Ballantyne Ballroom South Charlotte specializes in ballroom and Latin dance lessons for Charlotte-area students, from social to competitive dancers. Owners Lyudmila Borodulina and Vitaliy Vdovichenko have won several championship titles, dancing together since 1992. They opened Ballanytyne Ballroom in 2008. The studio offers lessons in many dance styles as well as a wedding dance program.
Dynamic Ballroom is a dance studio based in Lake Norman and serving students from throughout the greater Charlotte area with lessons, classes, and social events. The studio specializes in dynamic ballroom styles but also teaches Latin, night club, and more. The instructors schedule private lessons at any time, seven days a week.
First Dance Charlotte specializes in private wedding dance lessons, online wedding dance tutorials, and first dance choreography in the Charlotte Metro area. The studio has won The Knot’s Best of Weddings pick every year since 2016. Alex Zsoldos, the dance instructor and choreographer, has a diverse dance background and experience working with clients of all skill levels. She has prepared over 1000 couples to dance at their weddings.
Infinity Ballroom Charlotte is a ballroom and Latin dance studio serving students of all levels and ability in the Charlotte Metro area. The teachers have over 40 years of combined instruction experience and provide customized dance programs for beginners to competitive dancers. Students recommend Infinity Ballroom Charlotte for the large dance floor, comfortable atmosphere, and approachable instructors.
Midtown Ballroom provides private lessons, group classes, wedding dances, and children’s programs for the Charlotte Metro area. New students receive a complimentary lesson. Founder Erica Millarc competed nationally and internationally for 13 years, being ranked among the top 12 dancers in the nation. The 5,200-square-foot venue is also available for event rentals.
MoveStudio Charlotte teaches Pilates, dance, barre, yoga, and more, with classes for both adults and youth in Charlotte. The dance classes include ballet, hip-hop, and jazz. Other services available are private lessons, wedding preparation, choreography, and rental of the studio. Students of MoveStudio Charlotte recommend the studio for its enjoyable classes, personal attention, and custom movement programs.
Rumbao Latin Dance Company offers group classes, private lessons, corporate events, and private dance parties for the greater Charlotte area. Rumbao was founded by five Charlotte-based Latin dancers. They specialize in salsa and are also experienced in Cha-Cha, Merengue, Bachata, and Brazilian Samba.
Showcase Dance Centre specializes in dance classes for students 2.5-years-old to adults in the Charlotte and Mint Hill area. Classes include ballet, jazz, tap, hip-hop, acrobatics, and adult fitness. Owner Jennifer Schillo is an Acrobatic Arts Certified Instructor and CIZE Live Certified Instructor.
The Charlotte School of Ballet has specialized in classical ballet training for the Charlotte Metro area since 1968. The class curriculum follows The Cecchetti Council of America and The Royal Academy of Dance. In addition to ballet, students study modern, jazz, tap, and hip-hop. Many students have continued on to careers in New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, San Francisco Ballet, and other elite companies.
The Dance District features Charlotte’s first hip hop dance studio and performance company of adults. The company offers dance programs as well as industry training for both recreational and professional dancers. Services include group classes, private lessons, master classes, conventions, and rehearsal venue rental. Founder Ana Ogbueze is a professional dancer, choreographer, and creative director with extensive experience in performance dance.
Many young people dream of becoming dancers when they grow up, but what if you're already grown and are just coming to the realization that dance is your passion? It's never too late to start, and while selecting a dance studio for lessons or even choosing a dance style to train in might seem like a daunting task, it's the start of an exciting journey that will nourish your mind, body, and soul.
Some dance styles, such as classical ballet, require professional training to master. However, if you can't afford or don't have time to take classes, consider immersing yourself in as much dance-related content as possible. Watch dance videos, tutorials on YouTube, and read anatomy books to learn about proper alignment. You should also exercise regularly to improve your stamina and strength.
The average cost of wedding dance lessons in the United States is roughly $75-$150 per hour and can be up to $2,500 for packages of 10-20 sessions. The exact pricing will vary based on the city you live in, the studio, and potentially even the style of dance you're learning for your wedding.
If your child is taking dance lessons, and you're using the dance school as an after-school child care alternative to daycare, then you may be able to write off up to $3,000 of the expense as a tax credit. In some cases, adult dance classes taken at an accredited post-secondary institution may also qualify for a tax deduction.
A good dance lesson plan should have a focus or intention, a clear set of skills that the students will be developing, and methods for having students achieve those outcomes. Typically, you draw up a lesson plan chart that breaks down the class into sections, indicating what you plan to do at each stage of instruction.
The shoes you need depend on the dance style. Ballet or tap classes require properly fitted ballet or tap shoes. Jazz classes sometimes require jazz shoes, but bare feet or foot thongs may be acceptable, which are also used for contemporary or lyrical dance classes. Ballroom dancers need an appropriate heeled shoe. Musical theater dancers may wear tap, character, or jazz shoes depending on the piece.
For a choreographed wedding dance, you can typically purchase a package of 10-20 classes where you learn your dance over several weeks. However, if you're on a budget, you might consider taking three to five classes to learn your steps.
For ballroom dance shoes you can either wear a heel or a sneaker that hugs your foot nicely. Ideally, you should opt for shoes that have smooth, thin soles and low heels for optimal comfort.
Kids can start formal dance lessons at three to four years old. Many dance schools have "kinderdance" programs where children have the opportunity to learn the basics of ballet. At five to six years of age, children can begin studying other forms of dance, such as jazz, tap, or musical theater.
You should begin taking dance lessons at least a month before your wedding to ensure there's sufficient time for an instructor to choreograph your dance and for you to learn it. However, you need to book the lessons well before this date.
In many cases, private dance lessons are worthwhile for individuals who want to accelerate their progress with the personalized attention of an instructor. However, it's beneficial to participate in group lessons simultaneously because there are skills you can't learn individually, such as teamwork.
You generally don't need to tip a dance instructor for private lessons, unless you want to because they've gone above and beyond in some capacity. However, most dance instructors charge high rates so they're making an excellent wage without tips.
Dance studios in the United States are required by law to have a license from the ASCAP and BMI which enables the use of copyrighted music in classes. Without this license, a studio faces a hefty fine per song.
You may be able to wear leggings to some dance lessons. However, some classes have strict dress policies so you should double-check about the proper attire for your lesson ahead of time. While leggings may be appropriate for ballroom or contemporary lessons, they won't be acceptable for a classical ballet class.
Yes, many football players are taking dance lessons because the transferable skills they gain can help them on the field. Pittsburg Steelers player Steve McLendon is quoted as saying, "It's harder than anything else I do," when asked about his ballet training.
It's never too late to start dance training, regardless of your age. Many studios offer ballroom dance classes for adults at all levels, including beginners. As long as your physical fitness level enables you to dance, there's always time to learn.
Some of the best ways to warm up your body before a dance lesson are taking a brisk walk or doing jumping jacks, lunges, and push-ups. These exercises will get your muscles moving and your blood pumping so you're ready to start dancing when you arrive at the studio.
Dance lessons involve learning dance steps for the purpose of improving your technique or preparing for a performance. Dance therapy uses dance movements as a means to express emotions, potentially enhancing your self-esteem and mental health, and improving your body's motor functions.
