Are you a new or returning dancer interested in finding a new dance class? You’re not sure where to start? Here are two important questions to ask yourself as you search for the one that best suits your personality. Once you’ve answered these questions, you’ll be able to find the perfect dance class that suits your personality.
First question: Are you interested in taking a professional direction or are you interested in learning to dance for fun?
This is an important question to ask. Not only does it narrow down the options of dance studios you can attend, but it also guides you towards your goals. Even if you decide that you are not interested in becoming a professional dancer, choosing to learn to dance for fun is still a challenging yet rewarding task.
If you decide that you are interested in taking a career direction, first look for dance studios that are associated with high schools, colleges, universities, etc. You could take dance classes while you attend college and earn a degree in dance (which would certainly take you in a career direction), or you could audition for a highly selective program nearby.
Even if these options seem a little daunting to you, check out some dance studios in your area. See if you are required to observe a specific dress code, wear your hair a certain way, arrive a specific amount of time before classes, etc. This lets you know that this studio is serious and interested in strict professional guidelines. Many ballet studios will require a certain dress code, and this does not necessarily indicate that the studio is extremely serious compared to others. Observing a class or two, or talking to an instructor, will usually help you tell the difference.
Second question: What dance style(s) are you interested in learning?
Dance has many subgenres: ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, hip-hop, salsa, flamenco, ballroom, swing, cheerleading, new age, etc. If you’re interested in trying them all and finding your specific niche, go ahead! If you prefer to select a dance style because you are interested in it or want to see if it works for you, you may want to do some research on the various dance styles before you jump into dancing. class.
The ballet is very beautiful. It requires a lot of grace and muscular strength (more than many people expect). It is very formal with little room for experimentation. Lyrical, on the other hand, is a combination of ballet and jazz dance. It is set to music with lyrics and has a very narrative style. It is also very beautiful and elegant, but there is room for experimentation. Jazz is a fun form of dance much like lyrical, but it’s often set to faster tempos and a bit looser in its implementation. Tap dancing is a fast dance style where you make beats with metal on the soles of your tap shoes. Contrary to popular belief, it’s also heavy exercise, but fun! Most dance studios offer these dance forms, as well as a youth cheerleading class.
If you are interested in learning to dance salsa, flamenco, ballroom or swing dancing, there are usually three places to learn these styles. The first is at a dance studio that specializes in partner dance. In my experience, these studies are a little more expensive than the studies mentioned above, but you may receive more personalized instruction. You usually don’t need a partner. The second option is a couples instruction class where you will need to bring your own partner. It is usually a single teacher (rather than an entire studio) dedicated to teaching these dance forms. The third option is to search the internet for places that offer free dance classes on specific nights. They’re usually held in bars, so if that makes you uncomfortable, I’d rule it out.
These questions should begin to point you in a specific direction by narrowing down all the options available to you. If you’re still not sure, talk to the studio director or a dance teacher to see if you’re comfortable with them. Attending a dance class should be a positive experience. There may be hard work, but you’ll love the rewards.
