Hello to all of you out there....I am new to this sight...actually I am extremely new to ballroom dancing...I'm hoping to find a partner as new as I am..that has the desire to learn. There are lesson available at our local recreation center...I'm going to start there...
Any advice on finding a good partner...I am about 5.2 ( if I'm lucky)...how does height come into play ?
Well I'm hoping this will be the beginning of a life long passion.

Welcome to ballroom dancing Kerri. I am still new, only starting in June of last year. I take Arthur Murray lessons as well as "street" Salsa lessons downtown (I live in Indianapolis). My suggestion is to not be in a hurry to find a specific partner yet. Since you are so new, you can really enhance your dance learning and deepen your understanding and enjoyment by dancing with many different people for a while. You are just getting started and it sounds like you have not yet attended one of the rec center classes yet. Take your time, most single people don't just immediately take a partner upon entering the ballroom dance world. We all love to be able to find someone with whom we can get lots of practice. But try to spread your practice with many different people for a while, it will truly benefit you. Talk to your instructor and get his/her take on it.

Oh, and it can easily beome a life-long passion! Good luck and enjoy!

Hello Kerri,

I only just signed up at this site yesterday myself.
I started dancing two months ago (dec 14 2005). I wouldnt mind finding a partner myself, since though I worship the ground my teacher walks on, it would be great having someone to learn and evolve together. Still I dont think we need to be worried we got a long way ahead of us and the idea is to be a good dancer regardless of the who you dance with.
Though I do sometimes find it frustrating when I see people who started at the same time as I did and they appear to be so much better because they dont have to worry so much about leading and following.
But if you dont get a set partner from teh start that way you have more chances to find a really good partner ;)

I am new to this site also but not new to dancing. I absolutely LOVE to dance. It is one of my most favorite things to do. I've never taken a ballroom dance lesson although I am thinking seriously about it. My main concern is that I am in my 50s - but slim and fit. I do aerobics 4 to 5 times a week as well as toning so I am not totally out of shape. But I still feel like I will be the "old lady" in class. To all those to take classes are there any "older" people. Also, I am NOT looking for a man - I've got one - he just doesn't dance! LOL

50 is young. I started at 45 and still learning and competing at a high leval at 70. GOOD LUCK

Thanks for the positive feedback! I can't wait to get started!

I started dancing at 50 and it was the best thing I ever did. Most of the people who do ballroom in my area are around my age and, in any case, age doesn't matter. There's no stigma about dancing with people younger or older in classes or at socials. One thing to check, though, is whether the classes at the rec centr rotate partners throughout the class. Most classes do, but I did run into a class at my local Y that didn't. People who came to class by themselves got partnered up with someone, but then had to dance exclusively with that person for the 8 weeks of the class. I don't recommend a class like that; you learn much more if you rotate partners.