Your level will SOAR as a social dancer, 
once you understand EXACTLY how 
the Black Belt System™ of Dance Training works. 


The Apprenticeship program will show you how. 


The Black Belt Dance Apprenticeship Program is a One Year Commitment to learning to teach / assist in the lead and follow of the Core BBD™ Syllabus moves and organizational structure / system / and practices from your BBS™ School's Sensei, and Director(s).

The Black Belt Salsa Apprentice Program

Welcome to the Apprentice path at Black Belt Salsa. This is not a casual drop‑in class; it is a structured training journey designed to forge strong, confident, world‑class Salsa leaders.​

The training style here is intense, disciplined, and very focused on detail. Corrections are direct and frequent, but they are never personal—they are about refining your timing, technique, and presence so you can dance and teach at a professional level.​

Many Apprentices stay in this program for years, progressing through levels, assisting, teaching, and in some cases going on to travel and teach. If you commit, show up consistently, and stay coachable, this path can transform not just your dancing, but your confidence and character.​

If at any point something feels unclear or overly intense, you are encouraged to talk with Sensei or a team leader. Communication, respect, and mutual growth are at the heart of this journey—we are on the same side, working together to bring out your best.

A Personal Message from your Sensei:

"Before we dive in, I want to share something important about how I train. My style is intense, structured, and sometimes feels a little ‘militant’—because my job is to push you past your limits and make you the strongest dancer and leader you can be.

Please know this: my corrections are never personal. They are about technique, timing, and discipline, not about your worth as a human being or as a Salsa dancer. I will be direct, I will repeat things, and I will hold you to a very high standard—because I see your potential long before you feel it.

If at any point my delivery feels too strong or something I say lands the wrong way, I want you to talk to me or to my team so we can clear it up right away. We are on the same side. My promise to you is that all of this ‘tough love’ comes from a place of deep respect for you and deep love for this dance. If you stay the course, you will come out of this program a completely different dancer—and a stronger person."

DESCRIPTION

You will assist or teach various classes based upon the needs of your school.

• Whether you are a man or a woman, you may be requested to practice and teach as the Follower
• You may be requested to practice and teach as the Lead
• You need to prepare and be trained for both, whether you are a man or a woman.
• Once you reach a level of competence (determined by your Sensei), you are allowed to teach private lessons to BBS™ students, and keep 100% of your income.  There is no need to give any portion of your earnings to your school Sensei, nor BBS.™  We believe this promotes transparency, trust, and loyalty within our schools and organization.

BENEFITS

• An Apprentice is a Trainee, NOT an Employee.
• Selected By Invitation Only
• Not necessarily gifted, but most enthusiastic future Leaders
• Experience a World Class Instructor Training Program
• Currently you may know how to dance but not how to teach.
• School Sensei and Trusted Chief allowed to make final decisions on “choice”.
• Gain Practical Experience
• One Year Commitment
• Gain Confidence with impromptu performances at local venues.
• Perform somewhere – no routine, just dance.
• Benefit of Instructor Experience
• Free Workshops, Bootcamps, Group Classes
• Discounted Private Lessons from Sensei or Mentor
• Learn from the mistakes of Masters
• Learn a system of dance and instruction execution from the start
• Learn how to run a business
• Learn how to organize / set up events
• Get free and/or semi-private lessons – set up by the Apprentice and Mentor(s)
• Discounts off merchandise
• Ability to teach Private Lessons and KEEP 100% of your income
• Mentor Relationship

REQUIREMENTS

You may also be requested to assist your Sensei in administrative and Leadership roles for various classes, workshops, events, and administrative duties. 
You may also be given discounted entrance to your BBS™ school's events and parties (if offered). 
This is an "Apprenticeship" program with a detailed contract that will commit you to one full year of apprenticeship instructor training service to your school. You may join the BBS™ Instructor Training program starting with the Dance Business Management Instructor Training course any time before, during, or after your committed year as an Apprentice. Should you decide to move on to the Upper Belt Instructor levels, you may forfeit your Apprenticeship training commitment once you complete the DBM and pass your Blue Belt Certification exam, reviewed by a BBS™ Master Black Belt Professional.

FEES

There is a $5 per month curriculum access fee.   Your Sensei will provide you with that link.

The yearly fee amount varies per school / country.  Your fee will be either paid in one full payment up front with full access and full benefits, or divided into payments with limited online access and partial benefits.  Please speak to your school Sensei for their specific Fees and Financing options.

Whether part time, or full time, you must pay the full year fee.  Depending on the school, there will be a financial penalty for not fulfilling your year commitment.  As with any Apprenticeship program, you will not be paid until you have reached the individual requirements set forth by your Sensei.
At a minimum, you will be given between two (2) to six (6) hours per week of instructor training classes in a semi-private and/or private lesson format (dates / times determined by individual schools), and then on an as-needed basis where you are given the responsibility to request that time with your school Master Sensei.

Your responsibilities will increase over time, which will include helping newbie Apprentice team members move up quickly, and your school Sensei with other training obligations.  Helping your newbie Apprentices will assist in your growth as an instructor.   This is an extremely important requirement that will not be ignored by your Sensei. 

You are allowed to 100% of the income you charge for private lessons to both group class students and fellow newbie Apprentices (at a discount).  Private lesson fees with your Sensei vary per school.  Some schools may grant certain "freebies" for you, but these add-ons are determined on a school-by-school basis.