So you decided that you want to take dance lessons. Depending on where you live, there may be a variety of options to choose from. How do you choose the dance instructor that works best for you? Here are some things to consider:
1. What type of dance do you want to learn?
You first need to determine what type of dance you would like to try and then look for an instructor in that specializes in that dance genre. You also should consider whether you want to do solo dancing in a group or partner dancing. Many studios that offer partner dancing do not require you to bring a partner as you would just change partners with the class participants. Of course, the dance lessons also need to work with your schedule.
2. Is the dance instructor a good instructor?
One of the most important factors is how well the instructor teaches. Your instructor should be able to break down the fundamentals into easily digestible sections. They should be able to explain the steps in ways that accommodate different ways of learning: auditory, visual, kinaesthetic. Good instructors are also passionate about teaching and love sharing their knowledge with their students. A good instructor will point out what the student is doing right and, in a constructive and kind manner, will also tell the student what needs to be corrected or improved. Good instructors are never excessively critical or demeaning to their students. The lessons should flow well, reviewing past moves/steps learned on a regular basis and slowly progress to more difficult moves as you go along. It is also nice when instructors provide some historical background about the dance you are learning to give you more insight about the culture of the dance.
3. Is the dance instructor a good dancer?
Your instructor should be a good dancer, but they do not need to have won world championships! Good dancers understand timing and proper communication with partners or other dancers. Good dancers are adaptable and able to adjust to the skill levels of the dancer that they are with. Good dancers have great musicality and flow when they move. They are inspiring and are an example of what you would be able to achieve with lessons and practice. These are all qualities that you would want in your instructor. However, if you had to make a choice between a better instructor or a better dancer, the better instructor wins hands down.
4. What is the instructor’s experience?
Generally speaking, the more experience an instructor has the better. This does not necessarily mean that a person who has been an instructor for 10 years is better than one who has been an instructor for 5 years. Instructors need to be continually learning just like everyone else. So while the number of years of being an instructor is a factor, how much time they take to improve their dance and teaching skills also plays a role. Depending on your current goals and skill level, the instructor you choose to take lessons from should be able to help you progress to the next level.
5. How do their students progress?
Students should be showing progress when taking dance lessons. If their students don’t look like they are improving, that could be a red flag. Some students will get to a point where they have outgrown their instructor and must move on to someone with greater experience or a higher skill level. Your choice of dance instructor will depend on whether you are taking dance lessons for fun or if you want to move into a competitive or performance level.
6. How do you feel during the dance class?
Another important thing to consider when choosing an instructor is how they make you feel during the dance class. Are you having fun? Do you feel that you are actually learning and progressing? Do you feel bored because the class isn’t progressing fast enough? Do you feel overwhelmed, frustrated or confused? As a beginner, it is natural to feel a bit overwhelmed at first. If you continue to feel overwhelmed, confused or start to get bored, then you probably need to find a different dance class. Dance classes that offer a free trial are a great, no risk way to see if the instructor is the right fit for you.
If you find an instructor that you like, you may want to expand to different dance genres. At Dame Más Dance, we strive to make all our dance classes a fun learning experience. While we want our students to have fun, we also want them to feel confident in their dancing ability when they step out on the social dance floor. Check out the dance classes that we offer here. First time clients get to try their first class for free!
