Just a note here about syllabus events in competitions held on the West Coast of the USA. Syllabus events are offered at Collegiate events, which are usually open to adult non-student dancers too. These events are not always called "Bronze, Silver, Gold" but instead may have names like "Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced." Check the rules for each comp to be sure.

If you are in Northern California, the USABDA NorCal chapter offers syllabus events at all the competitions they host (that's four events per year).

If you are attending NDCA (Pro, Pro/Am, and Amateur hotel-based comps), many of them have an event called "Closed Syllabus" or sometimes "Pre-Novice." These events are for syllabus dancers, all levels Bronze through Gold together.

I agree with Tim that it gets boring doing syllabus all the time, the truth is that you don't have to earn any points to advance. There is no requirement anywhere that says you have to earn a minimum number of points in order to move up to the next level. Rather, the rules are such so that if you happen to earn a certain number of points at your current level, then you are forced up into the next level. So, if you're doing Bronze and you're getting bored but you don't have any points, go ahead and move on up. You can even start in Novice if you want. Heck, you can start in Championship, but if you aren't up to it you'll get flattened by the competition

It's a shame Tim misunderstood the rules and left himself in Bronze for two years and got so bored that he quit. The USABDA rule book (and the NDCA rulebook too, for that matter) can be a little confusing at times. If anyone ever has any rule questions please ask and I will do my best to help you to understand them -- I am Secretary of my local USABDA chapter and an active amateur and Pro/Am competitor so I've become quite familiar with the letter and spirit of the rules.

Hey Anon-

Anyone who sees me post here regularly won't be surprised by my advice here!

Yes you should dance now, no you don't have to have a partner. The ages which I find the most beginners to belong to are 5-13, 18-28, and 40+. I think this mostly reflects the fact that adults tend to become busy with careers and children between 28 and 40, so they don't take on many new sports/hobbies.

What should you be aware of? Now that's more difficult to answer. Be aware that dancing is a business like any other. Comparison shop! Don't allow any studio to exert sales pressure on you to buy large packages. You will form an emotional bond (platonic but still a bond) with your instructor. Some studios capitalize on that bond to raid your wallet. Meanwhile these studios are usually the ones with very poor instruction.

Look for an instructor with at least 3 years of teaching experience. Look for a studio that teaches both International and American style (if they say "What do mean American style or International style?" then RUN). I would be very wary of any school requiring you to buy your lessons in packages or using contracts. Look for an instructor/studio that takes students to real competitions (not just showcases). And finally...don't forget, comparison shop!!!

Depending on your area you might be able to find instructors on this web pages list!

Good luck, M

ChampionDancesportKC@comcast.net