Ballroom Dance Lessons FAQs

There are LOTS of reasons! (1) NO other Dance Studio is better equipped to help you discover the lifelong joy of ballroom dancing! (2) You’ll notice a warm energy and sense of “FADS Community” that is welcoming, 100% non-judgmental, and truly joyful from the first time you step inside our doors!(3) Our proven, proprietary dance curriculum helps you master dance steps easily and confidently. (4) Our unique teaching system includes private instruction, group Lessons and practice parties, to help you learn as much as possible in as short a time as possible – and enables you to try out your new skills in a casual group setting with your fellow dance students. (5) Our Dance Instructors are friendly, highly-qualified and totally dedicated to making your experience enjoyable, educational and FUN! (6) Fred Astaire Dance Studios also offers you benefits that many independent dance studios simply cannot – including an online Studio Dance Store (in-studio & online) with dozens of dance-related items to help you look and feel your best, on and off the dance floor; and exciting Regional, Inter-Regional and National Amateur and Pro-Am dance competitions that give Fred Astaire dance Students inspiring opportunities to compete, travel and hone their dancing skills in supportive and exciting environments. Don’t put it off another day… contact Fred Astaire Dance Studios, and you’ll discover that “Life’s Better When you Dance!”

At Fred Astaire Dance Studios, all new dance Students can take advantage of our special money-saving Introductory Offer! Simply complete and submit the Intro Offer form on this website to get yours, and we’ll contact you right away to learn about your dance goals and help you set up your first Lesson. Once you discover how much fun ballroom dancing can be, we know you’ll be back for more!

Every Fred Astaire Dance Studio offers a special Introductory Offerfor new Students. Beyond that, our prices vary as dance lesson programs are designed to fit each student’s specific interests & goals – social dancing, wedding, competitive dancing, etc. At Fred Astaire Dance Studios, we will tailor programs to meet your individual goals and budget.

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!

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.

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 lessonsis 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.

Our group classes are designed to be taken in addition to private Lessons, and consist of several students learning from one Dance Instructor. Group classes offer a wide variety of dances and topics to better your technique, physical fitness, and understanding of ballroom dance. All levels of Students have the opportunity to participate. Depending on your studio of choice, group classes are typically scheduled during the afternoon and in the evening throughout the week.

Our practice sessionstake place in the studio and prepare you for dancing socially in the real world. At practice sessions, we dim the lights, supply the music, and have a fabulous time in a party-type atmosphere. Practice sessions allow you to apply material learned in your private lessons and group classes without the pressure of the public eye upon you. Students attend to have fun, learn… and dance! Students also have the opportunity to meet and dance with other Students, as well as other Instructors.

Not necessarily. In order to accommodate your busy schedule, we attempt to be as flexible as possible but aren’t always able to schedule the exact same time every week. To reserve your preferred times, we suggest scheduling your Lessons a few weeks in advance, in order. Group class schedulingcan vary depending on type and level of dance, so that everyone has an opportunity to attend. Practice sessions are typically scheduled for a set time each week.

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!

Absolutely not! At Fred Astaire Dance Studios, we have a great system that develops students to reach any level or goal regardless of whether or not they have danced before. If this is your first time dancing, then GREAT! We are honored that you decided to start now and with us as a part of your journey. We will introduce you to the basic steps of our most popular dances. Once we create a foundation and understanding of foot placement, we can continue to grow and understand other aspects and characteristics of dances. Are you reading this and have dance experience? GREAT! During your Introductory Lesson we will be able to see your level of dancing and discuss your goals and the ways in which we will assist with your further development within Ballroom Dancing.

We welcome all individuals who are interested in the beauty of Ballroom Dancing. In our Fred Astaire Marlboro Dance Family the ages of our students range from 7 years old to 80 years old. Age should never be a detour from pursuing your dance goals, but rather an incentive to fulfill them!

The earlier we can get started on your wedding dance, the better! Yes, we are able to create a comfortable dance in a short amount of time. However, we find that our wedding couples leave here feeling most comfortable and confident when given more time to learn steps, understand the leading and following of the steps, and when we are able to dive more into a beautiful way to enter and exit the dance floor. This is a dance that you will remember forever, and better yet... the lessons leading up to your big day will be the best part of this wedding preparation. If you think this is an experience you would like to undergo before your wedding day, do not hesitate and call us today. We will direct you on the best way to get started.

All of our students walk into our Marlboro dance studio with different goals and desires. Some are seeking a fun way to exercise, others are looking for "me time" due to their busy schedules, while some truly want to master and understand the art of ballroom dancing. No matter what your goal is, we are certain that our Instructors are able to fulfill them through the beauty of ballroom dancing.

Absolutely! Private Lessons are where our students obtain the bulk of their learning. This one-on-one session allows for the Instructor to cater everything to the wants and needs of the person or couple in front of them. This includes the dances you love and of course the pace of your learning.

The beauty of dance is that it is suitable and beneficial for all ages. This means you can begin learning when you are 7 or 70! It is never too late to do something that is beneficial for you mentally and physically. You can experience the benefits of dance by trying out our Free 30 Minute Introductory Lesson.

You can purchase the gift of dance online by shopping on our Fred Astaire Marlboro website. If you are looking to purchase dance lessons for yourself, you can contact our Marlboro Studio and get scheduled for your Free 30 Minute Introductory Lesson. From there, your Instructor will show you different options for you to continue your dance journey with us.

The cost of wedding lessons varies greatly. We have many different options for our wedding couples and a great way to determine the amount of lessons needed to create your wedding dance is to take advantage of our Free 30 Minute Wedding Consultation. This is a great way to get comfortable with our team, and be introduced to basic steps in popular dances. Towards the end of your lessons, your Instructor will listen to your song and give you an idea of what your first dance could look like. Your Instructor will also speak with you about your wedding day and vision for your first dance. From there, the Instructor will recommend the amount of lessons needed to obtain your wedding dance goals.

Absolutely! Not only will you have a beautiful dance with posed movement for the photographer and guests to appreciate, but every lesson is alone time with your significant other or even your mother or father. We have been told numerous times that wedding lessons have been the greatest escape for our couples as they prepare for their big day. This will be your alone time and you are guaranteed to have an amazing time and create memories with your fiancé and perhaps other family members. Better yet, you are learning a skill that you can carry with you beyond your wedding day.

Absolutely, our certifies dance instructors are able to break down movement and assist with your dance goals through online dance lessons.

Dance is so important in more ways than we could imagine. It is a way to reconnect with yourself or with your partner. Dance is a fun way to keep your mind and body healthy and active. Ballroom Dance is a great workout, increases flexibility, increases muscle strength and endurance, and better yet - is great for all ages! Need more reasons to dance? Ballroom Dancing can prevent the onset of dementia, improves comfort level, confidence and communication skills, provides an emotional outlet to express your feelings through body movement thus assisting with the prevention of stress and depression, and offers you a great opportunity to expand your social circle. Get started with our Free 30 Minute Introductory Lesson and begin to experience the benefits of dance today.

Yes! As a matter in fact, private dance lessons at our Fred Astaire Marlboro Studio are recommended. Private sessions allow for the student to learn at their pace and focus on the dances of their choice. Our student receive the bulk of their learning through their private one-on-one sessions.