CHAT ROOM

The eternal problem. There are at least as many definitions of levels as there are salsa teachers. Dutch teacher Morry said at a UK Congress that he thinks that Copa is an intermediate move. Others teach it at improvers level.

As for set-up double turns, many teachers will be teaching them to their intermediate classes, but Santo-Rico style set-ups are not universally taught and the techniques taught across the country vary slightly.

Just as when you dance with an unknown follower, you sometimes have to be adjust your class depending on the levels present. Double turns can be relatively easily be simplified to single. The option to do a double can be left to the students. Don't over simplify - re-learning XBL in the improvers class every week soon forces students to try the intermediate class prematurely.

It is probably fair to the students to tell them that you are deviating from your lesson plan, but you have to do his diplomatically without sounding critical of their normal instructor.

As for the non-payment, you were not unprofessional, and surely not negligent. If your contract did not prevent you from making such a statement, the promoter is contractually obliged to pay you (even if the contract was verbal). If they are not happy, they don't have to book you again - of course they may speak to others, can you afford that?