SaGa Dancers Studio — Attraction in East Hanover

When my mom passed away 3 female students asked me what happened, my eyes eventually teared up and I couldn't speak. ACHIKO, THE SALSA TEACHER BECAME VISIBLY ANNOYED AND CURTLY TOLD ME TO GET OVER IT WITH HIS FAMOUS LOOK OF DISGUST IN FRONT OF EVERYONE. That is the real person you are dealing with behind his pretentious smile. Just look in his eyes, they don't lie. He also said on numerous occasions that heavy people should not perform because it doesn't look appealing. Very hypocritical, considering that he's nothing to look at either. When I had COVID in March of 2021 I asked him to notify the students in my class. I came back 10 days later and found out he never mentioned it. He must have forgotten😳. A few weeks later a female student contracted it and he refused to reveal it until she threatened to report him to the Board of Health. At first his classes are fun and enjoyable. Achiko is patient, funny, and charismatic. As you continue to advance his narcissistic personality, insecurity, and impatience eventually surface. He also has difficulty understanding the word NO from his attractive female students. This disturbing behavior has been well known throughout the large salsa community for over 20 years. That is why most people don't stay very long because they become disgusted. He always claims he doesn't have many students because he isn't a Latino; it's because he's TOXIC! A narcissist never accepts responsibility for their actions. When I threatened to expose his erratic and inappropriate behavior on social media if it didn't stop I was no longer welcome, problem solved I guess. Fortunately for him there are always new people to deceive. Hopefully he will one day go underneath his manhole cover and never come out. The only decent thing about Achiko's existence is that he provides dance classes where you will meet a lot of nice people that aren't obsessed with being the best dancer, that is why I...

This review has been long overdue. I’ve been taking lessons from Achiko for about 2.5 years on and off. My friends tell me that I’ve come a long way and I definitely feel more confident on the dance floor. Even if my styling is not where I would like it to be yet (it’s my own fault), I know that my steps are executed correctly most of the time which is the most important thing in salsa. Achiko places a strong emphasis on the basics and patiently goes over the same moves over and over again until we get them right. He is a scientist (has a PhD!) so he can always back up his explanation with scientific facts. He shows us how the laws of physics apply to turns, balance, etc. and it’s pretty amazing especially since he combines these mini lessons with great humor. Warning: Achiko is the real deal and he won’t let you get away with mediocre execution. He will not stroke your ego just to make you feel better about your progress. He WILL tell you if you are bouncing, if you are off beat, if you can’t follow properly, if your styling makes you look stupid. You get the picture...:) But don’t let this scare you! He will not be speaking with a demeaning tone; he knows how to get his message across in a funny but effective way. If you are willing to put in hard work and time and build upon a strong foundation while having fun, Achiko’s classes are for you. See you on the...

I started taking class in September 2024 at Saga dance studio and I am seeing huge improvement with my techniques and confidence etc. If you're looking to learn Bachata and Salsa in a fun, supportive environment, Saga Dance Studio is the place to be! Achiko is truly exceptional—patient, knowledgeable, and dedicated to helping each student improve their technique. Whether you're a complete beginner or have some experience, he takes the time to break down each movement, making it easy to grasp and execute with confidence.

His teaching style is engaging and effective, focusing not just on steps, but also on posture, body movement, and musicality, which really helps students develop a deeper connection to the dance. You’ll notice an improvement in your confidence on the dance floor almost immediately!

What I love most about the class is the personal attention given to each dancer, ensuring that everyone progresses at their own pace. The positive, energetic atmosphere makes learning not only enjoyable but also motivating. Whether you're in it for fun or to take your dancing to the next level, Achiko teaching and Dance Studio will definitely help you get there! Highly...