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Dance Styles FAQ:
Q: I'm not a dancer, but I want to learn to dance. Where should I start?
A: I recommend going with what appeals to you. If you want to delve into a dance that focuses on grace and elegance, I would recommend trying a smooth/ballroom dance. If you like the appeal of latin music and want something rhythmic and sassy, try out a latin dance. If you like country music and want to try something a little casual and laid back, give one of the country dances a whirl. If you want something fun and energetic, I recommend swing. Swing is a very wide genre of dance, ranging in style from a ‘jitterbug’ type dance to a smoother dance. If you’re looking for something danced to modern music that is cool, smooth, and sexy, West Coast Swing is what you’re looking for!

Q: I’ve done some dancing, but just fun social stuff in clubs and whatnot. I’m not afraid of a dance floor, so why should I learn how to dance?
A: Conquering the fear of the dance floor is only part of the objective. Remember, learning to dance is learning to communicate with a partner in a subtle but very intimate/personal way. Dancing by yourself is one thing. But, the essence of couple’s dancing is that you have a very intimate conversation without words. To dance with your partner is to create a connection that is as intense as two souls touching and intertwining. It is a deep connection that lasts the duration of a song. Each time is unique to the people, the song, the place, and the time... it is a connection that flares into existence, then will never exist again. Every dance is different, just as every conversation you have is different. You can talk about the same things, but each conversation is a unique experience. Learning to dance is literally learning to speak in the language of your body and soul. I think everyone can benefit from learning to communicate in this way.

Q: What do you mean by social dance?
A: Every dance has a social and a competitive side. Think about a dialog, say, for a play. The conversation in the play is designed around performance. It is created with the intent of being performed purely for the benefit of the audience, and the communication between partners follows a set script. Same thing in most competitive dancing. Formal or competitive dancing follows a script, more or less. Typically, there are routines that are followed and lots of things are done for the benefit of the audience, as opposed to the benefit of communication with your partner. In a social dance, think about having lunch with a friend and talking about whatever. You don’t plan what you’re going to say. The conversation developes a life of its own and it winds its own path from beginning to end. This is social dancing. In social dancing, there’s no such thing as a “mistake” as long as the goal of the partnership is communication. Even if you never plan on competing, there is still value in learning the formal or competitive side to any dance because the goal is always to learn how to best communicate with your partner. You can never learn too much.

Q: But, there’s no where to go to dance... where and when will I ever be able to use my newfound dancing skills?
A: There’s always somewhere to go dancing. However, population and public dance venues tend to be directly proportionate. So, if you are from a sparcely populated area, this is probably bad news to you because if you want to find other dancers, you will probably end up travelling a little. Of course, if you live in a heavily populated area, this is probably good news. This can be true of just about anything, though. Dancing is about communicating with your partner. This can be done in the privacy of your own home, of course. Your local dance studio should know of places where dancing is available on a regular basis. Plus, there are always special events that offer the opportunity of a nice dance floor.

As dancing continues to grow in popularity, it will continue to surface in more and more places. Dancing is probably already a lot more commonplace than most people, even dancers themselves, realize. Just because it’s not where you are just yet, keep in mind if you find yourself wishing for a place to dance, you’re most likely not alone.

“He who would learn to fly one day must first learn to stand and walk and run and climb and dance; one cannot fly into flying.” — Friedrich Nietzsche, German Philosopher and Critic of Culture (1844-1900)