If there are more followers than leaders in a group or semi-private class or if there are more leaders than followers in a class, WV Dance, Inc., may, in its complete discretion, request that dance participants switch partners during lessons. (See the special exception above concerning our Cambridge Ohio area dance classes.)
If you have never danced before, and most of your physical activities have always involved daily-used movements (i.e. walking, running) then it may seem like you have 2 left feet. I, myself, felt like I had two left feet whenever I began dancing.
The feeling that you have two left feet can, and is overcome, by taking dance lessons from a good instructor such as those found at WV Dance. For some it takes longer than others to lose this feeling of having two left feet and for those people I usually recommend taking private lessons in addition to taking group lessons.
I’ve never danced before. Can I keep up?
Yes! All of our beginning level courses at WV Dance are designed for people who have not danced before. Men usually find learning dancing more challenging than women because they have to learn how to do two things: (1) dance the steps that are taught, and (2) lead their partner. Women, on the other hand, only have to learn how to do their own steps.
Regardless of the different speeds at which people learn, the goal at WV Dance is for everyone to learn at their own pace and to have fun while doing so!
There are shoes specially designed for ballroom dancing. These shoes allow a dancer to dance more easily than a regular dress shoe does. We have several pairs of these types of dance shoes. Specially designed dance shoes have:
See the Shoes and Accessories page for information about where you can purchase specially designed ballroom dancing shoes should you wish to do so.
Come as you are. There are no special clothes for learning to ballroom dance; wear your work clothes or wear your sweats, just be comfortable. However, this is a contact sport. So we all appreciate good hygiene: pop a mint, check the underarms (anti-perspirant is recommended), and wash your hands.
That depends. It depends on how much time you have to devote to practice and lessons, and it depends on how you define "good."
Learning to dance is much like learning a new language, except in dancing you use your mind and body. To learn a new language, you start with some vocabulary words, practice the pronunciation, learn how to put together simple sentences, and of course learn your numbers. In dancing, you start with a few basic steps, learn how to do it comfortably, and put the steps together to music which requires knowing how to count it.
And just like learning the language, this level may help you survive a one-time event, but soon all will be forgotten unless we practice, and continue learning. That's why people have always tried to make learning a language fun by bringing people together with games or round tables of discussion allowing native speakers to help new learners. Dancing is naturally fun to practice because it already brings people together!
Most people really do have some sense of rhythm and don't know it. In this case, it's as simple as showing you how to listen to the music, and then practice. But even if it's not already hidden in you, rhythm can be learned! In fact, rhythm is one of the things that WV Dance focuses upon in its teaching.
Simply contact Craig Giffin of WV Dance at 304-984-1939 or email WV Dance at info@wvdance.net when you are ready to start lessons. All private lessons are by appointment and availability depends on the season, space, and instructor availability.
You are welcome to organize a small group of people for semi-private lessons. Private lesson pricing is valid for 1-2 people, beyond that the total hourly cost increases slightly. However, if you are splitting the cost, then the 'per person' hourly cost actually goes down. Contact WV Dance for more information.
WV Dance always encourages people to participate in a mix of both private and group lessons. Group classes provide a social atmosphere that allows you to change partners and prepare for the party atmosphere. (See below to find out why switching partners helps you to learn how to dance.) Group lessons also provide a cost effective way to learn steps.
Private lessons can be used to learn steps too, but are especially beneficial for working on the finer details and technique. In private lessons, WV Dance can give the individual attention necessary to answer certain questions and also address problem areas that may be unique to your dancing style. Some of these questions may include:
How do I get my body to move like that?
How can I tell when my partner is leading this move?
How do I lead my partner in this move?
How can I make it more fun to dance with me?
When the music comes on, how do I know what dance to do?
Based on your schedule, budget and desired level, your instructor can help make suggestions on how to achieve a good mix of groups and privates.
Contact WV Dance or visit the homepage to learn more about how lessons at these locations or how you may be able to receive instruction in your area. Group lessons are possible at other locations than these depending on the level of interest in your area.
What's the main thing that 'good dancers' have that you don't? They've just been practicing! Becoming good at dancing just takes time: keep working at it and you'll get there.
Ballroom dancing is wonderful because you can take it as far as you want. Your goal can be to just get-by at holiday parties or weddings. Your goal can be to achieve amateur titles at competition. You are probably somewhere in between, but whatever your goals may be, you can have fun with ballroom dance!
Drop WV Dance an email at info@wvdance.net or call Craig Giffin at 304-984-1939. WV Dance will add you to its email distribution list to find out about dances, group classes and other dance opportunities. And, at any time you can ask to be removed from the list. Also, WV Dance requests that you let us know when you have changed e-mail address or have moved out of the area so that we can remove your email address from the mailing list so that you won’t receive unwanted email.
What happens if I have scheduled a private lesson but have to miss and don't notify WV Dance of this until the last minute?
(Policy effective June 18, 2009). If you schedule a private lesson with us and cancel your lesson within 24 hours of your lesson, or you do not show up for your lesson (for whatever reason), you will owe 50% of the cost of your lesson. For example, if the cost of your scheduled private lesson was $20, you will owe $10. If the cost of your private lesson was $40, you will owe $20. If the cost of your private lesson was $50, you will owe $25. (Note that this policy does not apply to group lessons. Please note that if you prepay for a group lesson and miss the group lesson, you forfeit the entire amount of the group lesson that you miss. For example, if you pay for a package of 6 weeks of lessons, and you miss one of the weeks of lessons, you forfeit the amount of the one lesson you missed (but you do not forfeit the amount of the other lessons and you can still come to the remaining lessons.)
