Dear Kia:

 This is why rotating partners is so important in maintaining an effective workshop.

First, I want to recommend to any students of dance out there to attend a salsa congress, if you haven't yet. They are wonderful! You can learn so much... different turn patterns, styling, interesting styles ("on 1", "on 2 mambo", cha-cha-chá, Cuban style, bachata, etc). There are even classes for learning basic conga drumming and rhythm, hip hop, flamenco or tango-infused salsa.

There are also shine patterns to learn (choreography without a partner). These are either whole classes devoted to shines, or combo-style that includes a shine and partnerwork.

There are world-class instructors from all over the globe who share their knowledge and passion for salsa and latin dance. It's great to get a variety of mentors whom you can learn from. They all have something new to teach!

At a congress you can take workshops all day, see inspiring performances in the evening, and practice what you've learned all day on the dance floor to amazing live bands all night long!

Back to your question, Kia... my advice would be only that sometimes the teachers need to be reminded to rotate the partners. Rotating is the only way that you won't get "stuck" with just one partner, who you may not "click" with. It benefits all the students to practice with a variety of people. It's also a way to meet new dancers, and then later in the evening you will feel more comfortable asking or being asked to dance with familiar faces.  

For those of you who want something new and exciting like a congress but can't get away out-of-town just yet... keep tuned in to the internet (salsadetroit.com and yasalsa.com) for an exciting LOCAL weekend of out-of-town instructor workshops and a live band from Chicago, the weekend of October 24th! More info to come very soon!

 --Mambo Marci