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About

Welcome to the Fred Astaire Dance Studios of Worcester, MA.

Offering Ballroom and Latin Dance Lessons for all ages and abilities.

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.

 

About Fred Astaire Dance Studios

Great Beginnings
Our company began when Mr. Fred Astaire co-founded a chain of dance studios under his name, to make sure that his dance techniques could be preserved and passed onto the public… and on March 7th, 1947, the first Fred Astaire Dance Studio opened, at 487 Park Avenue in New York City. Since then, our network of worldwide dance studios has produced a wealth of amateur and professional dancers, who are the living embodiment of Fred Astaire’s style and grace. And since 1947, we have had the honor & privilege of improving the lives of our students, staff and everyone who is associated with our company, through the joy of lifelong dancing!

Ballroom Dance Lessons Should 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 help them realize their ballroom dancing goals in a friendly and inspirational atmosphere. Whether you are interested in wedding dance instruction, are looking for a new hobby or way to connect with your partner, want to improve your social life, or are taking your dancing skills to the next level, Fred Astaire’s teaching method will result in faster learning rates and higher levels of achievement – regardless of your physical attributes or comprehension. And at Fred Astaire Dance Studios, you’ll always find a warm and welcoming community that will inspire you to reach new heights, feel and look confident, and have fun doing it!

Learn Faster, Achieve More
Our proven dance curriculum includes a tiered program of regularly-scheduled Private Lessons, plus Group Lessons and Practice Parties to ensure that you learn as much as possible, in the shortest amount of time, with the most retention, and the most FUN! Our dance instructors’ repertoire covers the full range of ballroom dances – American, Latin, International Style, Ballroom Style, even Exhibition and Theater Arts dances. Created for both social & competitive dancers, our proprietary dance instruction program ensures you’ll be on your way to confident dancing by the end of your very first lesson! Click here for more information and to find a Fred Astaire Dance Studio near you.

Track Your Progress
The Fred Astaire Trophy System is an easy way for you to track your progress & stay motivated, while you enjoy dancing. Our Beginner and Social Foundation Programs teach newer students the step patterns and techniques needed to move around the dance floor. Students then move on to Bronze, which will enable you to comfortably and confidently dance on any sized dance floor, to any music, with any partner. From there, you can hone your skills and talents within the Silver level, and then all the way to the Gold!

Our Talented Dance Instructors
Fred Astaire Dance Studio instructors are gifted dance educators who hail from all over the world. Many have Fine Arts degrees and are actively-competing, award-winning professional dancers. Our dance instructors complete the rigorous work required to become certified in the Fred Astaire Curriculum, a teaching method that not only teaches the mechanics of partner dancing, but also presents the building blocks of how people ABSORB and RETAIN information. This program ensures a consistent, high-level of dance instruction because it teaches in a way that people naturally learn! Our proprietary dance curriculum is also continuously reviewed by world-famous former dance champions and registered judges on the Fred Astaire National Dance Board, to ensure only the finest, most up-to-date programs for our students.

Exciting Events & Dance 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.

Fred Astaire Dance Store
Each Fred Astaire Franchised Dance Studio features an in-studio and online Dance Store, where you can purchase branded products (such as dance shoes, practice wear and more) to keep you looking and feeling your best, on and off the dance floor.

Get Started Today, with a Fred Astaire Dance Studio Intro Offer!
Take advantage of the special introductory offer at your local Fred Astaire Dance Studio, and take the first step towards realizing your ballroom dance goals! Click here to find a location near you – and we’ll look forward to seeing you on the dance floor.

 

Call today to schedule your introductory lessons!

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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-AstaireFred Astaire, born in 1899, began show business at the age of 5, performing on Broadway and in vaudeville with his sister, Adele. Then 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 and Cyd Charisse. He also co-starred with the biggest actors of that time, including Bing Crosby, Red Skelton, 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 an actor in many different dramatic and comedic roles in both movies and TV specials. He won multiple Emmys for his work in television. The Towering Inferno (1974) earned him an Oscar nomination. He received an honorary Academy Award in 1950 for his “unique artistry and his contributions to the technique of musical pictures.”
Fred Astaire died in 1987 from pneumonia. With his passing, we lost a true dancing legend. His effortless lightness and grace may never be seen again. As Mikhail Baryshnikov observed at the time of his 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.
“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

Fred Astaire starred in 31 musical films. He was 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 classic songs by famous American composers, 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)