Do I have to
take private lessons in order to participate in group classes?
NO! We don't subscribe to that model of instruction.
Do you learn faster if you take both private lessons and group
classes? Sure. But speed isn't everything, and we want
as many people to be able to learn how to dance as possible.
If you need assistance putting together the right combination of
lessons for your dancing goal and budget we'll be happy to help you
figure it out.
What are group classes? Group classes are a fun and affordable
way to learn. They involve a group of 8-40 students learning
one dance or dance-style together once a week for a 4 week session.
We rotate partners in group classes to help make you a better leader
or follower. It'll amaze you how different each student's
dance stance can be, and learning to adjust to those differences is
an invaluable skill.
We offer a wide
variety dances in a group-class format, including Swing, Salsa, Cha
Cha, Foxtrot, Waltz, Tango, and Nightclub Two Step. Classes run
on a set schedule and are attended by everyone from teens to
seniors, singles & couples, beginners to experienced dancers.
We teach beginning classes for brand new dancers, those who need to
dust the rust off old skills, and for anyone new to our studio.
We also teach intermediate and advanced classes that focus on
technique as well as advanced patterns.
What matters most is a student's willing attitude to learn and to
meet new people. The one caveat is that you need to have
decent hearing. Group classes are very difficult on those with
hearing difficulties.
All classes require an 8 student
minimum to continue past the first night. (Fees will be
refunded if a class is cancelled after the first night, which rarely
happens.)
When are classes?
Our regular class schedule generally offers 4 different classes, Monday and Wednesday
nights at 6pm and 7pm. There is always at least one beginning level
class but usually more. Each "session" is 4 classes, once a
week for one month, and all sessions start at the beginning of each
month. (The class
rates are below.) Even though a session of any given
class is completed in one month, there will often be an intermediate
level class for that same class the following month, or another
beginning level class that is a natural companion. See our
Class Calendar for the current
schedule.
Class Levels - classes
are categorized by levels of difficulty. Level I classes may
be attended by anyone, even complete novices, unless they have an
asterisk on the calendar. Classes so marked are the beginning
level of that dance, but the dance itself requires background in
other dances (i.e. West Coast Swing and Lindy Hop.)
Level II classes are the intermediate level of that dance and
require that you complete the level I class at Dance Street, or a
checkout with Melissa. Even if you've danced elsewhere we
suggest taking the level I classes anytime you switch studios.
Each teacher has their own distinct style and set of skills they
expect you to learn in a beginning class, and intermediate level
classes presume that knowledge. Level III classes are by
invitation only.
How long are
the classes? All classes and lessons are 50 min. long.
What class should I start
with? Swing I is by far our most popular class. It
focuses on single-rhythm East Coast Swing, which is one of the
easiest dances to learn and the most socially useful. You'll
hear big band, rock & roll, and neo-swing music at weddings, bars,
and holiday parties, and you can use this dance to all of it!
Romance I is also a great place to start if you want something that
uses slower tempos of music. That class teaches basic box-step
patterns in Foxtrot, Rumba, and Waltz. It is also our primary
"wedding preparation" class. Nightclub I is a fun
class that teaches Nightclub Two-Step to slow-tempo songs such as
"Lady in Red" by Chris DeBurgh or "Streetcorner Symphony" by Rob
Thomas. Salsa I or Latin I are fine starting classes for those
who already love to dance and are comfortable learning quick
footwork. Others should learn some basics in Swing I or
Romance I before moving onto the Latin dances.
How long will I have to
take classes? The answer to this question varies for
everyone. It depends on your goals, whether you just want to
get by in one dance or be a competent dancer in a variety of styles.
It depends on your ability. Not everyone is ready to move on
from a beginning class by the end of the session. People learn
at different paces, and there is no shame in repeating a class.
Many of our advanced dancers still come to the beginning sessions.
They're there primarily for the social and exercise aspects, but they also learn
or remember something every time they take a class. Your brain can only absorb
so much information at once, and maybe it takes 4 or 5 or 100 times
of hearing us say "lead her rock step" before you actually
internalize what that means and start doing it automatically.
So I guess the answer is, as long as you're having a good time and
still getting something out of it.
Rates - Yes, it really is
cheaper than going to the movies! One "session" is the
same class at the same time once a week for one month (generally 4
classes per month). Classes
progress from week to week, so while you can still start a session
on the second week of class no new students will be allowed after
that. Many students choose to take more than one session of
classes per month, but if you're just starting out you may want to
focus on just one for the first month or two.
1
session per month - $35/single, $65/couple -
usually 4 classes
2 sessions per month - $55/single,
$100/couple - usually 8
classes
3 sessions per month - $75/single,
$135/couple - usually 12
classes
4 sessions per month - $90/single,
$165/couple - usually 16
classes
Refunds - there are no
refunds, but credits will be given if you are unable to complete the
session after the first class. No credits will be issued after
the second class of a session. Credits will be good for one
year from the date they are issued. The one exception is if a
class is cancelled by the instructor.
Make-up
Classes - We're sorry, but there's no practical way to
offer make-up classes. Group classes are inexpensive because
they run on a set schedule. We agree to provide the class and
you agree to attend it. When students miss a class they
usually try to catch up during the review at the beginning of the
next class (except in the case of the last class, of course.)
They may also schedule a private lesson to go over what they missed
($70.)
What to Wear
& Dance Shoes - CLOTHING: We
suggest wearing comfortable clothing in layers that you can discard
as you heat up from the physical activity. We do not have a
dress code except "smell nice", and you'll see students in
everything from yoga pants to jeans to suits. We do recommend
staying away from sleeveless shirts to avoid the dewy underarm
factor, but it's not a rule.
"Smell
nice" means please use deodorant, don't smoke right before
class, and chew gum or a breath mint. It also means stay
away from loads of powerful cologne or perfume. Thank you
from your instructors and fellow students!
SHOES: Avoid wearing
flip-flops, clogs, or slides that may slip off your feet.
Please bring shoes with non-marking soles to change into once you're
here. Dirt and water can
quickly make a mess of the dance floor when you wear shoes straight
from the street.
You don't have to start out with dance shoes. Dry and clean
shoes from your closet are fine to begin with. Running shoes,
dress shoes, or strapped on casual shoes are good beginning choices.
Just like any
sport or activity, dancing does have specialty equipment - SHOES. What are dance shoes?
Their most distinctive feature is their suede-soles. This element
allows them to glide smoothly across the dance floor and spin easily
and quickly. It also provides the traction necessary to stop on command
- very important!
Dance shoes should never be worn outside as the suede-soles will absorb water,
oil, and other nasty gunk instantly. Most dancers carry their
shoes with them in a discreet black bag. You'll get over the dorkiness
of this once you discover what a difference this proper piece of equipment makes in your dancing!
Dance shoes need maintenance
on their soles every once in awhile. When they start to look
shiny and feel slick it's time to use an angled wire brush to rough
them back up. You should always stroke the soles in one
direction, roughly enough to raise the leather grain, and watch out
for your hand as you stroke! Any of us are happy to give you a
demonstration of this skill.
Where do you find dance shoes? Alas, there are
no good retail shops in town. We order our dance shoes through
catalogs and online. One of the best sources is Melissa, the
other dance instructor here at Dance Street. She reps a line
called "Very Fine Dance Shoes." I have several pairs of these
myself and have been very happy with them. They have lots of
styles from high and strappy to low and closed, and everything in
between. Ladies' styles are $79 and men's are $89. This
may seem like a high cost, but consider that any other sport
requires a LOT more equipment investment, and shoes last a very long
time. Melissa can be contacted at 509•993•1204
to set up a footwear consultation, or catch her after class if
you're already taking lessons.
Private-groups -
Private-group lessons are a flat fee of $100 for up to 30 people.
They are essentially a group class that you put together on your
own, choosing from a variety of possible days and times. These
lessons are a lot of fun for families, teens, bridal parties, groups of
co-workers, or any other group that wants to learn together.
Private-groups allow you choose what dance (or dances) you want to
learn and to start at any time of the month. The groups must
have equal numbers of leaders and followers (unless it's a
bachelorette group learning Salsa.) Small-group package discounts are
available for groups of 6-16.