Greetings,

I've been a bboy (breakdancer)for a couple years now, and just a couple of weeks ago started gaining lots and lots of interest in ballroom dancing.

My inquiry is regarding the steps; not steps to the dances themselves, but the steps someone should take to be on their way to fully learning ballroom.

I've been attending the Ballroom club at my university. They've taught and supported me a lot, but I want more. I want to go further. I was wondering, in your own opinion, what steps should I take to becoming "serious" in ballroom?

I'm hoping to contact a dance studio this summer and take lessons. Should I start out with group lessons? Or should dive into private lessons? I already know that I enjoy it, and so far I've been driving myself to really learn the basic steps, practicing by myself or with anyone who will dance with me... no rush in becoming "good" but I want to eventually get there. I've been really interested in the swing disciplines (east-coast, west-coast, lindy-hop, jive) and some of the latin and waltzes.

How did everyone else here start off? What kept you motivated? What will ultimately make me a "ballroom dancer?"

Thanks for your assistance, and hope to share a dance with anyone who wants to boogey :)

-Tatum

Also, I forgot to ask; would it benefit me to learn a few basic steps to a number of traditional ballroom dances, or should I pick something I enjoy and stick to that dance until I become proficient and move on? (Say, I love West Coast swing... should I focus on that for a bit and build my way up? Or is it okay to learn the basics of a few dances and progress that way?)