Lessons, dance shows & workshops
A salsa lesson, with the orchestra playing live
On 3 July 2025, JazzAscona had “Cuban Salsa with Nolosé” on its programme: an hour on the Piazzale Elvezia to learn the first steps of Cuban salsa, in the open air, with the lake behind the stage.
Alongside the concert, Nolosé offers dance lessons for everyone, Cuban dance shows and musicality workshops. They are given by the orchestra’s musicians, several of whom teach dance or music, or by a figure from the international salsa scene invited for the occasion. The audience learns its first steps, then dances them to the orchestra playing live.
Three ways to get your audience dancing
The lesson for everyone
The basic step, then a few simple Cuban salsa moves, facing the stage. Guests who were staying at the edge of the floor join everyone else, and dance from the first song of the concert.
The dance show
At almost every concert, a couple of dancers opens the floor while the orchestra plays. The audience sees what the music asks of the body, and the floor fills up behind them.
The musicality workshop
Hearing the clave, recognising the bass tumbao and the piano montuno, feeling the horn mambo coming. Dancers understand what they are dancing to, and their dancing finally follows the music.
Musicians who teach
In this orchestra, teaching is part of the job. Idalmis and Laurent, the band’s founder, teach dance at the AliaSalsa school in Lausanne, where Laurent also teaches the rueda and musicality classes. Both give private lessons. Cyril teaches on a master’s programme at the HEMU, the Lausanne University of Music. Matthieu teaches in several schools, as do most of the band’s other musicians. Marco teaches Zumba in several fitness centres and livens up parties all over the region.
When we invite a teacher, it is a well-known figure from the international salsa scene, in music and in dance.
Your audience learns from the people who will then play the concert. Every step shown in the afternoon comes back in a song that evening.
Ascona, summer 2025: the street workshops
During JazzAscona, on the street stages by the lake.
For which events
For a festival, a town festival, a wedding or a birthday party, a company evening. The lesson fits before the concert or between two sets, and a few minutes later the audience dances its new steps to the orchestra.
Frequently asked questions about the lessons
Is the lesson open to beginners?
Yes. The lesson starts from the basic step and is for everyone, from children to grandparents. Regular dancers get something out of it too, since they then dance to a live orchestra.
Can people come on their own?
Yes. The first steps are learnt alone, facing the stage, and then everyone can find a partner in the crowd.
How long does a lesson last?
One hour. It can be given in English, French, Spanish or German, depending on your audience.
Can the lesson be combined with the concert?
Yes, and that is what we recommend. The lesson takes place before the concert or between two sets, and a few minutes later the audience dances its new steps to the orchestra.
Who gives the lesson?
The orchestra’s musicians who teach dance or music, or a well-known figure from the international salsa scene, invited for the occasion.
For which events?
Festivals, town festivals, weddings, birthday parties and company evenings. In 2025, JazzAscona put a “Cuban Salsa with Nolosé” workshop on its open-air dance programme.
