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DancewithRicki

Private, wedding & event lessons / San Jose, California

Dance lessons in San Josefor the first songyou say yes to.

Salsa, bachata, cumbia and country two step for beginners and couples, plus wedding and first-dance lessons for your big day. Personal lessons, a patient pace, and a lot more fun than you expect.

Ask about your first lesson Explore the styles
A welcoming pose beside colorful balloons at an event

Made for the people who usually watch from the wall.

  • 01

    Beginners

    Never danced, or only at the edge of the floor? Perfect. We start with listening to music and walking in time, then build from there.

  • 02

    Couples

    A date night that becomes a habit. Learn to lead, follow and laugh through the missteps together.

  • 03

    Event hosts

    Weddings, quinceañeras, anniversaries and parties. Get yourself, your partner or your guests ready for the big song.

Four dances. One very good night.

Each style has its own page with what you will learn and who it suits.

A couple mid-turn at an evening salsa social under string lights

Salsa lessons

San Jose

Quick feet, playful turns and a lot of smiling. Salsa looks fast from the sidelines; up close it is a handful of patterns repeated with confidence.

A couple in a close bachata embrace in warm low light

Bachata lessons

San Jose

Four steps, a little hip, a close and easy connection. Bachata is often the friendliest place to start partner dancing.

Guests dancing cumbia at a backyard party under festive banners at dusk

Cumbia lessons

San Jose

Cumbia is the dance at the family party, the wedding, the backyard on a summer night. Learn it once and you will be pulled onto the floor for years.

A couple in boots traveling across a wooden dance hall floor

Country Two Step lessons

San Jose

Two step is a traveling dance: you and a partner gliding counterclockwise around the floor, smooth and unhurried. Boots optional.

Two ways in.

Ricki smiling in front of a colorful event backdrop

One-on-one or couples

Private lessons

Just you, or you and your partner, with all of the attention on your steps, your questions and your goals.

See how it works
Ricki and Jesse dancing together during a live event

First dances & special events

Wedding & event lessons

Wedding dance and first-dance lessons for your song, your pace and your special day. Also prepare for quinceañeras, anniversaries, milestone birthdays and parties.

See how it works

How your first lesson comes together.

  1. 1

    Send an email

    Tell Ricki what you would like to dance, your experience and any dates. The form below opens a draft for you.

  2. 2

    Get a personal reply

    Scheduling, location and the plan for your lessons are worked out together by email.

  3. 3

    Start with the music

    Your first lesson begins with rhythm, not pressure. You will be stepping in time sooner than you think.

  4. 4

    Leave dancing

    Every lesson ends with a full song, so you walk out with something you can actually do.

Good questions, honest answers.

I have never danced before. Can I really start?

Yes. These lessons are designed for beginners. Bring curiosity and comfortable shoes; everything else is taught.

Do I need a partner?

No. You can learn solo, with a partner, or with a friend. Solo lessons still cover partnering basics.

Which style should I choose?

Think about where you want to dance. Latin nights point toward salsa or bachata, family parties toward cumbia, country nights toward two step. Not sure? Pick "Not sure yet" in the form.

How do I book?

By email at dancewithricki@gmail.com. There is no online booking; details are confirmed personally by reply.

Inquire by email

Your first lesson starts with a hello.

Fill this in and your email app will open a ready-to-send draft to dancewithricki@gmail.com. Nothing is sent or booked until you press send, and Ricki replies personally to arrange the details.

Or write directly to dancewithricki@gmail.com

This opens your own email app. It does not send anything by itself.