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About

Fred Astaire Dance Studio is the premiere choice in social and performance dance. Fred Astaire Dance Studio – Westerville proudly serves the greater Columbus, Ohio area. Here you will discover through dance the pleasure that belongs to us all. Our top instructors will guide you through various styles of social and performance dance. From classic ballroom styles to Latin, swing and country, Fred Astaire has a style to suit anyone. Check out our GROUPON specials or one of our many packages in our Dance Store!

About us

Fred Astaire Westerville offers fun, easy instruction to competitive social dancing with certified instructors. We educate students through private and group lessons well as offering weekly practice sessions that are open to all former Fred Astaire Dance studio students. At our most recent Fred Astaire regional competition, our studio won the top proficiency ranking award.

The first studio opened in New York City in 1947 under the guidance of the legendary dancer and actor Fred Astaire. Mr. Astaire known for his grace and elegance, that legacy continues on today with the 120 Fred Astaire studios world-wide.

“Some people seem to think that good dancers are born,” said Fred Astaire. “All the good dancers I’ve known have been taught or trained.”

Communities We Serve

Our studio serves students from many Central Ohio communities, including Westerville, Columbus, Dublin, Newark, New Albany, Pataskala, Pickerington, Johnstown, and Reynoldsburg.

Our Regular Business Hours

Mon – Fri: 1:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Sat: By appointment only

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What Makes Fred Astaire Dance Studios Special?

From wedding dance instruction, a new hobby or way to connect with your partner, improving your social life, physical and emotional health, or taking your dance skills to the next level, dancing with Fred Astaire Dance Studios will result in faster learning, higher levels of achievement – and lots of smiles. So, why should you choose Fred Astaire Dance Studios?

Because an atmosphere of kindness, warmth and inspiration awaits you at every Fred Astaire Dance Studio! It’s what our clients tell us they notice from the first time they step inside – a friendly energy, and a sense of “FADS community” that is welcoming, 100% non-judgmental, and truly joyful! Our passion is helping to enrich lives – physically, mentally, emotionally and socially – through the positive, transforming power of dance.

Because ballroom dance lessons should always be FUN! The teaching philosophy at every Fred Astaire Dance studio is simple and straightforward: learning how to ballroom dance is always fun! We work with students of all ages and abilities, and our friendly and inspirational atmosphere will help make your ballroom dance journey a reality. There are thousands of reasons why people start dance lessons – and once we show you how much fun ballroom dancing can be, we know you’ll want to keep coming back!

Because ballroom dance has so many benefits! Ballroom dancing is a perfect combination of physical activity, social interaction and mental stimulation – and it can bring so much to your life. It’s a great workout; has documented physical and mental health benefits; can enhance your social life and self-confidence; reduces stress and depression; promotes relaxation; is a wonderful outlet for self-expression and creativity; and it’s FUN!! With all these reasons to start dancing – we challenge you to find a good reason NOT to.

Because our ballroom dance curriculum helps you learn faster, and achieve more! Fred Astaire Dance Studios’ proven program of Private Lessons, Group Lessons and Practice Parties ensures that you learn as much as possible, in the shortest amount of time, with the most retention, and the most FUN. In fact, you’ll be on your way to confident dancing by the end of your very first lesson! Our repertoire covers the full range of ballroom dances – American, Latin, International Style, Ballroom Style, even Exhibition and Theater Arts dances, for both social and competitive dancers.

Because of our talented, professional Dance Instructors! Fred Astaire Dance Studio Instructors are gifted dance educators who hail from all over the world, and truly love what they do. Many have Fine Arts degrees and are actively-competing, award-winning professional dancers. Our Dance Instructors all complete the rigorous work required to become certified in the Fred Astaire Curriculum – which presents the building blocks of partner dance in the way that people naturally learn. Our dance curriculum, coupled with our Instructors’ compassion, energy and kindness will help ensure you get the most from your dance lessons.

Because of our exciting ballroom dance events & competitions! Fred Astaire Dance Studios offer a variety of fun local events to make your dance experience exciting and rewarding. Guest Parties, Showcases, Spotlights, Community Outreach Events, special Coaching Sessions and off-site Group Outings encourage social interaction and help you apply what you’re learning. And our branded Regional, National and International Pro-Am and Professional Dance Competitions give you inspiring opportunities to compete, travel and hone your dancing skills in supportive and exciting environments.

Because of our money-saving Intro Offer! Take advantage of our special introductory offer just for new students, and take the first step towards realizing your ballroom dance goals. Simply submit the Info Form on this website, and we’ll be in touch with exciting details about our program options and a special discount just for new students (which is sure to get you dancing!). Stop in & share your dance goals with us, and we’ll help you get there!

We look forward to seeing you on the dance floor soon.

 

Benefits of Dance

Ballroom dancing is that perfect combination of physical activity, social interaction, and mental stimulation, and it can bring so much to your life. It’s a great workout; has documented physical and mental health benefits; can enhance your social life and self-confidence; reduces stress and depression; promotes relaxation; is a wonderful outlet for self-expression and creativity; and it’s FUN!! With all these reasons to start dancing – we challenge you to find a good reason NOT to.

BALLROOM DANCE IS A GREAT WORK-OUT! 

Burn Fat / Lose Weight / Increase Metabolism. Ballroom dancing is a low-impact aerobic activity that burns fat and can boost your metabolism. In just thirty minutes of dance, you can burn between 200-400 calories – that’s roughly the same amount as running or cycling! Burning an extra 300 calories a day can help you lose between ½-1 pound a week (and THAT can add up quickly). In fact, a study in the Journal of Physiological Anthropology found that dance as exercise is just as effective for weight loss as cycling and jogging. Dance training is also an excellent form of maintenance exercise, to stay healthy and toned once you’ve reached your goal weight. And since ballroom dance is so much fun, you’re getting these benefits without feeling like you’re working out!

Increase Flexibility. A reputable ballroom dance class will typically begin with a few stretching exercises, to get you prepped to execute dance steps with comfort & ease, and to protect against dance-related injury. Beginner dancers especially will notice that the more you dance, the more flexibility and range of motion your body develops. Increased flexibility will help your dance abilities, decrease joint pain and muscle soreness after exercise, and improve core strength and balance. Yoga and ballet stretches can be extremely beneficial as pre-ballroom dance warm-ups, but be sure to talk with your Fred Astaire Dance Studios instructor about a recommended warm-up regimen.

Increase Muscle Strength & Endurance. Ballroom dancing contributes to the build-up of muscle strength because the act of dancing forces a dancer’s muscles to resist against their own body weight. The use of quick steps, lifts, twists and turns, will help you develop more muscle strength in your arms, legs and core as your lessons continue. Endurance (in this context) is the capability of your muscles to work harder and longer without succumbing to fatigue. Ballroom dancing as exercise is particularly effective at building up your endurance – so as you work on your dance steps, you are conditioning your muscles to perform these feats with less and less fatigue. And the added benefit is that you’ll look and feel strong, toned and sexy

Great for All Ages. Ballroom dance is a fun activity for everyone – from children to senior citizens, which is another reason it’s such an effective form of exercise. At Fred Astaire Dance Studios, we work with students of all age groups, physical abilities and skill levels – and will create a custom dance program that’s comfortable yet challenging, and will help you attain your dance AND exercise goals.

PHYSICAL HEALTH
Ballroom dance can decrease blood pressure and cholesterol, improve cardiovascular health, strengthen weight-bearing bones, help prevent or slow bone loss related to osteoporosis, lower the risks of obesity and Type 2 Diabetes, and promote increased lung capacity. It can help speed up recovery after orthopedic surgery since it’s a lower impact exercise than jogging or biking. The posture and fast movements required in ballroom dance help enhance balance and stability, especially among older people (which can help prevent falls and stumbles). Ballroom dance can even help sharpen your intellectual and mental abilities. A New England Journal of Medicine report looked at adults for 21 years, and found that dance was one of the only activities that improved both cardiovascular fitness and reduced the risk of cognitive impairments like dementia. To reap the full body-conditioning benefits of ballroom dance, dance for at least 30 minutes, four days a week.

MENTAL HEALTH
Research has found that ballroom dancing improves mental acuity throughout a dancer’s life – and that there are also substantial benefits to those who start ballroom dance as adults.

Ballroom dancing can help enhance memory, alertness, awareness, focus, and concentration. It can prevent the onset of dementia and significantly improve spatial memory in elderly patients. Participating in an activity like ballroom dance helps create more intricate neural pathways, which can ward off weakening synapses that often come with old age. Among younger dancers, the results can also be significant. Swedish researchers studying teenaged girls with stress, anxiety and depression saw a decrease in anxiety and stress levels among those who took up partner dancing. They also saw marked improvement in mental health and patients reported being happier than those who did not participate in dancing. Partner dancing can also decrease loneliness among all age groups, because it’s a goal-oriented social activity that brings like-minded people together.

CONFIDENCE
Every opportunity to dance – whether during a lesson or a social event, whether with your significant other or a new dance partner – will help improve your comfort level, confidence and communication skills on the dance floor.  As your dance technique improves and you feel more at ease with other people, your sense of accomplishment, motivation and confidence will continue to increase. And even better… you will notice these new attributes taking root in other areas of your life as well.

SELF-EXPRESSION & CREATIVITY
Dancing comes naturally to people, and it’s an easy activity for anyone to partake in. Dance provides an emotional outlet to express your feelings through body movements, with passion and flair. Ballroom dancing can be a wonderful creative outlet to enhance your ability to permanently use these expressive qualities even when you are not dancing, and to share that creativity with others. After only a few lessons, you will start to find yourself moving more and more seamlessly through your dance steps, while you get lost in the music. You will unlock a beautiful rhythm your body may have been hiding. It can also help with your motivation and energy.

STRESS & DEPRESSION
In today’s fast-paced world, we sometimes forget to take a moment for ourselves. Dance lessons provide an enjoyable escape from your normal daily routine, plus a chance to relax, relieve stress, and concentrate just on yourself. Our students often tell us that even if they’re “not feeling it” when they arrive for a lesson, once they stretch and start dancing, they’re able to forget about the day’s triggers, simply b-r-e-a-t-h-e  and let the dance take over. There’s also a growing body of evidence to indicate that dancing has a positive effect on the treatment and prevention of depression.

  • Group activities such as ballroom dance lessons can expand your sense of social “connectedness”, which is beneficial to lowering stress and depression levels
  • Ballroom dance is similar to the practice of mindful meditation (which has been shown to significantly reduce levels of depression and stress) in that it requires you to fully focus your attention, and be present in the moment. This meditative state can help you “switch off” the negative thought patterns associated with depression or stress. For those who are not interested in traditional meditative practices, ballroom dance can be a great way to reap the same benefits.
  • The physical act of dancing releases endorphins, and lowers the levels of stress hormones in our bodies. This produces a sense of alert calm, and improves mood and energy levels
  • Ballroom dance as anxiety or depression treatment is more likely to be voluntarily continued by participants than some traditional forms of therapy, which can further increases its effectiveness

SOCIAL FUN & FRIENDSHIP
One of the best aspects of ballroom dancing is its ability to bring people together. Ballroom dance lessons offer you a great opportunity to expand your social circle, build connections and engage with people in a low-pressure environment, where there are no expectations. It’s perfect for younger singles who want to step up their dating game, couples looking to reconnect, and for adults interested in discovering something new and inspiring, just for them. Learning to dance does take focus and dedication, but you will be surrounded and encouraged by artistic, positive and cheerful people who make learning enjoyable and rewarding. In group lessons, weekly practice parties, regional and national competitions and studio events and outings, you’ll meet a melting pot of people of all ages, with varied cultural and occupational backgrounds. And the best part? Since they all share your passion for dance, these meetings often transition into lasting friendships. At Fred Astaire Dance Studios, we are truly proud of the supportive, welcoming and warm environment you’ll find in every one of our studios.

So why not try it out? Come alone or with your dance partner. Learn something new, make new friends, and reap numerous health and social benefits… all from merely learning to dance. Find the Fred Astaire Dance Studio nearest you, and join us for some FUN!

 

Click the images below, to read more about the health benefits of Dance:

 

Click the images below, to read more about the social benefits of Dance:

 

 

 

Mr. Fred Astaire

Biography of Mr. Fred Astaire

Fred-Astaire

Fred Astaire, born Frederick Austerlitz II in 1899, began show business at the age of four, performing on Broadway and in Vaudeville with his older sister, Adele. As a young adult, he headed to Hollywood where he began a successful partnership with Ginger Rogers for nine movies. He appeared in films with esteemed co-stars such as Joan Crawford, Rita Hayworth, Ann Miller, Debbie Reynolds, Judy Garland, and Cyd Charisse. He also co-starred with the biggest actors of that time, including Bing Crosby, Red Skelton, George Burns, and Gene Kelly. Fred Astaire was not only a great dancer – changing the face of the American movie musical with his style and grace – but he was also a singer, and an actor with many different dramatic and comedic credits, in both movies and TV specials. Fred Astaire also changed the way dance sequences in movies were filmed, insisting that the focus be kept on the full-frame dancers and the dance steps themselves, using a stationary camera shot – with long takes, wide shots & as few cuts as possible, allowing audiences to feel as though they were watching a dancer on stage, versus the then-popular technique of using a constantly roving camera with frequent cuts and close-ups.

Astaire received an honorary Academy Award in 1950 for his “unique artistry and his contributions to the technique of musical pictures.” He holds choreography credits for ten of his movie musicals released between 1934-1961, including “Top Hat”, “Funny Face”, and “The Pleasure of His Company”.  He won five Emmys for his work in television, including three for his variety shows, An Evening with Fred Astaire (1959, which won an unprecedented nine Emmys in all!) and Another Evening with Fred Astaire (1960).

In his later years, he continued to appear in movies, including “Finian’s Rainbow” (1968), and “The Towering Inferno” (1974) which earned him an Oscar nomination. He also starred in television roles on programs such as It Takes a Thief, and Battlestar Galactica (which he said he agreed to, due to the influence of his grandchildren). Astaire also lent his voice to several animated children’s TV specials, most notably, Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town (1970), and The Easter Bunny is Comin’ to Town (1977).  Astaire received a Lifetime Achievement Award in 1981 from the American Film Institute, who in 2011, also named him the “Fifth Greatest Actor” (among their “The 50 Greatest Screen Legends” list).

Fred Astaire died in 1987 from pneumonia, at the age of 88. With his passing, the world lost a true dancing legend. His effortless lightness and grace may never be seen again. As Mikhail Baryshnikov observed at the time of Fred Astaire’s death, “No dancer can watch Fred Astaire and not know that we all should have been in another business.”

Fred Astaire’s Dance Partners

Although famous for his magical partnership with Ginger Rogers, Fred Astaire also danced with the leading ladies of his time, including Cyd Charisse, Lucille Bremer, Joan Leslie, Leslie Caron, Vera Ellen, Barrie Chase, Judy Garland, Eleanor Powell and Rita Hayworth. During his 35-year film career, he was truly the king of movie musicals!

“For ballroom dancing, remember that your partners have their own distinctive styles also. Cultivate flexibility. Be able to adapt your style to that of your partner. In doing so, you are not surrendering your individuality, but blending it with that of your partner.”
– Fred Astaire, from The Fred Astaire Top Hat Dance Album (1936)

Fred Astaire Films

During his career, Fred Astaire starred in 12 stage performances, 8 dramatic films, 16 television programs, and 33 musical films. He was most famous for his collaboration with Ginger Rogers in the following films:

  • Flying Down To Rio (1933)
  • The Gay Divorcee (1934)
  • Roberta (1935)
  • Top Hat (1935)
  • Follow The Fleet (1936)
  • Swing Time (1936)
  • Shall We Dance (1937)
  • Carefree (1938)
  • The Story Of Vernon & Irene Castle (1939)
  • The Barkleys Of Broadway (1949)

Songs Introduced By Fred Astaire

Fred Astaire introduced many songs by famous American composers that became classics, including:

  • Cole Porter’s “Night and Day” from The Gay Divorcee (1932)
  • Jerome Kern’s “Nice Work If You Can Get It” from A Damsel In Distress (1937) and “A Fine Romance,” “The Way You Look Tonight,” and “Never Gonna Dance” from Swing Time (1936)
  • Irving Berlin’s “Cheek To Cheek” and “Isn’t This A Lovely Day” from Top Hat (1936) and “Let’s Face The Music And Dance” from Follow The Fleet (1936)
  • Gershwins’ “A Foggy Day” from A Damsel In Distress (1937) and “Let’s Call The Whole Thing Off,” “They All Laughed,” “They Can’t Take That Away From Me,” and “Shall We Dance” from Shall We Dance (1937)

Famous Artists, on Fred Astaire

Even among his peers, Fred Astaire stood alone. Click here to read quotes from famous dancers and actors on Fred Astaire, his skills, and the influence he had on them.

Quotes Attributed to Fred Astaire

Disco is just Jitterbug.
The higher up you go, the more mistakes you are allowed. Right at the top, if you make enough of them, it’s considered to be your style.
It takes time to get a dance right, to create something memorable.
Do it big, do it right and do it with style.
To me dancing has always been fun. I enjoy every minute of it.
I always try to get to know my routine so well that I don’t have to think, ‘What comes next?’

Fred Astaire Fun Facts

  • Among his many talents, Fred Astaire also played the accordion, piano and drums
  • Fred Astaire was a horse racing enthusiast for most of his life
  • Fred Astaire was the very first name entered on IMDB (Internet Movie Database) – #nm0000001
  • Fred Astaire appears on the sleeve of The Beatles’ “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” album
  • Fred Astaire was very fond of TV Soap Operas