Welcome to the world of dance. The purpose of this page is to introduce you to the different forms of dance instruction available in studios throughout the South Jersey area. Each form of instruction is explained in detail. Take the time to read and decide what form of instruction is best suited for YOU.
Private Dance Lessons
What is a Private Dance Lesson?
Very simply, it consist of having your own dance instructor giving you a lesson for a period ranging from 45 mins. to 1 hour depending upon the studio. The lesson may be with a teacher and a single student or a teacher working with a couple.
How private is the lesson? Is the student or couple actually alone with the instructor?
Not necessarily. If the studio has more than one instructor and only one dance floor, the floor is then shared by other students and their instructors taking lessons at the same time. Studios, however, still consisder this to be a private dance lesson. So, if you are looking for complete privacy, you may want to check first with the studio before signing up for lessons. Some studios have more than one dance floor and can offer complete privacy in a separate room for an extra fee. There are also many small local studios in South Jersey consisting of only one main instructor that can also offer you complete privacy.
Is there any problem with sharing the dance floor with other students & teachers?
Sharing the dance floor results in one major complaint - not being able to dance to your own music. For example, imagine three teachers giving a private lesson and each of them are teaching a different dance. When one teacher plays the music for his or her student, the other two students studying a different dance are forced to listen to it. Why? Simply because there is usually only one sound system. The teachers normally take turns sharing the system. Try to imagine yourself dancing a waltz while listening to swing or vise versa. If all the students were studying the same dance, then everyone could be dancing to the same music. However, it is seldom the case. This can be a problem, especially for beginners.
All lessons at Couples Dance Studio are completely private. Students do not share the dance floor with other students. The music played always conforms to the dance the student is studying.
What are the pros and cons of Private Dance Lessons?
Private Dance Lessons are the most productive and effective way to learn how to dance. Having your own instructor provides a 100% concentrated focus on you, the student. It is the most preferred method of learning.
However, it is the most expensive way to learn how to dance. Depending upon the studio, a private one hour lesson can range from $50.00 per hour to $120.00 per hour.
Dance Classes
What is a Dance Class?
A dance class is a 1 hour dance lesson consisting of one instructor teaching a group. Some classes are taught by two instructors, (1 male and 1 female), so that both the male and female parts of the dance can be illustrated. The number of students taking a class can range from as little as 4 to 6 students to as many as 50 students consisting of a mixture of single students and couples. It depends on the studio and the size of the dance floor. This particular method of learning is popular because it is the most affordable. The average cost is between $10.00 to $15.00 per person per class.
What are the different types of dance classes?
1. Classes are identified by the dance being taught, such as, foxtrot, swing, salsa, waltz, tango, rumba, cha cha, etc.
2. Classes will also list the dance level, such as, beginner, intermediate, advanced or bronze, silver, or gold
3. Studios will generally list the classes that are offered at specific days and time and students simply decide and attend accordingly. It's that simple.
Can I pay as I go? Or do I have to pay in advance? How does it work?
It depends on the studio. Some studios are pay as you go. Others require you to pay in advance. Contracts can also be required at certain locations. You must check with the studios. All lessons at Couples Dance Studio are pay as you go.
Can you describe to me what my first experience would be like taking a dance class? How does it work? I am a single person, so I will be going alone. What can I expect?
OK! This is basically how it works. Let's say you attend your first Rumba dance class as a beginner. First of all, because it is a beginner class, everybody else in the class is also a beginner just like yourself. So relax!
While you are waiting for the class to start, I strongly recommend getting to know some of the other students attending the same class. Why? Simply because if you are a female student, you will be dancing with every male student that attends the class. If you are a male student, you will be dancing with every female student that attends the class. Let me explain. Dance teachers will do this by simply rotating and constantly changing your dance partner during the entire class. This is done in all classes. The reason teachers do this is to treat all students equal and to assure everyone is sharing the same experience with everyone without any preferential treatment, thus, hopefully, everyone attending the class will enjoy the lesson.
Remember this. The instructor is not just trying to teach you to dance. The teacher is also trying to make sure you are having a good time and enjoying yourself. Why? Simply because it's a business. The teacher is trying to develop your interest and desire to continue taking more lessons. It's not just about dancing. If you enjoyed the people you danced with during the lesson and feel good about yourself and the experience, the chances are pretty good that you'll come back for more. It's in the best interest of the studio.
Let us continue. The first thing the instructor will do is start with the basic step of the dance. The instructor will usually have all the men line up on one side of the room and the women on the opposite side facing each other with the instructor in the middle. The teacher will then demonstrate the man's part of the step and work with them until they can move their feet to the rhythm of the dance. Once this is done, the teacher will then turn to the women and demonstrate their part of the step and complete the same process. Then the instructor will instruct the entire group to each pick a dance partner. Now normally in most classes you will initially walk towards the person directly in front of you. If you by some chance don't wind up with a dance partner, don't worry about it. This happens in all dance classes as a result of not having the same number of men to women in the class. It is quite common and it is the main reason why the instructor throughout the rest of the class will consistently continue to rotate or have you change partners so that the same person is not standing there without a dance partner all the time. At this point the instructor will play the music and everyone with a partner will dance the basic step. The instructor will then have you rotate to a different partner and you will resume dancing. Once everyone is comfortable dancing the basic step, the teacher will then proceed to add some basic movements, such as, a simple turn that is relatively easy so that everyone in the class is able to keep up without any frustration. This is important to the instructor. In order for you to continue taking more classes, you must enjoy the experience and feel confident about yourself, otherwise, you simply won't return.
One added point of interest. If you are a single person attending a dance class, you are also undergoing a social human experience. A dance class has sometimes been described as a blind date with different people. Think about it. This is Ballroom and Latin dancing, not hip hop. In this class you will be holding someone with one hand while your other arm is wrapped around each other dancing a Rumba which is regarded as one of the most romantic of Latin dances gazing into each other's eyes while you are dancing. Hows that for stimulating the senses? Then when the instructor says "change partners," you get to do it all over again with someone else. Like I said earlier "it's not just about dancing." I'm sure by now what ever it is your fantasizing about is putting a smile on your face. I think your getting the idea. One of the main reasons why single people attend dance classes is to socialize and meet other people. So, enjoy yourself, you never know, you might just meet the love of your life.
Keeping that in mind, I strongly recommend dressing appropriately when attending a dance class. Remember, first impressions go a long way.
What are the negative aspects of taking a dance class?
First of all, you have to understand that the teacher is teaching a group of people. It is not a private lesson. The pace of the lesson is determined by the group being taught. So, generally speaking, compared to a private lesson, the pace is generally slower. Second, the personal attention you would get in a private lesson is almost non-existent in a class. Sometimes the instructor can walk over to you and help you with a step, however, for the most part, the teacher will generally focus on the class as a whole. Finally, third, studios generally have no real control over the ratio of men and women attending the class. As a result, sometimes the ratio can really be out of balance. You just have to make the best of it.
What if couples, (married or single), want to take a dance class but are not willing to change partners? How does this work? Will I be forced to do so? I am not interested in dancing with strangers I only want to dance with my husband. What can I do?
This is a common problem in dance classes and can be handled in different ways. If you are not interested changing partners or rotating, the first thing I recommend is to check with the studio or the teacher before taking the class. This can save you a lot of aggravation. If the instructor is aware that a couple does not want to dance with others, the teacher may be able to accommodate the couple very easily. Most teachers don't make it an issue. If a couple chooses not to change, so be it. The class moves on and that's the way it is. However, there are studios that do make it an issue to a point that if you are not willing to dance with other people, you will not be able to attend the class. Studios do have the right to set their own policy. This is why it's important to ask first before going to a class.
Semi-Private Dance Lessons
What is a Semi-Private Dance Lesson?
Basically, this a dance lesson that is a cross between a private lesson and a dance class. The goal is usually to try to reduce the individual cost of taking a private lesson.
Here are some examples:
1. (Dance Partner) Teaming up with someone.
If the teacher charges $60.00 per hour, each person only pays $30.00.
This is very popular with experience dancers wanting to raise their dance level and having someone to practice with.
2. Two couples taking a private lesson with a teacher for one hour.
If the teacher charges $60.00, each couple only pays $30.00.
This is very popular with beginner couples that are friends with one another. Besides lowering the cost, couples enjoy a night out with friends.
3. Three couples taking a private lesson with a teacher for one hour.
If the teacher charges $60.00, each couple only pays $20.00.
This is the most popular semi-private dance lesson simply because the cost per couple is equivalent to the same price it would cost to attend a dance class. If a teacher is only teaching three couples, more personal attention may be given to each couple compared to attending a class with 20 couples.
Recommendation:
If you can't decide what form of dance instruction is best suited for you, I would recommend trying each form and then making a decision. Most studios have beginner packages and are willing to let you take just a few lessons just to acquaint you with their own studio. Avoid signing large contracts or putting out large sums of money until you are definitely sure.
Once you are dancing and meet other people doing the same, you will find that experienced dancers take lessons at more than one studio. Private lessons can be taken at one studio and dance classes can be taken at a different studio. This is quite common. You'll find that studios are not all the same and have different things to offer. You have to use your own judgment.
Good luck! See you on the dance floor!
|