I started out with group lessons then went to private because I really want to concentrate and learn to be an excellent dancer. It can be expensive. I actually got a part time job to pay for it. Since I pay for private lessons my teacher lets me attend as many group classes as I want for free. Thats good for practice time. I agree with the "mini group" thing. My parents and another couple take a private lesson. It is still 50 an hour but they split it and still get more personal attention than in a class with 20 people. Good luck with your dancing.

Thank you for response. My problem is the studio I take lessons at does not offer group lessons. I guess I have to look more around. In the meantime I would appreciate any information about Phoenix/Arizona ballroom dancing.

Keep looking then. Most studios will offer group lessons simply because it's the best way to attract new students. The studio I go to charges $65 for a private lesson and $10 for a group. I never would have signed up for private lessons without being able to try group lessons first to see if I would even like it.

Also, a lot of studios will offer packages that will include a number of private lessons, a number of group lessons and a number of dance parties. There's a studio here in Las Vegas that offers 10 privates/10 groups/10 parties for about $500.

The thing to do is check around and see who offers what. It may not necessarily be the studio closest to your home, but it may be the studio that's right for you. Also, check the internet. That's how I started looking. Go to Google and type in "ballroom dancing phoenix" and see what comes up. I'm sure you'll find there's way more than just the one studio you've come in contact with.

I think what you can do - if you're a little skilled ;)- to save money is:
try to learn some basic steps and movements from videos at home, f.e. you can use the videos on this website or buy a dvd which is eligible for the dance level you're at. On some dvd's technique is also described but that's harder to copy than just the steps.
Many dance studios offer free practise partys and hours, where you can try the new steps.
Not everyone can learn dancing by videos, but if you can do this you need less private lessons and save some money. But in any case you'll need a few private lessons, at least once in a month to improve.

This is great idea. I will certainly try this with one DVD to see if can do it. I have also found info on dance camps. I wonder if anybody attended one and could share her/his experience. Should I even consider this? Maybe it's waiste of money and instead I should use the money to get more private lesson. It's $1200 in LA/four days of nothing but dance, hotel accommodations included.

You might also contact your local universities, community colleges, community centres and YM/YWCAs, etc. as they often offer group classes.

There might also be a local ballroom dance society of some sort in your area.

Try plugging in your community and ballroom dance at Google and see what pops up.

OB

$1,200 in LA! Ouch! (Or were you talking a couple?)

Why not try these instead. BTW, Both of these sell out but BYU's sells out very quickly:

http://ce.byu.edu/cw/cwdance/2006/a_ballroom.cfm

http://masterycamps.com/dance_camp_las_vegas/


OB

Oh my! What a difference! Thank you!

a dance camp can be a great experience and fun. But you most benefit from private lessons.

rk,

Just a couple of other thoughts.

Check your Yellow Pages for Dance Supply shops in your area. Find ones that sell ballroom dance shoes.

Visit the stores. They often know where group classes are happening and/or allow local teachers to place pamphlets/posters advertising group classes.

Now I think you are smart starting with group classes to test the waters to see if it's for you. A couple of things to recognize:

a. group classes teach steps not dancing

b. there is no substitute for private lessons with a good teacher. The light goes on the first time you feel your partner move because of what you did with your body rather than pushing her into position. You'll never develop that in group lessons. As an example we briefly substitute taught a middle-aged couple that got the the bug and have been running around taking every possible workshop they can get too. We took them aside as they have potential and suggested they would be better off studying once a week with a private teacher and reccommended one(not us by the way). They signed up for group lessons with a local teacher who is very popular with groups. They came to our club's beginner practice which my wife & I monitor. They had learned a reverse turn lady outside in tango but were dancing it like an out of control Viennese (the teachers on this forum will know what I'm talking about). They'd learned a step in a group class but it will take private lessons for them to learn it correctly.

If it were me in your situation I'd work to learn all the bronze steps then start working with a private teacher as well. In your visit to the dance shops you can probably find names of independent teachers who will not lock you into a contract.

You'll also want to work with a teacher that teaches legitimate syllabus. You don't want to go to a teacher whose main purpose is to sign you up to enter monthly in-house or circuit competitions where you earn gold ribbons but never learn anything. We had a lady move to our area recently who wanted to take lessons and go to competitions. Over the phone she insisted she was gold level. I took her to a local practice for an evaluation. She didn't know the basic in waltz but she'd been going to a circuit competition for 10 years and winning gold ribbons. She'd been scammed.

Visit some legitimate competitions in your area and find out who the top localfinishers in bronze, silver, gold, etc. are studying with. This will give you a clue to the best teachers in your area. Note: Recognize there is a lot of politics among teachers and students so you'll have to sift through everything.