HOW MANY LESSONS UNTIL YOU CAN BE LET LOOSE ON THE DANCE FLOOR?
Well this does depend on your level of coordination and confidence. We can teach you one step which you could take to the floor with, but I’m sure you’d get bored very quickly. The way we teach gives you a few steps for 1 or 2 dances each lesson, this means that by the end of each lesson you are able to hit the dance floor with a small selection of new steps each week. The more lessons you take, the more steps you can learn and the more interesting your dances will be. The way we teach allows you to be able to participate in a dance in at least one style after your first class.
DO I NEED TO HAVE A PARTNER BEFORE I COME TO LESSONS?
No you can come on your own and learn the steps – the instructors are always able to partner you during classes.
DO I NEED TO KNOW HOW TO READ OR PLAY MUSIC?
No you don’t need to know how to read or play music – we support anyone in listening to the beat and learning the timing.
CAN I BOOK A DIFFERENT TIME SLOT IF THE LESSON TIMES DON’T SUIT ME?
Certainly! In fact we encourage it. “Shall We Dance” Dance school is fortunate enough to have its own private ballroom on site. This means that we don’t need to negotiate with a hall for time slots. If you can’t make it to our regular lesson times, grab a small group of friends and you can create your own lesson time slot for the same price as a regular group lesson (min $60/hr). You can also book a private lesson for 2 for just $50/hr.
HOW MANY LESSONS WILL MY PARTNER AND I NEED BEFORE OUR WEDDING DANCE?
Ideally we would recommend a minimum of 2 months to give you plenty of time.
We have prepared couples for their wedding in a month, however we don’t recommend this as it adds extra pressure to an already fairly stressful time. Although we choreograph certain parts of wedding dances, what we actually do is teach you how to dance. This includes showing you how to lead, how to complete the steps, which combinations go well together and which combinations look good. This means that on your wedding day you can relax and enjoy your wedding dance while showing off your newly acquired skills rather than remembering a specific routine.
DO I NEED TO WEAR SPECIAL DANCE SHOES?
You can buy suede soled shoes designed specifically for dancing, However, they can be quite expensive so we simply suggest that you wear a comfortably pair of shoes that you would be likely to wear out for an evening. We do ask you not to wear sandles or sneakers because they make turning difficult or can be quite slippery.
BALLROOM DANCING IS SO OLD FASHIONED – WHEN WILL I EVER BE ABLE TO USE IT?
With the great popularity boost of TV shows like “Dancing With The Stars”, more people are going to venues where there is a dance floor and music and even if you have only done the beginners steps, you will be able to wow the other patrons who are just shuffling around the floor. We had one couple go on a cruise ship and after they had finished, no-one else took to the floor. Other cruise members stood and gave them applause, thinking that the were the floor show.
Ballroom dancing teaches you to be confident, take initiative, be coordinated, relaxed, sociable and let’s be honest guys, girls LOVE a guy who can swing them around the dance floor. But if that’s not enough – how many weddings have you been to where the bride and groom just shuffle around the dance floor and then there’s that un-assuming couple who take to the floor and steals the show… that could be you!
Year 12 formals, fundraising gala events, live bands who play in pubs to an empty floor where you’re sitting there wishing you could get up and dance if only you knew how. You tend to find that once you get into it, you find more and more opportunities to use it. In fact in many cases find excuses to go out of your way to use it. From the privacy of your lounge room to a large diner dance on a Saturday night – it’s amazing the out of the way and ‘not so out of the way’ places where you CAN still go out to dance on a Saturday night. ‘What you learn at “Shall We Dance” you will have for the rest of your life!
CAN I TAKE MORE THAN ONE CLASS?
Certainly! We have couples who take private lessons for themselves if they want to learn something specific and then they also come to the group lessons, sometimes with friends and family as well. It is entirely up to you as to how many times a week you’d like to dance.
HOW BIG IS YOUR DANCE HALL?
It is a 20ft by 40ft hall with a floating floor. It has reverse cycle heating and cooling, a smoke machine, glitter ball, flashing lights and of course a sound system.