WV DANCE, INC., (304-984-1939)
Ballroom Dance Lessons and DJ Services
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Please find below answers to frequently asked questions.
I don't have a partner. Should I come to a group or private by myself?
Yes! You do not have to bring a partner with you to take any of the group or private lessons. Because the way ballroom dancing developed, usually men fill the role of the leader and women fill the role of the follower. However, this is not required. And, if we have more women than men at class or if we have more men than women in a group class, we encourage women to try the leader's role or men to try the follower's role.
In addition, or as an alternative, if WV Dance gets more leaders than followers in group classes, or more followers than leaders we may, in our complete discretion, require people to switch partners during dance class. This way everyone gets a chance to learn. Please rest assured that even if we do require people to switch partners during class, you will get a chance to dance and learn with the person you came to class with.
Also, assuming times are available, you can always take private lessons by yourself. You do not need a partner in private lessons as your instructor will be your partner in private lessons.
Do I have to change partners in group or semi-private class?
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, require dance participants to switch partners during lessons. To make switching fair, if we do require switching of partners during a class, everyone must switch partners. There will be no exceptions to this rule. We may also, at our complete discretion, require partner switching when we have an even number of leaders and followers.
PLEASE NOTE: If you did come with someone to class and even if we do require switching of partners during class, we will make sure that you have any opportunity to practice your dance steps with the person you came with, as well as other people, at all stages of instruction, so that you can best learn the lessons.
The reason that we have our policy regarding partner switching is that: (1) Sometimes we have an imbalance of people in our class and switching partners allows everyone a chance to learn how to dance, (2) We have found that switching partners can actually minimize conflict between a couple that may have come to class together, and (3) Our instructors have found from personal experience that switching partners helps people learn dance steps more effectively. In particular, switching partners helps the man to learn how to lead better and allows the woman to learn how to follow better--two extremely important skills in ballroom dancing.
What if I have two left feet?
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!
What kinds of shoes should I wear to class?
Usually I recommend that students wear shoes with either suede or leather soles when dancing. For both men and women, dress shoes that you might wear to church are usually appropriate. I recommend that students do not wear shoes with rubber soles, such as tennis shoes, and also recommend that women do not wear shoes without backs on them such as flip flops or sandals without backs. I also recommend that neither men nor women wear heavy, clunky shoes. Also, while cowboy boots are good for scuffing the floor in boot scootin’ boogie, they can be uncomfortable when ballroom dancing. So, save the cowboy boots for country line dancing opportunities.
There are shoes specially designed for ballroom dancing. These shoes allow a dancer to dance more easily than a regular dress shoe does. I have several pairs of these types of dance shoes. Specially designed dance shoes have:
- Thin, flexible soles allowing your feet to bend freely and for you to feel the floor underneath you
- Either heel strap, laces, or ankle strap preventing the shoe from coming off
- Suede or leather bottoms allowing the foot to slide on the floor (for easier turns) & just enough traction to prevent slipping and falling
See the Shoes and Accessories page for information about where you can purchase specially designed ballroom dancing shoes should you wish to do so.
What kind of clothing should I wear to class?
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.
How long does it take to be a good dancer?
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!
What if I have no rhythm?
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.
How do I schedule private lessons? What hours are available?
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.
What if we bring a 3rd person or another couple to our private lessons?
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.
What are benefits of group versus private lessons?
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.
Do I have to change partners in group class?
If there are more followers than leaders in a class or if there are more leaders than followers in a class, we require dance participants to switch partners during lessons. There are no exceptions to this rule.
We may also, at our complete discretion, require partner switching when we have an even number of leaders and followers.
Do I need to register for group classes ahead of time?
No, not unless otherwise noted for special events (such as a workshop at a particular location).
Where do I go?
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.
Will I ever be "that good"?
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!
How can I stay informed about dance events and lesson opportunities?
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. 