On this page:
General Information
Shoes
Beginner Program
Intermediate Program
Advanced Program
Studio and Dance Locations
Cost and Registration
Money Back Guarantee

General Information

Our ballroom classes are held in a group setting where you will be with others who have a similar level of experience.  We offer classes for beginners, intermediate and experienced dancers.  Each session consists of four 55 minute classes (one per week) and takes place within the calendar month with only a few exceptions to accommodate holidays.

Ballroom dancing is a couples activity, however singles are always welcome to our classes and dances.  Those times when singles cannot be paired with another student partner, our instructors will dance with them to ensure that everyone gets the chance to learn and use the material being taught.

Private lessons are also available by appointment.  Private lessons are appropriate under certain circumstances, such as preparing for a wedding dance or if you are struggling in class and need more dedicated attention from an instructor.  We do not encourage private instruction as a substitute for group lessons, however.  Ballroom dancing is a social activity and it is important to learn to interact with others on the dance floor.

Shoes

Dance shoes should be comfortable and allow your feet to slide easily on the floor.  Athletic sneakers are comfortable, but they are made to grip the floor.  Dancing in them could result in imbalance or even injury.  Shoes for ballroom dancing have either leather or suede soles.  It is acceptable to dance in dress shoes with leather soles, however they are not the same as dance shoes.  Dress shoes tend to be heavier and have thick soles.  The relatively thin soles on dance shoes are more flexible and allow you to actually feel the floor with your feet as you dance.  This ultimately gives you better control.  Dance shoes should never be worn outdoors as the soles will become marred and can collect debris that scratches the dance floor.

We do not expect beginning dancers to invest in dance shoes, but we also ask that you not use sneakers due to the potential risks.  One notable exception is “ballroom sneakers” which many people use for practice.  These look like conventional sneakers on top, but have a special hard rubber sole that doesn’t grip the floor like athletic shoes.  The sole is also disconnected at the arch for added flexibility.

If you have made a commitment to continue dancing, then you should consider purchasing dance shoes.  This is no different than buying personal gear for golf, tennis or any other activity that you regularly participate in.

Beginner Program

In the beginner classes, you will learn the proper way to hold your partner as well as to associate the music with a particular dance.  In partner dancing, figures are led by the gentleman and followed by the lady.  You will typically learn 5 or 6 figures in the beginning level of each dance but, more important, the gentleman learns how to lead those figures and the lady learns to recognize the gentleman's lead and how to respond to it.  This basic concept applies to every dance at every level and ultimately makes learning easier for both partners.

Our beginner program consists of four sessions in a monthly rotation.  Each session covers two dances.  For example:

Month 1 - Session "A": Waltz and Swing
Month 2 - Session "B": Foxtrot and Cha Cha
Month 3 - Session "C": Rumba and Tango
Month 4 - Session "D": Slow Dance and Nightclub Two Step

It is not necessary to begin with Session "A".  You can start with any one of these sessions and continue the rotation from there.  New sessions begin the first week of every month.  In only four months, you can learn the basics of eight different dance styles.  This gives you the ability to dance to most music at nearly any social function.  After you have completed the four beginner sessions, you have the option to move up to the intermediate level or to repeat any of the beginner sessions.

The key to retaining what you learn in class, however, is to practice regularly.  We hold at least one dance a month at the Troy Rec just for that purpose.  We realize that beginners may be hesitant to go to a dance, let alone pay to get in, when they haven't yet learned much and may be self-conscious about their dancing ability.  This is the most important time to go dancing, however.  For encouragement, those who are enrolled in our beginner classes can come to the monthly dances (except New Years Eve) for free.

Intermediate Program

In the intermediate classes, we focus on only one dance for the entire four week session.  Each of the dances that you learned in the beginner level will be expanded upon plus a few new dances will be introduced.  By this time, you have developed the ability to learn at a faster pace and to retain more of what you learn.  The intermediate classes begin with a review of the basic steps and figures in each dance, but with emphasis on combinations of figures to form small routines.  This helps you to transition between the different figures.

We continue to develop your skills in leading and following and pay more attention to posture and technique.  In the intermediate session, you will typically learn from 12 to 15 figures in each dance.

Once you reach the intermediate level, it is important to maintain the skills learned in the beginner classes.   When you are enrolled in one of our intermediate classes, we allow (and encourage) you to attend any beginner or intermediate class that you have taken from us at no additional cost.  Free classes are limited to one at a time and subject to space available.

Advanced Program

We also offer classes for more advanced dancers.  In these classes, you can expand your knowledge of dances that you are already familiar with or learn dances that are not offered to beginning or intermediate students.  Every dance has a beginning level, but not every dance is for beginning dancers.  The complexity of the figures, the timing or the tempo of some dances are easier to grasp once you have gained some experience.

The figures and dances taught in the advanced classes are generally more complex than those in the beginning and intermediate levels, however they are also more elegant and visually appealing.  The pace of the class is appropriate to the material being taught.

Advanced students also need to maintain the skills learned in the beginner and intermediate classes.   When you are enrolled in one of our advanced classes, you can also attend any class that you have taken from us at no additional cost.  Free classes are limited to one at a time and subject to space available.

Studio and Dance Locations

La Bella Viaggio
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101 W. Franklin St.
Troy, OH 45373

Just For Dance
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Miami Valley Centre Mall (inside - next to Elder Beerman)
987 E. Ash St.
Piqua, OH 45356

Troy Rec
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11 N. Market St.
Troy, OH 45373

Laura Hall
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Corner of Main and Pike Streets
Laura, OH 45337

Cost and Registration

The cost for each group session is only $30 per person.  Private lessons are $50 per hour.  There are no contracts or commitments required.  We want your dancing experience to be more fun than business.

Please register in advance.  Class size is limited based on the space available at each location.  Signing up ahead of time helps to ensure that you get into the class you want.  It also allows us to use the allotted class time teaching rather than taking registrations.

Registration is easy.  Contact us by phone or email with the following information for each student or couple:

Name
Mailing address
Phone
email address
class preference

We will confirm the availability of your preferred class and give you payment details.

Money Back Guarantee

Try your first group lesson at our risk.  If, for any reason, you decide not to continue, just let us know and we'll give you a full refund.