Do I need a partner?
No, you do not. It is nice to have somewhat even numbers of men and women. The reasons we don’t require partners follow:
- Dancing is social. We learn best and have fun when we dance with more than one person, so we rotate partners in class. You’ll get to know other dancers and be able to interact with more people at parties.
- Dancers learn better lead/follow skills when they adjust to different partners.
- Changing partners reduces criticism and fights between couples.
- We have a diverse student body from teen to senior, single, widowed, divorced and married. We think everyone should be able to dance.
- Couples who really are uncomfortable rotating have the option to stand at the end of the line and not change partners.
What should I wear?
Wear comfortable shoes preferably with a leather sole to ease turning. Should you get “serious”, or just want comfy feet, we can recommend places to get ballroom shoes which are well worth the investment. Showtime in Aiken has a great owner and good selection. Dress comfortably and casually for class and Every Friday Dances. We will publicize dressier and or themed events in advance.
How long will it take me to learn to dance?
This varies based on goals and amount of lessons and practice. You can have fun the very first hour, but like all sports and art forms, you can also spend hours or years getting really good at it. Most social dancers feel like they have a foundation in several dances within six months to one year.
Where can I use what I am learning?
Our Every Friday Dance is a great way to practice! We also publicize community events and clubs.
How can I practice or learn without a partner?
There are many things you can work on by yourself including posture, patterns, and floor craft.
What is line of dance?
Line of dance is a counterclockwise traffic circle around the dance floor, allowing dancers to move on a crowded floor in one direction. Dancers should always follow line of dance, go with the “traffic”, and should move into the center or corners if they do stationary patterns.
Is there dance etiquette?
Yes, it is considered polite to say yes when asked to dance. Sometimes, there are good reasons to say “no” but try to be considerate and appropriate. Often men do most of the asking, but it is acceptable for a lady to ask a man. If asking a member of a couple to dance, it is polite to make sure the partner doesn’t mind. Try to rotate through as many partners as possible to have the most fun and develop your leading and following.
Can I dance with the teachers?
Yes, it is our pleasure to dance with all dancers at our parties. Our staff tries to dance with as many different people as possible.
What if someone is inappropriate with me?
The Ballroom Dance Center is meant to be a wholesome, safe and fun place to dance. Any inappropriate behavior such as sexual harassment or drunken behavior should be brought to the attention of the staff and will not be tolerated.