Frequently Asked Questions
Introductory Offer FAQs
We realize you may have questions about getting started with ballroom dance lessons. For your convenience, on this page we’re offering answers to the questions we hear most often in the dance studio. Please feel free to browse these FAQs, and contact us if there’s anything further we can share that will help you feel comfortable, confident and prepared. At Fred Astaire Dance Studios, we know the hardest step is the first one you take when you walk through our door. And once you do, you’ll discover a warm, welcoming and 100% non-judgmental environment that will keep you coming back. Start dancing today!
Introductory lessons offer a delightful glimpse into the world of dance. You'll learn basic steps across various styles and get acquainted with our studio and instructors. It also serves as an opportunity for our instructors to develop a dance program to cater to your specific needs, skills, and dance goals.
We offer instruction for all partnership dances– from waltz, tango, cha-cha, and salsa, to country western, swing and club dancing. We can help you with your wedding dance, all of your social dance needs – basically, any dance done with a partner. For those with a competitive edge, we can also help you become a skilled Pro/Am competitor with your Instructor at lots of branded Fred Astaire Regional, Inter-Regional, National and International dance competitions!
Every Fred Astaire Dance Studio Dance Instructor is a gifted dance educator with a passion for dance. Fred Astaire dance instructors hail from all over the world. Many have Fine Arts degrees, and are actively competing and award-winning professional dancers. And all have completed the rigorous work required to become, and remain, certified in the Fred Astaire Dance Curriculum – a proven teaching method that was developed by Fred Astaire himself, and is unique to our organization. Collectively, Fred Astaire Dance Instructors are dedicated to helping you discover the joy of ballroom dancing, and to making your learning experience enjoyable, educational, rewarding – and FUN!
Absolutely not! We welcome singles and couples here at Fred Astaire Dance Studios. If you come in as one of our single Students, your Dance Instructor will be your partner for private lessons, and our group classes and practice sessions will provide plenty of opportunities to meet – and dance with – other dance Students with the same interests and goals!
Private Lessons consist of one Student or a couple working with one or two Dance Instructors. Private instruction is tailored to your personal needs. Learning at your own pace is the optimum method of comprehension and that’s what private instruction makes possible. One common misconception about private lessons is that they take place in seclusion. On the contrary, multiple private Lessons are often going on at the same time in our ballroom! We (and our Students) have found that learning in this environment gives everyone an advantage in real social dance settings. Private Lessons are by appointment only, and may be scheduled during the Dance Studio’s business hours by calling them directly.
We realize that some Students arrive for Lessons straight from work and others may be dressed more casually for their Lessons – either is fine. The most important thing is to wear something comfortable, which allows you to move easily. Of course, you’ll also want to select comfortable shoes. We suggest leather-sole shoes for gentlemen, and a shoe with a back for ladies (similar to what you might wear to go out dancing). Athletic shoes do NOT work well on the ballroom floor because they stick, which will make it difficult to move your feet.
No, it’s not! Our Dance Instructors are all highly-qualified and welcoming professionals, who participate in ongoing dance training throughout their careers. In addition, our progressive system of instruction and unique trophy system make it easy for you to learn. It will take a bit of time to master the various dances and a repertoire of steps, but a steady approach with periodic practice will produce visible results in less time than you’d think. We highly encourage you to keep your Lessons scheduled close together. You will progress more quickly, and it will make your experience more valuable to you. We promise: the learning is fun – and you will be on your way to confident social dancing after your very first dance Lesson!
We highly recommend that you schedule your Lessons close together, especially in the beginning. The less time between Lessons means the less you will forget, the less you will need to review, and the more quickly you will reach a confident level in your dancing. We also recommend private Lessons in conjunction with group classes and practice sessions, as it’s the most effective and efficient way for you to learn and stay motivated.