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Denver's Ballroom Instructors Jennifer Corey & Taylor Westfall
Where Do You Start?
We make it easy with classes designed for true beginners.
New Student FAQ
Frequently asked questions about taking ballroom lessons
Do I need a partner? No, you will not need to bring a partner for our group classes or private lessons. If you do bring a partner to a group class, changing partners is optional. We encourage everyone to change partners as we have found a partner change for a few minutes can increase body awareness, helping you learn faster and become a better partner.
What should I wear to class? Most students wear comfortable clothing either business/casual or casual. Shoes should stay on your feet. If you can do the 'twist' on your kitchen floor and you find it easy to move without sticking to the floor your shoes will work. Eventually you may want to consider dance shoes, but they are only needed if you are going to be taking your dance skills past the initial basics. Please do not wear tight skirts as this will restrict your movement. Also avoid sandals, stiletto heals, or boots; as they may look good, but they are not safe for dancing.
Getting Married -When should I start? The best advice we can give is don't wait, plan on starting your wedding dance lessons 5 to 10 weeks before your wedding. On average most couples take 5 lessons to prepare their wedding dance. Yes, you can sometimes do it in three if you are keeping it to 2 or 3 simple patterns, but if you are wanting something showy it will take more time. It is always better to have a little more time to prepare than to feel rushed and stressed. Make your dance lessons something enjoyable, and a fun way to spend time together before the big day.
How long are private lessons? Jennifer offers 25 minute & 50 minute private lessons. Taylor offers 45 minute private lessons. Our new student special private lesson is 50 minutes.
What if I have to reschedule private lesson? We have a 24 hour reschedule/cancelation policy for our private lessons. Please give us 24 hours notice to avoid being charged for the lesson. During the winter months if bad weather the 24 hour policy is waived, but give us 1 a minimum of 1 hour notice. Additionally, if you are not feeling well, do not come in for your lesson - but contact us asap so that we can cancel and reschedule your lesson. No shows will be charged full lesson price automatically.
I missed the 1st class, can I still attend? Yes, we recommend for our level 1 class that you start by the 2nd class of the month. For our Fundamentals class, drop-in anytime during the month.
How long will it take to learn to dance? There are many factors that go into answering this question. But the most important factor into knowing how long it will take for you to learn to dance is; how good of dancer do you want to be? You will be dancing even after one group class or private lesson. Depending on your goals: wedding dance, confidence on the dance floor, find more joy in life, or dancing as a sport for competitions, etc., the answer will vary. Chat with Jennifer or Taylor for more details about what you are looking for with your dancing and we can personalize the answer to your question.
How can I pay? We recommend pre-registering for all of our classes online. You may also pay at the door, day of class. We accept cash, check, credit/debit cards, Venmo QR, and Paypal.
What is the Turnverein Venue Fee? Strides Ballroom must follow the venue requirements for usage. Venue membership fee only applies for group classes and social dance events (is not required for private lessons). The Denver Turnverein venue requires a $20/annual venue membership or a FREE 3-time venue guest pass (does not include Strides class fees) for anyone attending evening group classes and dance parties. This membership goes towards the preservation and upkeep of this historical ballroom and non-profit. Guest passes are available at front desk or become a member at www.denverturnverein.com
