How to Learn Ballroom Dancing: Group or Private Lessons?

Jennifer Walker
So, you have decided to learn ballroom dancing. Congratulations! You are taking on a new hobby that will provide you years of enjoyment, exercise and social interaction. However, you also have some decisions to make, like which dances to learn, what studio or instructor to learn from, and whether you should take group or private ballroom dance lessons.

Before you start lessons, you should decide what your goal is in learning to ballroom dance. Do you just want to go out on Saturday night and have fun, or do you want to get serious about it and learn enough to perform or compete? You also need to decide what your budget is for ballroom dance lessons. Then, you can weigh the pros and cons of group vs. private lessons.

Group Ballroom Dance Lessons

One of the best things about group ballroom dance lessons is that they are affordable. One dance class is often cheaper than a night at the movies, and you get exercise and socializing to boot! At group classes, you will have the chance to dance with several different people and make new friends. Group lessons are a good way to learn patterns (steps).

The down side to group ballroom dance lessons is that you are sharing the teacher with 10 to 20 other people. You will get little individual attention if you are having trouble, and the pace of the class may be too fast or slow for your liking.

Private Ballroom Dance Lessons

Private dance lessons are more expensive than group classes, but they are worth it. They are a great way to learn good technique, because the teacher has more time to go into the details. If you want to get good enough to perform or compete, private lessons are a necessity. The lessons will move at just the right pace for your needs, and you can learn exactly what you want to-as long as your instructor thinks you are ready for it.

The down side to private ballroom dance lessons, besides the expense, is that you do not have the opportunity to practice your leading or following skills with other people-which is fun as well as good for your dance training. Additionally, because the teacher is concentrating on you, some people find it overwhelming to have your technique picked apart for an entire hour-even if the teacher is nice about it.

The best way to learn ballroom dancing is through a combination of taking group dance classes to learn patterns and practice with different people, using private lessons to improve technique, and attending social dances for practice. However, whichever way you go about it, you are sure to find that learning ballroom dancing is fun.Group ballroom dance classes are cheaper than private lessons.Private ballroom dance lessons allow you to learn more than group classes.www.theballroomofsacramento.com

Published by Jennifer Walker

Jennifer Walker has been published in a number of publications, including Arabian Horse World, Horseman's News and Sierra Style magazines. Her books, Bubba Goes National and Bubba to the Rescue, are availab...  View profile

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  • Cindy Wolfe4/25/2009

    I would love to take ballroom dancing lessons!

  • Terrie Schultz3/27/2009

    Ballroom dancing sounds like fun.

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