There are many ways to learn how to dance. It is common to find dance classes listed in adult continuing education programs offered by Community Colleges and community recreation centres. These are usually the least expensive choices. They rarely go beyond very basic steps and may be taught by instructors with few qualifications. It was through this avenue we began dancing many years ago.
Many communities have one or more dance studios that offer group and private lessons. Group instruction will certainly be less expensive than private lessons and there are good reasons to choose either approach. Selecting a studio and study method is not easy and it is easy to pay too much for what you get. There are a few studio chains that you are likely to find in most medium to large cities and it would be great to be able to say use one and you’ll be fine, but that is not always true. There are also private studios around but if you start calling the list in the phonebook you may find only a few offer adult ballroom dance instruction. Find out what is available in your community or at least near enough that you needn’t spend hours commuting. Once you know what is available you can begin shopping. My wife and I tried a small private studio simply because it was nearby and found it very much to our liking.
If you are reading this then you have internet access and if you use it to look for dance instruction you will likely find an assortment of instructional DVDs and websites. That may bring the thought of learning at home. I suppose home study is possible but it is not for most people. It is very difficult to find instructional media that begin at the beginning although there are a few with good presentations. Learning resources published by high ranking professional couples are frequently too complex and advance too quickly for most beginners. Some can be a useful supplement to group or private instruction. Personally, I find only a few instructional videos of great help.
If there is no instruction nearby and you are really serious about learning to dance consider a dance boot camp. While most of these target experienced dancers you can find opportunities for beginners. A dance boot camp is essentially a vacation to study dance for several days of intensive instruction. It will be extremely taxing, particularly if you are not in excellent physical condition but you can come away with a good start in several dances.
Regardless of the method you choose to learn to dance you will need to practice so while you are researching ways to learn you need to identify places to practice. You may find night clubs that cater to specific forms of dance, the most common seem to be salsa, swing and argentine tango. There are a few dining and dancing venues with regular dance opportunities. Most large dance floors are associated with conference centres or dance studios. Opportunities at conference centres are usually associated with parties or weddings and not regularly available. Some are used by dance clubs for regular practice events and these provide the best and lest expensive opportunities to dance with other social dancers.
Group Instruction
If you take group lessons you may find your instructor encourages you to change partners. Don’t resist too much because you can develop good dancing habits through group instruction. Even if you plan to dance with only your primary partner at social events, changing partners during class, while your instructor can provide correction, will improve your enjoyment with your primary partner. By participating consistently in group classes with a good instructor you can become a reasonably good social dancer. Your rate of progress maybe slower and the variations learned may be fewer than it would be taking private instruction but your costs will definitely be much lower. Also, since dancing is a social activity, group lessons may be a good way to start integrating yourselves into the social network of dancers.
Group lessons tend to address the needs those whose goal is social dancing. Development is generally moderate The instructor must try to address the needs of a range of learners without overwhelming the slower learners while maintaining the interest of quicker learners. Some studios may offer two or more levels of group instruction in an attempt to limit the skill variability in each group. Beginners are usually too preoccupied with foot work to develop much technique. With experience learners become more comfortable with “the steps” and can focus on technique as well. Be aware that there is only so much that can be learned in a series of one hour group lessons.
Private Instruction
Private lessons are, predictably, more costly than group lessons. Your development may accelerate but some students do not reap the benefits. The full benefit of private instruction can only be realized if you are prepared to work extremely hard. With one hour a week of private instruction there will be limits to the rate at which you can develop. If you have a regular partner then take most of your instruction together, however, much can be learned by taking some solo lessons without your partner. This strategy often complicates matters. For example, if you take couples instructon from a male instructor then decide to take solo instruction should you engage a female instructor for the solo lessons with the male half of the partnership? Most instructors can dance both sides (male and female) but male students may be much less comfortable working solo with a male instructor than female students are when working solo with a female instructor. Also, should you engage a second instructor it becomes important that both instructors coordinate their teaching.
Rate of Development
How fast can I develop? Not and easy question to answer but here are some questions you need to ask yourself. How much instruction can I afford to take? How much practice can I do? Do I want to learn as many steps as possible with just enough technique to get me by? Am I prepared to concentrate on technique but learn fewer steps? How athletic am I and how well conditioned, which sometimes translates into, how old am I? What is my studio’s policy or teaching approach? Let me start by addressing the last question first.
All Instructors Are Not Alike
For each dance and each style there is an instruction syllabus that places the dance steps in a particular order which tends to be in order of technical difficulty. Some studios or instructors are willing to ignore the syllabus sequence and teach steps at various levels. The thinking seems to be that by doing so students are less likely to get bored because of the variety. Other studios or instructors adhere rigidly to syllabus sequence. One reasonably valid reason is to develop technique to a reasonable level before attempting to learn steps that exceed the student’s ability to dance well. There are studios that use such rigidity for the sole purpose of maximizing revenue.
There are accrediting bodies for dance instructors but, unfortunately, not all accredited instructors are good nor are all unaccredited instructors bad. Never-the-less, asking about the credentials your instructor has is still a good idea. Personal references can be helpful but not necessarily definitive in selecting an instructor or studio. When you begin to take instruction you may have very little information or experience on which you can rely so be prepared to change. Don’t be forced into lengthy contracts. Many studios offer introductory lesson plans at reasonable prices. It doesn’t hurt to sample the merchandise and shop around for instruction that suits you and your situation. Furthermore, an instructor or studio that suits you as a beginner may not be the best one to take you into competition should you choose that path.