RhythmAddict Dance

I like to find out if there is an upcoming event or specific reason for starting to take dance lessons now and any long-term goals.

It's important to know if you have any prior dance experience since every type of dance relates to another and can either help or harm us as we are starting to learn something new.

I was a dancer for many years - hip hop and country western - before and loved it, which is why I went to Arthur Murray dance studios and applied to become a teacher.

I worked full-time with Arthur Murray to become a professional dance teacher. I was trained to both lead and follow in a number of dances: Foxtrot, Waltz, Rumba, American Tango, Swing, and Country Western.

Since leaving Arthur Murray after graduating from college, I continued to dance, teach, and learn more dances.

I moved to California in 2001, and fell in love with Salsa LA Style. I took classes, joined dance teams, performed and competed throughout Southern California and opened my own dance studio in Rancho Cucamonga, CA in 2008.

I now offer both group classes and private lessons for all of the dances I have learned over the years.

Group classes are generally $15-$20 per class

Private lessons are around $100/hour and include up to 2 persons at a time. There are discounts on privates for students taking group classes - up to 30% off.

I fell in love with Country Western 2Step and Swing in the early 1990s and wanted a 2nd job. A friend let me know Arthur Murray was hiring dance teachers.

I went over on a Friday night while they were having a social and asked for an application. I didn't have any experience teaching, but I had been dancing over a year, so they gave me a chance - initially just for 3 weeks. 3 Years Later - I'm one of their top teachers, working with singles and couples, teaching privates and group classes and helping with socials. 

When I left Arthur Murray because I graduated from college and moved out of town - I kept teaching - at any local nightclub that would hire me, or in my basement teaching privates.

I was introduced to Latin dancing a little at Arthur Murray but also through a group of friends, and really became interested in all forms of it. When I moved to California in 2001 I took full advantage of the huge selection of Latin nightclubs in the LA area and found myself on a dance floor up to 6 nights/week.

After taking some classes and performing with a couple of dance teams, I took my knowledge of dance technique and applied to it everything I had learned in Salsa dancing and created a new teaching style and syllabus from which many wonderful social dancers have graduated.

I only work with adults and I specialize in beginners. I can teach more advanced students or those wanting styling, etc., but I find more joy in helping someone release their fear of dancing, finding the music and gaining a new source of joy in their lives.

There haven't been many dance events since last year, but my favorite was always a Salsa event in Palm Springs. It had workshops during the day (I taught at this event for over 6 years) and social dancing all night, along with pool parties and dance team performances (my teams performed twice) and lots of bonding with friends - old and new. I really miss that event - I'm hoping we can maybe do it again this year.

Be honest with your experience, your long term goals, and your level of committment. Dancing is not something you learn in a week or even a month. To become a good dancer - someone who can dance with anyone, anywhere and have fun - does take some time, and it is so worth it!

Are you looking for group instruction or private one-on-one? Can you be patient with yourself and commit to your teacher?