The ISTD Cuban Salsa Syllabus is the official teaching and examination syllabus for Cuban Salsa (Casino) published by the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD). Produced by the Alternative Rhythms Faculty, this syllabus provides a progressive pathway from Pre-Bronze (Student Teacher) through Bronze (Associate), Silver (Licentiate), and Gold (Fellowship), making it an essential reference for dancers, teachers, and ISTD examination candidates.
The syllabus begins with the fundamental principles of Cuban Salsa, introducing feet positions, body actions, and the characteristic Cuban “T” position before progressing into the official graded figures. Every syllabus figure is presented in ISTD’s structured teaching format, detailing timing, footwork, partner positions, lead and follow actions, amount of turn, and technical notes to ensure consistent learning and teaching standards.
Originally published in 2015 as Cuban Salsa Technique, this updated 2023 Syllabus Edition reflects the current ISTD curriculum while preserving the authentic characteristics of Cuban Casino dancing and its progressive examination structure.
What You’ll Learn
- Authentic Cuban Salsa (Casino) fundamentals
- Feet positions and body actions
- Cuban “T” position
- Partner connection and lead & follow principles
- Progressive syllabus figures from beginner to advanced
- Official ISTD examination technique
- Structured partner work and figure development
Contents
Introduction
- Introduction
Technical Foundations
- Feet Positions and Body Actions
Pre-Bronze – Student Teacher
- Basics
- Arriba
- Exhibela Turn
- Cuban Rotation
Bronze – Associate
- Exhibela Turn with Cuban Rotation
- Enchufla
- Dile Que No
- Dile Que Si
- Guapea
- Casino I
- Sombrero I
- Setenta – Ending 1 (Elbow Lock)
Silver – Licentiate
- Setenta – Ending 2 (Leader’s Right Turn)
- Setenta – Ending 3 (Overhead Lock)
- Sacala
- Enchufla – Ending 1 (Double Elbow Lock)
- Enchufla – Ending 2 (Two-Hand Sweep)
- Enchufla and Leader’s Left Turns
- Sombrero Doble (Sweep Ending)
- La Caminata
- Dile Que No and Leader’s Dip
- Dile Que No and Wrap
Gold – Fellowship
- Advanced Basics
- Sombrero Triple – Ending 1 (Arm Swing)
- Sombrero Triple – Ending 2 (Walk Round)
- Enchufla Doble
- Enchufla Mariposa
- Dile Que No and Leader’s Drop
- El Gancho
- Setenta Complicado 1
- Setenta Complicado 2
Suitable For
- ISTD examination candidates
- Cuban Salsa teachers and instructors
- Dance schools and academies
- Social and competitive Cuban Salsa dancers
- Professional dance coaches
- Students seeking an official ISTD syllabus
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