Do I need a partner to take dance classes at Motion Arts Center?

No! We rotate partners throughout partner-style classes, so you'll dance with everyone. Many students come solo. We also offer solo-format classes like Hip-Hop, K-Pop, Zumba, Jazz Funk, BollyX, Strong Nation, Line Dancing, and Contemporary Fusion where no partner is needed at all.

How much do dance classes cost at Motion Arts Center in San Mateo?

A single drop-in class is $35 (expires 15 days). Class packages: 2 sessions for $60 (same day), 5 classes for $150 ($30/class, 45 days), 10 classes for $270 ($27/class, 90 days). One Month Pass is $260 (1 class/day, 30 days, no contract). Memberships: VIP at $225/month (1 class/day) or Ultimate at $395/month (unlimited), both with 3-month minimum contract. New students can try a 7-Day Intro Pass for just $69 — save up to $176.

What should I wear to my first dance class?

Wear whatever feels comfortable. No special clothes required. Smooth-soled shoes work best on our hardwood floor — leather or suede soles are ideal. Avoid rubber-soled sneakers for partner dance classes. Sneakers are fine for Hip-Hop and fitness classes. We sell dance shoes in our in-studio store.

Do I need any dance experience to start at Motion Arts Center?

Not at all! We have absolute beginner and basics-level classes in every style. Our instructors break down every move step by step. Most of our students started with zero dance experience.

Where is Motion Arts Center located and is there parking?

Two studios in downtown San Mateo, CA: BigMAC at 217 S Claremont St and MiniMAC at 525 E 3rd Ave (94401). FREE parking garage right across the BigMAC studio (Verkada building), open Mon-Fri 6pm-12am, Sat-Sun 9am-12am. All city-owned parking is free after 6pm and all day Sundays. Kiku City Garage (526 spaces) is 2 blocks away. 3-minute walk from Caltrain, near highways 101, 280, and 92.

How do I book a dance class at Motion Arts Center?

Online pre-registration is required for all in-person classes. Create a free account on our website or app, browse the weekly schedule, and reserve your spot. You'll receive an email confirmation. Arrive 15 minutes before class.

What is the cancellation policy?

Cancel class reservations at least 24 hours before start time. Late cancellations or no-shows count as a used class. Private lessons require 48 hours notice. Purchases are not refundable or transferable. All sales are final.

Does Motion Arts Center offer private lessons and wedding first dance?

Yes! Private lessons for individuals ($150/session), couples ($230/session), and wedding first dance ($230/session). Each lesson is 45 minutes, in person or live video, includes floor fee. Packages: 3-pack from $435, 5-pack from $700, 10-pack from $1,250 (individual) or $1,850 (couples). Choose your style, instructor, date, and time online.

What dance styles does Motion Arts Center teach?

17+ styles: Salsa (On1), Bachata, Argentine Tango (including Vals and Milonga), Cumbia, Merengue, West Coast Swing, Hip-Hop, K-Pop, Jazz Funk, Heels, Bollywood, BollyX (fitness), Contemporary Fusion, Line Dancing, Zumba, Strong Nation (HIIT), and Couples Only classes. Also Salsa/Bachata Solo Basics and Latin Guided Practice Sessions.

Does Motion Arts Center offer corporate wellness programs?

Yes! Dance-based corporate wellness and team building. Packages: 50 classes for $1,250, 100 classes for $2,500, 250+ at custom pricing. Also public class credits ($100 for 5, $200 for 10, $400 for 20) and private group sessions. At our studio or on-site at your location.

Can I rent studio space at Motion Arts Center?

Yes! Our studios are available for rental — practice, classes, events, or productions. Premium sound systems, hardwood floors, air conditioning. Contact info@motionartscenter.com or (415) 851-6501 for availability and rates.

Does Motion Arts Center offer yoga classes in San Mateo?

Yes! We offer two yoga classes weekly with instructor Emery. Yoga for Dancers — designed specifically for dancers' bodies, focusing on flexibility, alignment, breath, and recovery — is on Wednesdays 7:00-8:00 PM. Vinyasa Yoga — flowing breath-led practice for all levels — is offered Wednesdays 8:00-9:00 PM and Saturdays at 9:30-10:30 AM and 11:30 AM-12:30 PM. All levels welcome. Drop-in $35 or use any class package or membership.

Salsa Workshop

Workshop Description

Ready to make your Salsa dancing feel smoother, more expressive, and more connected to the music?

Join Jewell for a fun and welcoming Salsa On1 Body Movement & Musicality Workshop on Saturday, August 29th! This all-levels workshop is open to both leads and follows and is designed to help you move with greater confidence, control, and intention.

Through Salsa footwork and movement exercises, you’ll explore how to use your body more naturally, recognize different sounds and rhythms in the music, and add more texture, flow, and personality to your dancing. Rather than simply going through the steps, you’ll learn how to connect your movement to what you hear.

Whether you’re strengthening your fundamentals or looking to bring more style and musical expression to your social dancing, you’ll leave with practical techniques you can begin using right away.

When: Saturday August 29th, 2026 | 2PM - 4PM

Tickets per person: $55 Early Bird Discount (Until 08/21) | $65 General Admission
$55 Member’s Discount

Location: Motion Arts Center | 217 S Claremont St, San Mateo, CA.

What To Expect

Salsa On1 footwork and movement exercises
Body movement technique for greater flow and control
Musicality exercises to help you interpret rhythms and instruments
Tips for adding texture, dynamics, and intention to your dancing
Techniques to make your social dancing feel more natural and expressive
A supportive, all-levels environment for both leads and follows

Who Is This For

This workshop is perfect for Salsa dancers who want to feel more comfortable, expressive, and connected to the music. It is designed for:

✨ Beginner dancers looking to build strong movement and musicality foundations
✨ Experienced dancers who want to refine their technique and add more style
✨ Leads and follows who want to improve their solo movement and footwork
✨ Social dancers who want to move beyond memorized steps and dance with greater intention
✨ Anyone who wants to develop more confidence, flow, and personality in their Salsa dancing

No partner is needed. Come ready to move, explore the music, and bring more personality to your Salsa dancing!

What To Bring:

Heels or dance shoes—whatever helps you feel your best and dance your fiercest!

Come solo or bring a friend—this is your time to shine, connect, and strut your stuff. Let’s make it a stylish afternoon to remember!

About your instructor Jewell: She is a passionate Salsa and Bachata dancer with a dynamic four-year journey in the Bay Area dance scene. From captaining SJSU’s Spartan Mambo salsa team to dancing with Sparchata and training with leading Bachata instructors, she’s built a solid foundation in Latin dance. Currently, she’s pushing her limits by training with competitive Salsa teams in San Francisco and performed with Tannia Cannarsa and Karol Flores’s Salsa ladies styling teams, adding a polished edge to her expertise. Jewell also embraces diverse dance styles like Heels and Hula, and loves connecting with the community through social dancing. She’s excited to share her knowledge and passion, believing that dance is a powerful tool for self-expression and connection.

Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to groove, learn, and connect!

Booking Information

Online pre-registration is required for all in person classes. Please click on Sign In/Register at the top right hand corner of this website. By creating an account you can book and pay online for classes before arriving to the studio. This will save you time and help avoid congestions at the front desk. After you register and book a class, you will receive an email confirmation. If you already have an account at MAC, just log in using your email and password to book any class.

New Students please click here to get started.

For Class Rates and Packages please click here. As a way to reward your commitment, the more classes you take the better price you receive.

If you cancel a group class booked reservation, it must be done so with a minimum of 24 hours before the class start time. If late-cancel or no show within the 24 hour window, the class reservation will still apply and be deducted from your account. Purchases are not refundable and are not transferrable to other programs or individuals.

Classes will start on time and doors will open 15 minutes before each class starts.

No special clothes are required; what feels comfortable for you is good.

To learn about what we teach in each class please visit our Class Descriptions page.

For the most common questions about our classes please see our FAQ’s page.

We look forward to see you in class soon! If you have any questions please Contact Us.