About ballroom dancing, tell me about it PLEASE?

Question

I'm wanting to take dance lessons and I'd be a beginner for sure (i'm a young teen with very little dancing experience). I'm wanting to do something ballroom dancing.

Here's what I want to know....
-Different type of ballroom dances
-If it's ok for my age
-Do you get assigned a partener? Do you always have a partener?
-What sort of things do you learn in a regulaire ballroom dancing class/lesson?
-Anything else you know that could help me

Please help me, I'm clueless but I want to know more about it before getting into it.

Also about the parteners, If I got a partener would they be way older than me?

Oh and what would I wear to a ballroom dancing lesson/class?

Also around how much does it cost?

Answer 1

Sounds like you're excited because you hav etons of questions. LOL. Yes it is good for your age.

If you are in the US, there are 2 types of ballroom dancing: American and International. International tends to be oriented to competitions and preformance. International classes have a lot of details on technique and presentation. Americal ballroom is more for social dancing. But you can compete in American style.

International Ballroom has 2 styles: Latin and Standard.
Latin dances are Cha-cha, Samba, Paso Doble, Rumba and Jive. Standard dances are Walts, Tango, Vienneze Waltz, Foxtrot and Quickstep.
American ballroom, correspondignly, has 2 styles as well: Rhythm and Smooth.
Rhythm dances are Cha-Cha, Mambo, Bolero, Rumba and East Coast Swing. Smooth dances are Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot and Vienneese Waltz.

The difference between Latin and Rhythm is hard to notice unless you're a trained dancer. However, the technique for these styles is completely different. If you've decided to learn one of them, stick with it for some time before startin gthe other, or you'll get very confused. The difference between Smooth and Standard is that Standard is always danced in closed frame, in Smooth partners separate and do a few steps on their own.

Dances like salsa, swing, hustle are also taught in ballroom studios.

Whether or not you get assigned a partner depends a lot on how the studio operates. As a beginner, you usually don't get assigned a partner right away. Some studios never assign a partner. You can partner up with whoever you want who needs a partner too. Your partner is not assigned to you forever in any case. If things work out well you dance together as long as it works. Could be anywhere from few weeks to a few years. If thing don't work out you just talk it over with him (possibly bring up with your teacher) and you're both free.
That's for competitive dance. For social dance you are never assigned a partner, you dance with a new person every class.

When you're being partnered up for competitive dance your teacher will never assign you to someone really old. The reason is you need to compete in Junior category, he needs to compete in Senior category. Your skill level, height and weight will be taken into consideration too.

What to wear to a ballroom class: something dressy but comfortable. Stretchy top and a knee - length skirt would be ideal. If you don't have a skirt - pants are good too. Jeans is not a good idea - they are too stiff.
Very soon you will have to get a pair of suede-soled dance shoes. In the mean time, wear non-marking shoes with closed backs. Sneakers or tennis shoes have very stickt sole, they won't be comfortable to dance in, but they are likely to allow it in a studio. Some studios are very strict and they will ask you to dance in socks until you get proper shoes. Bring a pair of socks with you.

Prices - oh, boy, that's a long story... In general, one hour of private instructions costs around $80 in my area. Group class price varies greatly from $5 to $15. It is usually a good deal if you can pay for like 10 group classes in advance and get a discount. Studios tend to provide consistent quality of group classes. It can be a good or a bad deal if you are asked to pay for 10 private lessons and get a discount. Some teachers tend to get lazy with private lessons if they already pocketed your money. Some teachers really care and they do a good job teaching.

Answer 2

Ballroom dancing is a great activity and I'm sorry I didn't get involved with it sooner.

Depending on where you take your classes, you'll learn Cha Cha, Waltz, Foxtrot and even Swing.

You may be assigned a permanent partner, but that would be unusual for a beginner - teachers usually want their students to feel comfortable so you'll probably be matched up with someone of your skill level. More than anything, your teacher will probably have someone who is size appropriate as your partner. Age has nothing to do with it.

You might be nervous for your first few lessons, but don't worry about it - everyone is in the same boat as you. Learn to laugh at your mistakes and you'll be surprised how quickly it starts to come to you, until it starts to feel totally natural. Good luck!

Answer 3

Ballroom dancing varies. There are many dances that fall under the catagory of ballroom, mainly latin dances such as merengue, tango, etc. Swing dancing often falls under ballroom as well because of the fox trot. I think ballroom is great for everyone, regardless of age. It is becoming more accepted because of Dancing with the Stars. When it comes to classes...if you join with a partner then you have that one. If not, then you are usually paired up. If you see someone you think you could be that close to and be comfortable then approach them and simply ask. Ballroom lessons is a great time!! You'll learn balance, rhythm, posture and how to have a blast! Hope you do it!

Answer 4

There are two styles of ballroom, American and International. American style ballroom has smooth and rhythm subdivisions, with foxtrot, waltz Viennese waltz, and tango in the smooth category, with lots of open positions and underarm turns. Rhythm includes mambo, swing, rumba, cha cha and samba. International style is subdivided into Standard, with foxtrot, waltz, Viennese waltz and quickstep, which are danced in closed position, without the underarm turns and open positions of American style; and Latin includes paso doble, cha cha, rumba, samba and jive In either, there are likely to be additional social dances offered if you're interested/
Different studios are set up in different ways, but most have a combination of group lessons, private lessons and parties. In the group lessons, it's normal to dance with all the guys in the class. That way, you get experience dancing with different people. In private lessons you'll be working one-on-one with your instructor. At parties, you dance with everybody, even the old guys, because (1) it's rude not to, and (2) it again gives you experience doing so. If you can get a partner about your own age to work with for practice or amateur competitions, you'll progress faster, but it isn't necessary
When you go for your first lesson, wear clothing that will let you move. Clothing should be casual, not grubby (blue jeans are frowned upon), and shoes should not have rubber soles. There are special ballroom shoes, one style for smooth/standard and another for rhythm/Latin, with sueded leather soles that allow you to grip the floor and yet turn without restriction, but you'll want to gain some experience before you invest in them.

Answer 5

The dancing is amazing. I want to take lessons. Any age is good.

Answer 6

Why dont you pick up a phone book and call a dance studio to ask these questions. As each answer will vary from city to city studio to studio!