Vitalidad Movement Arts Center (VMAC)

I have been taking classes for about 9 months now. I really love my salsa and bachata instructors - Jamal, Carolina, Deblin and Adayl are awesome. I have done swing dancing for years but new to Latin dancing so I have taken many classes over the years and I am impressed with their clear instructions, their inclusiveness and friendliness, and they focus on not just dance moves but also musicality and lead/follow tips, and different "shines" that are fun. They are also trying to create a community of people. I have made some new friends here and we practice together! Other things that I really enjoyed are: they post videos of the class work after so you can practice/review, practicas every week that are free so you can get to practice and hone in your technique with help of experienced dancers, student and open socials that provide a safe, fun environment to practice what you learned! They have individual monthly class or monthly unlimited options if you want to take more classes. Level 1 classes can be popular so sign up early. After Level 1, classes are smaller. Also they rotate leads after a few minutes so you get to practice with many different people and actually learn how to dance instead of just learning a routine. If you want to just dance with your partner in the dance class, you can also take private lessons. This is a great dance studio, I am glad they are part of our community and I felt like I am becoming a part as well.

I rated a 10 because I absolutely love the energy and community at the studio. The classes are always lively and full, so I never worry about not having someone to dance with. I also really appreciate how you balance the leads and follows by bringing in assistants when needed, it makes such a difference. The instructors are not only fun and entertaining, but they make a very challenging dance feel approachable and enjoyable to learn. I love the variety of class options, and I value how seriously you take the learning process by making sure we’re confident before moving up. On top of that, I feel genuinely appreciated and cared for. When I returned after being away this summer, I was welcomed back so warmly, and that meant a lot. I’ve already referred friends (and even talked with my partner about joining), and I’ll continue to recommend the studio because it’s such a special, supportive, and inspiring place to dance.

Had a lovely time here - the instructors are kind, inclusive and good communicators. I also like the diversity of people coming here. I made some new friends (after 40, it is hard to make friends!). They host a lot of community events where they provide a safe environment to practice with more advanced dancers. Teachers show up and dance with you if you want. You get great feedback. Level 1 classes can be big, but if you move up from level 1, the classes are much smaller. Highly recommend Jamaal, Carolina and Deblyn and her partner whose name escapes me. Also they have practicas where ambassadors (high level students) come and help you with the dances! FOr free!

VMAC has always felt like such a welcoming, warm place to dance. I love how friendly the instructors are and the variety of classes they have. Always recommend checking them out for a good night!

TL:DR This is a welcoming place to learn dance and have fun in equal measure. I've been taking zouk classes at Vitalidad for over a year and I love the learning environment and culture. The instructors, ambassadors, and students are welcoming and positive. The classes are big, but I like that because dancing with a lot of people is really helpful for learning faster. The social dances are fun and the instructors are always setting the tone for folks to dance across levels and help new folks feel welcome. I think most folks here are as excited to dance with someone just starting their journey as with someone who has years of experience. Big shout out to the ambassadors as well! Y'all rock!

I absolutely love this studio! Highly recommend it. I have been taking salsa classes for about 7 months. The teachers are very fun, supportive and professional. I also love the community that they create and support. We have regular salsa socials so I can always practice my new skills in a social setting and keep improving. I especially recommend Carolina & Jamal's class and all of the ambassadors are wonderful. Come dance with us!

I’ve been taking salsa at VMAC for about 8 months. So many great things to say. The instructors are phenomenal. The studio makes dance accessible to beginners, while creating a pipeline with opportunities to help you advance and become a part of the dance community - classes with thoughtfully leveled up curriculum, workshops, the ability to join the competition team, etc. Along the way they teach you about different styles of salsa music and dance and their origin. One of my favorite things about VMAC is they’re really focused on encouraging people to go social dancing - helping dancers experience what is truly the best part of learning salsa.

We are a married couple, registered to enjoy a dance class together. At the beginning of the first class we were taken aback when, without asking anyone for consent, instructors informed us that we must “rotate” because there are not enough people to lead. The description of the class did not include that we have to dance with total strangers or dance alone. Yes, a partner is not required to register. So why people who made a decision to come without a partner should be expected to dance with mine? They could be practicing with other people that came alone or with instructors. Over the years, we took classes at different studios. Never before we were put in such uncomfortable situation. They won’t refund money for the rest of the session, so we either have to count our loses or announce in class that we won’t be rotating partners. The facility is clean. Parking is difficult to find.

I wanted to love this so bad, but it just wasn't it. Mind you, this is my first American dance class. I just spent a month in Colombia taking 4 hours of bachata a week with a 1:1 teacher for 20$ an hour. I learned so fast because I was learning one to one with a professional competitive dancer. Learning bachata with a strong experienced lead makes a huge difference as being the woman, I'm supposed to follow. If the lead doesn't know what they're doing, as in the classes here, you not only learn a lot slower, but often learn incorrectly. I signed up for a full month of lessons here however, my first class was a turn off. The classes are extremely full. There might be 30 to 50 people in the room. I don't know what I was expecting. Maybe 15 or 20 equal men and women that you would get to know each other over the course of the month. Just something more intimate. I also thought you would also dance with the teacher kind of get the feeling physically of what the correct dance looks like, however, this is not the case, you're just watching. It is also very fast-paced, so if you're neurodivergent or take a little bit to get the hang of things, it's probably not for you. Especially since the class is only an hour you only learn a little bit at a time, once a week in class. There's also really no time for you to like invest in learning a specific step, the 30-50 or whatever people in the room are all on the same clock, and one step is rushed to the next. After my first class I was looking into the cost of individual dance lessons here however they are ridiculously expensive at $100 an hour. I have a decent job, but still cannot afford that. The location is also not that convenient unless you live in the general area and can walk. Parking is really difficult, it's not right off the freeway or anything so if you live in another part of town, give yourself at least an extra 15 minutes to park and walk to the location. I guess I will be back in Latin America soon to learn more one-to-one! Or maybe at a bar in Portland they'll teach us some steps

This place is run by amazing humans and the teachers are great. I really enjoyed their practicas and other socials. I also love how they put teh class videos online. As a background, I have done 20 years of partner dancing. I am physically fit and able. The classes usually start with a warm up for about 10 minutes. Tl;Dr version: you will not be able to learn salsa here unless you really really stick with it, have some innate ability and previous dance experience, have a good musical ear etc because salsa 1 is too crowded to learn anything and step up to salsa 2 is way way too fast and do not teach much things you can use in social dancing. More info: My issue with VMAC is that their classes are insanely crowded at level 1 (this was salsa). And I mean insanely crowded. Probably because they are also on PCC curriculum so there are lots of PCC people there. The only reason I was able to pick up things was because I knew a bit of salsa and a lot of lead/follow/frame. But I can't see the instructors half of the time (the class had I think 75 or so people!!!!). I went to practicas which means another extra hour which is also why I was able to do ok. But moving to salsa 2 was horrible. It is not because I am not a good dancer. I think I was one of hte better ones in salsa 1. But salsa 2 is 3x the speed and 3x the number of moves. They show 4 "shines" / solo steps but they do not really break it down, they just do it quickly, and then almost within minutes increase the speed again. And since these steps are done in succession throughout the class, if you do not get one, and mind you, you will not esp. moving from salsa 1, you are now trying to find a way to do the ones you can. And salsa 2 can be busy as well, at least the first two weeks of the session so these super fast teaching/immediate application can be frustrating because you might not be able to see it. I am not surprised the later weeks got busier as people dropped out, probably because of this. Then they will teach you a move. Usually it is complicated and involves swapping places with your partner which means you can't see the move very well half of the time. So now you are stuck with frustration of not being able to do the shines they show, and then you can't see half of the steps. Salsa 2 is a HUGE step up, and also is 6 months so now you are in a class with people who have 5 more months of experience (in contrast, salsa 1 is 3 months). And since you do not know many moves, going to a social sucks. My friend is a lead and he had very few things he could do and his follows would get bored. Shines are great if you already have the beats, the fundamentals, but I think the teachers have not been beginners in a long time and do not udnerstand, esp. for leads from what I have seen, that they will not do any of those 4 insanely fast taught shine steps since they do not have much other things to do at a social. Hard to do steps that you can do alone when you are doing a partner dance you are just learning. I do not know where else they teach salsa in Portland, but this is not a good place to take salsa classes IMHO. They are too focused on number of attendees and showing you things that you can't use and not showing enough of things you can. Stepping from salsa 1 to salsa 2 is just a huge step up, and with the way/speed it is taught, you have very little chance of picking up things. Pick a place that teaches in smaller groups. I also took bachata and it was a slightly smaller class and though they do also show things that you have not learned already at the warm up, it is a slower pace and they do go over it in other weeks. Sorry to be a downer, but this was a very frustrating experience and it can be better if they focused on things we can actually use on the dance floor to get more of a feel as relatively new dancers instead of this obsession with teaching us 4 different shines every class in a rapid way that is not being broken down and then we have to put them together, in the same class, at an even faster tempo. Also in practica one of the teachers would just chat with her friend the other ambassador instead of dancing with one of the leads who didn't have a partner and had to wait (I looked) 5 minutes for them to remember to rotate by which time they moved to another thing. John and Sophia are very fun to learn from in practica.

What a great space! I was delighted to attend the popup Market Obscura here recently. The space itself is quite nice with a great layout for the vendors. There were an amazing array of vendors with a few food vendors and a bar as well.

I love this dance studio! I started out with a few workshops and got hooked. I'm now on my fourth month of salsa lessons and am so pleased with my progress. Carolina and Jamal are amazing instructors. They are so fun and patient with their beginner students. You can tell they really care about the community and building the latin dance community in Portland. Check it out! You won't regret it.

I feel so constrained by not having a half star option because these guys are close to 5 stars. I have danced my entire life and really struggled when we moved to Portland to find a dance spot where I could feel at home and get down to sick beats and inspiring choreo. After a few failed attempt I finally found VMAC lured in by a class called bootylicious. OMG it was so much fun and was really more about hips than booty, but included a few twerks. It was a fun, creative, totally well taught workshop and even introduced me to something new for me, which after all these years, is so welcome - zouk! I can't say I fell in love with zouk rhythm but I like every form of dance from Africa the Caribbean and the Americas. I have been trying to make it to some of their other inspired offerings - salsa for leads and follows, African dance, etc but my schedule has t worked out. I finally made it back last week for dance hall and LOVED it so much. I have so much respect for dancers who know their craft, have passion for it and want to share it with the world. Not sure when I'll be back in Jamaica or Miami but I can't wait to try out some of these dancehall moves. Admittedly I'm probably a lot older, not probably, I am a lot older than the students in the classes I've been to and I will admit to feeling a little out of place but I guess not a lot of 50 year olds are stumbling into a dancehall class so I just need to deal with it. I have. It seen any other dance studio in any other city I've loved In, besides New York of course, with so many varied styles of dance and i love that they keep updating and adding new styles, west coast swing, wacking/krumping, pop and lock. Love it all. My club days are behind me but I will never stop dancing and I'm so happy to have found this place and their huge new studio. So one little critique, I don't always feel passion in the teaching styles. I know all of these dancers are passionate but I'm more used to classes where the best pulsates and the teachers come and connect a bit more with the students. Not saying it should be that way and I have a feeling that every instructor and class is different so I will hopefully keep working my way through the classes and workshops. Congrats VMAC- you've filled a big void in my Portland life.

Great place to learn how to dance salsa or any type of dance you would like. I have been there three times in there salsa 1 class to touch up on my technique. The instructors are amazing, friendly and have great technique. The class gets pretty crowded so make sure to sign up online prior to ensure a spot. See you there.

Getting to a dance class is hard for me. After being a dance for 10 years of my life and then going through a series of foot and knee injuries over the past few years, it's a little intimidating to get back into the studio class environment. As soon as I stepped into VMAC, all of my worries were lifted by the warmth of the staff & the teacher (the owners of the studio, Caroline & Jamal) who make you feel like you're amongst family. Maybe it's my Latino heritage talking, but that is definitely what I want when I'm learning new moves. The VMAC space is small (they're moving to a bigger space in 2018) but their staff makes it feel like a home for everyone. Great teachers, great class selection & schedule, prices are fair. I'll be back to VMAC & I'm excited to see how they grow in their new space in 2018!

I LOVE that there is a studio that offers such varied dance classes as Vogue, Salsa, Bachata, African & Bhangra. They also have fitness based movement classes for those interested. Socials are a great way to get meet others taking classes too & form a sense of community. What I also really enjoy are the people who greet you when you enter, April & Megan are the best! Take a chance on dance with VMAC, you'll be glad you did.

Looking for a fun way to get your sweat on and get your booty in shape? I've been following around Diana (De-Ana) for her Dance Fitness and Sensual Dance Movement classes. This girls energy will get you up and moving in ways perhaps you didn't know You could and using muscles you forgot about!!! So much fun and a great way to get your sexy on and feeling confident. Diana radiates our inner sexy womyn and it's totally contagious when in her class. I love the new space she is in, my only disappointment is there is only one class a week with her. I miss doing the two together or even having the option to do them on different days. $10 drop in, super affordable. I will be back every Thursday and with friends. Hopefully soon there will be another day/class added for her to continue spreading her talent. Dance Fitness| Thursday's| @5:30 w/ Diana

Hi. I attended Bruce's Zumba class this morning via Live Stream (convenient) to learn the moves and to see how I like it. SOLD! I loved every minute super fun, great music, talented and energetic Bruce, it was a blast. A little bit of everything in music and moves! I'll be going in person for the duration! Their studio is beautiful too!

I am 30 years old and grew up dancing, but it's been a long while since I've taken a class. Dancing has always been on my mind, and through a mutual friend I ended up in a class taught by Diana Esquerra, and now I'm hooked. She is AMAZING! I've consistently taken two types of dance classes with Diana - a dance fitness class and my FAVORITE, a sensual movement class. Diana is a fun and encouraging teacher who lets her students embrace the dance moves in their own unique way. There is no pressure for perfection in her classes...she's all about her students giving it their all and finding their own power and beauty through dance - however that may look! I followed Diana over the VMAC's new facilities and am impressed so far. The price of $10 for a drop-in seems very reasonable with packaged deals available. The staff at the front desk are very friendly and welcoming. And the space seems to be newly renovated. The Dance Fitness class (currently every Thursday at 5:30pm) is the most fun I've had while working out. You'll FEEL THE BURN but also have the biggest smile on your face the whole time. Fun music and fun moves. I am hoping that Diana will be able to offer her Sensual Movement dance class at this space ASAP. It's seriously the best class EVER. We learn a choreographed dance across the span of 2-3 classes and while my body doesn't quote move like an MTV music video big-booty queen, I FEEL LIKE ONE! So much fun getting your 'sexy' on with women who are there only to support one another. VMAC - please hook it up with this class!

I should have posted a review long ago, but better late than never. Bruce's Zumba classes are the best. He is a great dancer, super fun, and incredibly warm/inviting to all his students (new and those who come each week). I always leave super sweaty, and feeling great. I've been to a ton of Zumba classes, and will only go back to classes with fantastic instructors- as the instructor makes (or breaks) the class. He MAKES the class. It's a great workout and also a lot of fun. Yay for Bruce, and check out his classes!

First timer, and from the minute you step in, it's all smiles and courtesy. The staff is lovely and inviting. I took Belly Dancing and loved it! Happy light hearted vibe. Cannot wait to go back

This is the place to go if you want to learn to dance, as opposed to just learning patterns. Jamal and Carolina were already strong dancers a few years ago when they moved to NYC, and now we're lucky that they've brought back their experience there (the mecca of salsa) to Portland. In their On2 class, you'll learn how to dance salsa like they do in New York. They teach the basics of timing, weight transfer, and body motion, which are aspects that differentiate a strong dancer from the crowd. If you've thought that salsa was all 'moves' (like I did my first few years), try a few of their classes. They will make you a much better dancer.

I've been dancing for over two years in about a half dozen different cities, and I only recently had a major run-in with the dance community. I was badmouthed on social media from a dance group in Phoenix, Arizona, called "Zouk Phoenix", because the organizers there had an axe to grind with me over a personality conflict, claiming that I was banned from certain classes and events there over complaints from a couple of the girls claiming that I "harassed" them. Once Vidalidad Movement Arts Center in Portland got wind of the conflict in Phoenix (which is currently being dealt with, and several attempts to resolve it have already been attempted), they decided to jump on the bandwagon and exclude me from attending classes here at VMAC, stating that they didn't want me anywhere near their students based off what they've heard. There is no proof of any kind that I have ever knowingly nor willingly created a hostile environment for anyone in the dance community; in fact, I have many personal and professional references whom I've attended classes with who are more than willing to vouch for me and my positive, outgoing character, and displaying enthusiasm to learn and make new friends. I've asked both VMAC and Zouk Phoenix to cite any specific instances of these so called claims of "harassment" or "bad behavior towards women", and neither have been able to produce anything other than a couple of screen shots where I expressed polite but firm dissatisfaction from being treated rudely outside of the class setting. I've always gone out of my way, despite any personal feelings, to make everyone in the class setting very comfortable, as I'm fully aware that this is an intimate setting and certainly wouldn't want anyone's discomfort being in close proximity with me to interfere with the learning experience. I have spent countless hours on the phone, over e-mail, and on messaging apps to try and plead with Vitalidad to allow me a due process and afford me the equal and fair opportunity to attend classes here as anyone else would, and to allow me to prove myself so that they may formulate their own judgments and opinions of me instead of that of hearsay and rumor. Not only did their snap judgments and jump to conclusions rob me of my ability to train at the largest dance academy in Portland who teaches already rare styles that are difficult to find training in, but they've also disparaged me and sabotaged my reputation with a dance community that, thus far, as of the time of this writing, I've never even had a chance to step foot in. I literally moved here weeks ago for work, and now any future attempts to enter this scene has already been tainted, when all I did was express positive interest in starting the classes that I paid for. VMAC has chosen to refund my class tuition and send me an e-mail threatening legal action should I choose to speak out against discrimination, but that is exactly what is going on here. Discrimination. It just so happens that it's not against a protected class, such as age, race, religion, sex, or otherwise. But I absolutely feel that I am well within my rights to claim unfair discrimination based on personality traits, unfounded and unsubstantiated claims of harassment that never happened, and slander/defamation of character due to the fact that they've already let their students know about the situation, which has and will in the future, affect my ability to make new friends here and be accepted into this scene. This has now affected my lifestyle, my ability to socialize here, and considering that I'm a paying customer and patron, it's just bad business. I am not alone in my views on this. Many of you may agree with the studio's decision to reserve their right to refuse service to anyone, but what they have done is morally and ethically irresponsible and unprofessional, and it will not be tolerated. The case thus far has already piqued the attention of media outlets around the nation and until I am welcomed here and given a fair chance, I will not stop protesting this establishment. Thank you for reading.

This place has a magic that is hard to describe, but you cannot help but feel it. From the front desk staff that welcome you with care, to instructors that are phenomenal in their style, this place is an oasis in the busy race of everyday life. I cannot wait to come and see my friends and grow as a dancer each time I come to class. I feel comfortable trying new styles and asking questions; so so important! The owners are concerned with making it a space that everyone who enters feels comfortable, I love their emphasis on creating a safe space for all. So much VMAC love

Vitalidad is a wonderful dance studio. I am a Brazilian Zouk dance instructor originally from Los Angeles, and can recognize a good social dance studio when I see and experience one. Upon substituting for some Zouk classes, providing workshops, and participating in social dance nights, I can see that Vitalidad welcomes all who is looking to have fun with all forms of social dance styles. They have talented yet humble dance instructors, focused students who enthusiastically learn, and everyone respects each other on and off the dance floor. Don't miss your chance to be part of this wonderful studio!!!

Awesome salsa instructors and fun classes!

Carolina and Jamal are everything in one package. If you truly want to learn how to dance, execute your moves with the right technique and look amazing doing it, I highly recommend this studio. They truly care about the growth of their students and making sure they are always moving in the right direction. They have both played a major role in helping my dancing grow and evolve.

The deep stretch class is amazing! I can definitely see improvement in my flexibility each week. The zumba classes are fun and definitely get you sweating. The hip hop classes cover a much wider range of styles than most. They also offer unique classes you won't find anywhere else in Portland like kizomba and zouk.

Took a bhangra class here through ClassPass while in Portland for a work trip. Had so much fun and got a good sweat in. I wish we had a place like this in D.C.!

Carolina and Jamal are patient, talented and extremely knowledgeable (as well as FUN) teachers of salsa dancing. I get so much from them each week at the group class in Vancouver. What a gift it is to learn the nuances of Salsa and Bachata dance from this detail-oriented couple. They present the steps in a logical way and keep the music simple enough for a newcomer like me to build on my success. After a few months, I was enjoying new adventures as I attended weekly salsa events - to watch, listen, learn and dance a little more confidently each time. I'm so grateful they are back in the Portland/Vancouver area and that I'm attending their weekly class once again. The dancing infuses my life with energy and well-being.

Feeling so inspired today by Robin Ward- her yoga class honors this scaffolding of my body that houses my heart, she rejoices with each millimeter of growth, stretch or progress this body is able to do, while giving compassion, kindness and honor to the current state. I cannot wait for deep stretch at 11:30 on sat at vmac:) thank you dear one for the gift of you, I feel so good today :) if you haven't tried this magic, you owe your body an hour of centering and strengthening... You will be so glad you did

Great dance classes and great teaching technique. Jamal and Carolina really break down the fundamentals of whatever dancing they are teaching very well. Who knew dancing was supposed to involve so much muscle control in so many different parts of the body. Love how the focus is not so much on learning a new dance pattern, but more about how to make whatever movement you are doing fit with the music.

Vitalidad is a joy and laughter filled learning space. Carolina and Jamal make each dance lesson a comfortable experience and guide their students with ease. Their reasonably priced classes are not only fun but are presented in an easy to follow manner. I've taken a number of dance classes in different cities and find this team to be one of the best. I am even continuing to take more advanced and other styles of dance classes as a result of my very favorable experiences over the last few months!

Great place to learn salsa dancing !!! Teachers are very nice and easy going They will teach how to feel the Latin music!!! I love their " on 2" New York style

Carolina and Jamal have brought their earlier experience, mixed with their years dancing in NY, back to Portland! Their classes begin with exercises meant to understand how to hear and understand the music and how to fit movement WITH the music. I'm loving the footwork patterns -- learning new moves and musicality. The footwork is great for both leads and follows to build our dance vocabulary and learn to incorporate fun, slick moves into our social dancing. The pattern portion of class also teaches both leads and follows equally. I have also taken private lessons with this fun, patient, talented teaching team; If you want to really move your dancing forward in a way that is geared specifically for your dance level and needs, take some private lessons with Carolina and Jamal!

The fact that this was the only studio in town to offer a class in Kizomba is what drew me in, but then I discovered Zouk as well. Adding Salsa on 2 and Dominican Bachata was easy as I already had the interest, but who knew I would like tango??? What really helps with all of that is yoga, and I am a huge fan of Robin's Deep Stretch class. It is the perfect compliment to all the dancing and I love Robin's spirit. I always leave feeling relaxed and rejuvenated!

VMAC is an amazing studio, full of AMAZING instructors and friendly staff! The environment is great. Great for anyone, whether you're a beginner or not. I'm so glad I found this place and thankful for the friendships I am developing along the way :) I recommend this studio to anyone!

Jamal and Carolina are friendly and knowledgeable. If you want to learn on2 salsa in Portland this is really the place to go. They have a lot of good information to share, and I notice that I take something valuable from each class that I can build on later as I am dancing. While they are approachable and keep their classes easy-going and enjoyable, they also notice details and help you to make corrections that will improve your dancing. I recommend them!