How often should I take a dance lesson?

As you begin to take dance lessons, it is always best to keep your lessons close together. Everyone learns on a curve, which peaks in the beginning. This way, you will spend more time learning new things instead of reviewing. This is a point that cannot be stressed enough. If you stretch your first handful of lessons out by taking 1 per week, you will not learn much at all. If you take 2 or 3 lessons in the first week, you will have begun to learn how to dance. After those first few imperative lessons, you can begin to schedule them further apart if you like.

What should I wear on my dance lessons?

Everyone always asks, "What do I wear to my lessons?" Well, the truth of the matter is, for now, we just want you to be comfortable. That means comfortable clothes and comfortable shoes. The only thing to remember about shoes: For the ladies, make sure your shoes are strapped or attached to your feet. In other words, no flip flops or slip on shoes. For the men, a nice dress shoe with leather soles. No tennis shoes. They have a tendency to stick, not slide. You may purchase dance shoes through the front desk. Just be sure to check with your teacher so he or she may recommend shoes that are right for you.

Can I bring my friends?

YES! Dancing is so much fun that often students like to bring family, friends, co-workers or even neighbors to join the fun. Guests can be brought in by students only by booking a lesson with your teacher or attending the special "Guest Group Class" on Thursday evenings. The best way to bring them in is by going to dinner, attending the Guest Class, and staying for some fun afterward. The cost for each guest is $20 for which they will receive 1 Private Lesson, 1 Group Class, and 1 Dance Party. For bringing a guest, you will receive 1 FREE private lesson! This is a great way not just to dance with people you know, but to learn how to dance for FREE!

What types of learning methods are offered?

Empire Dancesport has 4 types of lessons. Each specific type works hand in hand with the other 3 areas of learning. They are:

• Step 1 - Private Lessons
• Step 2 - Group Classes
• Step 3 - Friday Night Practice Parties
• Step 4 - Destination Dance

Your private lessons are the first step in your dance education. This is a private, one on one lesson with your teacher. This allows you to get the personal, custom attention you need as a dancer. The second step is group classes. Group classes are taught by one teacher with approximately 5 - 20 other students. This allows you to learn patterns while practicing lead and follow with different partners. Now, you can take these new elements back with you to a private lesson for review and tweaking. This means more private lesson time for new material. Friday Night Practice Parties are the third step in learning. You need to take lessons to learn how to dance on a social dance floor with other people. We provide the dance floor, people and atmosphere of social dancing but in the comfort of the studio. Remember, everyone is learning just like you so they are there to practice too. The fourth and final step in the learning process is dancing in public. If you are going to learn how to dance, you need to learn where to dance. But, that can be pretty intimidating. So, once a month, Empire Dancesport hosts a different venue for all the students. This is a great transition from the dance studio to a public place because all the students as well as teachers are there to dance with and for questions. Be sure to keep a monthly calendar on hand to see when the monthly Destination Dance is scheduled.

What times are available to schedule my private lessons?

You may schedule your private lessons anytime Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm. Basically, this means you can take your private lessons whenever it is convenient for you.

How do the teachers know what to teach?

All Empire Dancesport teachers teach from a nationally recognized dance syllabus called DVIDA. This means you have a dance goal: You know what you are going to learn, are learning, and have learned. It also means that you are learning the same dance steps as other students across the country.

Can I take just group classes?

Well, the answer is of course you could. But, you should not want to. Most people have a misperception that group classes are all you need. And, that is actually not true. Group classes are designed to work on dance patterns only. Group classes are not designed to work on what you as an individual need to work on that is unique to you as a dancer. You will not learn proper lead and follow, styling, or technique. Look at it this way.

Could a golf pro teach everyone to swing their driver the exact same way?

No. The golf pro has to work with each individual swing to make it work correctly. One swing definitely does not fit all. It is the same with dancing. Once again, Empire Dancesport uses a mix of group classes, private lessons, and practice times to maximize your dance potential.

What are the weekly activities offered?

Empire Dancesport has regularly occurring events each week. The Bronze Group Class is every Friday from 7:00 pm until 8:00 pm. This class is for students who have taken 10 or more lessons. Also occurring every Friday evening from 7:00 pm until 8:00 pm is the Social Ease Group Class. This class is for students who have taken less than 10 lessons. Thursday evenings from 7:00 until 8:00 is reserved for your guests to participate in an introductory lesson. Stop in on Friday evenings for the Friday Night Dance Party from 8:00 - 9:30. This is a great time to practice what you are learning on your lessons as well as meet other students. There are also other dance and exercise classes that come up.

What types of other activities does Empire Dancesport offer?

If you are interested in a lot of fun or adding that extra flare in your dancing, we have it. Empire Dancesport offers Fun Trips to different places around the world. This could be a dance cruise, a trip to New York to see some great stage productions, or even local dinner and dancing nights. We also travel to dance competitions around the country. This is a great way to set a goal in your dancing, work hard, and show off a little -- not to mention meeting a whole new world of friends who share the same interest in dancing as you do. We also perform at least two shows a year in which students perform for friends, family, and the public.

What is the lesson cancellation policy?

Empire Dancesport has a "No Cancellation" policy. Teachers are only paid for the hours they teach. If you do not show up for your lesson, but the teacher is here, they are not paid. Teachers have the ability to find other students to fit in your slot, but only if given ample time to do so. If you must cancel, as we understand emergencies arise, please give at least 24 hours notice to provide enough time for the teacher to schedule another student for that hour.