FAQ's

How long will it take me to learn?

You will be able to start dancing after your first lesson. But everyone learns at a different pace and the length of your training depends upon how many dances you want to learn and how proficient you want to become in each one.

See Schedule page

How soon before the wedding should we start lessons, if we have never danced before? Is a month before the wedding enough time?

There are so many last minute things that come up before a wedding, that you will want to make sure you will have ample time for those lessons and practices, without feeling overwhelmed. You will also have many factors to take into consideration: how quickly you learn, your practice time, how proficient you want to be, how much you want to learn. Do you want to just get through the one dance or learn others as well? Do you want to learn a few steps to get you around the floor or do you want a fully choreographed routine?

For average learners that want to learn a few steps, generally, about five private lessons should work. If you want to be more economical you can take group lessons, about four months before the wedding and if needed finish up with private lessons. Private lessons will add that touch of polish and refinement to your special dance.

      See Adult Classes/Rates

What Dance should we learn and what song would you suggest if we don’t have one?

The dance you learn will depend on the song you pick out to dance to. Waltz and Foxtrot are the most common, but more couples are opting for Swing, Two Step, Rumba and Tango for their first dance. Don’t be afraid to break with tradition.

 Foxtrot       

Just about any thing by 
  Frank Sinatra:
      I’ve got you under my skin
      Fly me to the Moon
      The best is yet to come
      The way you look tonight

Dancing Cheek to Cheek
Love is here to stay 
   (Harry Connick Jr.)
This business of love
They can’t take that away from me

Fascination  (Nat King Cole)
May I have this dance  (Ann Murray)
It is you  (Dana Glover-slow this one down)
Spring
The Summer of our love
Dance only with me  (Perry Como)
Blue Moon

Nite Club Two Step

From this moment  (Shania Twain)
This Kiss  (Faith Hill)
I knew I loved you  (Savage Garden)
Breath  (Faith Hill)
Still the one  (Faith Hill)

Should our parents and wedding party learn how to dance also?

Not a bad idea, especially if they will be dancing in front of people. If not, it’s a great thank-you gift that you will all be able to look back on with fond memories of everyone having fun together amid all the pre-wedding stress. Ask about our Wedding Group Session – six, one hour lessons for your group of ten or more. Private and semi private lessons available also. 

See Adult Classes/ Rates

 Derk and Gay Grant having fun
at a formal event

• Social and Recreational Benefits:  Feeling comfortable in social settings with the opposite sex, singles meeting new friends, as dancing is a natural ice breaker, an added romantic touch to an evening, life long activity you can continue to enjoy.
• Physical Exercise and Endurance:   These are attained through dance, good posture and body alignment, encourages gentle stretching, increases flexibility and stamina, sharpens control, agility, speed and balance.
• Builds Confidence and Self-Esteem:   Knowing different dances and steps, knowing how to lead or follow, feeling comfortable on the dance floor, recognizing which dance is being played, able to ask or accept confidently to dance with someone.
• Artistic and Creative:   These abilities are stimulated by the physical and mental disciplines learned, arranging different patterns and combinations, choosing what dance will be done to a certain song, interacting with your partner.
• Competition and Sportsmanship:   Challenging yourself and striving for improvement, advancing in levels of ability, the ability to help and praise the improvement in others, competitive advancement or fun, working on your weaknesses, positively accepting constructive criticism.   

Ballroom or Social Dance is the most versatile of all dance forms. It is the only dance form that is primarily social in its nature. It was created as a social creational activity, then developing into an art form, a sport, and profession. Ballroom is Ageless, when the dancer can no longer perform, it can still be used socially and recreationally.

 Ballroom is the dance form that contributes the most to a child and adult’s social graces, but also has a huge impact on the individual’s general education and self esteem. Through Ballroom, the development of muscular strength, agility, and co-ordination, combined with good posture, poise, grace, and self-confidence are attained. Physical and mental disciplines are learned which stimulates the creative and artistic ability. Adolescent and adult awkwardness in social settings is helped enormously through Ballroom Dance, as well as, being FUN, FUN, FUN. 

What Dances do you teach?

I teach all the ballrooms or smoothes, latins, swings and nite club dances.

See Dance Styles 

I do teach Teen and Youth Classes, from September through May. I have different age groups, as well as different levels. I also coach a performing and competing Teen Dance Team, selected by invitation or audition.

See Teen and Youth Classes/Rates

You may encounter or have trouble with certain aspects as you are learning to dance. In a group class there may not be enough time for individual attention; private lessons will allow you to spend time on your individual difficulties. By taking care of problems as they arise, you will gain more from the group classes and enjoy your dancing more.

See Adult Classes/ Rates

Competitive Fun

Students Getting Ready

What is Dance Etiquette, and are there “rules of the road”?

Dance Etiquette is simply the do’s and don’ts of social dancing. It has developed over time to allow freedom of movement and expression while comfortably sharing limited dance floor space. Common sense and courtesy are related to safety on the dance floor, as dancers move quickly and not always with the greatest control. Please review and try to keep these rules in mind the next time you go dancing. 

• Always dance counterclockwise or in line of dance when on the dance floor.
• Dance to the center if you tend to take small steps or cover less space, allowing the outside of the floor for those who cover more space.
• Move off the dance floor if you must stop or talk. This is inconsiderate and potentially dangerous.
• Respect the rights of others to freely move on and off the dance floor. Don’t block the entrance to the dance floor.
• Men, when asking a lady to dance, escort her onto the floor and back to her seat. Never leave her on the dance floor.
• If you must decline an invitation to dance, do so politely. If you say no too often you may be sitting out a lot of dances.
• If your partner is disappointing, smile, be polite and finish the d