Choose a Dance Style
The first step to becoming a dancer is choosing a dance style. Each type of dance is made up of techniques that need to be practiced and mastered. Your dancing goals will help you to decide which style of dance is right for you.
Find a Dance Class
Once you have decided to begin dance classes, it is important to carefully choose a dance class. Your choice of a dance teacher is critical if you plan to pursue dancing professionally. It is easy to form bad habits in the beginning, and extremely hard to correct them. Most importantly, choose a teacher whose dance style you admire.
What to Wear
Different styles of dance will require different styles of dance clothing. Special dance shoes will be required for most dance styles, including ballet slippers for ballet and tap shoes for tap. Your dance teacher will probably have a preference for clothing, such as a black leotard with pink tights for ballet, or black dance pants for jazz.
What to Expect
If you are enrolled in your very first dance class, make a point to tour the dance studio before your first day. Most dance studios are large and airy, with at least one full wall of mirrors. The floors of dance studios should be soft, as dancing on hard floors may cause injuries. The class structures will vary for the different dance styles…expect a hip-hop class to be much more relaxed than a class of classical ballet.
Dance Glossary
Confused about a dance step? Check out the dance glossary to become familiar with dance terms for various dance styles. Learn the names of basic ballet steps, ballroom dancing lingo, and much more.
Forums and Free Newsletter
Get connected with other dancers...check out the Dance Forum to exchange steps and moves, ask for advice, talk about dancing, and make new friends!
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