Frequently Asked Questions
Practical FAQs for Quality Ballroom Dance Lessons at Fred Astaire - Pinecrest
We realize you may have questions about getting started with ballroom dance lessons. That’s okay! Lots of people do. 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 – Pinecrest, we know better than most that 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!
There are LOTS of reasons!
(1) NO other Dance Studio is better equipped to help you discover the lifelong joy of ballroom dancing! We believe not just in the outcome, but the process. The journey of learning is even more important!
(2) You’ll notice a warm energy and sense of “Dance Family” that is welcoming, 100% non-judgmental, and truly joyful from the first time you step inside our doors! Everyone here remembers what it was like to learn for the first time - including our Instructors!
(3) Our proven, proprietary dance curriculum helps you master dance steps easily and confidently. It's used with our Trophy System to help track your goals and your journey!
(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. Further, it provides a feedback loop for your instructors, which is why it's so beneficial to you. When you attend your group classes, private lessons, and practice parties on a consistent schedule, your instructor can plan further ahead and teach you at your own pace.
(5) Our Dance Professionals are friendly, highly-qualified, Certified, and totally dedicated to making your experience enjoyable, educational and FUN! After all... if it's not fun, why do it?
(6) Fred Astaire Dance Studios - Pinecrest 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 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 - Pinecrest, 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!
Fred Astaire Dance Studios - Pinecrest offers a special Introductory Offer for new Students. We strongly encourage you to start here, because it helps us better understand your learning style and goals.
Beyond that, our prices vary depending on options as dance lesson programs are designed to fit each student’s specific interests & goals – social dancing, wedding, competitive dancing, etc.
At Fred Astaire Pinecrest, we strive to tailor programs to meet your individual goals and budget. Each program is overseen by our Dance Director and Owner so we can make sure we're hitting your goals!
We offer instruction for all kinds of partnership dances– from waltz, tango, cha-cha, and salsa, to country western, swing and club dancing.
We also teach jazz, ballet, and hip hop by appointment.
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 Dance Professional at Fred Astaire - Pinecrest is a gifted dance educator with a passion for dance.
Our Dance Professionals hail from all over the country, and sometimes, the world.
Many have Fine Arts degrees, come from various skill sets, and are actively competing and award-winning professional dancers.
Further, 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.
In fact, you'll see our certificates on the wall when you come into the studio!
Collectively, Fred Astaire - Pinecrest Dance Professionals are dedicated to helping you discover the joy of ballroom dancing, and to making your learning experience enjoyable, educational, rewarding – and FUN!
Absolutely not! You may prefer to bring one, but many of our students come by themselves! We welcome singles and couples here at Fred Astaire - Pinecrest. 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 Students with the same interests and goals!
We highly recommend that you schedule your private lessons close together, especially in the beginning or when you're first starting out.
The less time between private lessons means the less you will forget before your next lesson, the less time you will need to review, and the more quickly you will reach a confident level in your dancing.
We find that students who complete our Immersion Program here at Fred Astaire - Pinecrest have the best outcomes, followed by students who can come in at least twice a week.
That being said, we work around your schedule to provide an experience that fits your lifestyle and goals.
We also recommend private Lessons in conjunction with group classes and practice parties, 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 Professionals.
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. We're literally here for you!
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 Fred Astaire - Pinecrest'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 Professional. Here at Fred Astaire - Pinecrest, we even have our own room specifically for group classes with a unique sound system!
Group classes offer a wide variety of dances and topics to better your technique, physical fitness, styling, and understanding of ballroom dance.
All levels of Students have the opportunity to participate. Group classes are typically scheduled during the afternoon and in the evening throughout the week. Our calendar is even color coded to make it easier to understand - all the beginner classes are Blue!
Our practice parties take place in the studio and prepare you for dancing socially in the real world.
(Hence: "Party"!)
After all - when you go to a party, or a wedding reception or some kind of event, and people are dancing, aren't you watching? Our practice parties help you practice in a safe, inclusive environment to help you feel better prepared for that big social event.
At practice parties, we dim the lights, supply the music and light refreshments, and have a fabulous time in a party-type atmosphere.
Practice parties 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. We like to joke "we book private lessons like you would book a haircut!" So we do our best to schedule appointments that are convenient for your life.
In order to accommodate your busy schedule, we attempt to be as flexible as possible - but we aren’t always able to schedule the exact same time every week unless you schedule what we call a Standing Appointment.
To reserve your preferred times for private lessons, we suggest scheduling your lessons a few weeks in advance, because we do book out!
Group class scheduling can vary depending on type and level of dance, so that everyone has an opportunity to attend, and we encourage you to "drop-in" to classes appropriate for your program level!
Practice Parties are typically scheduled for a set time and occur 1-2 x per month.
We realize that some Students arrive for Lessons straight from work and others may be dressed more casually for their lessons – either is fine. We strongly believe that in order to make people feel comfortable, we need to allow "come as you are!"
The most important thing is to wear something comfortable, which allows you to move easily - Nothing TOO tight or restrictive. 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 slightly difficult to move your feet.
Of course, if you're looking for some retail therapy, you can visit our fabulous Dance Store at Fred Astaire - Pinecrest for dance practice wear and shoes!
No, it’s not!
(We mean it.) We firmly believe that if you can't teach something simply, you just don't know it well enough.
Our Dance Professionals 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.
Of course, we don't claim we can teach anyone in one lesson - (we're not that good!) - but if you were trying to learn a new language, you wouldn't expect to be fluent after one conversation, either!
It will take a little 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!