FAQ

Over the years, we have found that most folks considering taking up ballroom dancing have many of the same questions and concerns so we hope to answer many of those here.  If you are wondering about something we don’t cover in this little FAQ page, please feel free to contact us, and we’ll get you an answer right away.

Do I need a Partner?

No, you don’t need a partner whether you are taking group or private lessons. In a group setting, your teacher will pair up dancers with others of similar skill, so you won’t feel overwhelmed, and during the lesson, switching partners many times will be encouraged, to feel how it feels to dance with other people. In a private lesson, you will be dancing with your instructor if you are alone, and if you come as a couple, the two of you will mostly dance together, with some training by dancing with your instructor.

What’s the difference in Group lessons and Private Lessons?

We hinted at this in the previous question, but basically group lessons will be in a format where one instructor teaches 10-15 students, and the students switch among other students to get a lot of experience socially dancing. Group classes are 50 minutes in length, and cost $10 per person. If you come as a couple, each person will pay $10 for the lesson, and if you are only comfortable dancing with your partner, that is OK, although we encourage you to move around to get the most experience dancing with others. Believe us, everyone is a little different, and it helps the leaders to lead different followers, and vice versa. A private lesson is just that, private. You (or you and your partner) will be learning one on with an instructor. Several lessons may be going on at the same time in the ballroom, but your instructor will only be working with you. In the case of a private lesson, the price per 50 minute lesson is the same whether there are one or two students present. The rate for private instruction varies depending on lesson packages, special deals, and type of dance you are wanting to learn. Please contact us for private lesson pricing.

Do I need special shoes?

When you first start out, you are fine to use regular “street shoes.” For the gentlemen, either loafers or sneakers will work, no work boots please. For the ladies, flats or pumps, or heels if you are adventurous. Ideally you want something with a leather bottom so your feet feel sure on the floor, but can also slide about some. If you continue to take lessons for long, you will want to invest in dance shoes made specifically for the type of dance you are studying. Ballroom Shoes have suede bottoms and are designed to support your foot properly for dancing while allowing you freedom on the floor to either “stick” to your spot or “slide” depending on the footwork of the dance required. We sell Ballroom Shoes, when you are ready to move up from Street Shoes, we can help you choose what’s right for you.

What is the dress at your parties?

Our practice parties are social dances, and as such, people tend to dress as they would if they were going out to dinner at a nice restaurant. Suits and ties rarely make an appearance, but we don’t get too many blue jeans either. Anything goes really, but if you think of what you would wear if someone said “dress nice” that’s probably about right. We dress “nice” but not “formal.” This is social dancing, it’s supposed to be fun, not feel like a job interview!

If I come to a party by myself will there be people to dance with?

Absolutely. Attendance at our Thursday Night Practice Parties is usually between 50-80 people, some come in pairs, and some come single. Our instructors are also there to dance, so male or female, single or coupled, you will get asked to dance.

What kind of music do you play?

We like to answer that this way. We play “GOOD DANCE” music. You will hear all styles of music that is fun to dance to. You will hear music that would sound right at home in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” alongside some soulful West Coast Swing music, then some fiery Latin beats, and passionate Tangos, even a country two step or two. We even throw in the occasional line dance. We try to please all ages and tastes, and if there is a song that really grates on your nerves, just sit it out, something that suits you better will probably be next!

Do you teach …….???

The short answer to this question is YES. We teach almost any style you can think of. All the traditional Ballroom dances, Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, Rumba, ChaCha, Swing, and the more advanced dances like Bolero, Viennese Waltz, Quickstep, Paso Doble, Jive, Samba, West Coast Swing, you name it. We also teach many club dances like Salsa, Bachata, Cumbia, Raggaeton and so on. We teach HipHop and Ballet as well. If you have a specific dance you want to learn that we haven’t mentioned, contact us. Most likely we can teach it.