How to Get Started

Welcome to The Rhythm Room and thank you for your interest in our Social Dance Program.

If you are considering learning to dance but aren’t sure of the best approach, here are a few options:

Group Classes: Always a convenient and comfortable starting point for those who are ready to join in.

No partner is necessary as we frequently ask students to rotate, but feel free to bring a friend to share in the fun.

Private Lessons: Also convenient and popular since they are scheduled by appointment and can fit into anyone’s busy schedule. The information is customized to suit your needs and dance preferences.

Purchase group classes, multiple private lessons, or a combination of both in advance at reduced prices.

Terms to help you along the way:

Bronze I: refers to someone with some previous dance experience

Bronze II: refers to someone gaining familiarity and mastery of the Bronze Syllabus

Intermediate: refers to someone with experience dancing Bronze level and above

There are two main styles of ballroom dancing -- American and International.

Both American and International styles are danced socially and competitively, so it is good to know both styles. The American style is danced mainly in America, whereas the International style is danced worldwide. Each style contains two categories of dance which are listed below. In American Smooth, the dancers can face each other as well as away from each other similar to the Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers style of dancing. In the International Standard, the man and woman always face each other in a closed dance position. The dances themselves differ between American Rhythm and International Latin as well as the precision of the steps.

BRONZE/BEGINNER LEVELS I-II-III

Social Ballroom: Presented in 2 separate series, these classes will cover a combination of dances in the Bronze American Smooth and Rhythm categories. Foxtrot, Waltz, Rumba and Swing will be contained in one series, then Tango, Quickstep, ChaCha and Mambo in another. These dances and rhythms are the most convenient and functional when you want to develop a good base of dance skills. Courses will introduce basic steps, rhythms, movement techniques and how to lead & follow.

Nightclub: These classes will cover a combination of dances, namely the Nightclub 2-step, Hustle, West Coast Swing and Salsa. These dances are popular and easy to use when dancing to a variety of contemporary music. Courses will introduce basic steps, rhythms, movement techniques and how to lead and follow.

Latin: This class will cover a combination of dances that are specific to the “International” style. Dances to be taught during this course include Cha-Cha, Rumba,Samba and Jive. This course will introduce basic steps, rhythms, movement techniques and how to lead & follow.

Standard: This class will cover a combination of dances that are specific to the “International” style. Dances to be taught during this course include Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot and Quickstep. This course will introduce basic steps, rhythms, movement techniques and how to lead and follow.

SILVER/INTERMEDIATE LEVELS I-II:

For the dancer ready to move into Silver Level syllabus, these classes will offer a greater emphasis on specific dances, moving further into body actions, timings and slick execution of patterns.