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GROUP LESSONS
| Group
lessons have the
advantage of being
fairly inexpensive. Depending on the size of the class you get
some
individual attention to refine your style. Generally they're a
great
way to start learning, but there are faster & slower learners in
the
group, so try not to judge yourself by them. Also some instructors are professionals with real competition experience, and some are good social dancers that have been doing this a long time. Each is different, so check them out & find what's right for you. Average cost for group lessons seems about $5 to $10 per lesson. Also, please let us know of any other places that have dance lessons. COLLEGES To the best of our knowledge, these
classes must be joined at the beginning of a semester. However
sometimes these start later in the year than normal classes, so check
with the school. The
MTSU Guys and Dolls Swing Dance Club
meets every Monday night (even throughout the summer) in the Murphy
Center, Dance Studio A, on the MTSU campus. They have lessons from
6:00 to 7:00 pm, and open dancing until 9:00 pm. Membership is open to
everyone, not just students. No partner or experience is required and
they dance in a smoke-free, alcohol-free environment. For more
information and directions, contact Morgan Kestner, the club president,
at mtsuswingdanceclub@gmail.com
The Dance Group at Vanderbilt University offers
classes in everything from flamenco to hip hop funk.
These non-credit classes are open to everyone. They have
different level of ballroom, latin and swing classes. They
usually allow you to try a class the
first week for a minimal fee without having to commit to the entire
course. We've met some of their instructors and they're both
competent and easy-going. Also they hold a dance at the end of
each course so you can have a place to use you new knowledge.
Call for the latest schedule and prices - the number is 615-322-2471
during business hours or check out their webpage http://www.vanderbilt.edu/sarratt/dance/
Vol State Community College lists different
dances including ballroom, swing, latin, etc.
Most
of the dance classes are on the Gallatin campus but sometimes they have
courses at other sites. Contact them at 452-8600,
741-3215,
or 1-888-335-8722. Or check out their website at http://www.vscc.cc.tn.us/
ORGANIZATIONS and CENTERS Generally these classes are a series, progress on the previous knowledge and should be joined at the start. Check with them though, often you can join late, especially if you have a little knowledge. The Renaissance Center, located at 855 Highway 46 South in Dickson, TN, offers Beginner & Intermediate lessons in different dances. For more info, check their web site http://www.rcenter.org/The Williamson County Parks & Recreation Department sponsors dances from time to time at the The Franklin Recreation Complex at 1120 Hillsboro Rd in Franklin, TN . I don't have recent information, but they generally run ballroom, swing and/or latin, with excellent instructors at a good price. For information & registration call 790-5719. The Global Education Center, located at 4822 Charlotte Ave., hosts dances and lessons for dances from around the world http://www.globaleducationcenter.net Most of the Senior Activity Centers provide
group
classes for members and non-members. The cost is usually
a bargain, and the students are great fun to learn alongside.
The centers are: Hadley Park Center 1029 28th Avenue North 320-5833 Madison Station Center 301 Madison
Street (in Madison) 860-7180. Kathleen Phillips
instructor. CLUBS & GROUPS Some of these classes are a series and some are ongoing which adjust to the students & may be joined at anytime. We suggest checking with each class for more information. The Nashville
BeBop Association dances on the 1st & 3rd Saturday of each
month at the VFW, located at 73 New Shackle Island Rd., in
Hendersonville. TN. There is dancing from 7:30 till 10:30 pm,
with a
dance lessons at 7:30 pm. Membership is $36 annually. They play a mix
of Bop, East Coast Swing, and Beach Music. This is a fun group that has
been dancing since August, 1989. For more info call 615-428-7304, or check
out http://www.nashvillebebop.com
The Nashville Dance Club meets every Wednesday at the New VFW located at 1907 Lebanon Rd, Nashville, TN. Their DJs play a wide variety of music, from Rock n Roll to Swing & Hustle, with some Country on the side. They will be providing dance lessons to members and guests. Their goal is to provide a friendly social atmosphere and to promote dance in the Nashville Community. For more information on membership, dances, lessons, etc will be posted on their website http://www.TheNashvilleDanceClub.com Big
Band Music Appreciation Society dances are back, with
their usual season of dances from Sept. to May. Jim &
Naomi are being joined by Joe & Connie Katimi, and they are back at
the Eastwood Christian Church, located at 1601 Eastland Ave. Cost
is only $5.00, and that includes the dance lesson at 7:30pm (usually
beginner lesson), and
dancing from 8:30 to 11:00 pm, as the DJ plays your favorite types of
swing tunes to keep you on the dance floor all night. No partner
or experience needed, dances are always smoke & alcohol free in a
lovely old church hall with hardwood floor. Refreshments are
available, all ages are welcome, and dress is casual with hard-soled
shoes appropriate for the floor. For more info, call Naomi Craig
at 227-1854 or email ilove2dance49@hotmail.com The Chinese Ballroom Dance Club hosts a monthly ballroom dance party on the 2nd Friday of each month, from 8:00 to 10:30 pm, at the Global Education Center. Admission is only $5.00 per person, or $8.00 per couple. Lessons are offered from time to time as needed. For more information, please contact Chenhua at chenhua2006@gmail.com or (615) 481-6272. Tango Nashville, a passionate, active group of Argentine Tango Dancers, offers weekly Beginners and Intermediate Argentine Tango Classes. For more dates, times, locations and prices, please check their calender www.tangonashville.com/calendar or contact Diana Holland, 615-889-3390, connect@tangonashville.com, or visit www.tangonashville.com Jump, Jive & Swing! is Nashville's original evening of Big Band Swing, and their new location is terrific. After five years of swingin' beats and happy feet they're bigger then ever, so come join them for a hot night of Big Band Swing, lessons and great fun! Dances are held usually every 1st and 3rd Saturday at the Otter Creek Church Auditorium, located at 409 Franklin Rd in Brentwood. They have a large, hardwood dance floor, great acoustics and plenty of free parking. Swing Lessons (beginner and intermediate) are from 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm, with dancing until post-midnight to the best Big Band Swing music from the 40's to today. Cost is only $6 per person. Singles and couples of all ages welcome, as all dances are smoke and alcohol free, and family friendly The dances are sponsored by The Nashville 20/30 Christian Swing Dance Group and proceeds benefit Youth for Truth, a ministry & mentor program for at-risk urban young people. For more info, call Steve Willis 294-4858, or email swwillis@bellsouth.net
The Nashville Swing Dance Club offers a wide variety of group classes on different days, (usually Monday, Tuesday & Friday) including West Coast Swing, Waltz and Tango, with something going on all the time. Generally their lessons are at Silverado's on Murfreesboro Rd and at The Trevecca Annex (on the Terrace University Campus) on Murfreesboro Rd. For more information about this very active club call their hotline - the number is 615-641-0554 or check out their webpage at http://www.nashvilleswingdanceclub.com/ The Music City Bop Club occasionally offers lessons before their regularly scheduled Saturday dance, as well as other lessons, workshops & dances. Visit their web site at http://www.MusicCityBopClub.com/ for more info. They meet at the Maxwell Lounge at The Maxwell House Hotel located at 2025 Metro Center Blvd, and the Lounge's phone # is 615-259-4343. The Music City Chapter of USA Dance (formerly USABDA) holds a monthly dance at Dance World. Generally, it will be the first Sunday of each month, but check their calendar, or our Events page, to be sure. Beginners are welcome, and you don't have to be a member to attend. Dance World has 2 large dance floors, and is conveniently located at 700 Rundle Avenue. Plan to arrive at 2:00 PM for a lesson with a local teaching professional, followed by open dancing until 5:30 PM. Cost is $10 for members and $12 for non members. For more info, check out the USA Dance web site http://usadance-nashville.org/ or the Dance World web site, http://www.danceworldtn.com/ The Music City Swing Thing Dance Club offers monthly dances featuring West Coast Swing and many other dances enjoyed at Swing Events. The monthly dance is held at DanceWorld Studio (http://www.danceworldtn.com) at 630 Rundle, Nashville, TN 37210 and is typically the 3rd Sunday of the month. Be sure to check http://www.musiccityswingthing.com and the Calendar Section for correct dates and location. There is a Group Lesson from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., with social dancing until 10:00 p.m. Admission is $10 per person (including the lesson). For MCST information about Membership, Dances, Lessons, etc., check out their website at http://www.musiccityswingthing.com or email info@musiccityswingthing.com. SCHOOLS, STUDIOS & CENTERS Dance
Quest is a fun, friendly dance center,
located at 539 Metroplex Drive, Suite C-200. They offer a group
lesson starting at 7:00 pm, before their Friday evening dance, and cost
is only $15.00
per person or $20.00 per couple for the lesson and the dance.
Friendly folks, a relaxed, inviting atmosphere and a spacious dance
floor will make an enjoyable time for everyone. The owners, Jim
& Debbie Sullivan, are friendly and easy-going, yet great
dancers who are competent, professional, and easy to learn from.
Contact them at
615-333-1551, or check out their great web site http://www.DanceQuestLLC.com
Dance World dance studio has 2 excellent facilities, both with lots of dance space, and fun, talented people to get you up and dancing. They're coveniently located at Suites 630 and 700 in the Fesslers Business Center (630 Rundle Ave. & 700 Rundel Ave). Take the Fesslers Lane exit from I-40, and turn at the first right, before you reach Fesslers. They feature lots of group lessons and dances open to the public. Saturday night they host a ballroom dance from 8:00 to 10:30 pm, with a group lesson from 7:00 to 8:00 pm, for only $15 per person or $25 per couple. They also offer lessons before their Sunday afternoon dances, with lesson from 2:30 to 3:30. Cost for these two dances is about $5 to $12 per person, depending on the dance. For more info call the owner, Danny Baye, at 615-726-8899 or e-mail dbaye112@comcast.net or check out their website http://www.danceworldtn.com/
NIGHTCLUBS & DANCES Many nightclubs & ballroom dances will have a free beginners lesson before the dance. They are a great way to get you out on the dance floor, and to meet others who will be at the dance. To find out which ones, it would be best to check out the dances on our " Coming Events " and "Where to Dance " pages. |
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These folks teach group or individual classes at different times & places, so it's best to see what they have going on by contacting them. These people are friendly, encouraging, fun to learn from, and do their best to keep the cost low. Of course, we don't know everyone, and we will be happy to list anyone that contacts us. Christa
Bacon Certified ballroom dancer, teaches rhythm and smooth
ballroom dancing for individual and group lessons. Dancing and
performing over 15 years. Affordable, competative rates; first lessons
usually free, to get your
'feet' moving in the direction of ballroom dancing.. Email: mailto:miss.christa.bacon@gmail.com Davileen McNeely teaches at the Renaissance Center in Dickson, TN, 615-740-5600, and is available for private lessons. Richard A. Wright
865-804-1505 Available for private lessons for Lindy Hop, Balboa,
Charleston, and East Coast Swing. Fun & energenic, he also
teaches out of Vintage Rhythm Studio. Email: lindyman@gmail.com Beth Wittrig 615-356-0962. Our first dance instructor. If it hadn't been for her, we probably would have quit after the first lesson. We recommend her highly for beginners. Email: bethwittrig@yahoo.com Kathleen
Phillips, Home 615-884-0084, Cell 615-585-2241 An
accomplished & respected instructor, who's also a pleasant, patient
teacher, good with difficult
learners. kathleenphillips@comcast.net Kathy Schklar & Charles Burnett 615-776-1921, or 615-419-5333 A very nice couple with many years of dancing & teaching experience. Available primarily for private lessons. Ken & Susan Leary 615-883-8371 A
wonderful, encouraging couple that are great with beginners. April
Scott 615-256-3495 Salsa Cha-cha, Merengue, Bachata, Cumbia
instruction for performance, private or group lessons. Very
professional and fun. clubcalientedancers@hotmail.com
or april@kind-music.com Phil
Dorroll and Louise Seawright of DanceAmerica
Productions are available for private lessons to fit a variety
of needs. Contact them through their website http://www.danceamerica.net |
INDIVIDUAL INSTRUCTION
| Most individual instruction is found at
professional dance schools with an instructor who has danced, and
hopefully done well, in competitions, or otherwise demonstrated their
skill. Individual instruction can be expensive, but is the best way to
learn, advance your dancing repertoire and refine your style. Most schools offer a newcomers package, so you can try them out at a bargain and see if a particular class or instructor is right for you. Some schools only teach the "proper ballroom curriculum" , others will cater to the individual and teach "just that fancy step you've always wanted to learn". Don't be afraid to ask a few questions, let them know exactly what you want, and if you don't like what you hear, try the next one. Fred Astaire Dance Studios, located at 330 Franklin Road, Suite 906-D, in Brentwood, includes something for everyone, from Beginner to Advanced customized dance programs. They offer all kinds of dance instruction - from ballroom to country western to salsa to nightclub dancing - for all ages and abilities through private, group, and practice lessons. In your very first lesson, you'll learn the basic elements of which all dance patterns are based and within hours, you'll be ready to dance. New Student Special includes 2 private/one-on-one thirty minute lessons, 1 group class and 1 practice party. For more info, call them at 615-661-0844, or check out their web site http://www.fadsnashville.com Dance
Quest is a fun, friendly dance center,
located at 539 Metroplex Drive, Suite C-200. They offer a group
and individual instruction and dances open to the public.
Friendly folks, a relaxed, inviting atmosphere and a spacious dance
floor will make an enjoyable time for everyone. The owners, Jim
& Debbie Sullivan, are friendly and easy-going, yet great
dancers who are competent, professional, and easy to learn from.
Contact them at
615-333-1551, or check out their great web site http://www.DanceQuestLLC.com Dance World
has 2 excellent facilities with lots of dance space and fun, talented
people to get you up and dancing. They're coveniently located
at Suites 630 and 700 in the Fesslers Business Center (630 Rundle Ave.
& 700 Rundel Ave).
Take the Fesslers Lane exit from I-40, and turn at the first right,
before you reach Fesslers. They feature lots of group lessons
and dances open to the public. Saturday night they host a ballroom
dance from 8:00 to 10:30 pm, with a group lesson from 7:00 to 8:00 pm,
for only $15 per person or $25 per
couple. They also offer dance
lessons
before their unday afternoon dances, with lesson from 2:30 to 3:30, for
about $5 to
$12 per person For more
info call the owner, Danny Baye,
at 615-726-8899 or e-mail
dbaye112@comcast.net or check out their website http://www.danceworldtn.com/ |
INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEOS
| Videos can be a great help, especially in
conjunction with lessons from a live teacher. We found several in the
Nashville area including the following:
Cal Pozo's Learn to Dance in Minutes. We found these tapes at Suncoast Videos here in Nashville. Cal Pozo is a former US professional dance champion and Broadway choreographer. These tapes are very well produced and Mr. Pozo is an excellent and friendly teacher - making the dances simple and fun even for complete beginners. You can find out more about these videos, and purchase them directly by visiting his website at http://www.calpozo.com/ . Fred Astaire Dance Studios. We obtained these tapes from the Davidson Co. Public Libraries (you can search the Library's catalog via modem by calling 862-5490 or by clicking on the link above). These are well produced tapes, but only 30 min. in length. There are 3 tapes covering ballroom, swing, and Latin. Alan Meyers "Catch Dance Fever" (also available at the library). Alan Meyers is a Memphis native, and while these tapes apparently had the lowest budget of those we viewed, they were very informative. Mr. Meyers is an animated and determined teacher, and he manages to pack a great deal of information into each 60 min. tape (there are several tapes for three dances - ballroom, swing, country) with very little wasted time. The Davidson County Public Libraries has added several new dance videos (and have more on order). You can search their catalog online and order any videos (or book) to be sent to a branch near you. Let us know if you try any and like them, and we'll do the same.
We have also ordered videos from Dance Vision ( http://www.dancevision.com/ ), and we were very happy with what we received. These are much more professional offerings, and the company ships the same day they receive your order. We were especially pleased with the Ron Montez latin style tapes. Their huge catalog also contains a large selection of dance music on CD. You might pick up some tips watching Dancing Around Nashville on Cable Access TV (Ch 19). It is hosted by Carolyn Jordan and features local dance clubs strutting their stuff. It airs Wednesday evenings and Saturdays. |
ONLINE LEARNING
| There's been a real boom in lessons on the WWW during the past year or so and several pages now offer instruction aided by animations and video. Check the Links page for a couple of our favorites. While you may not be able to learn everything through your computer, you can pick up a flashy new step or an enlightening tip (and being able to step through a video one frame at a time can be a big help). |
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