Liz Lira Dance Academy
About the studio
Liz Lira Dance Academy & Boutique is a premier Latin dance studio in West Los Angeles, founded and led by 25-time World Salsa Champion Liz Lira. Located at 3500 Overland Avenue, the studio specializes in salsa (LA On1 and New York On2), bachata sensual, and Argentine tango, while also offering classes in burlesque, zouk, urban kiz, and Afro-Cuban styles. Group classes run from intro through intermediate levels for both leads and follows, with no partner required and rotation as standard practice. The academy hosts the twice-monthly Saturday Salsa & Fusion Practica with DJ Cal Z, plus periodic studio events including Friday Nights at the Warehouse, the World Salsa Fest, and themed parties. Beyond drop-in classes, LLDA offers private lessons with Liz herself and her staff, performance teams (salsa, bachata, burlesque), wedding dance choreography, studio rentals, and a dance shoe boutique. The instructor roster features world champions and seasoned professionals such as Zweli Barton, Gregory Park, Antonio Rodriguez, Jesus Jacinto, Giovanny Perez, and Orlan Mat. The studio operates on the Momence booking platform, offers free parking, complimentary tea and coffee, showers, and welcomes both first-time dancers and advanced students looking to refine technique through the proprietary Liz Lira Method.
Liz Lira Enterprises, Inc. has been operating since 2004. Founder Liz Lira, the 'Rose of Salsa,' was born in La Paz, Bolivia, immigrated to the United States at age eight, and trained in classical ballet, modern, lyrical and hip hop before transitioning to salsa in 2001 at age 21. She captured her first major championship at the Mayan World Salsa Championships in summer 2002 and went on to earn 9 more World Championships and 15 Salsa & Latin National Championships. After teaching at iconic LA venues such as the Mayan and the Conga Room, she founded the academy to share the Liz Lira Method, with a mission to use Latin Dance to transform lives on and off the dance floor. The academy is currently located at 3500 Overland Avenue, Unit 210, in West Los Angeles.
Styles & levels
All levels
All levels
Weekly schedule 14 classes
Pricing
Single class $26. Unlimited weekly $42.25/week (3-month commitment) or $37.25/week (6-month commitment). Class packs: 6 for $139, 10 for $199, 20 for $360. Intro to Salsa & Intro to Bachata are $12 each. Workshop Elegant Power 2.0 pre-sale $59 / at door $69.
Instructors
Founder & CEO. Born in La Paz, Bolivia and raised in Southern California, Liz trained extensively in classical ballet, modern, lyrical, and hip hop before emerging onto the LA salsa scene in 2001. A 25-time World Salsa Champion and multi-time National Champion, she has performed across Bolivia, South Korea, Canada, Spain, Turkey, China, Guatemala, Mexico, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Australia, Finland and Japan. She has choreographed for Dancing With the Stars (Seasons 8 & 9), So You Think You Can Dance (Seasons 7-9), and the feature film The Ugly Truth, and was inducted into the WSF Hall of Fame.
Los Angeles-based world champion dancer, professional choreographer, dance instructor and dance coach.
A forever student of dance and a lover of Latin music & rhythms, Gregory started his journey with LA-style On1 salsa.
Antonio began dancing at 8 years old with indigenous Aztec rhythms, later exploring breakdancing in high school. He trains extensively in Salsa On1, Salsa On2, and Urban Bachata.
Started dance lessons over 8 years ago and discovered the passionate dance of Argentine Tango. Has trained for years with world-renowned Tango Masters from Argentina.
LLDA instructor leading the Sunday Intro to Salsa and Intro to Bachata programs designed for first-time and returning beginners.
Lead instructor for the Saturday Salsa & Fusion Practica, opening with a 30-minute footwork, spins, and flow mini-lesson before the open social.
What dancers say 4.8 on Google
"I was a little bit intimidated before the class because I heard Liz was a multiple award-winning dancer. I have never danced in my life and she turned out to be that consummate instructor. Patient, cheerful and full of thoughtful instructions that made learning Salsa and Bachata "
"We booked Liz for a private lesson for one of our friends birthday parties. She was super professional and did a fantastic job of making us comfortable. She was perfect for our introductory Bachata lesson. I would recommend if you are interested in dabbling. Thank you Liz."
"We took private dance lessons with Zweli to prepare for our first dance and had an incredible experience with him. His choreography was perfectly tailored to our song, venue and dance ability – and most importantly, to us as a couple. From the very first lesson, Zweli created suc"
The studio
