Detailed Class Info

"Learn the Basics Series"

Latin Fitness: Salsa, Merengue, Cha-Cha-Cha- Bachata= Mondays 6pm

With this series of walk-in classes, you can "learn the basics" of Latin Fitness and Dance at your own pace. You can take any individual class as a walk in for $10, or you can even get a ten-class pass for only $80!
To buy a pass for this series, click here.

Latin Groove

6 Week series ($90)
Level 1: Mondays 7pm
Level 2: Mondays 8pm

Learn all of the hottest Latin Dances- Salsa, Merengue, Bachata and Cha-cha-cha - all in one class! This course will give you a solid foundation in the most popular dances that you would see at any Latin Dance Club. Whether you're planning on traveling to a nearby local dance club, or to a far away exotic beach in the Caribean or South America, this class will make sure that you'll be ready to tear up the dance floor as soon as you arrive there!
To register for this course, click here

Karaoke Language Learning- Spanish and French classes:

Karaoke Language Learning (KLL) is a fast, fun and rewarding way of learning language using music and songs. The program was developed by full-time professional language instructors, Malita Belloso and Julia Dalbom. The program is based on the most current teaching methodology and years of real-world experience.
Students learn vocabulary by singing together to familiar tunes. By associating the new language with music, KLL students learn faster, and quickly find themselves speaking and understanding the language they set out to learn.
The KLL program is available in French, Spanish, and ESL (English Second Language).

Why Karaoke? Questions and Answers

  1. Do I have to sing solo Karaoke on a stage?
No, the name Karaoke refers to the popular sing-along activity. Research shows that the brain readily accepts new information when it is presented to the learner in musical form. KLL is based on this powerful learning technique, but singing is done as a group.
  2. What are the unique features that distinguish KLL from conventional methods?
• KLL is fun.
• KLL is taught in 10-week thematic units, which students can start, stop and resume in any order.
• KLL emphasizes the use of conjugated “auxiliary” verbs and infinitives, which enable students to begin conversation immediately.
• KLL uses music and gestures to “fix” language into memory.
  3. Why does KLL focus on stand-alone, thematic units?
• The KLL units are designed to give students a sense of accomplishment with each unit they complete. This method builds confidence, and makes students eager to learn every new song, and to begin speaking about each new topic.
• The stand-alone units provide learners the flexibility to stop and re-start their KLL classes as needed, without interfering with busy schedules.
  4. How does KLL address the standard material covered in conventional language courses?
• Traditionally, language instruction covers common topic, greetings, food, clothing, weather, home, work, leisure, etc. KLL teaches these topics by associating VERBS and NOUNS music and gestures.
  5. Why is the KLL method better than conventional language instruction?
• KLL enables students to form sentences and speak coherently from the start. By learning “helping verbs,” such as “can,” “will,” and “must,” along with infinitive verbs, KLL students achieve accelerated, successful language production.
• Through the use of songs, KLL students are able to learn vocabulary quickly and retain that vocabulary without relying on slow, frustrating conventional memorization techniques.
  6. Is KLL only for Beginners?
• No, beginning and intermediate language learners can enjoy learning with this method.
• Unlike conventional language instruction, KLL classes can successfully combine beginners with intermediates.
 

To see our class price and schedule, click here
To register for Spanish classes click here.
For information about French classes, contact Julia Dalbom at (404) 259-4360, chere_julia@comcast.net
 

Flamenco Classes:

 Caló Gitano offers flamenco courses for children and adults of all skill levels. Our fun, energetic, and informative Kids classes teach the students flamenco through fun activities that show them not only how to dance, but also teach them about cultural awareness, Spanish language, and the region of the world where flamenco originated. Our adult classes range in levels from Beginner to Advanced and are designed to prepare you to improvise, dance, and perform to live flamenco music and singing without having to rely on choreographies.

To get more information about our Flamenco Classes click here

Tap Classes for Adults:

We are currently offering Adult basic Tap classes as part of our "Learn the Basics Series" on Fridays at 7pm
These classes teach tap dance fundamentals and technique to adults of all ages.

Get a 10 class pass for only $80
To buy a pass for this series, click here.

Dance and Music Class for Kids (For kids ages 2-10)

Our classes for kids are designed to be fun and energetic.The classes include activities that give the students a well-rounded educational experience. In this regard, the classes introduce students to Spanish through fun activities that teach them dance, art, and cultural awareness. The goal is to help kids develop an appreciation for the arts while they have fun and develop their skills as Spanish speakers at the same time.

To see class prices and schedule, click here
To register for this class, click here

Marianela Belloso-Pinto

Marianela "Malita" Belloso was born in Caracas, Venezuela, and has been dancing for over twenty-five years. She started dancing tap and flamenco when she was only six years old, and by the time she was nine she was already performing on television and in major stage productions with Siudy Quintero Dance Academy – the largest flamenco dance academy in Venezuela. Along with her extensive flamenco and tap training, Malita has also performed and taught with Salsatlanta, a professional salsa and Latin dancing troupe, for eight years. She even served as the co-director for the Salsatlanta performance team along with Kevin Wilson for two years. Besides being a highly trained flamenco, tap, and Latin dancer, Malita is also a certified school teacher with a Master's Degree in Spanish Culture and History. In connection with her time as a full-time school teacher, in 2006, Malita began developing Karaoke Language Learning, a proprietary system for teaching foreign languages to students of all ages. Malita's work as a foreign language teacher was formally recognized in 2006, when she was selected as one of only two foreign language teachers in the entire state of Georgia to represent the state at NOELLA (the "National Online Early Language Learning Assessment"), a national project focused on developing standards for improving foreign language education nationwide. She was also selected as a speaker for NABE (the "National Association of Bilingual Educators"), to share effective bilingual education techniques with other educators. With her skills as a dancer and experience as a professional educator, Malita is always sure to bring excitement, fun, and dedication to all of her students.

Kevin Wilson

Outside of his day job as an attorney, Kevin Wilson keeps his creative side alive by teaching and performing Latin dance and by performing with the professional flamenco group, Caló Gitano. Kevin has enjoyed dancing and performing his entire life, and he has trained in flamenco with Goyo Reyena in Caracas, Venezuela, and has taught and performed with Salsatlanta, a professional salsa and Latin dancing troupe, for over ten years. He even served as a co-director for the Salsatlanta performance team along with Marianela "Malita" Belloso for two years. In addition to directing and choreographing salsa routines for Salsatlanta, Kevin has also directed and choreographed theatrical musical productions in connection with his work with the charitable arm of the Atlanta Bar Association. In November 2011, Kevin was a featured "Lawyer in the Arts" in Atlanta Lawyer Magazine. Kevin has also trained in African dance and flamenco percussion. In all of his classes, Kevin hopes to inspire his dance students in the same way that he has always been inspired by dancing.

Cara Wheeler-Belloso

Cara was born in Caracas, Venezuela where she began her dance training at the age of 5 with the Siudy Quintero Dance Academy. She danced and performed in many productions, including the Flamenco Show "Tormento". She is also an experienced tap dancer, having started dancing tap at the age of 6. After moving to the United States, she performed as part of the Caló Gitano dance group in numerous shows, including shows for elementary school students, where she shared her love of flamenco with children and their teachers. She also served as a long-term substitute Spanish teacher with City Schools of Decatur, which allowed her to further connect with young students in a positive way. Cara has been teaching with the Caló Gitano Dance Company and Academy alongside her sister, Malita, since 2008, and she feels extermely proud of the success of her many students. Cara is also an Illustrator and a Graphic Designer who has done work for, among other companies, CNN en Español and TNT Latin America. She is currently serving as the Art Director for Black Health Magazine, where she oversees not only the production and design of the entire magazine but also the production of their Annual Black Women's Health and Beauty Conference. Cara brings her creativity and unique artistic approach to all of her classes, sharing with her students her passion for the arts, music, and, above all, Flamenco Dancing.

Julia Dalbon

Julia has a life-long love of language learning, and advocates language learning at any age. She grew up in New Mexico, the Land of Enchantment. Certified as a teacher of French and ESL, her training in second language education encompasses a range of progressive language acquisition techniques, and includes creative use of music and kinesthetic to achieve success.
Julia is a full-time French teacher. Her travel and studies in France and Canada have focused on educational practice and theory. She holds a degree in French from the University of New Mexico, and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Georgia State University.
Julia is co-developer, with Marianela Belloso, of Karaoke Language Learning. Her passion for language instruction is based on a belief that language training is both a rewarding cultural endeavor and excellent brain work.