Ottawa’s Premier Salsa Dance Studio

About Pure Havana Dance Studio

Welcome to Pure Havana, Ottawa’s leading Salsa dance studio! We offer Rueda de Casino, Son Cubano, Bolero, Dominican Bachata, dynamic LA Style salsa and Casino (Cuban Style Salsa) classes for all levels, from beginners to seasoned dancers. Our vibrant community and expert instructors provide a supportive and fun learning environment where you’ll build confidence and improve your skills.

At Pure Havana, we’re passionate about helping our students discover the joy of Latin dances. We’ve helped hundreds of people improve their dance technique, build confidence on the dance floor, and connect with a welcoming community of fellow dance enthusiasts. Join us and experience the magic of Salsa and other Latin dances!

meet our instructors

monica

Monica is a passionate salsa teacher, sharing her love for Latin dance with students of all levels.

Monica is a skilled dance teacher, specializing in Rueda de Casino, LA Style Salsa, and Casino (Cuban Style Salsa). Her classes blend clear instruction, musicality, and an infectious enthusiasm that inspires dancers of all levels. Dedicated to both the art and the community of Latin dance, Monica plays a key role in nurturing Pure Havana’s vibrant, inclusive atmosphere—whether she’s teaching on the dance floor, organizing events, or supporting students in their dance journey.

joaquin

Joaquin is a seasoned salsa instructor with over 22 years of teaching experience. He brought the vibrant and popular Rueda de Casino to Ottawa, sparking a new wave of Cuban-style salsa enthusiasts in the city. Joaquin specializes in both LA Style Salsa and Casino (Cuban Style Salsa), blending technical precision with infectious energy to create an engaging and authentic learning experience.

Beyond teaching, Joaquin has created dynamic choreographies for his dance team, showcasing his creativity and deep understanding of Latin rhythms. He has performed in numerous cities across Canada and the USA, bringing his passion for salsa to diverse audiences and representing Ottawa’s Latin dance community on major stages. His dedication, talent, and charisma have made him a respected and influential figure in the salsa world.

burcu

Born in Türkiye, the crossroads of cultures, Burcu carries the rhythms and stories of her heritage into every class. Trained in ballet, folk dances, and later immersed in Afro-Peruvian, Cuban, and Dominican traditions, she developed not only her dance foundations but also a deep appreciation for musicality, cultural expression, and community; qualities that continue to shape her teaching today.

Burcu is passionate about honoring the cultural origins of the dances she shares, valuing authenticity and roots. Her clear approach invites students to understand not just how to move, but ‘why,’ treating dance as a transferable skill to be built, embodied, and shared with respect and joy.

Our Story

Pure Havana began with a shared passion for Salsa and a vision to create a vibrant dance community in Ottawa. Our journey has been one of growth, connection, and unforgettable moments on the dance floor.

Our Mission

Our mission is to provide high-quality Salsa instruction in a welcoming and inclusive environment, fostering a love of dance and building a strong community of dancers.

Our Approach

We believe in a fun, supportive learning environment where students of all levels can learn and grow, building their confidence and technique. We offer a mix of styles to cater to all preferences.

My wife and I love salsa dancing, but we've taken lessons before that haven't gone so well. Admittedly, we're not the easiest students! But Joaquin's instruction was so fun, light-hearted and easy to understand, that for the first time ever we made some actual progress. My wife was laughing and having so much fun. Dancing shouldn't be a stressful experience, and Joaquin made sure stress was the furthest thing from our mind. Monique and I both highly recommend Pure Havana Dance Studio and we're already looking forward to our second lesson.

Mike Caldwell

Pure Havana is the best Latin dance school I’ve been to in Ottawa. Not only do they have a beautiful studio and a large selection of dance styles, but the teachers are very skilled. Their love of dance is inspiring and incredibly fun!

Kelly K

Joaquin is a great teacher who genuinely cares about his students and goes the extra mile to help them learn salsa dance, something that was completely new to me. I have so much fun going to class, meeting new people, and learning a skill I never thought was possible.

Laura Leonard

Great studio! Joaquín is a thoughtful instructor who brings so much positive energy and encouragement to every class. Highly recommend if you’ve been wanting to learn Latin dancing. You’ll feel welcomed right away!

Elnaz Shadabi

Joaquin is an experienced and committed Latin dance teacher. He creates a welcoming and supportive learning environment for new and seasoned dancers. I highly recommend his classes and workshops.

Roger Corpas

I’ve been training at Pure Havana for about one year now. The private Salsa classes with Joaquin are really great and serve as a perfect complement to the group classes. Good location for those centrally located in Ottawa. Great vibe and community. Have to keep going and improve my skills here.

Hardeep Gill

I've been going to salsa classes weekly for just over 6 months now and I already feel way more confident. Joaquin does an excellent job making sure each class pushes you to learn more, but not so fast that you fall behind. I still have a bit more to learn before I'll feel comfortable dancing at a social but it's so rewarding being able to see my own progress, I know I'll be ready soon. Highly recommend this studio!

Bryden Arndt

Pure Havana is the best place to learn salsa. Learning salsa with Joaquin has been a highlight in my life. His patience, consistency, and genuine enthusiasm for helping students grow make each class unforgettable. He doesn’t just teach steps, he teaches confidence, musicality, rhythm, and joy. If you’re looking for an instructor who cares about your progress and celebrates your wins with you, Joaquin is someone you’ll be grateful to learn from. I 100% recommend Pure Havana and Joaquin to anyone who wants to grow, feel inspired, and fall in love with dancing!

Jennifer Badiel

great space with attentive and skilled instructors!

Avi Mohan