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“Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance. Great dancers are great because of their passion.” - Martha Graham
Lots of people in the UK have tried learning about dance at least once in their life and most people probably attended several dance classes when they were a child. Dancing lessons are popular both because of how fun it is and how creative it allows you to be, but have you ever tried dancing with the help of a private dance tutor or dance instructor? Whether in a dance school, conservatoire, or in private classes with an instructor, tonnes of Americans are enjoying learning more about the art form and different dance styles through dance classes. In this article, you'll find out how you can get dance classes near me in the US and learn more about the different types of dance instruction for all ages.
Why Should You Learn to Dance?
Dancing has numerous benefits! Dancing is both a sporting activity and a creative activity, it’s a great way to keep yourself fit, mentally healthy, and build your confidence on the dance floor.
The ideal body for dancers is usually thin and toned so many people aspire to look like that. However, if you want to achieve the same results, beginners will have to be motivated and take dancing seriously. A single dance class won't cut it and being taught how to dance in a weekly class won’t suffice, either, you’ll have to also think about working out regularly. If you want a healthy and toned body, you should complement your regular classes with cardio sessions, dance fitness, and Zumba, etc. Learning to dance can have the same health benefits as doing rhythmic gymnastics.
Where to Find Dance Lessons
Whether you attend a school of dance, a dance academy, get in touch with a dance company or get private dance lessons, there are plenty of places in the UK where you can find a dancer or choreographer who teaches dancing classes for all ages. In fact, some places even offer drop-ins.
It’s important to choose the right place to learn to dance. When a beginner chooses the wrong class for their level or the wrong teaching style, they can quickly become disinterested in dancing. Make sure you carefully read the course description and make sure the tutor’s personality is going to work with yours. Group classes, workshops, and camps can be useful for learning how to work with your partner, improve your verbal communication, and change the way you move. Group classes are also a great way to meet people, work out what your level is, and establish an objective to reach after a certain period of time. Making friends with the other dance students can help you better understand the lessons and share your concerns and achievements. Here are some of the places you can get lessons in the UK:
- Regional conservatoires
- National conservatoires
- Cultural centres, gyms, or leisure centres
- Certified schools
- Private schools
- Dance associations
You won’t have to worry about finding a dance studio since these types of places have their own studios, other specialised facilities, and they provide top-notch dance education. Of course, some students prefer getting dance tutorials because they can learn more quickly than they would with traditional dance training and have the flexibility of scheduling the lessons when it suits you whereas in a dance school you have to stick to the class schedule. When you learn to dance with private tutorials, you benefit from a personalised approach and can study between lessons with the online and printed exercises your tutor gives you. You can find tutors offering classes for all ages, be them adult classes, classes for teens, or kids' dance classes. To find private lessons, students should check out:
- Tutor profiles online
- Adverts in newspapers
- Private agencies offering classes
- Word of mouth
- Adverts on school bulletin boards, etc.
Learning how to dance at home gives you more autonomy to develop as a dancer and work on your choreography and a specific dance technique you've been struggling with. A private lesson usually takes place in a rented dance studio but can also take place at the student’s home if the tutor has the right equipment.
What's the Cost of Dance Lessons?
Taking classes sounds like fun, but how much do they cost?
If you’re not familiar with the market, you may end up underestimating or overestimating the cost of an hour with a private tutor or end up not getting the service you’re after. You can find a fair price with just a bit of research and clearly defined criteria. Firstly, remember that some schools and associations offer discounts for the unemployed, students, children, etc. Some dance associations require an annual fee for membership. Nevertheless, you can still get the first lesson from a private tutor for free if you’re not sure. Conservatoires and universities offer courses in dancing, but since these often include high fees and a long-term commitment from students, you have to be sure that this is what you want to go. You need to consider the types of dancing that the teacher is teaching, too:
- Argentine tango or Cuban tango
- Bachata
- Ballroom dancing
- Belly dancing
- Breakdancing
- Broadway dancing
- Cha cha
- Contemporary dance or modern dance
- Dance fitness
- Flamenco
- Hip hop dance
- Jazz dance
- Latin dance
- Merengue
- Oriental dance
- Ragga dancehall
- Salsa
- Samba
- Swing dance
- Tap dance
- The foxtrot
- Waltz
The more demand there is for a lesson, the higher the price will be. While the uptake in ballroom dance classes is encouraging for tutors, it does mean those wanting to learn to dance will probably have to pay more. When it comes to private tutorials, the student needs to keep in mind that their geographical location can affect the price of the lessons. The market for tutors will be more competitive in large cities which can be both an advantage and a disadvantage. Local economies will also affect prices as expensive cities will tend to have tutors charging higher rates than places with a lower cost of living. To make sure you don’t lose money by choosing the wrong tutor, remember that most tutors on Superprof offer their first hour of tuition for free. This taster session is a great time for the tutor and student to see if they get along and decide which styles of dance are right for them. If you're a beginner and don't know any of the fundamental dance moves, you should learn to dance with a tutor who can help you build some confidence. An introductory workshop might be useful, too, if you're happy to take a group class or don't have the budget for private tuition. If you're looking for an intermediate classical ballet class, there are plenty of dance schools and academies offering lessons. However, if you're after a tutor who focuses on posture or footwork, then it might be worthwhile getting private lessons. Teens' and kids' dance classes are a whole different kettle of fish. While all dance classes require the tutor to have a good knowledge of their style and teaching techniques, these classes require the tutor to be good with kids and keeping them interested in the discipline. Find the best prices for private tutorials on Superprof!
Learning to Dance on a Budget
Students who just want to impress people on the dance floor at dance parties shouldn't go out looking for trained professionals who've performed on Broadway. You can learn to dance on a budget with a teacher who can introduce you to dancing and teach you at a pace you're comfortable with. Alternatively, there are plenty of ways to learn to dance online for free. Check out these websites, apps, and consoles that will allow you to learn to dance for free.
Find a Dance Instructor
Before you start learning how to dance, you need to choose the right dance teacher or instructor! You also need to think about the dance styles you're interested in and the abilities you want to work on. No matter what type of performer you want to be, you can find a tutor.
Beginners often struggle to find the right tutor or dance workshop as they’re not sure what they’re supposed to be paying for. That’s why you should have a look at the reviews and testimonials left by the tutor’s other students so you can see how popular they are. However, a teacher that works for one student may not work for another. It’s therefore essential that you make the right choice when choosing your tutor. Private dance lessons are becoming more and more popular and thanks to the huge variety on offer, you'll soon see why. You should take the following into account when choosing your tutor:
- Dance qualifications
- Reputation
- Experience as a dance tutor
- Experience as a dancer
- Rates
- Levels they teach
- Dance equipment and resources they provide to their students
- Where the lessons take place (dance hall, gym, dance studios, etc.)
- Style of dance
- Versatility
- Teaching style
During the free taster session with your Superprof tutor, you should evaluate the potential tutor. While some students prefer a careful and calculated approach to learning choreography, others may prefer an intensive and quicker approach to learning and working on a full routine rather than the minutiae of a dance performance. You should encourage your tutor to talk about how they like to teach their students. Think of it a bit like an audition for your tutor. To find the best prices for your lessons, you should also check out the lessons offered by students looking to earn some extra money during their studies.
While students might be excellent dancers, you should keep in mind that these self-taught tutors mightn’t be as skilled when it comes to their teaching skills in comparison to an experienced or qualified teacher.
A lot of couples enlist the help of a tutor for wedding dance tutorials. If you want an impressive choreographed routine for your first dance, learn how to dance with a trained professional.
Even More Reasons to Dance!
Recently, a new dance style known as fit ballet has become popular as a replacement for classical ballet classes. As you could probably guess, with fit ballet, you can learn how to dance and get into shape. It's a great way to study traditional dance moves while toning your muscles. Your shoulders, legs, and abs will also be hard at work during an energetic session and, after a lot of practice, you’ll start to see that dancer’s body emerging. It relaxes muscles as well as being great at the end of a stressful week which is why a lot of couple and families choose to do classes together in leisure centres and gyms. As you’ve probably gathered by now, there are few things better for your body and mind than dancing! Want even more reasons to dance? Check out our top 15 reasons to dance. So why not start learning how to dance today with the help of a professional dancer? All dance classes london are different so if one's not working for you, pull up your leg warmers and go out on the hunt for another talented tutor.
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