Whether you've danced before, or think you have two left feet, you've come to the the right place. The Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Worcester is the premier dance studio in Central Massachusetts.
Share the love this season with dance lessons. Dancing brings couples together and reinforces your commitment to each other.
Our studio, established in 1972, has been managed, directed and owned by Norm Thibeault since 1984. We offer a full range of Ballroom and Latin dance lessons for all ages, at all ability levels, and with or without a partner. All lessons are taught by our Certified Dance Instructors who undergo rigorous and continuous dance training.
We are open from 1:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Please call us at 1-508-755-8635 with any questions or to schedule your introductory lessons.
We proudly serve Worcester, Holden, Paxton, Leicester, Auburn, Millbury, Grafton, Shrewsbury, Boylston, West Boylston and surrounding towns.
We look forward to welcoming you to our studio family!
The Owners and Staff of Worcester FADS
Use the menu bar links above to learn about lessons, types of dance we teach, special events and more.
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.
Ballroom Dance Lessons Worcester MA Ballroom Dance Lessons Worcester MA If you’ve ever wanted to try ballroom dance lessons Worcester MA you’ve probably started the search for a great studio. Well look no further than the Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Worcester! We specialize in teaching people of all ages and abilities the art of […]
Today, one almost can’t turn on the TV or radio, or open a newspaper, magazine, or web page without hearing a mention of Mr. Fred Astaire in reference to dancing. He has left a lasting impact on the world and when people think of a dancing legend, Fred Astaire is the first to come to mind. We are proud of our great dance heritage which began in 1947 when the Master of dance himself, Mr. Fred Astaire, co-founded our company.
Mr. Fred Astaire, considered to be the greatest multitalented dancer of all time, wanted to establish a chain of studios under his name to make sure that his techniques would be preserved and passed onto the public. Mr. Astaire was instrumental in the choice of dance curriculum and instructional techniques. With the opening of the first Fred Astaire Studio on Park Avenue in New York City, Fred Astaire brought his immense talent out of the glamour of Hollywood and onto the dance floors of America and the world.
“Some people seem to think that good dancers are born.” Astaire once observed. “All the good dancers I’ve known have been taught or trained. To me, dancing has always been fun. I enjoy every minute of it. I am glad that I can now put my knowledge to use in bringing personal confidence and a feeling of achievement to so many people.”
Today, numerous Fred Astaire Franchised Dance Studios located in cities throughout North America and internationally, are required to maintain the highest standards of excellence through our National Dance Board and Fred Astaire Franchised Dance Studios curriculum certification. Although Mr. Astaire is no longer with us in person, our studios have produced a wealth of amateur and professional dancers who are the living embodiment of his style and grace.
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:
Songs Introduced By Fred Astaire
Fred Astaire introduced many songs by famous American composers that became classics, including:
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
