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Frequently asked
Good questions belong here
The short version: come as you are. Ballroom Dance Charleston is built to help newcomers feel at home.
Before you arrive
Everything you need to take the first step.
Absolutely not! You may come to group and private lessons either with a partner or by yourself. We encourage all of our students to learn to dance with a variety of partners. Partner rotation is encouraged, and most people participate, but you may opt out if you prefer. This has been proven to be the best way to learn to dance and provides lots of fun!
No problem! Now is the time to start. We welcome complete beginners as well as those with experience.
We teach the traditional ballroom dances like Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango, Rumba, Cha Cha, and East Coast Swing. Occasionally, we also teach Salsa, Bachata, Bolero, Samba, West Coast Swing, Country Western 2-step, Night Club 2-Step, and Viennese Waltz.
No sign-up is needed. Just show up to the scheduled dance classes. New series start at the beginning of each month.
Wear whatever makes you feel comfortable. Some students like to dress up. Others come in athletic wear because they plan to work up a sweat. Either way, you will definitely want to wear comfortable and secure footwear. If you plan to continue with dancing, we highly recommend the purchase of dance-specific shoes.
Buying dance shoes for your first social dance class is recommended but not necessary. We suggest you wear smooth or leather-soled shoes that fit well and stay on your feet. Sneakers, rubber-soled shoes, or anything with a heavy tread are not recommended, as they are difficult to dance in and can put a lot of strain on your ankles and joints. Avoid stilettos, clogs, wedges, slides, or any shoes with an open back!
It helps to remember that everyone in your dance group class is at the same level as you. Some people learn quickly; some learn more slowly. Remember that everyone in the dance group is focused on learning the dance steps themselves, so there won't be any time to worry about how other people look. So, relax, take your time, and have FUN learning.
Everyone learns at a different pace. How rapidly you progress depends on your most comfortable learning speed and the consistency of your practice! As you build your foundation in our group classes, we strongly recommend adding private lessons to truly unlock your potential as a dancer.
Every Saturday night, we have a Dance Party at BDC, which will give you the opportunity to practice your latest dance steps and patterns.
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