Questions and Answers
What skills and
background do I need to start?
Adults of all ages and abilities are welcome, from the first-time novice to
the more seasoned dancer who wants to stay in top form. Most classes
are geared for the beginner. Advanced classes are offered, and are
identified as such in the schedule. For those classes, previous social
dance experience is recommended.
Do I need to have a partner?
Couples and singles - both male and female - are welcome.
But, if you have a friend, partner, or spouse who wants to join you - the
more the merrier! Both individuals and couples are encouraged to sign
up for an entire 4-5 week session, but drop-ins are allowed at any of the
lessons. See "Schedules & Rates" for more information.
Will I be dancing with the same
person all the time? Unlike some
instructors, who keep you with the same partner all the time, Deb switches
partners frequently. It's important to learn to dance with people of
different heights, abilities, styles, and personalities. Whether you
lead or follow, you become a more well-rounded dancer by practicing with
different people. However, if you
choose to stick with the same partner all the time, that is fine. Some
students are simply more comfortable learning with just one person.
When it comes time to switch, you can just stay with your partner. No
one will mind.
What is the difference between a
private and semi-private lesson? A
private lesson is a one-hour session for one couple (or one individual).
The cost is $40 per hour. A semi-private lesson is for 3 or 4
individuals, e.g. two couples who want to take a class together. The
cost for a semi-private lesson is $60 per hour, e.g. $30 apiece for two
couples.
How many people are in the group
classes? It varies based on the
session, but currently class sizes are not limited. The typical class
size is 15-20 people.
If I miss a scheduled group class, can
I make it up? Unfortunately, if you
pay in full for a 4-5 week session, there is no way to make up a missed
lesson. Our classes run the way a college class runs, i.e. attendance
is recommended, and if you miss - you miss out! If you know you might
have several conflicts in a given month, you may wish to take a class on a
drop-in basis only. Keep in mind
that classes are taught with progression in mind. That is, each
subsequent class period teaches you more advanced skills. This makes
it more difficult if you just drop-in during the latter weeks of a given
course.
What should I wear to the lessons?
No specific dress code is required for the lessons.
Wear comfortable clothing that you can move freely in. For our dance
parties, dress up as if you are going out somewhere nice for the evening.
Some parties will have themes that you might want to dress for; those will
be announced in advance. For the
comfort and enjoyment of your dance partners, please be conscious of proper
hygiene. Keep colognes and perfumes to a minimum.
Do I need special shoes?
Leather-soled shoes, such as your typical
dress shoes, are recommend. Avoid tennis shoes or other casual
footwear that has a rubber bottom. Ladies tend to find it more
comfortable to dance in a shoe with a slight heel. More seasoned
dancers actually carry their dance shoes separately, so the soles of their
shoes are not hampered by dirt and mud from the outdoors. And - even
though this is Colorado - hiking boots are definitely out!
We will be continually updating our "Dance Links" page with
more information, including sites where you can purchase professional
ballroom dance shoes if you desire.
Where can I go
dancing in Northern Colorado? There
are a variety of dances and locales in the area, especially for those
interested in swing dancing. We are working to provide more social
ballroom dance opportunities. See our pages on "Upcoming Events" and
"Dance Links." We will be adding to these pages, so keep checking
back.
Where did you get the name "Okay Dance"?
It began almost as a joke. During the summer of 2006,
Deb's middle daughter did some promotional video for the band "OK Go" (the
Grammy-award winning group most known for their dancing-on-treadmills
video). For a while, everything seemed to be "ok this" and "ok that."
When it came time to decide on a name for Deb's dance business, "Okay dance"
seemed like a natural. (The full word okay is spelled out here, so the
"ok" doesn't look like it rhymes with "rock" or "sock").
Check out the questions on the home page. Need to
reduce stress? Want to meet people? Like to have fun? The
best answer to these questions is simply, "Okay, dance." It also is a
great follow-up to all kinds of statements, like "My spouse and I would like
a hobby together," "I need to increase my fitness level," "I'm getting
married, and I want to do something special at the reception," or "I want to
do something more than just bar-hopping on the weekends."
Okay. Dance.
It's also a great statement to get people moving when the
music begins. Just as a track race starts with "on your mark, get
set...go," or a stock car race begins with the green flag or lights, and
professional wrestling kicks off with, "Let's get ready to.......
rrrrrruuummmble!" - a dance class needs a opening boost. What better
way to get things started after the music begins then by announcing,
"Okay....dance!" Finally, and
most important, the phrase takes on a special meaning when you add a few
simple words. "It's OKAY to DANCE." That's the real reason
behind the name. Fortunately, shows such as "Dancing with the Stars"
have gotten people excited once again about social ballroom dancing, but
many people are still rather shy or unsure how to begin. These lessons
are a great place to start, because "It's
Okay to
Dance." |