FAQs

1. I've never danced before - can I join a class?

Absolutely! We love meeting and teaching new beginners. Our Level 1 - Complete Beginners classes are designed for individuals without any dance experience. We assume that you are starting from scratch and have no prior dance knowledge.

2. I don’t have a dance partner - can I attend on my own?

It is not necessary to have a partner to participate in our classes. While there are often other solo dancers present to partner with, we can't always guarantee a dance partner will be available; therefore, you may sometimes practise on your own during a class. Practising solo can greatly enhance your dancing abilities! It gives you an excellent opportunity to focus on your balance, technique, timing, and musicality.

3. Do I have to change partners in the class, or can I dance with the person I came with?

While there are advantages to dancing with different people, we understand that time with a loved one or friend is precious. You do not have to change partners at all if you don’t want to!

4. When can I start? Do I need to book? How do I pay? And is there parking available?

Joining: You can start anytime! We teach a new dance each month, so there are 12 opportunities to start from scratch!

Booking: There is no need to book - just come along!

Payment: All classes are pay-as-you-go. Please pay by cash or card upon arrival. Exact change is appreciated if you’re paying with cash – thank you!

Parking: There is free parking available onsite at Grittleton Village Hall and Hullavington Village Hall.

5. What can I expect at a dance class?

Format: Each class begins with a gentle warm-up, followed by practising essential skills for partner dancing. We introduce the music and rhythms, guiding you through a short combination of figures and their practical application. You are welcome to ask questions at any time, to take things at your own pace, and to rest whenever you need to.

Terminology: We use the terms Leader & Follower in our classes instead of Man & Lady. Leader refers to the role historically danced by men, while Follower refers to the role traditionally danced by women. You are welcome to choose your role freely, regardless of sex or gender, as experimenting with different roles is both fun and valuable for understanding how a move feels from all perspectives.

6. What should I wear to a dance class?

You do not need special clothing or dance shoes to attend our classes.

Clothing: Wear comfortable clothing that allows for free movement. Layering is advisable, as you may feel quite warm toward the end of class.

Shoes: When selecting shoes for dancing, start with everyday shoes that fit comfortably and stay securely on your feet. It's important that they have a clean and slightly smooth sole to protect your feet and knees during turns. Please be aware that heavy footwear or shoes with long/pointed toes may hurt your dance partner (ouch!). Additionally, please avoid wearing shoes with black rubber soles, as they can leave marks on the dance floor. Thank you!

Non-Profit Shop: As you progress and develop a love for dancing, you may wish to purchase dance shoes. Dance shoes have a flexible sole to help with foot articulation, turning, and technique. Please check out our selection of pre-loved dancewear in our non-profit shop!

7. What happens if I make mistakes or have to repeat things several times to understand them?

Learning to dance is a gradual process which takes time, and we are here to support and encourage you throughout this process. You will find some things easy and some things hard - making mistakes and tackling challenges are natural parts of learning and progression. Allow yourself to be a beginner, repeat things as many times as you need to, ask questions, and be patient with yourself and the person you are dancing with. It takes time to learn to play a musical instrument or to learn a new language – learning to dance is the same! For further info and encouragement, please read my blog post: How Do I Improve & Progress?

8. What if I miss a week?

Consistency in learning is ideal, but we understand that life happens! Please do not worry if you miss a week here or there - it will be lovely to see you whenever you can make it. If you miss a few weeks and you feel concerned, you are always welcome to book some private tuition.

9. I’ve heard that dancing is all about learning routines – is that correct?

To some extent, yes. In each class, we teach a short combination of figures to introduce you to the dance style, help you learn specific skills, and enable you to move around the dance floor. However, our primary focus is developing effective partnering skills and good floorcraft techniques to enable thoughtful improvisation when dancing socially. This encourages creativity, musicality and personal expression!

10. I have a medical condition/movement pain/movement restriction – can I still attend?

Medical conditions and movement pain/restrictions: If you have any health concerns, medical conditions or movement pain/restrictions, we strongly recommend consulting your GP for advice before participating in dance-related activities, as you may need to approach learning to dance with their support, or with assistance from another medical professional, such as a Physiotherapist. If this is the case, please let us know so we can collaborate with you and your medical team to help you achieve your dancing goals. Please tell us (and the person you are dancing with) the necessary information required to prevent discomfort while dancing—thank you! We welcome any suggestions you have and you are always welcome to observe a class before joining. We encourage you to take things at your own pace and rest whenever necessary.

Emergency medication: Please inform us if you carry emergency medication (and how to use it), along with emergency contact information if there is a possibility that you may become unwell during a class or event.

General health: Please do not attend classes or events if you have viral symptoms (cough, cold, sore throat, temperature etc) or a tummy bug - thank you so much!

Health & Safety: You are solely responsible for your own health and safety during dance classes and events. Enjoy yourself, but dance sensibly!

11. I have a hearing impairment and/or struggle to interpret the music – is that a problem?

This is not a problem at all, as the perception and interpretation of music are vast subjects, unique to each individual!

If you have a hearing impairment: We would like to assure you that learning to dance is not reserved for those with full hearing - you are more than welcome to attend any of our classes and events. Many aspects of dancing do not rely on hearing, including learning to move in harmony with a partner, mastering the art of leading and following, exploring different movement qualities, expressing yourself through movement, and improving body awareness and physical skills. Dancing also exercises the mind and memory. All of these elements present exciting challenges and are fun to explore! Please let us know if you have any hearing issues, so we are aware and can assist if you would like.

If you have difficulty interpreting the music: We do not expect you to be a music expert in any shape or form, and we emphasise that listening to music - especially genres you may not be familiar with - is a skill that takes time to develop and can be influenced by many factors. We explain the music and rhythms in every class, but please allow yourself plenty of time to adjust and explore what you can hear. Please let us know if you are having trouble, so we are aware and can assist if you would like.

If you are feeling nervous or worried: Please let us know so we can help you feel more comfortable. We can do this in various ways, such as gently tapping out the beats on your hand when we dance with you, providing you with a spot on the dance floor closest to the speaker, or ensuring you can clearly see the teacher so you can better observe their facial expressions and body language. We also welcome any other suggestions you have.

12. Are your teachers qualified?

Emma is a Registered Teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) and professionally qualified by the International Dance Teachers' Association (IDTA). Additionally, Emma is a member of The Guild of Professional Teachers of Dance, Movement to Music, and Dramatic Arts. As a passionate and experienced dance professional, she is committed to continuous professional development and enjoys sharing her knowledge and skills with others.