Beginner classes provide you with basic foundations in six ballroom dances [Rumba, Cha Cha, Jive/Swing, Samba, Social Foxtrot, Waltz] and four nightclub dances [Argentine Tango, Salsa, Merengue, Bachata]. Each semester, of approximately 9 to 12 weeks, you will learn the basics in three or four of these dances. After three semesters you will have insight into how to move, keep rhythm and lead/follow in these dances. The figures (a series of steps that make up a move), generally speaking, come from the Pre-Bronze and/or Bronze International DanceSport Federation syllabus. Since most students are learning to dance, in addition to work and family responsibilities, opportunities for practice and to attend practice dances often limit their opportunity to dance. It is not unusual for a beginner student to go through the entire program two years in a row, prior to moving to intermediate level, to ensure they are confident and comfortable with all dances. Attending Friday night practice dances will help you to retain what you have learned in class.

In this level, Quickstep and International Foxtrot are added to the program. Floor craft (the ability to move about the floor around other dancers, negotiate corners, etc.) tips and tricks become more important as more complex figures require more movement around the floor amongst other dancers. Figures taught in these classes will build on your beginner steps from all dances, and, for the most part, finish the Bronze and cover the Silver ISDF syllabus. Depending upon how much practice time they have available, students often remain in this class for a number of years until they feel they are ready to try the Advanced Class.

At the Advanced level, the Viennese Waltz is added to program. Figures taught at this level are primarily gold syllabus figures and longer routines. Floor craft becomes an essential part of this class so dancers are not ‘interrupted’ by space or other dancers as they move about the floor. Many Advanced Class members have been dancing for more than five years and take every opportunity to dance whenever and wherever possible.

More couples getting married are looking to do something distinctive or unique for that special dance on their wedding day. We would love to assist you in finding a dance that could fit your choice of music and teach you what you need to know to look elegant, polished, and confident on the dance floor.

Wedding dance lessons can be arranged for the bride and groom, parents, wedding party, or any combination of these. We recommend that a couple wishing to learn their wedding dance attempt to pre plan by attending a group session first, and then proceeding to take private lessons to personalize, or perhaps choreograph their dance to the music they have selected.

If time is limited, private lessons should be started at least three to four months in advance of the wedding. As time grows closer to the special day, you will discover there is less time and opportunity to attend a lesson and practice.

If there is an individual dance you, or your group, would like to learn, or you have a special occasion coming up, we also provide private instruction.

For variety, and to encourage individuals to dance with other partners, a sequence dance may be included in the term syllabus. Sequence dances are dances where everyone is doing the same thing, at the same time. The sequence is usually sixteen bars long before repeating. Many sequence dances can be added to your regular dance repertoire. The same is true of line dances, although you are dancing alone, rather than with a partner. A line dance, such as the Line Waltz, is a great way for an individual to use a pattern to practice without their partner.

Salsa Fitness is dedicated to learning to dance Salsa basic moves and shine patterns (accent movements that make you stand out). This class is an individual class and no partner is required. It is a great workout and provides a solid foundation for anyone to move smoothly to a couples Salsa class.

Attending social dance parties is the best way to have an opportunity to practice what you have been learning in class and turn it into ‘muscle memory’.

From September to May, social dance parties are held every other Friday night from 8-11 p.m. A mix of all ballroom music is played, with more emphasis on the dances that are currently being taught in class. They are open to students, former students, and the community at all levels of dance. Instructors, assistants, and other students are always on hand, eager to help and answer questions. One dance per month is held for the summer months of June, July and August.