Dance Addicts FAQ

Do I need a partner?

Absolutely not. You’ll rotate partners every two to three minutes in class. (For other reasons why it is good to switch partners see, Which is better, Private or group lessons?

 

If I want a partner, how can I get one?

Go to classes, dances, and dance clubs; you’ll meet plenty of potential partners. Talk to them about what you want to do: which dance styles you like, how often you wish to practice, what venues you favor. It may take a while, but you’ll find the right fit.

 

If I come to class with a partner, can choose to dance only with him/her?

Yes – but you’ll learn better and faster if you rotate partners.

Each new dance partner is different, so you adjust your lead or adapt your following to suit. This actually speeds up your learning and hones your skills.

By contrast, when you dance with only one partner, you adjust and adapt to any of his/her incorrect movements, which distorts your dancing. As they’re doing the same, neither of you learns to lead or follow correctly. This will lead to confusion when you eventually dance with someone else – and you will. Is your current partner really the only person you want to dance with, for the rest of your life? Likely not.

Best of all, rotating partners gives you more confidence when dancing socially. Some people want to stick with one familiar partner because they feel nervous or inadequate with others. This soon passes (really!) and you will be glad when you can dance confidently with anyone.

 

How can I learn to dance if I don’t have a partner to practice with?

The same way most people do it: take classes, go out dancing. The dance community always welcomes novice dancers and you will find many who will work with you as you learn. You also learn quickly if you go dancing regularly.

 

Why do you allow drop-ins to solo dances and not pair dances?

Drop-ins work with our Solo dances because the content isn't necessarily related to the previous lesson. You also dance by yourself so you can learn at your own pace.

The same cannot be said for pair dances because everyone in a class needs to be at the same skill level for it to progress. Each lesson also builds on material taught in the previous lessons.

A drop-in class can't move forward through a defined body of material, because there are new students every week who would have to play 'catch up' to learn the concepts taught in previous lessons.

The key to learning dance is repetition, which you can get only by dancing with others who are learning the same material at the same pace. To reinforce and retain what you learn, you need to practice at least once a week. Regular attendance gives you the structure to do this.

If one occasionally attends dance classes, one tends to forget much of the learned material. You spend more time and money just re-learning what you have already been taught than you would with regular attendance. Courses save you time and money.

Workshops and private lessons are great options for folks who can't attend regular courses.

 

Okay, courses are good but what if I can’t commit to a course?

As any worthwhile endeavor, learning to dance takes time, and you must set that time aside consistently if you are going to achieve your aim. Fortunately, dance classes are time-efficient.

Do you work out at a fitness club? Maybe not as often as you think you ought to? Well, typically, people go to the gym alone, work out alone, and leave alone – it can be a grind. Dancing is also a great exercise, for both body and mind – but it’s social, and fun. You come to class, meet lots of people, make friends, and have fun learning together. It’s motivating, like having a running buddy or a coach.

Dancing is a three-for-one deal: aerobic exercise, self-expression, and having fun with friends – all in one. So you can shift some of your gym time to the studio, and get triple the return.

No matter what your life’s commitments are, you have got to take a break sometime! Be creative with your time - your body and mind will thank you for it.

 

What is the ratio between follows and leads in your courses?

Pretty close to 50/50 . We can’t predict or control it perfectly, but by rotating partners every few minutes, we keep everyone dancing and learning. You won’t end up standing around, that’s for sure – we usually have no more than one or two extras in either role.

 

How do I pick a dance?

Firstly, it is a great idea to learn several dances, so that you can dance to whatever beat comes up at social events, weddings and so on. Some people start with popular dances such as salsa or waltz while others love that variety of West Coast Swing and Argentine Tango. But check out all the dances that interest you, by watching classes, or trying a workshop.

You will soon find a dance that really touches you – that’s the time to plunge right in! Some dances are more intricate than others, and will take more time and effort to master, but generally they offer greater rewards to match. Whatever you pick, you will be on your way to learning skills that you can take anywhere for the rest of your life.

 

Which is better, Private or group lessons?

Group classes are more economical, and you get to meet more people in the dance community. You will learn all you need to have a great time at any dance, which is the goal of the social dancer. Private lessons are for those who want to take their dancing to higher levels. They cost more, but personal instruction will get you to your goals much faster. If you’re not sure, start with group classes, and see how your ambitions develop.

 

Do I need special clothing or footwear?

Shoes
We highly recommend proper dance shoes, or at least soft leather-soled shoes. Ordinary shoes (like sneakers or walking shoes) are anti-slip by design, with grippy rubber or vinyl soles that stick to the surface. That’s frustrating and uncomfortable on a dance floor. Dancing is much more fun and satisfying when your shoes let you turn and spin smoothly. (One exception: Hip Hop, which requires rubber soles.)

Dance floors are expensive, carefully polished, sprung or floating surfaces that are easy on the knees and body. Schools spend a lot of effort preserving their smoothness and specialized qualities. Generally, no shoes that leave black marks or deep scratches are allowed. Ideally, you should change into clean shoes at the studio, rather than tracking in grit from the street.

Clothes
Keep it simple, cool and comfortable, but avoid overly loose-fitting clothing or dangling jewelry that can get in the way. Dancers tend to get sweaty (we mentioned that this was aerobic exercise, right?) but avoid clothes that expose too much area – your partner won’t enjoy the feeling of damp skin.

For more detail, see our Dance Etiquette page.

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