Why do you call yourself "No Frills?"
That's an easy one! We thought it was a good way to convey our business style. Contracts, mirror-balls, long-term commitments to the studio, bathrooms with lounges and changing rooms, high-buzz ballrooms with lots of teachers, costume parties, pressure to join the next showcase or competition...these are things we don't have. If you're looking for a dressed-up ballroom to become your main social outlet, we're probably not a good fit. We give lessons all over town, go out dancing as a group from time to time, offer affordable group classes with nice people who like to dance, and teach good private lessons - all on a pay-as-you-go, low commitment basis. That's what we call learning to dance without the frills.
What ages do you teach?
We teach ages 15-90+. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for the first 3 visits (the parent doesn't have to dance). No age is too old to start learning or to pick up where you left off. To date, our youngest client started at age 11 and our oldest client "retired" at age 89.
For younger children, we are happy to recommend teachers who are available to work with kids.
Can I learn for a special event?
Yes! Dance instruction is available for a variety of events such as weddings (bridal party or attendees), cruises, high school reunions, New Year's parties, or new relationships.
We are happy to customize your dance instruction to meet your needs.
Do I need any prior dance training to start?
No. Most of our students have never taken dance instruction of any kind.
What if I have two left feet?
Foot transplants are available by special arrangement.
Not really. "Two left feet" is what people say when they feel awkward or clumsy on the dance floor. Learning to dance is the solution for this condition. We have been quite successful with people who think they can't learn to dance.
What if I have no coordination, no rhythm, no talent, etc?
We can teach you rhythm and coordination.
We can't give you more talent, but we can show you how to maximize what you've got -- and have fun with it.
What should I wear?
Nothing fancy -- we're pretty casual.
Guys: Anything from jeans and a T-shirt to dress pants and a Polo.
Ladies: Pants, dresses, and skirts are all fine -- the number one priority is to feel comfortable and move easily!
Do I need special shoes?
Not necessarily. For Beginners, something with a slick sole -- like leather -- works the best and avoids muscle strain. You don't necessarily need to wear dress shoes, but we definitely don't recommend sneakers or other rubber-soled shoes -- they create too much friction on the wood floor. Please, no flip-flops or other shoes that you can "walk out of."
Ladies, unless you're amazingly comfortable on stilts, we suggest lower heels while you're new. Heels 2" or 2.5" are plenty high enough. Flats or low heels, if you're comfortable in them, are even better until we establish your balance. If you do wear heels, please choose a supportive one -- thick heels usually provide better support than toothpick-thin stillettos. And please beware: avoid the rubberized coating many of today's manufacturers are putting on ladies' shoes -- they grip the floor and don't move!
Like with most activities that turn into hobbies, serious dancers invest in Ballroom or Latin dance shoes, but you might want to see how well you like it before taking that step.
Do you teach [Swing, Salsa, Waltz...] dancing?
We teach the following dances:
Swing (Eastern Swing, West Coast Swing, Jitterbug)
Ballroom Latin (Chacha, Rumba, Samba, Mambo, Bolero, Paso Doble)
Club Latin (Salsa, Merengue, Bachata)
Ballroom (Foxtrot, Waltz, Tango, Quickstep, Viennese Waltz)
Country/Western (Twostep, Waltz, Swing, Western Swing, Polka)
Hustle
Is this like ballet, tap, or jazz dance?
Most people are familiar with the performance-oriented styles of dance such as ballet, tap, and jazz. Perhaps they took dance lessons as a child, have children enrolled in them now, or have some connection with the performing arts. There are many styles of solo and performance dance and many studios that teach them.
This isn't one of them.
We specialize in partnership -- or contact -- dancing (adult social dancing). Think of Jitterbug -- GIs in the 1940's and greasers in the 1950's. Think of Hustle -- John Travolta and Saturday Night Fever in the 1970's. Patrick Swayze and the Mambo in Dirty Dancing somewhere during the 1980's. It's fun. It's social. It's dancing for two.
Can I pick out the dances I learn?
You can learn any dances you want as often as you want and we'll teach you as much as you can absorb as fast as you can absorb it, no matter how many lessons you've had.
What happens on the first lesson?
Click here.
Are private lessons held in private rooms?
No. The "private" in Private Lesson means that instead of one teacher working with many students at the same time -- like in a class, your teacher is spending that lesson just with you.
Lessons are held in a large, open ballroom. You and your teacher may be alone on the dance floor during your lesson. But it's much more likely that there will be other lessons going on at the same time, taught by other teachers. Generally, the other teachers and students are so wrapped up in their own lesson, they aren't paying any attention to yours.
Do you teach group classes?
Sometimes, yes! Please visit our Group Class page to see if we have any group classes open for enrollment.
If you're looking for a Private Group Class just for your own special group, please e-mail us for information: tbennett@nofrillsdance.com.
What if I don’t have a partner?
No problem. On a private lesson, your teacher is a stand-in for your future dance partner(s). And you'll benefit from having all the training focus on you. If you do find a partner later on, you can take your lessons as a couple, even from the same teacher.
Most group classes are open to singles as well as couples. Although we don't guarantee a partner for every single in class, we are pretty good at making sure that everyone has fun, learns, and has a chance to dance. Be prepared to dive in and dance with a variety of people.
How many lessons will I need?
Anyone who tries to answer that question without knowing what dances you want to learn & how good you want to be and comparing that to how you move & how fast you learn is bluffing you. They can't possibly know.
Bottom line, it's a great question to ask to help you weed out teachers, but you'll need to let them work with you for a few lessons before they can really answer that well.
Will I get a male or female teacher?
If you are a single male student, you will learn from a female instructor; if you are a single female student, you will probably get a male instructor at most studios, but we routinely have ladies taking lessons from female instructors. Please specify if you have preference.
If you are a couple or are attending a Group Class, you can learn from a male or a female instructor.
How long have you been teaching?
If counting, fingers + toes:
dancing for 20 years (yikes - where did it go?!), and
teaching for over 14 years.
Our top instructor has spent the last 14+ years as a professional teacher, competitor, and performer. She teaches both brand-new and advanced students, but her specialty is taking folks who start out with no experience at all and turning them into dancers. For a one-time event or for a lifetime; to be socially adept or to be a competitor/performer; or any goal in between. She is certified in American Style Bronze and Silver and trained in everything else -- American Style Gold, International, Exhibition, and Theatrical. She has taught over 300 singles and couples how to dance for both major events (like weddings, reunions, competitions, and shows) and just for the fun of it.
How do I know my instructor is qualified?
Click here.
When are the lessons held?
Private lessons are available by appointment and are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. Currently lessons are available at varying times of the morning, afternoon, and evening Monday through Friday.
Where are you located?
Private lessons and group instruction are held at (location map) Avondale Dance Directions, 1450-5 Hamilton St, 32210.
How often should I attend class?
Ultimately, that's your call. Our recomendations:
If you're learning for an upcoming event, carve out a chunk of time -- a week or two -- and just do it and get it done,
-OR- commit to regular lessons once or twice a week for a month or so.
If you're looking to start a hobby, attend as often as you can (as long as you're having fun).
As with any sport or skill, getting good requires time and effort. The better you want to be, the more time you'll want to spend on it.
If you just want to get by, take a few lessons close together and then go out and use it often. If you want to be good, aim to have regular lessons and practice time.
Remember that's it's your dancing. The best teachers will need your cooperation to make you good. It's like being in college. You select the course; the professor sets the curriculum and teaches it to you; you do the work.
How much do lessons cost?
Our standard practice is that your first lesson is FREE. This gives you an opportunity to try out the dancing and the instructor and make sure that you feel comfortable enough with both.
After that, our rate is $75 per 50-minute lesson followed by a 5-minute review and wrap-up. (Please note, this price is available from the No Frills staff, not from the venue.)
How much do I have to pay up front?
Currently, advance payments are not required, as long as students show up for appointments they have scheduled. Repeat no-shows or frequent last-minute cancellations may be asked to pay in advance to secure a future appointment. Management reserves the right to determine this on a case-by-case basis.
The most you can ever pay up front, in case you just like doing it that way, is 3 Private Lessons' worth ($225).
If you are on a pay-as-you-go basis, payment is due at the beginning of the lesson on the day of the lesson.
Why don’t you have contracts?
Generally, studios that have you sign contracts are also having you sign up and pay for 15-100 lessons up front.
We accept advance payment for a maximum of three lessons if you want to reduce the number of payment transactions you make. But most people just pay as they go, a lesson at a time. This keeps you free to come and go without the risk of losing what you paid for. And there's none of the stress and hassle of being tied to a binding contract.
Is there a minimum number of lessons I have to take?
Nope. You don't have to join a long-term package to learn to dance. You can take as many or as few as you want -- even if it's just one lesson.
Do I have to take an entire hour?
Most people take "hour-long" (50-minute) lessons. But if that doesn't work for you, no problem - ask for a half-hour. Half-hour lessons are available for $45.
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