Frequently Asked Questions…
What do I wear? - You can come dressed in anything you feel comfortable moving in. Street clothes are fine for most dance styles so long as they aren’t too restrictive. You may want to bring a change of clothes, or at least a change of shirt. As with any physical activity you may sweat so you’ll want to take that into account for your plans afterwards.
Do I need dance shoes? - Dance shoes aren’t required but highly recommended. You’ll get a better feel for the movement and have an easier time moving and turning. It’s the right equipment. You wouldn’t go to the gym in high heels would you?
Do I need a partner? - A partner is never necessary at Big Apple Ballroom. In our group classes we rotate partners so you’ll have a chance to dance with different partners and learn to dance with any partner. In a private lesson, whether you come with a partner or not, your teacher will dance with you to guide you through the movements.
How long do I need to take lessons before I can actually dance? - You’ll be able to start dancing almost right away. Our belief is that a thing can be as difficult or as easy as you make it. So in the beginning we want you to develop facility with movement that you feel comfortable and confident with. Over time you’ll add more understanding in layers for a richer experience of movement. Dance can give you the chance for a lifetime of enrichment or just a few steps well done for your next gala. For a few metrics: learning two to four figures in three or four dances generally takes between 10 and 20 lessons depending on aptitude and frequency of lessons.
How often should I come in? - Every day! While that’s not really an option for most people, frequency facilitating retention is a good principle to go by. Whenever your next lesson is you’ll spend a portion of that lesson going over what you did in the previous lesson. The closer the lessons are the shorter than review period is, and the more time you’ll have working on new material or refining what you already have.
Group Classes or Private Lessons? - This depends what your goal and budget is. Generally Private Lessons are the way to go if you have a short term goal you need to get ready for like a wedding dance or if you want to accelerate your learning on a personalized path. Group Classes are great for getting extra practice if you already know some of the steps or for learning in a fun, stress-free environment with other students. You’ll still receive expert instruction but the program won’t be tailored to your specific needs, rather the Group Classes follow our curriculum of interrelated dances.
Do I need to book online? - Booking online is great, but we realize that’s not always possible with New Yorkers’ busy schedules. When booking, if you don’t see a time you’d like with the instructor of your choice please reach out by phone, SMS, or email and we’ll see what we can do about getting you in for the perfect spot.