fayesdancestudio.com

FayesDanceStudio.com

Learn to lead and follow!

FAQs

Who. . .What. . .Where. . .When. . .Why. . .Who. . .What. . .Where. . .When. . .Why. . .

If you are new to the world of couples dance, you probably have a lot of questions. I've tried to answer some of the most common ones here. Please email me if you have others (faye@fayesdancestudio.com); I'll do my best to answer them, and if I feel it's something of general interest will add the information to this list.

Do I need a partner?
What is the easiest dance to start with?
What is a group class like?
Where are classes held?
What should I wear?
What dances do you teach?
How much does it cost?
Do you teach anywhere else?
How long will it take to learn to dance?
We have a special event coming up. Can you help us prepare?
Where can we go dance?

***COMING SOON!***
Can you recommend some music for. . .(pick a dance!)
Dance etiquette: what are the basic rules?
and more!!!

Do I need a partner?

No. Classes rotate frequently, so everyone gets a chance to practice real lead and following skills. If you come with a partner, I know you often feel more comfortable working with that person. My goal is to allow you to explore the newest patterns with your partner, then practice it with others.

What is the easiest dance to start with?

I generally recommend East Coast Swing (ECS) or Salsa to first time dancers. These are popular social dances, and the basic rhythm is straightforward and repetitive. They are among the easiest to lead and follow, and ECS in particular is adaptable to many styles of music. It is probably the best known social dance, so there are many opportunities to use it.

I also recommend that you consider what kind of music you listen to and enjoy. There is little point in learning salsa if you don't enjoy Latin music!

What is a group class like?
My classes are designed to be fun and as stress free as possible for new dancers. I know that, especially for many of the men who come, this is not their first choice of places to be! I also recognize that initially, theirs is by far the harder role. Given that, I use my extensive background in education, dance and ski instruction to present information in a variety of ways so that it makes sense to all students. I believe that dancing can be enjoyable and rewarding for everyone, and while you may never rival Fred Astaire or Ginger Rogers, in time, most students find they can approach the dance floor with a certain level of confidence instead of fear!

Class size varies depending on the dance and the session. In general, you can be assured of individual attention during each class. An exception to this is when I teach larger workshops before dances, but even then I do move around through the students and give some personal feedback. Although I am female and therefore a follower by dance definition, like most experienced dancers, I know and can dance both parts. When demonstrating patterns during group classes I will usually use a second experienced dancer to show how the pattern looks; often I have an experienced leader on hand to help demonstrate leader footwork and movement.

Where are classes held?

Weekly group classes and privates meet at 89 Cross Road in Lebanon, NH. Directions

What should I wear?

For clothing, clean and casual is all you need. Your clothes should allow you to move your arms freely. Like outdoor activity, layering is a good idea: you will definitely warm up as you get moving! Many dancers bring an extra shirt to change into if they are going to be dancing all night.

FOOTWEAR: When you are starting out, comfort is the most important factor. Shoes with smoother soles are easier than grippy, sticky athletic soles, and shoes should not have open backs: you will be tired of holding on with your toes by the end of the lesson.

You may quickly and inexpensively adapt street shoes for practicing by gluing felt or moleskin to the sole under the front part of the foot. Slightly more expensive, but with better control, is a piece of split leather or suede. Local leather shops can help with this.

When you are ready to purchase shoes, there are many options and the price can vary widely. Dance sneakers are a comfortable casual option offered by several companies; I love my Pietras. Bowling shoes also well, are inexpensive, and are available locally.

The next step up is dance shoes or boots. Always buy for comfort, knowing that SOFT LEATHER shoes will stretch SLIGHTLY. My experience is that if they don't feel good to begin with , they never will, so don't accept an "OK" fit assuming they will get better. They may not, and you don't want to injure your feet breaking in your shoes! Always check for adequate cushioning under the ball of the foot. In general, dance shoes are well constructed and offer far better support than street shoes, especially for women.

I am happy to show examples of different styles of shoes at any lesson.

What dances do you teach?

I currently teach group classes in East and West Coast Swing, Beginner Social Dance (Foxtrot, Waltz, Cha cha, Rumba), Hustle, Nightclub Two-Step, Texas Two-Step, and Salsa. I also teach in privates or occasional workshops.

How much does it cost?

Group classes are $10 per person for an hour class, with a slight discount if you pay for a full session (3 or 4 weeks) at the first class. Privates can be arranged to work on specific dances, to prepare for weddings or other special events, or to work on choreography. Privates are currently $50 for an hour (1 or two people), or a group of 5 lessons (good for six months) is available for $200. You may take the first private at the $50 rate and then pay the $150 balance at the second lesson if you want to try before you buy!

Do you teach anywhere else?

I do travel and provide workshops or small group instruction; please contact me for information about hosting lessons for a special event.

How long does it take to learn to dance?
I'm afraid there is no one answer to this! In group classes, I often notice a transition from "work" to "play" during the third week of classes. Practice outside of class helps, but it isn't necessary. At the end of the first class, you should have the basic rhythm. At the end of a four week session, you should be able to dance a few patterns fearlessly in public. . .

We have a special event coming up (wedding, reunion, office party, etc) and need a special dance. Can you help?

There are times when group classes just aren't going to get you where you want to be! If you are focusing on a special dance, and have a song picked out, some couples find they can get what they need in a single private--I don't work so much on teaching a full dance as in moving comfortably to that particular song. Others want to learn a particular style of dance and choreograph some special moves, and in that case, several lessons are usually necessary. I generally recommend starting with a private ($50 for one hour). If you determine you want to do a full series, then you can pay the balance ($150) at the second rate and still receive the 5-private special rate of $40 an hour.

Where can I go dance?
Visit the dance opportunities page to see the current dance calendar.