieve. Definitely recommend for wedding dances!

    Sam Miller Avatar Sam Miller
    April 11, 2021

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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