Nicole Lazo • Salsa On1 Instructor • Dance Papi

About Nicole Lazo

Nicole Lazo is one of Sacramento’s top salsa instructors. She is an elegant and graceful dancer who is known for her unique, sexy styling and body movement on and off the dance floor, and a true love for teaching. In addition, her humble attitude and approachable personality make her popular amongst the Sacramento dance community today. She has an ability to effortlessly follow any lead and break down complicated patterns and moves into simple steps anyone can learn.

Nicole Lazo fell in love with salsa dancing sight unseen. Even before her very first lesson began she bought tights (which she quickly learned she did not need) and dance shoes (a half size too large because no one told her ladies’ shoes should be bought in a smaller size). Throughout her childhood, she took dance classes, as little girls are apt to do, and quickly realized that she would fearlessly dance anywhere, anytime! Ultimately, it was her experience teaching swing dancing in the piazzas of Rome, combined with her innate love of Latin rhythm, that brought her to a local dance studio.

After two vigorous years of training and numerous performances at business parties, fashion shows, restaurants, and salsa clubs, she is now independently teaching and is a pillar in the salsa community. Her vivacious energy and elegance are contagious to all those around her. Having traveled throughout California, Mexico, and El Salvador to be trained in salsa, Nicole still continues to seek opportunities to further broaden and diversify her knowledge of Latin dance.

Nicole brings fresh movement and style straight from her travels right into the dance studio! With a focus on truly dancing to the music, rather than simply learning steps in a sequence, regardless of musicality, Nicole has a unique approach to teaching. She often begins with a variety of footwork and then matches movement to the music in her warm-up. Nicole takes great care in breaking down dance steps and body movement to help students develop strong technique (and “fast feet”!). Nicole teaches both men and women to lead and/or follow.

(916) 872-9173 | YouTube Travel Channel | Instagram

October 30, 2019

Back Spot Turn | Salsa

Nicole Lazo and Chris Penales teach the back spot turn in this video lesson. Also known as the 180, this salsa move incorporates new footwork for both the leader and follower. Salsa On1 Instructor: Nicole Lazo Check out Nicole Lazo's YouTube Travel … [Read more...]

March 1, 2018

The Sunrise | Salsa

The Sunrise salsa move adds sexy hand and arm styling to this intermediate dance pattern. Practice the right turn and inside roll before learning this sequence. Salsa On1 Instructor: Nicole Lazo Check out Nicole Lazo's YouTube Travel … [Read more...]

April 4, 2017

Left Turn Wind Up | Salsa

Combine the salsa left turn with a hand toss to create an advanced pattern known as the "left turn wind up." Refer to previous video lessons if you're unfamiliar with the left turn or cross body lead. Salsa On1 Instructor: Nicole Lazo Check out Nicole Lazo's … [Read more...]

February 2, 2017

Add-On for Behind the Back | Salsa

This salsa video adds styling to the "Behind the Back" pattern for both leaders and followers. The concepts in this lesson can be applied to other advanced moves. Salsa On1 Instructor: Nicole Lazo Check out Nicole Lazo's YouTube Travel … [Read more...]

October 19, 2016

Behind the Back | Salsa

The "Behind the Back" salsa move is an intermediate dance turn that incorporates two inside rolls for the followers, sexy arm movements and new footwork for the leaders. Salsa On1 Instructor: Nicole Lazo Check out Nicole Lazo's YouTube Travel … [Read more...]

June 8, 2016

The Basic Copa | Salsa

The basic copa salsa move or turn starts with a cross handed outside turn followed by an inside half-turn where the ladies come to a stop to which styling can be added. An inside roll completes this intermediate pattern. Salsa On1 Instructor: Nicole Lazo Check out … [Read more...]

April 12, 2016

Inside Roll to Progressive Cross Body Lead | Salsa

This intermediate salsa combination further builds upon adding complexity to the cross body lead. Watch our inside roll and progressive cross body lead video lessons before learning this pattern. Salsa On1 Instructor: Nicole Lazo Check out Nicole Lazo's YouTube … [Read more...]

February 18, 2016

Progressive Cross Body Lead | Salsa

The salsa progressive cross body lead adds a half-turn for both leader and follower before the follower "walks by" or crosses in front of the leader. Incorporating this half-turn adds flair and style to these basic dance steps. Salsa On1 Instructor: Nicole … [Read more...]

January 14, 2016

Right Turn Hand Toss | Salsa

This salsa pattern features the right turn hand toss followed by a female left turn. Both moves have been covered in previous salsa video lessons but here they're combined into an intermediate move that will improve your dance skills. Salsa On1 Instructor: Nicole … [Read more...]

December 16, 2015

Cross Body Lead with Hook Turn | Salsa

Leaders can add flair to their cross body leads by incorporating a hook turn as the follower passes by. This combination will also help the leader practice switching hands behind his back. Salsa On1 Instructor: Nicole Lazo Check out Nicole Lazo's YouTube Travel … [Read more...]

November 19, 2015

Leader’s Hook Turn | Salsa

The man's or leader's hook turn is essential footwork the leader must master in order to progress in salsa. The dance steps are broken down into simple instructions in this video lesson. Salsa On1 Instructor: Nicole Lazo Check out Nicole Lazo's YouTube Travel … [Read more...]

October 14, 2015

The Shuttle | Salsa

Learn the shuttle salsa move in this video lesson which incorporates a hook and turn for the ladies that can be used in other patterns. Salsa On1 Instructor: Nicole Lazo Check out Nicole Lazo's YouTube Travel … [Read more...]