General Dance Questions
Do I need to bring a partner to dance?
Absolutley not! If you have a partner please bring them as everyone should learn to dance, but a partner is not necessary. In group classes we rotate partners frequently and our parties are very friendly where people are free to ask anyone to dance. Many people come without a partner to both our group classes and parties. We offer a warm, fun and inviting environment that we want you to feel comforatble in. Afterall what is the point of learning to dance if it isn't fun?
What kind of shoes should I wear?
It is very important to wear comfortable, secure shoes that will stay on your feet and allow you to move around quickly. No flip flops! Most dancers wear dance shoes which are specially made for ballroom dancing. They are quite flexible and have suede bottoms for easier movement on the floor. We do not allow street shoes on the dance floor. If you do not have dance shoes, we please ask that you respect our dance floor by dedicating a pair of clean street shoes
to use at the studio only in the meantime. Gravel, dirt, water, snow and other grit and grime damage our dance floor. If you have questions about footwear, please never hesitate to ask. Creative Dancewear is a local store that sells ballroom dance shoes.
Do I have to wear "ballroom shoes"?
No, ballroom shoes are not required. Acceptable alternatives are:
- Ballet slippers
- Jazz or character shoes
- Athletic shoes that have a flat non-marking sole (no bumps, knobs, waffles or waves), we recommend Keds or Converse for this style.
Dance shoes should never be worn on the street. Always carry your dance shoes to class and put them on at the studio.
Do you teach same gendered couples?
Absolutely! We are proud to teach, and have taught, same gender couples in both private and group lessons.
Studio Questions
What Dances do you teach?
American Rhythm: Cha Cha, Rumba, Mambo, Bolero, East Coast Swing, West Coast Swing, Samba, Merengue.
American Smooth: Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, Viennese Waltz.
Club Dances: Argentine Tango, Salsa, Nightclub 2 step,
Hustle, Jitterbug, Hip hop, Break dancing.
What syllabus do you use?
We mostly use the DVIDA (Dance Vision International Dancer’s Association) American syllabus, however we do teach non syllabus dances as well as variations and non syllabus moves as well.
Are the instructors certified to teach me?
Our ballroom teachers have gone through a thorough vertification process to be certified with DVIDA. Please visit the individual instructor's page to see which certifications they hold. Our instructors hold certification from Associate (Bronze) level all the way to Grand Master (Gold) level.
Dance Parties
Do I need to bring a partner to a party?
Absolutely not! By all means bring your friends, but a partner is not required. Our dance parties are wonderfully social events where people come to meet new people, learn new dances and to practice what they may already know.
What should I wear? Is it fancy?
The most important thing you can wear is what you feel comfortable in. People wear a large range of clothing from jeans and tank tops to sparkly dresses. If you are planning on wearing a skirt or dress, please do a mirror spin check to make sure that everything you want covered remains covered when you're spinning.