What Should I Consider When Looking for Dance Lessons?

A lot of people want to dance. Dancing is a wonderful form of self-expression, whether for personal enrichment, fitness, or as a hobby. Although “formal” dancing has given way to more free-form rock and roll dancing, lessons for almost any type of dance, from swing to salsa, are still available. When looking for a place to take dance lessons, a person should think about what type of dance they want to learn, why they want to learn it, and how much it will cost.

The first thing to think about is what kind of dance you want to do. Someone who does not enjoy couples dancing should probably avoid ballroom, and someone who does not enjoy country music should avoid line dancing. The individual should think about his or her musical and dancing preferences, as well as his or her fitness level. Some dance styles, such as salsa and ballroom, are physically demanding, while others can be adjusted to a person’s fitness level more easily. Some dances are also more commonly performed outside of a studio than others. People line dance in most places with a dance floor, and some centers have square dancing or country dancing groups. Consider how much you’ll be able to use your dancing skills outside of class.

The second factor to consider is the goal. What motivates you to dance? Do you want to learn to waltz for your wedding? Do you want to go to your favorite club and line dance? Do you and your partner want to learn to two-step and waltz together? Is there a long-dormant desire to take up ballroom dancing as a serious hobby? Or do you simply want to enrich your life doing something positive? All of these are valid reasons to learn to dance and should be taken into account when searching for dance lessons.

An individual should consider how proficient he wants to become in his chosen area of dance, and then look for classes and instructors who can help him get there. A community education class may be sufficient for personal enjoyment, but someone looking for a serious hobshould consider lessons at a professional studio. Some people may find that a video or DVD is sufficient instruction in their preferred dance form.

The cost is a third consideration. Many clubs offer line dance lessons for a low cost, whereas more complex ballroom dance lessons will obviously cost much more. Line dancing, for example, can be taught anyone who knows the steps, but a dancer will pay more for the expert tutelage required in more formal dancing. Some clubs or studios give couples a discount, while others don’t. The individual must decide whether or not he or she will require a partner for the dance lessons, or if one will be provided.

The contract is another consideration for those considering a studio. The individual must determine whether the benefits she expects from the dance lessons are worth the package price. She might be stuck paying the full price, just like at a gym, even if she stops taking dance lessons. A per-class fee could be one option, allowing an individual to stop when he feels it is appropriate.

Someone interested in learning to dance can look for dance lessons in their area online, but a good place to start is almost always a dance hobclub. Even if a square-dance club, for example, does not specialize in ballroom, it is likely that they will know of a local ballroom group or instructor, and the dancer can start there. Dance hobclubs also offer great opportunities to meet and socialize with other dancers in the area, as well as practice and advice from more experienced dancers. Dancing, in any form, is a pleasurable pastime that nearly everyone can partake in.