Best Places to Take Dance Lessons in Memphis

Memphis is a great city for dance. I don't know why this is but it has been true ever since I was growing up here and taking dance from some incredibly gifted dance teachers. They trained students who went on the New York City Ballet and even to overseas dance companies.

There are so many different styles of dance. Most ballet companies train students in the art of classical ballet. Some also have modern dance classes along with the classical. Then there are some companies that specialize in the ever-popular Ballroom styles, including the intriguing Samba and Tango. Many students are older folks who just want to polish up their skills for recreational dancing, while others want to train for professions in the business and even turn out to be teachers themselves.

http://www.thedanceframe.com/
Steve Wadell teaches both group lessons and private lessons to Memphians who want to learn all types of ballroom dancing. His expertise includes the Tango, Rhumba, Samba, Waltz, Fox-trot, Merengue, Salsa, Bolero and Swing. His private lessons are given in the open warehouse space on Huling St. in downtown Memphis. He suggests that making a gift of ballroom dancing to newlyweds would be a perfect way to introduce them to a recreation that would give them a lifetime of pleasure. His students have a great time meeting other people and they go to parties together often. He emphasizes that dancing is for fun! His classes are at Bartlett United Methodist Church at 5676 Stage Rd Bartlett, TN. Classes are $6 per person and they are on Thursday nights, lasting for 1/2 hour. One dance is taught for six weeks. Contact him for information on the coming lessons: (901) 213-3219.

http://www.classicalballetmemphis.org/
Memphis Center for Classical Ballet has been around for years at the same location on Summer Ave. Pat Gillispie is the artistic Director of the School and she arranges and choreographs as well as teaching along with other masters. Every year the classes put on performances which are excellent. This group is really the premier ballet company in the mid-south, well-respected for putting out the masterful performers. Ballet is a dance for extremely young people. They start them at age four here. A ballerina's career very rarely goes beyond age 35, and the ones like and Nureyev are quite the rarity. Their curriculum is based on the Royal Academy of Dance Syllabus. Children's dance is based on curriculum formed by Dame Margot Fonteyn. They have very strict rules on hair, make-up and dress, which must be followed. Registration is done by mail or in person. Pat can be contacted by email at director@classicalballetmemphis.org or by phone at (901) 323-1947.
3405 Summer Ave
Memphis, TN · 38112

http://www.dancesmiths.com/
The Fred Astaire Dance Studio teaches Latin, social and party dancing in many genres. They are about the oldest dance studio in Memphis, entering their 60th year of operating in the area. Every week they offer new incentives for dancers to introduce new folks to their studios. This is another very fun place to learn all sorts of styles in two categories: smooth dances and rhythm dances. All the Latin born dance styles are in the rhythm category and dances like waltzes and the fox-trot are in the smooth dance category For this year they give one dance session, one group lesson and one introductory dance lesson for just $30. For those who want to do competitive dancing, Fred Astaire will provide support and assistance in entering competitions all over the country. Call or stop by for more information.
2435 Whitten Rd. Suite 106
Memphis, TN 38133
(901) 213 9393