There is a lot more here to try to help you but why don’t you just get started and try to figure out the details while you’re trying it out for fit. Guys, put your pride in your pocket and find a local dance studio. Go on in and book an introductory series of dance lessons and give it to your lady for no special occasion at all. Hopefully, she won’t think you’re trying to cover up for some indiscretion. If you really make a serious effort in the dance lessons, who knows, you might even find a couple of tickets to the game you love in your sock drawer with.

There are many styles of dance and many variations within a particular style. This can complicate your choice of instruction considerably. If you arbitrarily select a dance studio your options will be limited to the studio offerings. This is not necessarily a bad thing since most beginning dancers are not yet committed to any specific style. However, it can be quite useful to do some preliminary research so you can at least eliminate some dance styles and, perhaps, to identify some of particular interest.

Let’s get back to the task of finding you a dance studio or a way to get started. If you live in Canada or the United States here is one approach that might give you a lead. Try a Google search (or use another search engine) using the phrase “find a dance studio near me“. The listings will not be comprehensive but might give you a starting point. There are two classes of studios. There are chain studios such as “Fred Astaire” and “Arthur Murray” and there are independent studios. You may read positive and negative reviews about both classes of studio. Some of these operations steer you quickly toward purchase contracts. I suggest you avoid any extended contract until you are really sure what you are getting and what you really want. It is possible to find many studios that operate on a pay as you go basis and this is a great way to begin.

Costs for group lessons can be as little as $10 per person per lesson and are typically sold in blocks rarely larger than a dozen lessons, of approximately one hour duration, in the block. Private lessons for an individual or couple can be around $50 per hour up to $200 per hour. There are many very good instructors charging less than $100 per hour. One problem with lesson contracts is the rather significant cost and the no refund policy often included in the contract. Paying as you go allows you to find out if you like the instructor and profit from the instruction.

Dance Vision operates a web site that offers home study videos and DVDs for a price. Trying to learn from instructional video can be difficult and frustrating for beginners but it can work for some. Videos are often a helpful suplement to studio instruction. Teaching methods and sequences taught are quite variable so don’t expect complete consistency between studio instruction and any video. Another source of high quality DVD instruction is the Grand Ballroom instructional videos. A caution! Not all instructional videos are equal. Some dancers create a set of videos just to demonstrate their skills while others offer substantive tuition.