Meet Danny Kalman | Salsa and Bachata Dance Academy Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Danny Kalman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Danny, why did you pursue a creative career?
It happened by mistake! Many times I took action to NOT dance salsa or bachata professionally. “Starving artist” is a real phenomenon and I’ve see so many talented dancers struggle financially – it breaks my heart. After growing up poor, I didn’t want that to be me.

Entrepreneurship, on the other hand, made sense for me. Simply out of necessity, when I was 12 years old I started my first business (mowing lawns) to pay for my leisure activities.

In college I went to business school and intended to use that entrepreneurial gusto for a business that could be a giant, highly lucrative, home-run.

That didn’t work out.

I failed.

A lot.

Every time I worked on businesses more for money than passion, the results were mediocre. When I veered away from dancing there was always this “cosmic slap” that set me back on the path of dancing.

I had been dancing as a hobby since 2005 and teaching dance classes since 2013, but that was just for fun and a bit of extra income. The strange thing was that the salsa and bachata classes grew and grew and over time it made sense to teach more and more. I guess I was good at it.

In my stubbornness though, I ignored the signs and kept pulling away from running dance classes to focus my energy on other businesses. I had moved to Los Angeles to train to compete in salsa simply because I loved it. Making money from dancing salsa and bachata was never the goal. In fact, I didn’t want to intertwine my hobby with my finances.

At last, after many ups and downs, and endless struggles (a story for another time), I got out of my own way, accepted my fate, and allowed myself to go all in on dancing.

I am grateful to say that now, after 10 years of teaching classes, endless hustle, and lot of sacrifice, my salsa and bachata dance school I believe is the largest in Los Angeles. I am no longer a “starving artist” at all.

Furthermore, I’m enjoying teaching dance and running the dance school more than I could ever imagine. For the first time I can say that I’m proud to be an artist and would not swap what I do for anything else.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I run what I believe is now the largest salsa and bachata dance school in Los Angeles – it is called Movers and Shakers Salsa and Bachata Dance Academy.

My gratitude for this growth is tremendous. I take nothing for granted and every morning I say at least 10 things I’m grateful for.

The struggle to get here has been tremendous.

Here a few lessons I’ve learned along the way:
• HARD WORK IS NOT ENOUGH. Hard work is necessary, but is not a guarantee of success
• PARTNERSHIPS ARE DIFFICULT. You must make sure you’re fully aligned, and continue to be fully aligned.
• GIVE THE PEOPLE WHAT THEY NEED. For example, I learned that salsa and bachata dance training is generally disorganized and haphazard. There was a serious need for proper structure. I delivered on that and the results speak for themselves.
• GIVE THE PEOPLE WHAT THEY WANT. I welcome private, constructive feedback with open arms. I thank the students for the gift of their feedback and often implement what they ask for.
• OPERATING VS OWNING A BUSINESS REQUIRE A DIFFERENT SET OF SKILLS. When the dance school was smaller, I could be intimately involved in every detail. That blessing later becomes a curse. Growth requires hiring, training, leading, and inspiring a team, letting go of control, and not being involved in every tiny detail – this shift takes practice.

As for the dance school’s success, there are a few driving principles that I believe are largely responsible:

1. Obsession with details.

I have invested a huge amount of time and money into my own dance training all over the world – salsa, bachata, and many other styles.

With dance technique, I always searched for what’s true, and always questioned why. I got down to the nitty gritty details of what creates a true, smooth connection between two people, and what makes movements beautiful or exciting.

I’m a meticulous, systematic thinker and I’m now able to deliver these details to the students.

When students come to a Movers and Shakers salsa or bachata class, they’re simply getting more details and more comprehensive foundations than exist anywhere else.

The feedback has been that the students really appreciate the details.

2. “Dancing should be the best part of the week.”

For me, this principle drives every moment in the classroom. It has so many implications.

The students come to class for much more than just learning to dance. They come to have FUN, to connect with people, to make friends, to step beyond their comfort zone, and many other reasons.

I’m driven to create the most vibrant, exciting, fun, productive, detail-oriented, positive, welcoming, social atmosphere imaginable in every single class. The students walk in and feel it from the first moment.

This driving principle has led to a huge number of referrals and raving fans.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m biased and would take them to salsa and bachata dance spots all over Los Angeles.

Sunday to 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica
Wednesday to Sofitel in Beverly Hills
Friday to Warehouse in Marina Del Rey
Saturday to Granada in Alhambra

There are so many more salsa and bachata dance spots popping up (and shutting down) all the time – these are just a few.

Outside of dancing, I love to take people driving through the canyons in Malibu. The roads are exciting and the views are magnificent.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Shoutout to my parents for always supporting me and my stubbornness no matter what.

I took a non-conventional, uncertain path as an entrepreneur, and especially as a dancer. Even though mom used to tell me to become a lawyer or a doctor, whatever I pursued, both of my parents were always fully supportive and non-judgemental.

I’ve seen many times when parents put pressure on their kids to live their life a certain way – this breaks my heart. Parents’ expectations can really damage a kids’ ability to shine and bring their gifts to the world and be happy.

I struggled a lot on my way up (and still work my tail off), and am grateful that my parents always supported me emotionally regardless.

Website: https://www.moversandshakersdance.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dannykalman/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dakalman

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/dannykalman

Other: https://www.dancechemistry.com

Weekly Bachata & Salsa Dance Social: https://www.dancetopia.com/