Lessons


We offer a variety of lessons, with some for social dancing and some for competitions and performances. If you’re looking to get your feet wet in social dancing, come join our Social dance classes! Beginner level classes are open to beginners and teach American Style social dances as well as latin club dances such as Salsa, Merengue and Bachata. Advanced level classes are suitable for more experienced dancers who are looking forward to learn more challenging moves. Looking to delve farther into the International Standard and Latin dances? Our Bronze and Silver level classes will guide you from steps to technique to make your dancing sharp! You can join our lessons at any time and try your first one for free! Click on each type of lesson or event to see details, and check our Calendar for exact times and locations.


Beginner Social Social dancing for beginners! Wednesdays (8-10 PM) in Rangos
Advanced Social More challenging steps in Social dancing Wednesdays (7-8 PM) in Rangos
Bronze International style Bronze-level Mondays (7-9 PM) in Rangos
Silver International style Silver-level Wednesdays (6-7 PM) in Rangos

Lesson Pricing

Students Non-students
Beginner Package:
Beginner Social + Bronze

 $25 for one semester $35 for one semester
Advanced Package:
All lessons are included		 $35 for one semester $45 for one semester

Events

Lesson Details

By becoming a member, you enjoy the benefits of attending our Beginner Social and Bronze classes, which are all open to complete beginners.


If you are enthusiastic and want to progress faster, we encourage you to talk to the officers to attend the harder lessons in addition to the ones at your current level. Hard work and practice can go a long way in progressing your dancing and exceptions can always be made. Also, definitely ask experienced members about steps and technique outside of the lessons if you have questions!


Extra practice: Extra Practice times are available after the Bronze lessons every Monday from 9-10 PM and after the Beginner Social lessons every Wednesday from 10-11 PM, where we have practice time and rounds (A round is when all the couples dance each Standard and Latin dance as if they were dancing at a competition and is great for staying in practice.) We also schedule extra practice times before competitions, so make sure to ask about those.


Beginner Lessons

Our beginner lessons are perfect for those new to ballroom, as well as for established dancers to learn more dances! With 2 social lessons and 2 bronze lessons taught each week, participation in the beginner lessons in the fall semester will allow you to learn 17 dances over the course of the semester. The Basic membership includes ALL FOUR of these lessons! Also, as is true with all of our lessons and in the past, your first lesson is FREE! You don't know that you love it until you try--just drop by to any lesson to join in!


Beginner Social (Wednesdays 8-9 PM and 9-10 PM)

Want to learn how to look good on the dance floor? Show off at weddings or social events? This is the class for you! These classes are aimed at the complete beginner-no previous experience or partner is required! Just come open to learn~ Taught by advanced competition team members, Fall 2010 Semester classes will feature 2 separate hour long classes of social dancing and are the perfect way to get started in ballroom dance! In just a few lessons, you'll be gliding across the floor with social and American style dances such as Rumba, Foxtrot, Swing, Tango, Waltz, Hustle and Salsa!


Bronze (Mondays 7-8 PM and 8-9 PM)

Learn the international style of ballroom dancing that's done all over the world! Our professional instructors will teach you all the moves and technique to do HOT latin dances (such as Rumba, Cha-cha, Samba, Jive and Paso doble) and to glide with standard dances (such as the Quickstep, Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot and Viennese Waltz). No experience is necessary, we'll teach you everything you need to know! With two one-hour classes featuring two different dances each week, you'll know ALL TEN of these dances by the end of the semester!



Advanced Lessons

Learned all the basics already? Take your dancing to the next level by taking part in our advanced lessons! Both Silver AND Advanced Social lessons are included in the Advanced membership price.


Silver (Wednesdays 6-7 PM)

Already know all the steps being taught in Bronze? Want to take your dancing to the next level? Our professionally taught Silver lessons will feature Silver level ISTD syllabus steps to advance your dancing in the international style! Fall 2010 features Jive, Tango, Rumba, and Waltz!


Note: It is highly recommended that dancers participating in these classes have an understanding of the dance being taught (knowledge of the rhythm of the dance and basic steps) as basic steps in the dance will not be explained in depth.


Advanced Social (Wednesdays 7-8 PM)

Sick of learning the basic over and over? The advanced social class features silver and gold level american steps as well as advanced maneuvers and figures in social dances so you can really show off on the dance floor! Taught by our advanced competition team members, this Fall semester's classes will feature Viennese Waltz, Rumba, Foxtrot and Cha-cha!


Note: As with the Silver lessons, it is encouraged for Advanced Social lesson participants to be familiar with the dance being taught as basic steps in the dance will not be explained in depth.


Competition Essentials

A new class offered this year, this class will cover various topics in technique and styling in all the international style dances that are relevant to dancers interested in competing at the collegiate level. Taught by advanced competition team members, participants of this class are highly encouraged to compete regularly and join the competition team.


To attend, please talk to any officer at lessons to find out more.



About Other Events

Check our Calendar page for specific times and details about events. Geoff, the social chair, will be at the ones with stars if you want a familiar face!

Weekly Social Dances

A social dance is held after each Bronze and Beginner Social classes from 9-10 PM on Mondays and 10-11 PM on Wednesdays. These are open to everyone and are great times to practice dances you've learned, meet other club members, and have fun! Feel free to make music requests and ask experienced members for help or new steps.

Late Nights, UC Fridays, and Social Dances

Each semester, we have a variety of on-campus events which are free to all club members and CMU-affiliated people. Late Nights and UC Fridays are events held in the UC, usually with a lesson in a dance like Hustle or Swing, a performance, music for dancing, games, etc. Our social dances are more strictly ballroom, where we have a lesson and then Standard, Latin, Hustle, Swing, Salsa, or whatever type of music people request. All of these events have drinks and refreshments provided and are great chances to bring friends who are new to ballroom.

Trips to USA Dance socials, salsa dancing, and more

USA Dance Pittsburgh holds monthly dances, some of which are held at Chatham University and some of which are held at CMU in conjunction with our club. Many of our members go to the Chatham dances, as well as salsa, swing, and other dances around Pittsburgh. Though these are not official club trips, ask an officer if you're interested, or check out our Links page for the home pages of some of these events.

Competitions

We go to about three competitions each semester, with some in Pittsburgh and some in the Midwest or East Coast. These are amazing experiences, especially ones like the Ohio Star Ball (one of the biggest competitions in the US, with a world-class professional competition). You dance a lot, watch awesome dancers, and get to hang out with the CMU Competition Team. : ) If you're interested in watching or participating in these, check out our page on Competing.