I'm a new female dancer taking private lessons at the Starlite Ballroom in Sunnyvale. Can anybody give me any tips on the Starlite, best teachers, which group classes to take first, best ballroom party night, and anything else you can think of that I should know? It would be much appreciated. I want to get the most knowledge for my money while I'm there. I'm also interested in competing someday, can you tell me what I steps I need to take as a brand new dancer with this goal?

NewDanceGirl,

You get a lot of Bay Area people on this board, and we have had many a discussion about Starlite. If you search, you would probably find a lot.

What Starlite is good for (unfortunately) is beginners, because of all they offer in a non-frightening environment. And is good for opening people up. (Spent the first year of my social dancing there, just group classes though. Had a horrible free lesson that turned me off.) But, they have been known for high teacher turnover.

Though, they have supposedly changed, but I don't know the "new" Starlite. But, I think they still don't allow their teachers to take students to competitions and if this is what you are interested in, eventually you may have to move on.

But I assume you still have to buy packages and follow their syllabus, but at least you get discounts on the classes.

But don't just limit yourself to Starlite for Parties, some other nearby places:

Mountian View : Cubberley Pavilion
www.cubberleyballroom.com
(Another place for social group classes)

Sunnyvale : Community Center - Shall We Dance www.swdance.com
(Friday party & 8 wks series courses)

Campbell : www.thedancespectrum.com
(Good place to find competitve teachers)

Campbell : www.sjdancesport.com
(Has the same kind of Starlite format, but owner and some teachers compete, much smaller floor)

Hope this helps some.