the Price of Ballroom Dance Lessons

This Ballroom dance lesson was a group class where each person paid $10 for a 1 hour lesson at a local dance studio. The lesson touched on 2 different dances, the West Coast Swing and the Salsa. Money was paid directly to the dance instructor prior to the lesson. There was also a "sign in" sheet where you enter your name and amount paid.

Definitely worth the ten dollars! The instructor, a female, was professionally trained with an extensive background in dance. The instructor was very patient and friendly with all of the students. She spent the first half hour teaching the West Coast Swing and the last half hour of class on the Salsa. Before beginning each dance, she would provide to us some background and technical information on the dance, ie: country of origin, timing, open and closed positions. After showing a specific pattern within the dance, first teaching the Lead (male) pattern and secondly, the Follow (female) pattern, she would then allow us to practice that pattern together with a partner, without music, until we all felt comfortable enough to dance the learned pattern to the appropriate music. The class consisted of approximately 10 people, the men being outnumbered, leaving 2 females without a male partner. In this instance, one of the "extra" females was an advanced ballroom dancer and voluntarily assumed the Lead position allowing the other "extra" female to have a partner. The instructor also assumed the Lead position and danced with both "single" females. She also would have the ladies to rotate partners where 2 would have to wait a turn. So, even if you don't take a partner, you can still get the effects of the lesson. It was both a challenging and rewarding experience, taking exercise to a most enjoyable level!

A couple of tips before attending a ballroom dance lesson:

1. If at all possible, take a partner with you. If not, be prepared to dance with either a partner of the same sex (females) or rotating partners and waiting a turn.

2. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes with a smoothe sole.

3. Pop in a breath mint or chewing gum. You will be in close quarters with your partner!

4. Relax and have fun!!!