COMPLIMENTARY ORIENTATION
All dancers new to The Ballroom Dance Center are invited to take a complimentary orientation with our owner, Emilie Tobias, who opened in 1992! Emilie wants to personally meet and welcome everyone who dances at the BDC and discuss dance opportunities at The Ballroom Dance Center. During the orientation, she will address the building blocks of learning to dance with a partner as well as practical matters such as scheduling, pricing, and planning,
IDEAL LEARNING: PRIVATES, GROUPS, PARTIES, AND PRACTICE
The ideal way to learn combines private lessons, group lessons, parties, and practice. Each learning format offers different benefits. Private lessons are geared toward each person’s interests and learning style; group lessons offer fellowship and affordability for all; parties provide a chance to dance in the “wild” or in other words, a real social setting; and finally, practice. Practice, usually within 24 hours of a lesson, reinforces mental and muscle memory.
Private Lessons
One-on-one with a professional instructor, you will improve more quickly and get proper training in the use of good technique from the start. Beginner and social dancers get excellent value from private instruction. You do not have to be a “serious” or competitive dancer to take private lessons. For many, this is the most comfortable format. We recommend you set up standing appointments where you come in at a regular time each week.
Group Lessons
We have a full line-up of group classes at the Ballroom Dance Center. Glory Dancers is being offered on Mondy. This class which is open to both men and women is a performance class that exists to glorify God through the beauty of dance and the power of dramatic storytelling.
Beginner Ballroom/Rhythm/Club is being offered on Tuesday. We also offer a class for intermediate students of Thursday. These fun group classes are designed for adults who want to be well-rounded social dancers.
Students will learn all the major dance styles they may hear at a party or at one of our fun dance parties. Smooth style dances include Waltz, Tango, and Foxtrot. Rhythm style dances include Rumba, Cha-Cha, and East Coast Swing. Club style dances include the Hustle, Slow Rock, Salsa, Merengue, and West Coast Swing. Students will usually learn one dance a month, rotating through all the dances in a year. The rotation will end with the Party Survival class to help our students prepare for the Christmas season. No group classes are taught in December.
For beginner students who want to be well-rounded social dancers, we recommend our Tuesday and Thursday classes which are taught at 6:30 p. m. We suggest you do one full year of beginner classes as you rotate through the major Smooth, Rhythm, and Club style dances. In your second year of group lessons, add the Intermediate Group classes on top of the Beginner Group classes. Many students choose to repeat the group classes the following year as well to become better social dancers.
Intermediate Ballroom/Rhythm/Club meets on Thursday at 6:30 p. m. This class offers Ballroom, Rhythm, and Club dances not offered to students on the beginner level.
West Coast Swing group classes are taught on Thursday at 7:15 p.m. This class is for intermediate West Coast Swing dancers.
Shag is offered on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. in January, February, and March, June and July, and September, October, and November. This fun group class is designed for adults who want to be well-rounded social Shag dancers. All levels are welcome, but the material will be at a level appropriate for the social dance floor.
Youth Creative Movement/Ballroom/Rhythm is offered on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. This group class is designed for children ages 8-12. The material will be at a level appropriate for this age group. Each month we will focus on two or three different dances, rotating through Smooth, Rhythm, and Club dances. Basic motor skills, coordination, musicality, and creative dance will be included.
Students will learn all the major dance styles. Smooth style dances include the Waltz, Tango and Foxtrot. Rhythm style dances include the Rumba, Cha Cha, and Swing.
Teen Ballroom/Rhythm/Club is offered on Wednesday at 4:45 p.m. This group class is designed for teens ages 13-18. The material will be at a level appropriate for this age group. Each month we will focus on two or three different dances, rotating through Smooth, Rhythm, and Club dances.
Students will learn all the major dance styles. Smooth style dances include the Waltz, Tango and Foxtrot. Rhythm style dances include the Rumba, Cha Cha, and Swing.
Couples have the option to rotate partners or stay with each other in all our group classes. Practice and private lessons help to reinforce the material learned in groups.
Features of dance instruction at The Ballroom Dance Center include the following:
Partner Movement Skills – All classes will focus on movement skills, social dance combinations and leading/following. We often hear dancers say, “I just don’t want to look stupid!” All classes will help you develop ease and comfort in social dancing. You may ask if you should focus on just one dance. We have found it often doesn’t matter which dance you do, but rather that you learn fundamental movement skills in partner dancing.
More Dance Opportunities – Additional development of your dance skills will happen at Friday dance parties and balls.
Practice – Any time The Ballroom Dance Center is open, you may practice here by appointment. Dance is physical as well as social. The more you practice, the more comfortable you will become dancing, which will make you a better dancer and allow you to have more fun.
Dances – Dances are a fun way to socialize, exercise, and practice what you are learning. In addition, you will have loads of fun and meet other students who share your love of dancing. This relaxed setting balances the structure of practice and lessons. You will also learn floorcraft, the skill of getting around the dance floor with other dancers on it.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do I need a partner?
No, you do not. We welcome both singles and couples. Even though it is nice to have a somewhat even number of men and women in group classes, we do not require singles to find a partner for group classes. Also, we learn best and have more fun when we dance with more than one person. That is why we rotate partners during class. However, any couples who wish to stay together are welcome to do so. Just let the teacher know. In your private lesson, your teacher will be your partner.
What should I wear and do I need special shoes?
Wear comfortable shoes, preferably with leather soles, for ease in turning. Dress comfortably and casually for classes and Fourth Friday Dances. We will publicize dressier and/or themed events in advance. We have dance shoes available for sale at our studio store, which are well worth the investment. We have other dance accessories for sale in our studio store, Ballroom Bling! Ask for assistance at the front desk.
How long will it take me to learn to dance?
This varies based on a student’s goals, the number of lessons a student takes and how much a student practices. You will have fun from the start, but as with any sport or art form, you can spend hours or years getting really good at it. Most social dancers feel they have a good foundation in several dances within six months to a year.
Where can I use what I am learning?
The Fourth Friday dances and balls are a great way to practice what you are learning during group and private lessons.
How can I practice or learn without a partner?
There are many things you can work on by yourself, including patterns, posture and floorcraft.
What is line of dance?
Line of dance is a counterclockwise traffic circle around the dance floor that allows dancers to move on a crowded dance floor in one direction. Dancers should always follow line of dance – go with the “traffic” – and should move into the center or corners if they do stationary patterns.
Is there dance etiquette?
Yes, it is considered polite to say yes when asked to dance. Sometimes there are good reasons to say “no,” but try to be considerate and appropriate. In most cases, men do most of the asking, but it is acceptable for a lady to ask a man to dance. If asking a member of a couple to dance, it is polite to make sure the partner doesn’t mind. Try to rotate through as many partners as possible to have the most fun and to develop your leading and following skills.
May I dance with the teachers?
Yes, it is our pleasure to dance with all dancers at our parties. Our staff tries to dance with as many different people as possible. We generally rotate through all our guests before repeating a dance with one person.
What if someone is inappropriate with me?
The Ballroom Dance Center is meant to be a wholesome, safe and fun place to dance. Any inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated and should be brought to the attention of the staff.