Dance

Cinco De Mayo party on May 5th for Dance group!  Contact Diane for more information.

About the Instructor  Diane Peters

I remember running home from school in the fourth grade to watch American Bandstand and I don't think I have stopped dancing since! I took my first ballroom class in college, where I remember practicing the Samba with my classmates and having the time of my life. After college, I started taking lessons, decided to become an instructor, and ended up managing an Arthur Murray Studio in a Minneapolis suburb. I opened the studio on its first day and grew it to one of the top producers of the 250 Arthur Murray International schools. 

I've taught teachers how to teach and hundreds of students how to dance. I keep my instruction light so students of all levels feel welcome and, most importantly, have fun learning to dance.

Welcome to the wonderful world of Social Dance, a fun activity that benefits you in so many ways. Whether you're single or a couple, young or not so young, beginner or experienced , wanting to learn a few steps or many dances, you can find a class to enjoy. Many of us dream of becoming a good dancer, and my promise to you is to make this experience fun and comfortable.

BENEFITS OF DANCE

*   Improves cardiovascular health
*   Improves balance, posture and muscle tone
*   Improves memory and mental agility
*   Reduces stress and tension
*   Provides opportunity to socialize and meet people
*   A fun, interesting way to get the recommended weekly moderate aerobic activity - without hurting your joints

GETTING STARTED

I recommend that absolute beginners start with either Foxtrot, Slow Dance, or East Coast Swing (see dance descriptions at right). Beginning-level classes are offered in one of these dances each month. 

If you're feeling shy or reluctant, consider arranging for a private lesson or two before enrolling in a group class. This will allow me to recommend the perfect class for you and will give you a head start and a boost of confidence.

WAYS TO LEARN

Feeling confident and having more fun on the dance floor is best accomplished by combining three areas of learning:

Group Classes teach you where your feet need to go. We work on the patterns of each dance and combining them, plus we dance with others (not required with couples).

Private Lessons are the fastest and surest way to gain confidence in your dancing. We focus on your individual technical needs plus develop styling. 

Practice Sessions help you learn how to maneuver on the dance floor, blend the patterns, and meet others who enjoy dancing, too. We hold a practice session monthly plus we're developing other opportunities for group practice. Please check the website for upcoming events and other practice venues.

ELEMENTS OF DANCE

Please be easy on yourself as you learn to dance. It takes awhile to master the dances because it is necessary to do several things at once. These basic elements of the dances all work together to help you feel more confident:

PATTERNS: The path your feet and body need to follow.

LEAD/FOLLOW: Men learn how and when to initiate moves; ladies learn to anticipate and wait for signals and connect to their partner and the music.

FOOTWORK: Proper use of the feet to make them more attractive and add character to each dance.

TIMING: Learning when to start a dance on time, how to stay in rhythm with your partner, how to recognize which dance to do according to the music being played.

CONTINUITY: The ability to blend the patterns together and to move the patterns successfully around the dance floor.

STYLE: Learn the particular style of each dance plus how to make your dancing more attractive - for example, the proper use of arms, the rise and fall in Waltz, or hip and leg styling in Latin dances.

DANCES TO LEARN                               

FOX TROT: The Fox Trot is the most popular social dance in the world. A foundational dance that's easy to learn, it helps you improve in other dances. 

WALTZ: One of the most beautiful of all dances, with its sweeping steps and whirling action. Danced at weddings and social events, the waltz is great for developing grace and balance.

AMERICAN TANGO: This dramatic dance done to dramatic music is intoxicating. Often considered a "dancer's dance," you will be surprised at how easy it is to learn and how it develops your ability to dance with power and drama.

RUMBA: The only slow Latin dance, this is a dance of romance that can be danced in many venues. Based on the basic box step, rumba patterns can be adapted to other dances.

EAST COAST SWING: This is a fun, energetic dance that can be done to music from the 1940s all the way up to today's hip hop songs. Lots of fun turns and variety to learn. Think Lost in the 50s!

WEST COAST SWING: This dance is done generally to medium tempo music, usually slower than East Coast Swing. The patterns are danced in a slot and, once the basics are mastered, can be very interpretive and creative.

CHA CHA: This is a fun Latin dance with lots of personality that is very adaptable to different eras of music. Based on the famous Cha-Cha-Cha moves of the feet, the patterns are fun and easy to learn and can be danced at weddings, night clubs and ballrooms.

SALSA: Popular and trendy, this dance has patterns similar to the Cha Cha but is danced to faster music. Danced at Salsa clubs all over the country, on cruises, at vacation spots...

NIGHTCLUB TWO-STEP: A beautiful dance designed for slow, romantic, soft rock songs. A very versatile dance with beautiful turns.

SLOW DANCE: Very easy to learn, this dance can be done to music that other dances can't. Danced in a small area, this can be done at nightclubs, weddings, and on small dance floors. A great dance to get started with, especially for those who are a bit shy to get up on the dance floor.

Rates

SCHEDULES

Group Classes: I teach each dance for a month, starting at the beginning of the month. Most classes are 4 lessons per month, generally held on weekday evenings. Please check the website, call the club, or contact me for each month's schedule and class fees. We are happy to answer any of your questions.

Create Your Own Group: Several couples can form their own group, schedule their own time and study any dance or dances they choose. These are always fun. Call me to schedule and coordinate the details.

Private Lessons are scheduled at a time when it is convenient for the dancer and teacher and when the facility is available - days, evenings and weekends.

All private and group lessons are 50 minutes
Level 1 (beginner) Learn the basics of the first 5 patterns of each dance plus variations
Level 2 (intermediate) Learn steps 6 through 10 of each dance plus variations. You must have teacher approval to attend the intermediate level. An intermediate level class is not fun if you aren’t prepared for it. Your time is better spent developing the beginning level first and then moving on.
Dance Lesson Card: 10 group classes for those with difficult schedules.

No partner required. All ages welcome.
Dress comfortably. No outside shoes allowed in the studio, please bring clean shoes.

Calendar
minimum 4 couples per class

Dance will take a break for 6 weeks and then start back up in the fall.

Call Diane for convenient private lessons. 255-7656