Salsabor
About the studio
Salsabor is a long-running Parisian academy specialised in salsa and Afro-Caribbean dances, founded in 1997 by Cliford Jasmin and taken over by Didier Galvani in 2013. It claims to be the first school in France to teach salsa mambo (Puerto Rican / on2 style) and pioneered themed classes such as shines, musicality and movement technique. The school operates four central Paris venues (Beaubourg in the 3rd, Nation in the 20th, and two Alésia studios in the 14th) and runs roughly 60 hours of weekly classes across 15+ disciplines and 7 progression levels from absolute beginner to advanced. The teaching catalogue covers salsa mambo, salsa cubana, rueda de casino, salsa caleña, bachata, kizomba, urban kiz, chachacha, reggaeton plus enrichment classes in lady and men styling, musicality, movement technique, barre au sol, afro-cuban and yoga. Most teachers are graduates of the Salsabor in-house professional training programme, which gained Qualiopi certification in 2021. Beyond the school, Salsabor runs the Afro Caribbean Soul Company performance troupe, organises the Spring Break Latino dance holidays, rents out its three studios, and provides bespoke event services for weddings, corporate clients and team-building. Pricing is flexible: drop-in classes from 17 EUR, multi-credit Recharges Liberté cards from 11 to 16 EUR per hour and unlimited Full Passes from 6.50 EUR per hour with the annual season-long pass.
Founded in 1997 by Cliford Jasmin as the first French academy to teach salsa mambo (Puerto Rican, on2) in a codified way. The school added codified styling classes in 1998 and timing/musicality classes with live musicians in 1999. It became the first French professional company to perform salsa abroad in 2000 and organised the Mondial de la Salsa from 2001. From 2002 it pioneered cross-style fusions (Jazzy Salsa, RaggaJamSalsa, Latin taps) and launched professional teacher training in Afro-Caribbean dances. In 2004 it introduced a structured pedagogical handbook for teachers and students. Didier Galvani took over the school's management in 2013. Salsabor expanded into regional France via the Salsabor Network in 2016 alongside the SBL (Spring Break Latino) dance holidays, contributed to the recognition of SMBKS dances by the Fédération Française de Danse in 2018, and obtained Qualiopi professional training certification in December 2021.
Styles & levels
All levels
All levels
All levels
Weekly schedule 84 classes
Pricing
Online purchase gives 5% discount. Annual membership (50 EUR) required to activate Recharges Liberté and Full Pass formulas. 30 EUR member card sufficient for RL 10, FP 1 month, and CDJ 10. Drop-in classes do not require annual membership.
25% off for under-2510% off for couple membership20% off for loyal members (conditions at reception)5% off for online purchase of recharges or full pass
Instructors
Owner, pedagogical and artistic director of Salsabor since 2013. Engineering background with a DESS in business administration, discovered salsa in 1999, joined Compagnie Salsabor and became a permanent teacher. Co-organized the Mondial de la Salsa events through 2005. Multidisciplinary dancer (Ragga Jam, Jazz, tap, ballroom, Tai Chi, ballet barre) and certified coach since 2009.
Deputy director, in charge of the school, events and communication. International performer in Latin dances since the early 2000s, specialised in Lady Styling. Managed the artistic program of the Marseille Salsa Congress for 8 years. Joined Compagnie Salsabor in 2007 and the teaching team in 2013. Holds a degree in Sciences of Education and CQP Animation Loisirs Sportifs, also trained in dance therapy, yoga and coaching.
One of the original Compagnie Salsabor members (2001), part of the teaching team since 2002. Multidisciplinary dancer who has performed in television productions and many national and international congresses. Holder of CQP Animation Loisirs Sportifs and recently trained in sophrology and reiki, which she integrates into her teaching.
International performer since 2002, founded her own company Big Spenders in 2004 which has toured national and international salsa festivals. Trained in tap, Chi Qong, hip hop and contemporary dance. Joined Didier and Compagnie Salsabor in 2015 to share her unique creative universe.
Trained in classical ballet from age 4 and jazz for 11 years, holds the CQP Savate Forme. Discovered partner dancing in 2013 and fell in love with kizomba. Joined the Salsabor teaching team in 2016 partnering with Daniel Chanteur.
Caribbean-influenced dancer from his teenage years. Completed Salsabor's professional training in 2011 and joined the teaching team in 2013. Specialises in kizomba, having trained with Morenasso.
School teacher by profession who fell in love with salsa music and dance in 1999. Trained with various teachers in Paris and New York before joining Compagnie Salsabor in 2004 and validating the professional training in 2005. Recently trained in Thai massage and other body techniques which inform his technical teaching.
From Bogotá, Colombia, trained in classical ballet at Chantal Ruault school in Caen, then at the Paris National Opera Ballet School. Performed with the Bordeaux Opera Ballet, the Metz Opera Ballet, the English National Ballet in London and other companies. His barre au sol classes are inspired by the Boris Kniaseff method.
Lifelong dance and music enthusiast who completed sport-études schooling and obtained the EAT in Jazz in 2007. Completed Salsabor's professional training in 2012 and joined the teaching team in 2013. Returned to Studio Harmonic in 2020 to obtain her DE in modern jazz. Also teaches children and develops modern jazz workshops.
What dancers say 4.8 on Google
"Salsabor is a great school. Good atmosphere, nice and friendly people."
"The atmosphere at this school is welcoming and warm. The courses are high-quality, the selection is diverse, and the teachers are attentive and responsive to their students."
"After taking a trial lesson in September, I enjoyed the classes, but Xavier's behavior after asking for my social media accounts was appalling. His behavior was harassing and bordered on blackmail, with him saying things like, "With me, you'll improve.""
The studio
