8 Tips to Make Your Search Easier
By Aaron Wulff
Finding a good dance instructor can be difficult if you’re not sure what to look for. Maybe you’re intimidated by the thought of going to a stuffy dance studio, or you’re worried about potentially having to dance with someone you don’t know. If you’re like me, you just don’t want to look like you suck in public.
Rest assured, I’m here to help you. I’ve worked in the industry for over 20 years, and I’ve put together 8 tips to help you find a good, affordable instructor for your first dance. So kick your self-doubt to the curb and follow my advice:
1. A good instructor tailors the lesson to what each of you needs.
I took my first dance lessons when I was in high school to impress my girlfriend. She was interested in learning to dance the cha cha, and I was interested in looking effortless and cool, so we headed to the local dance studio for a few lessons. Spoiler alert- I wasn’t good.
While I was busy staring at my feet and tripping over myself, my girlfriend had no problem doing the steps and chatting with the instructor at the same time while she waited for me to stop acting like a giraffe on ice. So much for looking cool. Despite having a lame partner and picking a challenging dance, my girlfriend had picked up the dance quickly and left me in the dust.
Many wedding couples have a similar experience when they first start. In the beginning, the groom (or whoever is leading) usually has more to learn than the bride (or whoever is following). This includes the steps, the turns, how to lead, how to interpret the music, and when to do certain moves. Meanwhile, the bride can get bored waiting for him to get up to speed. This is a time when patience is really important.
A good instructor will recognize your individual skill levels and give the right amount of support and challenge based on what each of you needs.
2. Don’t settle for trainee instructors or an inexperienced teacher
Somehow I put my traumatic dance lesson experience behind me and answered an ad in the newspaper for new instructors just after college. The first lesson I taught was a cha cha group class where only two people showed up. Thankfully, these would be the only two victims of my inexperience that night.
I was a rookie who was out of my league, and the students knew more about the step I was teaching than I did. Eventually, I called over a more experienced instructor to help me out. Unfortunately, this scenario is all too common at dance studios.
Instructor turnover in the industry is high and new instructors are frequently given wedding couples because it’s assumed they won’t know the difference, won’t complain, and (probably) won’t come back after the wedding anyway. Because you’ll most likely pay the same no matter which instructor you get, make sure to ask your instructor ahead of time about how long they’ve been teaching and how many wedding couples they’ve worked with.
3. Decide if you want group classes, private lessons, or both
I recommend a combination of group classes and private lessons for most people, but wedding couples are different. Let me explain.
Group classes are an affordable way to learn new steps and experience what it’s like to lead and follow others, while private lessons are a chance to work on your individual needs and choreography as a couple.
Most of the time I recommend wedding couples stick with private lessons. Why? Many wedding couples have a particular song they want to dance to and a limited amount of time to learn. In these cases it makes sense to stick with private lessons so you can spend time working on the skills you need to build your confidence and make your dance special.
Does that mean you shouldn’t take group classes? Not necessarily. If you’re on a strict budget and/or you just want to pick up some general dance moves, then group classes can be a good way to feel more confident at your wedding.
4. Understand pricing
Private dance lesson prices vary wildly from place to place. Expect to pay $55 to $125 (yikes!) for 45 to 60 minutes, or $100 to $150 or more for ‘senior staff’.
Most dance studios will give you a discount for buying multiple lessons at once, so make sure you’re comparing actual prices and the actual amount of time you’ll be dancing. If you’re being quoted prices in the upper range, insist on a highly qualified, experienced instructor.
When you walk in the door many dance places will entice you with an introductory price that’s much less than the normal rate. These bargain-priced lessons are designed to give you a small taste of what you can learn. But don’t plan on squeezing everything you need out of these lessons. They’re designed to hold back the good stuff, and at the end of the lesson, you’ll be quoted a continuing package price often with perks and add-ons you don’t need.
5. Watch out for extras
If you’re like most wedding couples you just need personalized instruction for your wedding. Perhaps you want to learn some moves for a first dance that’s 2-3 minutes long. Or maybe you want to learn some other dance styles for songs that your band or DJ will play throughout the night.
This can usually be accomplished with a series of private lessons taken over several weeks or months. But be careful of dance studios that want to upsell you on things you don’t need or won’t use. Extras often include group lessons, dance parties, additional lessons, lessons with another instructor, dance shoes, and various other add-ons.
Sure, it’s nice to think that you’ll come back after your wedding and take up dancing, but in my experience, it’s rare for couples to come back soon after they’re married. If you decide to continue dancing after the wedding, you can always come back later when you’re under less pressure.
6. Find the right atmosphere
Each dance studio has its own atmosphere and it’s important to find one that fits your comfort level.
You’re likely to be paying big bucks for a limited window of time, so you want to make sure your surroundings make it easy for you to learn. You can get a good sense of what the environment is like by visiting studios during the time of day you plan to take lessons.
Some studios are loud and crowded with staff trying to create a party-like atmosphere. If either of you is introverted or self-conscious, this might not be the right fit for you. Loud studios with multiple dancers on the floor at once can be intimidating and distracting, especially if you’re new to dancing and trying to concentrate.
Often, you can avoid this by going in the morning or early afternoon when the studio is less busy. On the other hand, if you’re energized by a busy dance floor with a lot going on, this probably won’t be a concern.
7. A good instructor teaches you basics first
Dance teachers who are experienced know there’s a fine line between teaching you what you want versus what you actually need. Often, when I’m teaching a new wedding couple I’ll get the same question early on- “When can we dance to the music?”
Naturally, dancing to music is the main reason you’re doing this. But trying to dance to the music before you know the steps or how to lead and follow each other is like trying to fly an airplane before learning your controls. If the groom (or leader) doesn’t know the step or how to lead it, the music will just become a romantic background soundtrack for your arguments and frustration.
Getting ahead of yourself and jumping to the fun parts is tempting, but don’t let yourself fall into that trap. Instead, a good instructor will make sure you learn the basics of a step and how to lead and follow it before worrying about the music. The same goes for fancy flair and styling. Make sure you’re comfortable with your fundamentals before adding the “razzle-dazzle.”
8. Listen to your gut
I believe in chemistry, and if something’s not right your gut will tell you.
If your instructor feels inexperienced, pushy, or downright creepy, don’t be afraid to speak up or head for the door. Dance lessons can be incredibly expensive, so don’t settle for an experience that’s going to suck. Especially with something as important as your wedding dance.
