Have you started taking up dancing? While dancing for beginners can be incredibly exciting and rewarding, it can also be challenging. This is where lessons come in handy! In this article, teacher Liz T. shares what to expect and how to set yourself up for success with dance lessons for beginners…
So, you’ve signed up for your first dance class or you’re just about ready to – excellent! Whether you’re pursuing ballet, jazz, tap, modern, ballroom, salsa, or Zumba, here are some things to expect at your first lesson and tips to help you succeed as a dancer.
How Should a Beginner Start Dancing?
Whether you’ve only briefly thought about starting to dance as a hobby or career or you’ve already put in some practice, it’s best to begin learning with beginner dance lessons. Just like any new skill, learning how to dance can be a challenge because there are so many aspects to it. There’s figuring out what style of dancing is best for you, which foundational skills you need, and getting feedback on your progress. A professional teacher can help you with all of this!
Ready to learn 3 simple dance moves now? Check out this video!
Thank you to Deepak Tulsyan for the use of this video!
Decide What Type of Class to Take
When it comes to dancing for beginners, it’s important to be mindful of what type of class to take: group or private.
Group classes can have anywhere from 10-20 students learning together. There’s typically one teacher guiding the lesson. When you’re in a larger dance class, it’s essential that you’re able to learn in a group setting. Are you someone who catches on quickly, is comfortable learning alongside others, and doesn’t get easily distracted? If so, group classes could work for you.
Private classes are best for those who prefer a one-on-one setting or practicing with just a partner and your instructor. Private dance lessons for beginners are excellent because the teacher is more able to customize the lessons and meet you where you are. You’ll also be able to receive more personalized feedback.
Expect Fast-Paced Lessons
Most dance classes range from 45 minutes to two hours, and there is so much to learn in that time! The dance class will likely be fast-paced, usually starting with a warm-up, bar work, floor routines, and then working on a choreographed dance.
At first, this may be overwhelming especially when dancing for beginners. However, if you prepare yourself for class and stay focused during the lesson, you should do just fine!
If you’re taking private beginner dance lessons and you feel like it’s too fast, you can always ask your teacher to adjust the pace more accordingly.
Be Open to Learning New Things
Dancing for beginners entails a lot of new dance moves and terminology (mostly in French for ballet training). This may be intimidating and uncomfortable at first, but if you go in with an open mind and eagerness to learn, you’ll do great!
On the other hand, if you don’t believe in yourself and think things like “I will never be able to dance like that” or “I can’t do this,” then it’ll be extremely difficult to make progress.
Pro tip: Have fun and do your best! If you mess up, give yourself some grace and move forward.
Set Personal Goals
When you’re learning any new skill, like dancing, it’s essential to set personal goals. This gives you something to work towards. It also allows you to feel confident when you meet your goals. Consider setting a short and long-term goal.
It’s especially important to set goals if you’re in a group class, as there will be dancers with all types of backgrounds. Try not to compare yourself and set your own personal goals! If you’re working with a private teacher, they’ll be happy to help you set appropriate goals.
Enjoy Dancing for Beginners!
Beginner dance lessons can really help you learn how to dance and meet your goals. Once you decide what type of class you want to take, remember to expect fast-paced lessons and be ready to work hard. It’s also important to be open to learning new things and set personal goals. These tips will lead you to success as you learn an exciting new skill!
Ready to start private dance lessons today? Check out the amazing teachers at TakeLessons!
Liz T. teaches online singing, acting, and music lessons. She is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music with a B.M in Vocal performance and currently performs/teaches all styles of music including Musical Theater, Classical, Jazz, Rock, Pop, R&B, and Country. Learn more about Liz here!
Photo by Guy Orr
Suzy S.