Hi, my name is Stephen, I live in Edmonton, Alberta. I am 22, and I go to the UofA.

The first thing I should probably say is that I am not a dancer of any kind. I dance at clubs, and raves...but I don't really think of that as dancing. Don't get me wrong I love them, but I just think of it different...at least I do now

I think to put it bluntly: I want to learn how to dance.

It's strange because when I think about it...I feel much the same as I felt the first time I had to model. I know that sounds dumb...but in a way I think much of dancing is about confidence. It's different because I got into doing that though dating people in that field, dancing however is something that I am doing alone.

At least for now

The question is how ?
Seriously...

I don't want to be a professional, or even gain any great degree of skill. I would just love to be able to walk into a room of strangers, and be able to dance...ballroom style.

Any help would be most appreciated...

Thanks,
Stephen

The whole learning with people watching thing can be intimidating--which is why college clubs are good. At least around here there are not many people who are into swing anymore so the (relatively large) group of beginners that showed up at the beginning of the year (myself included) felt more comfortable because there are only the couple who was teaching who knew what they were doing--the others came later when the lesson was over and the open dance started. Also, if you get a friend who is learning the opposite part you can practice together when no one else is watching. While you may not get everything right at that time, you can fix it during the lessons and then go back to practicing.

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Trees are people too!
¡Viva los árboles!

Lune - I think it is a good idea to join dance clubs in your university or community to learn the basics and get the feel before you commit. It is much cheaper that way.

Hate to learn something with someone watching? I have the same feeling when I started but rationalized that it is worse if I have already learned and have to perform. The expectation from self and audience is much higher and creates more anxiety. I'm sure you'll get used to being watched, it's part of the learning process.

Welcome to the world of ballroom dancing. Good luck and have fun!

Thank you very much !!

I'm am fairly tired, but I wanted to reply...hehe.
Don't you just hate being set up ?

I got set up with this cheerleader from our city football team lol...
It was ok, we went to a carnival type thing (Klondike days).
She was interesting, and attractive but just not my type.

Private lessons hmmm ?

Honestly I can't see myself going that route...I just hate learning something with somebody watching. I like so much more to learn something--and then show somebody.

I think after learning the basics....if I find that I really like dancing, then I will feel comfortable moving to that stage. For now...maybe the best thing to do, is to look into clubs at my university and such.

Thank you so much for your advice,
Stephen

-and feel free to write anytime, I love meeting friends in different places

I wanted to learn to dance because I was tired of looking like an idiot at weddings and the like. I've always been able to jump around with the best of them, but at partner dancing I could scuff up a man's shoes like nobody's business. I started with group lessons at a local social dance school. (I went to a woman's college, so there wasn't a lot of parnter dancing there). After a few weeks of group lessons, I took a few private lessons. I literally learned as much in a one hour private as I did in a one month group class. But a mix of the two was very helpful, in getting to dance with different types of partners, different explainations, exta practice and meeting people to practice with. There are a lot of dances in clubs, bars or dance schools, that start out with a group lesson an hour before the dance. These are usually included in the price of the dance and again you get to meet people to practice with as well as learn the steps. I'd try a little bit of everything you can find, until you hit upon what works best for you. Everyone learns differently and with all the different styles of partner dancing (swing, west coast, ballroom, latin, etc...) you never really know what is going to click until you try it. HAVE FUN!

i wouldnt recommend a private teacher if youre just beginning for the simple fact that theyre relatively expensive. My college has a ballroom and swing club, and I know of others that do as well, where people are more than willing to teach.

My advice, try finding some sort of class where you can learn in a "safe" environment. Then, once you get the basics down, try to find a club of some sort and dance with different people (yes this can be very intimidating. The first time I went to a club I only danced with my friends, maybe if you go to a class you can get a group of people from there to go with you)

Also, if you cant manage to find a specific class, check out the clubs in your area and see if they offer lessons before the actual dance. In my experience, they move pretty fast in these, but if you can keep up you can get a couple moves and the basics that will allow you to have fun that night.

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Trees are people too!
¡Viva los árboles!

Hi Stephen/Lune!

The best advice I can give is to find a good teacher in your area and take private lessons. I don't know what costs to expect in Canada, but where I live really pays to do that. To start you off, you may just want to join a class at a beginner's stage, to get acquainted with some basic steps that you can then work on with your teacher. You may be able to dance with your teacher (it may feel strange if "it" is male, and on average, a teacher who also dances in a constant relationship is probably good to go to, so look for teaching couples).
Usually successful teachers will be able to pair you up with someone of similar aptitude and ambition, and matching height and age.

Gotta go - more another time?!