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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. 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. 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: CLUBS & GROUPS The Chinese Ballroom Dance Club usually holds monthly dancesFor more information, please contact Chenhua at chenhua2006@gmail.com or (615) 481-6272. The Franklin Ballroom/Eccentrique Backbone Dance Social hosts monthly dance parties, usually with a lesson included. For more information call 615-790-3048. Funtopia Nashville with Pablo Bodini & Jonathan Blanco, Founders & DJs, feature salsa and latin dances, events & lessons http://ww.funtopianashville.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 Nashville Rueda Nashville Rueda has been burning up the dance floor for over two years, participating in numerous Latin festivals in Nashville and traveling to salsa events in Huntsville and Knoxville. As it says on their web site "We specialize in performing and teaching rueda de casino because of its fast-paced partner changes and playful movements. It's all about having a good time, and our mission is to spread our passion for rueda and Cuban music where ever we go." to find out about their performances, lessons (private and group), and special events, visit their website at
http://www.nashvillerueda.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. ).
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 $17 per person or $30 per
couple. They also offer
lessons before their Sunday afternoon dances, with lesson from 2:00 to
3:00.(dance lasts until 5:00)
cost $15 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/ 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.
Juanita Simanekova 615-484-3153. Actively competing in American Rythym, Juanita is also skilled in most other styles of ballroom. She's available for private and group lessons, and is patient and skilled with all levels. You can find more info about Juanita at http://simanekova.com/lessons
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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 |
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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