FAQ
Q. Do I need a partner?
A. You don’t need to bring a partner. However, it is a partner dance class, and so if you come on your own you will probably dance with another individual or with a teacher.
Q. I will be attending with someone and want to dance with them. Will you make me swap partners?
A. Not usually. Occasionally we will get the whole class to swap partners but normally you can dance with the person you came with. Those that have come on their own will dance with each other, or the teacher.
Q. What should I wear?
A. There is no dress code for our classes, and they are more gentle than a fitness class, so sports clothing is not required. Wear something that you feel comfortable in, that doesn’t restrict your movement too much. In cold weather, it’s best to wear several layers of clothing rather than one big jumper as you may find you get quite warm while dancing!
Q. What shoes are suitable?
A. Men should wear comfortable flat shoes with a smooth sole. Ladies should wear comfortable flat or low-heeled shoes, with a smooth sole. Trainers are not as good, as they are designed to grip the floor and can therefore restrict your movement when you’re dancing. You can get ballroom/latin dance shoes (you’ll see us wearing them) – but do try out the class before you spend any money on these!
Q. Where can I buy dance shoes?
A. We can recommend retailers that sell dance shoes, please come and ask us for details. However, we suggest you do try out the class for a few weeks before you buy the shoes!
Q. Do I need to enrol?
Q. What happens at the end of my 12-week course?
A. We continue running the classes for as long as we have enough interest. Just keep coming along at the same time, and you will progress through the levels with your fellow class-mates. Some of our classes have been running for several years in this way.
Q. Why am I classed as a Beginner for a whole year?
A. Ballroom and Latin dancing includes ten dances in total: five Ballroom and five Latin dances. That’s a lot of different dances to learn! We teach a mixture of the Ballroom and Latin dances in all of our classes, gradually introducing new dances while building up the routines of the ones you already know. Because you are learning several dances at once, it takes a while to master them; this is why you will be classed as a beginner for a year.
Q. I’ve danced before. Which class should I join?
A. Look at the “classes explained” columns under each level for an idea of how much experience you need for each class. You are also welcome to try out a few classes to see for yourself which one suits your level the best. Alternatively come and speak to us and we will suggest a suitable class for you.
Q. I’ve missed a few classes. Can I come back?
A. Classes are taught progressively, so we usually teach something new every week. Missing a week here and there is normally not a problem, as we always go over any new steps the following week, so you should be able to catch up fairly easily. However, if you have missed several classes, you may wish to book a private lesson to catch up with the steps.
Q. I have two left feet. Can I join?
A. Of course! We specialise in two (or even three) left feet! Dancing is all based around walking, so as long as you can manage to walk in through the door, we will be able to teach you some dancing.
Q. What age group are your classes?
A. Gone is the time when only those over 60 did ballroom dancing! Nowadays, dancing is popular amongst all age groups and this is reflected in our classes. Most of our classes contain a good mix of different ages, but we never can predict exactly who will walk in through the door at our next beginners class. All we would say is that you need a basic level of fitness to do the class (i.e. you can walk up the stairs…) We also teach children’s classes, from age 3 upwards. So that pretty much includes everybody!