Information For The New Student

How do I register?

For classes, no registration is required. Just show up! Please come about 10 minutes early so we can get everyone signed in before class starts. For private lessons, just call to make an appointment.

What should I wear?

For the weekly dance lessons just wear what feels comfortable to you. Casual attire is fine. For the special dance parties, you may want to wear something a bit more semi-formal, but this is completely optional. For shoes, we suggest that you consider dance shoes as they actually make dancing easier, but again they are not required. Try to stay away from rubber sole shoes, however, as these will impair your ability to do turns. In any event, please bring clean shoes with you. Shoes that are worn outside can track in grime, damage the floor, and make it dangerous for dancers by making the floor slippery.

Do I need a partner?

Although we teach partner dancing, it is never required that you bring your own partner. Most people come by themselves, so between you and everyone else, everyone usually has a partner. Then during the class we change partners frequently, so you will have the opportunity to dance with many partners.

Do I have to change partners?

The short answer is, no. We don't 'require' that people change partners in our classes. The long answer, or maybe a better question is, "should I change partners?" The answer is, definitely yes. The way that learning to dance in a group class works depends on dancing with different partners with different levels of ability. Dancing with different partners also enables you to lead or follow different kinds of dancers. If you attend a group class and only dance with one partner, your learning rate will be significantly reduced. If you intend to dance only with one partner, you should seriously consider private lessons where the instructor can focus on each individual's dancing, and help you overcome the challenges of only dancing with one partner.

What if I think I'm too clumsy to learn to dance?

Our school teaches classes at different levels. The beginning classes are targeted toward individuals with little or no dance experience. Many of the people you will meet feel exactly the way you do. The best thing to do is show up for an evening, take the beginning lesson, and stay for the social dance to practice what you've learned. Whatever you do, don't get discouraged - nobody learns to dance overnight, not even the very best dancers. As for being clumsy, you're probably not, but you feel that way from time to time. There is likely no better way to overcome that feeling than to learn ballroom dancing!

How long does it take to learn to dance?

It varies from person to person depending on prior experience with body movement related activities such as sports, other types of dance, martial arts, etc. However, on average, the following is close for most people.

• To become a basic level social dancer, most people will study dancing for about a year taking a combination of group lessons and private lessons.
• To progress to an intermediate level social dancer or a basic level competition dancer, most people will take a private lesson a week, and practice about 2-5 hours per week for one to two years. It is not possible to progress past the beginning level without private lessons. The amount of time to learn can be accelerated by taking more than one private lesson per week and more practice.
• To progress to an advanced level dancer, most people will take 1-3 private lessons per week, and practice 6-10 hours per week for 3-5 years. The time to learn can be accelerated with more lessons and more practice.

Etiquette At Social Dance Events (Open Dance Parties)

Dance Elegance is the place where people get dressed up to go out dancing. It is a place where everyone feels comfortable, no matter where they learn or teach. Because we are not like a dance studio, things work a little differently than they may at other places. When the lights are low and the music is playing, our ballroom is transformed from a place of learning to an environment more like a night club -- a Social Dance Event. So that we can preserve the social, friendly, and nonthreatening environment of our ballroom a few rules of etiquette should be followed to ensure that everyone has a good time.

1. Your outfit and accessories should be comfortable, safe, and also reflect the culture and level of formality of the dance. While casual dress is OK for the weekly group classes, dress for the Social Dance Events should be a bit more fashionable. Jeans, T-shirts, tennis shoes, shorts, etc. are not appropriate. Perfume and cologne are also not appropriate. Your perfume or cologne comes off on every person you dance with. By the end of the evening everyone is wearing the combination of everyone else's perfume and cologne -- and it smells awful.
2. Ask everyone to dance. Do not monopolize one partner for the whole night. We have a friendly, family atmosphere where it is perfectly OK for women to ask men to dance. Dance Elegance does not provide partners for you to dance with. If you want to dance, go ask someone. You just might be surprised how easy it is and how friendly they are! Or ask a staff member to introduce you to some other dancers.
3. Today's beginners will be the good dancers of tomorrow, so be nice to them and dance with them.
4. Do not decline a dance unless you absolutely have to. Having declined a dance, you should not dance the same song with someone else.
5. Be considerate to other couples on the floor. Exercise good floorcraft. Do not cut other couples off. Lifts, choreographed routines, drops, etc. are not appropriate on the social dance floor.
6. Dance the appropriate dance for the music being played. You should not be practicing steps from a different dance while other dancers are trying to dance around you.
7. Always follow line of dance when dancing travelling dances.
8. Avoid dancing patterns that your partner cannot do. Dance to the level of your partner.
9. Never blame your partner for missteps.
10. Classes and private lessons are for learning, Social Dance Events are for using what you have learned -- for dancing!. No teaching of any kind is allowed during Social Dance Events. If your partner cannot do the figure you are trying to dance, it is not appropriate to try and "teach it to them". See #8 & #9.
11. Social Dance Events are not the time to try and sell anything (including dance lessons) to the attendees. No solicitation of any kind is allowed during Social Dance Events. If you want, you may place a business card on our Service Exchange board.
12. Ballroom dancing is a social sport that requires a partner. It is not appropriate to practice without a partner at Social Dance Events.
13. We have a very large, first class dance floor. We worked very hard to build the floor, so use it and don't dance or practice on the carpet.
14. Smile. Be warm and personable. Be nice.