Rapture Salsa Dance Academy
About the studio
Rapture Salsa Dance Academy is Perth's longest-running salsa school, founded in 2001 by principal and director Chris De Souza, who pioneered Los Angeles Style Salsa (On1) in the city. The academy specialises in fully structured, progressive 6-week courses across three salsa levels (Beginner/Intermediate, Intermediate, and Intermediate/Advanced Mambo On2) plus a two-level Bachata program, taught entirely by Chris himself. Salsa courses run on Monday and Thursday evenings at Bayswater Community Centre, with students free to attend either night each week, while Bachata is taught on Wednesday evenings at Morley Community Centre (returning to Wednesdays from January 2026). Beyond the term courses, the school regularly offers Cha Cha courses, Mambo On2 fast-track workshops at Mind Body Heart Studio in West Perth, choreographed bridal dances and corporate/private group lessons. No partner or prior dance experience is required for Level 1 classes thanks to a continuous partner rotation policy. Every first Saturday of the month, Rapture hosts Saturday Night Salsa at Mount Hawthorn Main Hall, a community social featuring a class followed by an open salsa party. Pricing is straightforward at AUD 140 per 6-week term, with a popular AUD 240 Salsa+Bachata combo package saving students AUD 40 versus buying separately.
Founded in 2001 by Chris De Souza, who discovered salsa in late 2000 after being taken to a salsa club in Perth following a relationship break-up. After being inspired watching local dancer Nicco Kuc, Chris took private lessons with Nicco for several months before traveling overseas to train with leading world salsa figures such as Alex Da Silva, Edie 'The Salsa Freak' Lewis, James Cobo and Tropical Gem. He went on to pioneer Los Angeles Style (On1) Salsa in Perth and has been running Rapture Salsa Dance Academy ever since, making it Perth's longest-established salsa school with over 24 years of continuous operation as of 2026.
Styles & levels
All levels
All levels
Weekly schedule 8 classes
Pricing
Group courses are sold as 6-week terms at AUD 140. Salsa students may attend on either Monday or Thursday each week of the term. Combo Salsa + Bachata package: AUD 240 (saves AUD 40). Bachata Level 1 + Level 2 combo: AUD 210. Private 1-on-1 lessons AUD 100/hr; 2-person AUD 140/hr; AUD 25 discount when buying a block of 5. Mambo (On2) 3-hour fast-track workshop AUD 55 prepay or AUD 65 at the door. Gift certificates valid 12 months.
Instructors
Chris is the principal and founder of Rapture Salsa Dance Academy and is the sole instructor for all classes. He pioneered Los Angeles Style Salsa (On1) in Perth and trained extensively overseas with personal instruction from world-class salsa dancers including Alex Da Silva, Edie 'The Salsa Freak' Lewis, James Cobo and Italian salsa group Tropical Gem. He was originally taught by Nicco Kuc in Perth in late 2000/early 2001 before founding Rapture in 2001. Chris also teaches New York Style Mambo (On2), Bachata, Cha Cha, Pachanga, Merengue and Bachatango.
What dancers say 4.8 on Google
"Leonardo is an outstanding salsa teacher. He brings very positive energy, great patience, and a teaching style that truly motivates students to improve in every class. He explains clearly, gives feedback respectfully, and always creates a fun and supportive environment, making th"
"My fiancé and I went to Juan Rando Dance Academy to get some help with our first dance for our wedding. Our dance instructor was Brett. He was lovely to deal with and was very knowledgeable. We came to him with a basic waltz we had seen on YouTube, and he taught us so much more t"
"I came to my first class here about 3 years ago and haven’t missed a term since! The teachers are amazing, and the incredible community makes every week something I look forward to. Seeing my skills grow after every lesson has been so fulfilling. It’s the perfect place to learn, "
The studio
