Hi all,
Ok I'm a newbie dancer I've been dancing at clubs and such but to tell you the truth I really have know idea of what I'm doing. I sometimes dance with this girl who knows her stuff she has taught me some easy steps and how to twist her and things. But I am looking for more. We talked about dance lessons ( she has taken them for years). I've been looking at some simple dance steps on the net and practicing them but I don't want to create any bad habits. So I guess my question is where do I start. I was thinking of taking a beginning ballroom dancing class? Is this the general consensus on a good place to start just to get the basics down? Oh yea I'm male and 25 years old if that matters ......aAy suggestions would help . I don't thing I like anything too slow I'm most into fast tempo stuff. I don't know if Im into swing but I know I like most of the Latin style dances
Thanks..

J-

I know that the regulars are going to notice me harping on this point over and over (as we often get your "where to start" question),,,but I'll say it again...Ballroom dance is a buyer beware market! You will find that ballroom dancing (like any hobby) can tie up a signifigant amount of funds. So, be sure you have a good, reputable instructor right from the very beginning! Know why you want to dance...are yo ujust into being a better dancer, or are the social aspects more important? Either way, start calling those studios in the yellow pages and ask them if they have any instructors certified by the ISTD or the USISTD (US Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance). If they meet the standards of the ISTD exams then you can at least be sure that they are knowledgable. Hopefully you'll find several certified teachers...then you can take lessons with all of them and find a studio, or instructor that suits you personally.
I am in KansasCity...we have roughly 6 studios here, but ONLY ONE with experienced and certified instructors. Doesn't mean that the others aren't doing well enough teaching a lower standard of social dance...but many students realize (much to their chagrin) that they need better instruction only after spending a lot of time and money with a very inexperienced and sadly undertrained instructor. So, my advice is simply to do a little looking around first...and don't get emotionally attached (laugh now but it often happens) to a studio or teacher who will ultimately disappoint you.
That said, don't give up! If you love to dance then you will surely find a way to pursue it...besides, men are always in high demand...if we had a decent amateur male in KC looking to do amateur competition there would be a huge cat fight over him!

Joey,

I would highly recommend taking a beginning ballroom class. You may want to ask your friend where she has taken her classes as a place to start. Before you sign up for a class, explain to them what you are looking for and what your goals are (i.e. dancing in latin or swing clubs, competition etc.).

Some things to keep in mind:
Learning to dance is a slow process. Try not to get frustrated if you don't pick something up right away.
It is more important to do a few steps really well than many steps poorly.
If you make sure that your dance partners have fun when they dance with you (even if they are not as advanced), you will never have a shortage of potential partners.
And most importantly, make sure you have fun.

Good luck,
Blair

Thanks for the replies.
We looked at a few dance studios and spoke with a few instructors and came to the conclusion that we didn't need a whole ballroom class just the Latin and some swing for now. The one instructor won best of Philly in 95 but I really don't know what that means but it sounds good. There is a lot going on in the Latin music its hard to know what exactly to dance to. I'm not going to do anything but listen for now so I don't create any bad habits Anyway the classes start 4-1-01 I cant wait…
Thanks again -Joey

First and foremost, listen to the music! Try to buy as much different latin music as you can afford (now that Napster is going away....) and truly listen to it, and feel it! Let your body move to it as it will.

Secondly, go shopping for dance teachers. Look in yellow pages for dance studios. Try out several till you find one that offers what you want (at a price you can afford.) Don't be shy about taking lessons in many different places.

Ultimately one of the most important things a good dance teacher can do for you is give you a feel for what good partnering (physical interaction with another human) is all about.

Don't worry about fancy patterns or steps - they don't make a good dancer, just a busy one.

Finally, there are absolutely no substitutions for experience. Practice!