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I AM A BEGINNER...WHAT SHOULD I START
WITH?
The Foxtrot and the Swing are great
dances to start with if you are new to
ballroom dancing. They are both done to
almost any type of music...Big Band,
Oldies, Country, and today's popular
music. These are the two dances that
will be used most often when dancing at
weddings, events and clubs.
WHAT TYPE OF DANCES DO YOU TEACH?
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FOXTROT |
A progressive dance that
requires smooth and controlled
movement along the line of
dance. It is written in 4/4
time. |
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WALTZ |
Also a progressive dance,
characterized by erect posture
and a rise and fall motion.
Written in 3/4 time. |
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SWING |
Many versions include the East
Coast, West Coast, Jitterbug,
Lindy and Jive. In this spot
dance, each couple stakes out a
territory on the dance floor.
This lively dance has more
freedom of style than any other
ballroom dance. |
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CHA CHA |
Most popular of the Latin
dances. Shoulders remain quiet
and the steps are flat with the
exception of the back step.
Forward steps are taken with
weight held back. |
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RUMBA |
Similar to the Cha Cha. This
is a dance where the gentleman
"shows off" his partner and the
woman maintains an erect and
proud carriage as she moves
smoothly from one figure to
another. |
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MAMBO |
National dance of Cuba that has
roots in Afro-Cuban native
ritual dances. Couples align to
each other and not to a
placement on the dance floor. |
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SALSA |
Similar to the Mambo. As I was
told when I lived in South
Florida...Mambo is usually
danced competition style...Salsa
is the down and dirty street
dancing...the real thing! |
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MERENGUE |
Often called the "cruise ship
dance". This is danced to a
two-count quick quick rhythm. A
controlled Cuban motion is used
with small steps. |
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TANGO |
A progressive dance which
depends on the synchronized
physical, emotional, and
intellectual cooperation between
leader and follower. The hold
is unique and partners are in
very close contact. |
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SOCIAL
AND COMPETITIVE BALLROOM DANCING?
The focus in COMPETITIVE ballroom
dancing is on making impressions with
specifically choreographed routines
using razor sharp and polished
figures. Such a presentation follows a
syllabus of dance steps, as the
dancer progresses in the ranks of each
level. A commitment to many consecutive
lessons and much practice over a period
of time is essential. Competitive
ballroom dancing also requires a larger
space on the dance floor as the couple
executes their routine.
SOCIAL ballroom dancing takes up less
space on the dance floor, as the dance
figures are more compact. Social
ballroom dancing is suggested for the
beginner student that is looking to have
fun and feel comfortable in a public
group setting.
I have been teaching social ballroom
dancing for more than 20 years and I
have to say that 95% of my students come
to my classes for one reason... to have
a good time. I feel very blessed to
have witnessed many couple's lives
become enhanced with the social aspects
of the dance classes. Friends have been
made, we have had great field trips to
area ballrooms together and most of
all...in this everyday world of
busyness...it is a fantastic outlet to
laugh, enjoy and get a little exercise
while you do it.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
INTERNATIONAL STYLE AND AMERICAN
STYLE BALLROOM DANCE?
INTERNATIONAL style is a competitive
form of ballroom dancing. It
follows a strict syllabus that
originated in the European dance
competitions of the early 1900's.
AMERICAN style ballroom dance was
popularized by the Arthur Murray and
Fred Astaire type studios. Each
studio syllabus may be different,
depending on where you are in the
country. It is common that students
are expected to commit to expensive
packages of lessons at these types
of studios. This practice is not
common in the International dance
studios.
WHAT WILL BE EXPECTED OF ME?
On the first night of a new session,
please arrive a little early to
register. Please bring clean shoes that
you have not worn if off the street and
enter onto the dance floor with a
smile. We start off with the basics and
move slowly watching to see that
everyone has the figure before we move
on to the next one. Please feel free to
ask questions...remember EVERYONE was a
beginner at one time. In large groups
it is essential to be a good listener so
that the instructors do not have to
repeat themselves during the
demonstration of a new figure.
WILL I BE ABLE TO DANCE THE WHOLE CLASS
WITH MY PARTNER?
YES! This is what makes Mystic Ballroom
different than other studios. The
concept of switching partners in a dance
class makes good sense, in that it is
easy to develop bad habits dancing with
only one partner. However...people
usually come to my class to learn to
dance with a specific partner. It is
also quite often a "date night" for
many. At some point during class, my
partner and I may "cut in" to check your
ballroom frame in an attempt to
polish your figures. But other than
that, you will dance with the partner
that you arrived with.
HOW DO I SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT OR CLASS?
Please call MYSTIC BALLROOM at 603-679-5421
to schedule a DANCE class or an Intuitive
READING. You may pay the day of the
service unless you are making arrangements
for a large group, then a 50% deposit is
necessary at the time of booking. At
this time we accept checks and cash.
GIFT CERTIFICATES are available and
make a nice gift idea for any occasion.
WHAT ABOUT CANCELLATIONS?
Unfortunately, when you miss an appointment
or cancel at the last minute, we miss the
opportunity to provide service to someone
else. Please call us at 603-679-5421 at
least 24 hours prior if you need to change
an appointment. Please try to be at
the studio five minutes prior to your
appointments and be prepared to start on
time as there will be bookings before and
after yours. Please be considerate of
others. We will do our best to
accommodate you with any unforeseen problems
including illness and weather.
MAY I TRANSFER A CLASS OR READING TO ANOTHER
PERSON?
Yes it is possible to transfer your reading
to another person if you are unable to make
your appointment. However transferring a
series of dance classes already in session
would not be as likely. Starting out a
beginner in an advancing class would hold
back the other student’s progress.
MAY I BRING MY CHILDREN WITH ME?
If you feel that they are able to wait
quietly during your session, yes you
may. However, this is your time and
being able to relax and enjoy is an
important part of your experience with
me.
MAY I BRING BEVERAGES WITH ME TO A SESSION?
You are advised to bring water with you
only. Alcohol beverages are not allowed in
the studio and just a note...MINIMAL alcohol
consumption is advised before either a dance
class or a reading and smoking is not
permitted in the building.
WHAT SHOULD I WEAR TO DANCE CLASS?
Please wear something comfortable. I
prefer that the ladies not wear long
skirts or dresses because I will be
watching for the proper positioning of
the legs and knees as you dance.
Please bring CLEAN SHOES to class, as we
don't have street shoes on the dance
floor.
If you are preparing for a wedding or
special event, you may want to bring the
shoes that you will be wearing to
practice in.
CELL PHONES
I ask that cell phones be turned off during
readings and dance classes out of respect
for others.
GIFT CERTIFICATES
Gift certificates are available for either
DANCE classes or READINGS and make a great
gift for any occasion. If a gift
certificate is to be used for a telephone
reading, it must be mailed to Mystic
Ballroom prior to the reading. |
