Hi I just started taking ballroom dance lessons about a month ago, and I have a few questions. First off is it better to start taking American Smooth and rhythm dancing or should one start learning the international standard and latin dancing? The studio that I take lessons at teaches the American style, but if I learn that way of dancing first will it be hard to learn the international standard dancing later on? Also what is the general thought on signing contracts for payments of dance lessons? Is that a good thing or a bad thing to do?

This is a very sore subject for some people. It sounds like you're at a franchised studio. I started out with a contract for a lot lessons myself, and I wouldn't recommend it. I had good instruction, but it's crazy to take someone who's completely new to dancing, and sign them up for a huge commitment. Fortunately for me, dancing has become a major hobby, so I went thru those lessons quickly, and learned a lot. But, that's not always going to be the case.

Couple things.. the studio is probably trying to sell you on the idea that when you buy a lot of lessons, it gives them plenty of time to teach you technique and not just steps. My answer to that is why can't you start a program where you're going to work on technique, and just pay monthly as you go?

Also, they probably offer a discount per lesson if you buy a big package of lessons. But, what if it turns out you don't like dancing, or you don't like the studio? If you signed a contract, then you're commited to dancing at the studio for a while.

You're the one paying all the money, so you should have some say in the decision. I wouldn't recommend buying more than 10-20 lessons at a time. They should also teach you the same way they would teach a student who bought 50 lessons. If they balk at that, or you get the impression that they're teaching you differntly for not signing a contract, then leave.

Welcome to ballroom dancing!

No, it would not be difficult to learn international later if you learn american style now. Most social dancers do american style, unless you're at a studio or an area where primarily international is taught (where I live, very little international is done at social dances). The technique for smooth and standard are the same, it's just the choreography that's different. The technique is a little different between latin and rhythm, but rhythm is slowly evolving to look more like rhythm! I've done a lot of both american and international, and I like smooth better than standard but am about even on latin and rhythm...so, that probably doesn't help you, but gives you something to chew on, I guess! :)

As for the contract, it depends...don't automatically assume you're being taken if they ask you to sign a contract, but you do want to be careful. At some studios (chain and independant), they try to get you to buy 20, 50, even 100 lessons at a time. At my studio, we have you sign a contract promising to buy 5 (yes, five) private lessons to get the "bulk" rate of $40/hour...if you don't do a contract, you pay $65. For group classes, you can pay as you go or buy a punchcard to get a lower rate. That's just how my studio works...and every one is different! You just have to shop around.

Good luck and have fun!