In social partner dancing, great posture is everything! Learn few ways that your perfect posture will aid you in becoming a confident social dancer.

Arizona Weddings that WOW!

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Arizona wedding dance lessonsWeddings have moved beyond tradition and become a VIP event where guests are guessing at what to expect. Some weddings are so well planned the guests are provided a printed list with a rundown of all of the evening’s activities! The last thing a bride and groom want for their big day is for their festivities to seem just like all other weddings. Creative ways are now needed more than ever to make each wedding event completely fresh and unique! For example, a customized wedding dance that will knock the socks off of your friends and family. Here are some planning tips to keep in mind when planning the wedding of the season:

Being open minded to new things. This is the best thing a wedding couple should do when it comes to making their wedding day one of a kind. Brides imagine a dream wedding, but may be stuck with an old fashioned vision of what a wedding is. This can be limiting and detrimental to imaginative new ideas.

Think about your guests! The best weddings are the ones which plan a great time for their loved ones who often scrimp, save and sacrifice in order to be a part of the wedding couples big day. The couples who find collaborative ways to celebrate the start of their lives together with everyone attending often create weddings that will be remembered for a long time. Things like adding a photo booth for the guests, lawn games, Pin the Wedding Outfit on the Bride and Groom, or asking each guest to share a photo or story about the couple on a giant board are just a few good ideas to keep guests socializing and having fun when the wedding couple is busy or when they need a break from the dance floor.

Add a wow factor to your wedding to kick off the reception with a first dance that your guests will not expect. The typical prom sway, moving around in circle, is old and boring, and your guests will not sit still for the 4 minutes that it will take. Starting with a classic and romantic wedding dance is a much better way to wow everyone and capture their attention! When you have a special dance choreographed for your personalities that expresses who you are as a couple,  your guests are sure to be blown away. This will even take your guests by surprise and pump them up for getting out on the dance floor themselves!

Wedding guests love knowing that the bride and groom took time to prepare activities that show you thought of them. Especially a first dance prepared for everyone to enjoy. If you are getting married, plan an event that sets your wedding apart from all others. Use your one-of-a-kind first dance to embrace each other while showing off a style and character off who you are as husband and wife. Start your lives together dancing, a skill you will utilize over and over.

Begin your preparation with wedding dance lessons at Dance FX Studios located in Mesa, Arizona. For almost 15 years we have specialized in helping brides and grooms make their first appearance on the dance floor. Let us help you create a special dance using all the social ballroom dances that capture who you are as a couple. Provide your guests with a unique moment that will be remembered and enjoyed. Book your wedding dance consultation now, and let us help you decide what style of first dance will allow the two of you two shine through.

Give Your Mom The Gift Of Dance This Mother’ Day 2015!

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single's Country dance lessons ArizonaAs Mother’s Day 2015 nears, have you thought about what you are going to do for that special woman in your life this year? If you’re looking for the perfect gift for your mom or wife this year, boy do we have an idea or you…dance lessons! Yes, Salsa, Swing, Two Step and even Tango lessons are the ideal gift to show her how much you care. So what is so special and unique about dance lessons for mom? Let’s explore…

Dancing is the gift that keeps on giving! When you give the gift of  dance lessons to your mom, you are giving her so much more than just a new hobby to explore. Think about it…she will be gaining a new skill PLUS the opportunity to gain more confidence, meet new friends, add romance, relieve stress and more! How many activities can you think of that will give her all of that? I dare say, very few! With Country, Swing or Latin dance lessons, mom will have a chance to also discover a creative side to her that she may not have known existed. Or maybe she’s been spending more time on that couch than she should and it’s time to get out and socialize. When she comes to her dance lessons, your mom will get to know others who have similar interests, which is a healthy way to connect with others! The benefits of social partner dancing are endless, but those these sound great as a start?

Dance lessons will benefit you both! If you’re married to a lovely lady, couple’s dance lessons are an incredible way to deepen and strengthen your love for one another. How often do you really get a chance to dance to your favorite Country tunes or oldies songs? Social ballroom dancing is both a physically and emotionally intimate way to spend time together, away from the kids and life’s worries. Now that is needed in any marriage!

Dance lessons mean fun and excitement for your special lady! Does mom or your wife need some “R and R”? With Two Step or Salsa dance lessons on the agenda, she will be transported to another place and time, making all of those daily to do’s slip into the “not so important” category as she enjoys life that much more. Every modern woman, with work, a family and so much more on her plate, needs dancing as a wonderful form of therapy and escape.

Give your mom or wife the gift of dance this Mother’s Day 2015 and watch her unwind and blossom into a better version of herself. Husbands, be bold and join her. You’ll be glad you did! How much more rewarding is life when you move through it with ease, rather than anxiety?

For those of you who live in Phoenix, AZ, come visit us in the East Valley at Dance FX Studios in Mesa, Arizona. We offer great Mother’s Day gift packages that will surely put a long-lasting smile on her face. Dance FX Studios is located in Mesa, AZ, on the south east corner of Dobson and Guadalupe Rds., bordering Tempe and Chandler, AZ. For questions on what we recommend for mom, including our New Student Offer, please email us or call us today at 480-968-6177.

Becoming a Dancer Will Change Your Life

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Couple in Arizona Two SteppingToday one of our instructors began his lunch time conversation with “Let me tell you what dancing is doing to my life”!  John is a very animated and happy person and he LOVES DANCING. However lately he is finding that dancing is affecting his life in new ways! John shared that he is now mumbling the names to dance steps when he is dance-navigating between people in restaurants or unexpectedly dancing during his daily routine. “I’m holding my steering wheel, safely while on empty roads, in a dance frame,” even turning the wheel like he’d turn a partner in a Country Swing move.  He is mock complaining because all of us know these life events make him happy. We also understand because we all share his passion about dance.

There is a long list of students who feel the same way. Ask some of our students how dancing has changed their lives and they will tell you. Being a student of dance helps you to walk taller, exude a sense of style, become charming, improve coordination and balance… and there is an air of grace may be noticed when the person is walking or talking. Funny enough, one of our advanced students was caught on video surveillance tape at his work dancing down the aisles! The store, which is a large corporation, actually found his performance so admirable they posted it on the company website!  Proving that not only that the company has happy employees and is great place to work, but that dancing is infectious!

Naomi, another one of our Dance FX Studios’ instructors, shared the following with me, “My body is my instrument. When you dance, you are more confident because you are aware of your entire body. In turn, body awareness makes you more aware of other people’s bodies. Noticing everything about another person makes you care more for others too. People live like they are floating heads. That’s why everyone is stressed and thinking all the time, because they only live in their heads. When you are aware of your full body and how your legs carry you, you take bigger steps; you trust the strength of your body. Dancers have less stress because we have moved out of our heads and into our whole person.”

Whether you discover the Swing, Argentine Tango or Country Two Step, dancing aides in body awareness and will increase your sense of assurance, and who couldn’t use a little more of that? How about a more active social life? It stands to reason that learning to social dance makes your more social! Who wants something to do on a Friday and Saturday night? How many times have you turned down an offer from a colleague at work to go to a club because you know there will be dancing and you don’t know how to dance? Stop saying no and start saying yes by signing up for private dance lessons today!

No matter what your profession or what you do in your daily life, if change is what you are seeking, add dancing to your bucket list for ways to create positive change in your life. If you prefer Country music, try Country Dancing! If passion and hip movements sound like your thing, try Latin styles of dancing! Maybe Big Band sounds and Swing would do it for you? The point is: pick a style of dance and try it! Dance FX Studios offers a wonderful New Student Offer to get started in an investment in new skill, just for you, along with the start of making change for the goal of creating your HAPPY LIFE!

Try a new experience: dancing. Learn how to social dance at Dance FX Studios by booking a private dance lesson. We are located inside the greater Phoenix area, in Mesa, AZ. Our dance studio is in the East Valley and we are minutes away from Scottsdale, Tempe, Chandler, or Gilbert and downtown Phoenix.  We are open 12 – 8 pm Monday through Friday and on Saturday’s from 11 am to 4 pm. Our address is: 1859 W. Guadalupe Road, Mesa, AZ 85202. Now what are you waiting for? Let’s dance!

Why Do YOU Love To Dance?

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couple Swing dancing in ArizonaWe all have our reasons for dancing. Some of us can’t help ourselves because our bodies just automatically start moving to rhythms…it is an occurrence that just happens naturally and uncontrollably. Others come to dance by sheer accident and, when finding it, discover dancing is the missing piece that simply makes life worth living. If you know why you have decided to take your first Salsa or Swing dance lesson, or if you jump up when the music comes on but are still waiting to formally learn to Country Two-Step or Tango dance, then maybe we can help you find your reason today.

Below are some quotes by famous people and famous dancers who, like you, also love to dance. We here at Dance FX Studios in Mesa, Arizona simply love to dance. We also love to help others to become great social dancers. If you have not started your dancing journey yet, we hope that one of the quotes below will inspire you to begin taking dance lessons now. We have a one-hour New Student Offer waiting for you to take advantage of, once you are ready. 🙂 Find your reason and start dancing today!

“Love is a lot like dancing; you just surrender to the music.” – Pierce Brosnon

“I always tell my kids if you lay down, people will step over you. But if you keep scrambling, if you keep going, someone will always, always give you a hand. Always. But you gotta keep dancing, you gotta keep your feet moving.” – Morgan Freeman

“I don’t want dancers who want to dance. I want dancers who have to dance.” – George Balanchine

Thousands of emotions well up inside me throughout the day. They are released when I dance. – Abraham Lincoln

“Dance – an art form. The body – an instrument. Learn to play the instrument and master the art form.” – Debbie Dee

“To touch, to move, to inspire. This is the true gift of dance.” – Aubrey Lynch

“No artist is ahead of his time. He is time; the others are just behind the times.” – Martha Graham

“Great dancers are not great because of their technique. They are great because of their passion.” – Unknown

“If I cannot dance, I shall die!” – Anna Pavlova

“Success is not the result of spontaneous combustion. You must set yourself on fire.” – Fred Sero

“While I dance I cannot judge, I cannot hate, I cannot separate myself from life. I can only be joyful and whole. This is why I dance.” – Hans Bos

“Dancer’s are athletes of god”- Albert Einstein

“Any problem in the world can be solved by dancing.” – James Brown

“Dance is the song of the body.” – Martha Graham

“Dancing is the loftiest, the most moving, the most beautiful of the arts. For it is no mere translation or abstraction of life. It is life itself.” – Henry Havelock Ellis

“To dance is to be yourself. Larger, more beautiful, more powerful. This is power on earth and it is yours for the taking.” – Agnes DeMille

“We should consider everyday lost in which we don’t dance.” – Neitzsche

“The one thing that can solve most of our problems is dancing.” – James Brown

“Dance is a little insanity that does us all a lot of good.” – Edward Demby

“Dance isn’t something that can be explained in words. It has to be danced.” – Paige Arden

“I don’t want life to imitate art. I want life to be art.” – Carrie Fisher

“I’m dancing to the music of the madness inside me.” – George C. Wolfe

“I danced form the moment I could stand.” – Anna Pavlova

“The next time you look into the mirror, just look at the way the ears rest next to the head; look at the way the hairline grows; think of all the little bones in your wrist. It is a miracle. And the dance is a celebration of that miracle.” – Martha Graham

Did you find something that you related to? Are you ready to discover social dancing, whether it be Latin, Swing or Country? Dance FX Studios teaches all styles of social ballroom dancing to couples and singles in the Phoenix Valley and beyond. Choose the dances that you want to know and call us at 480/968-6177 now. We are open for private dance lessons from 12 – 8 pm Monday through Friday and on Saturday’s from 11 am to 4 pm.  We are located inside the greater Phoenix area, in Mesa, AZ. If you live in Scottsdale, Tempe, Chandler, or Gilbert and visit us now, we can be quickly reached from anywhere in the East Valley.

Daddy/Daughter Wedding Dances are Back!

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mother son wedding dance ArizonaApril, May and June are probably the peak months of wedding season and wedding couples everywhere who are beginning to scrambling as their big day draws near. We are feeling the crunch here too at Dance FX Studios in Mesa, Arizona. We have lots of twitterpated couples practicing their one-of-a-kind choreographed dance routines to special love songs in preparation for their first dance as man and wife. Helping our wedding couples “Rock their Reception” is one of our most rewarding jobs, however there are a few more wedding dances that take special precedence too.

Another very special type of wedding couple, the sweetest dancers anyone could view… a Father and his daughter and a Mother and her son. Let’s not forget about Mom and Dad. 🙂 Sure, the bride and groom should wow their guests with a knock-out first dance together, but a dance between a dad and his daughter or a mother and her son is sure to capture the hearts of every guest. This is the last chance for a Mom or Dad to take the opportunity to share a special moment with their child. It is also a time that every viewer will relate to, and is likely to bring tears to the eyes of all watching.

As I write this blog, one of our father-daughter couples are practicing their choreographed dance here in the dance studio. John, one of our Wedding Dance Consultants is instructing their routine. As they nail the first go round of Country style dancing to the song, Walk With You by Edwin McCain, I see the hairs stand up on John’s arms. I wonder if his eyes are beginning to tear up too. I know he is proud of his students, as well as thinking of a future wedding where he will be dancing with his own daughter.

Another touching moment was watching a Mother-Son recently dancing to Don’t Blink by Kenny Chesney. There was a point where the woman’s son gave her a kiss on the check after bringing his Mother back from a dip. Naomi, the dance instructor, and I gave each other knowing looks while we held back our tears. It is easy to imagine the affects their special dance will have on family and friends gathered around them on the dance floor. So touching and so beautiful!

Why not make your wedding day unforgettable in a variety of ways! Express your love for each other, or for that special family member, by learning a dance routine which uses a variety of styles including: County dancing, Latin, Ballroom, personalized slap stick or Tango.  No one wants to watch people sway back and forth like teenagers do in High School. Imagine performing a customized dance that lives up to that special song that means everything to you two.

If you are getting ready to tie the knot and have booked the place, the theme, a florist, the food, the drinks, secured your dress and tux and bridal party, now it is time are ready to plan the first dances at your reception! Call Dance FX Studios now to book dance lessons for you, for your family, for everyone who is participating in your big day!  Take advantage of our Wedding Consultation offer and meet with a Wedding Dance Consultant this week. Bring your special songs and ideas and we will help you figure out a package that fits the needs of the bride and groom, a Mother-Son, a Father-Daughter or the entire bridal party!

How To Be The Most Popular Social Dancer In Arizona!

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swing dancing couple in ArizonaMost of us have been to a Country bar or Latin dance club and noticed that not everyone is having a good time. Some are feeling lonely, sitting out all, or most of the dancing, while others are having a blast, constantly in demand. These people have an air of joy and confidence around them. When dancing with this person, either as a leader or a follower, both appear to be having a great time. Why and how do they do it? What are the personal qualities, habits or skills that lead to success on any social dance floor? Believe it or not, beyond building confidence by taking dance lessons, to truly become a great social dancer there is another aspect which is important: dance etiquette.

If you live here in Arizona, visit us at Dance FX Studios in Mesa to gain that self-assurance needed to conquer any social dance floor. We will not only teach you how to be a talented social dancer, but we also do our best to impart dance etiquette into your education. Etiquette is important to use throughout our daily lives, however it is especially necessary in social dancing. Building a good reputation in any dance scene, be it Country Two Step dancing or Swing dancing, by being a considerate and enjoyable partner, as well as someone who knows how to make their partner look and feel good too, is a social dancer’s best asset.

Here are some etiquette ideas to follow whenever you are out dancing. Using these few simple tools will increase your popularity on the dance floor as you and everyone you dance with will have a great time, ensuring your reputation for the future whenever anyone finds you on that floor.

The first rule of etiquette is: practice good hygiene. Brush your teeth and use a mouth wash, shower and apply deodorant and dress appropriately for the style of dancing atmosphere you will be attending. If you apply cologne or perfume, apply it lightly. No one wants to be overwhelmed with smell even if it is the very best smell that person could imagine.

Whether you are asking women to dance or being asked, dance with everyone, make it fun and never stick to one partner, even if they match your dance ability. Accept requests to dance as much as possible. Keep in mind that if you decline a dance, you yourself cannot dance until the end of that song as others will notice that you are rejecting offers, meaning there will be fewer requests to dance.

Always be considerate of everyone dancing on the dance floor. In the Arizona Country bars here, we find crowded dance floors, often with untrained Country Swing, Country Two-Step, or other styles of Country dancers who try out flips, aerials or choreographed steps that are dangerous to nearby couples. Dance FX Studios teaches students exactly how to navigate around this type of chaos, avoiding injury, without being rude or cutting dancers off on the dance floor.

Dancing no-no’s include: do not force your follower’s arm or hand to make her turn, no back-leading when you are following and no pushing or pulling dance partners into position. Forceful leads or follows are never appreciated and you make your dance partner look awkward or off balance. Dancing together is a two-way partnership, one person agrees to lead and one agrees to follow. Show your respect by sticking to your part of the dancing connection.

Being a great leader requires skill and patience. If you have not yet learned a particular dance like: the Foxtrot, Swing, Bachata or Argentine Tango then keep taking private dance lessons and practice until you are ready. Always go and explore new social ballroom dances when you are at the point where you can  understand how they work. Even when a leader is dancing with a great follower, if the lead has no idea what he is doing, the follower cannot follow.

Never blame a dance partner for mistakes that happen while dancing together. Whether you are the lead or the follower – no teaching on the dance floor! Corrections may make a partner feel embarrassed or humiliated. Do encourage your partners, as this builds confidence and makes them happy to dance with you.

Find ways to be entertaining, keeping in mind that you and everyone around you are out dancing hoping to meet people, have a great time or find romance. Dancing do’s include: being playful, smiling, showing appreciation and keeping your focus off yourself and on your dancing partner. Above all, have a sense of humor. If something goes wrong, keep things light and fun.

The best way to enjoy success as a social dancer is to help everyone you dance with to feel happy and enjoy the experience of dancing together. The funny thing is, when your partner is happy, you will be happy too! Succeed at this task and you will never have a shortage of enthusiastic partners to dance with. You are there to have a good time and so is the other person. No matter what, make it fun!

If you want to learn how to be a great social dancer and you live in Arizona, start now with us at Dance FX Studios! We are located on the Tempe – Mesa border and only a few extra minutes from our neighboring towns Chandler and Scottsdale. We hope to see you here on our dance floor learning styles of ballroom dancing like Jitterbug, Salsa, Country 2 Step and Country Waltz here at Dance FX Studios in the Phoenix East Valley very soon!

Be Your Own Star with Social Dance Lessons

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Country Two Step dancing in ArizonaAs I sit here soaking up my weekly fix of Dancing With The Stars, I am reminded of the beauty, grace and elegance behind ballroom dancing once again. If you think about it, how many sports can offer as much as ballroom dancing does? From improved posture, to self-confidence to exquisite, polished movements, ballroom dancing has it all.

Benefits aside, though, how often can one really go ballroom dancing here in Phoenix? Truly, not very much. On the other hand, there are plenty of places to take fun and cool partner dances like the Country Swing, Two Step and Salsa out around Arizona. In fact, you can find a different place to go social dancing in AZ every night of week!

So, now that you know you want to gain more self-assurance, learn an awesome new hobby like Country or Latin dancing, and go have a blast using it, it’s time to sign up for private dance lessons. Yes, with one-on-one dance instruction, you will shoot straight to the top in much less time that learning by any other means. Taking youtube off the table (because it’s nearly impossible to learn to really dance from a video), group dance classes-especially the free ones at the local dance venues- will never give you the information that will make you a great leader or follower on the dance floor. With private dance lessons, you will get all of the key tips needed to succeed on any dance floor.

Now that you know the fastest way to becoming a confident social dancer, it’s time to decide which dances to explore. Oh, with all of the popular ones to choose from, you really can’t go wrong. Here are a few suggestions from me, your dancing pro, on my top 3 pics of which dances to learn first and why…

1. Argentine Tango: While the dramatic and sizzling tango may not seem to be your cup of tea, this dance has it all. And most importantly, it is THE dance when it comes to developing a partnership between two people. If you want to learn to be a solid leader on the dance floor, start with the Argentine Tango. And ladies, learn to follow and “listen” to you partner with quiet finesse as you explore different sides of your personality in this sexy and sensual dance.

2. Country Swing: The Country Swing is top dog right now for must-know dances here in Arizona. Everyone’s doing it, and those that aren’t are wanting to learn. Enjoy fun spins and tricks in this popular Country dance style that you will use time and again.

3. Salsa: Living in the southwest means that Salsa dancing is a must. Discover your inner tiger or tigress with playful and flirty Latin dance moves that include lots of hip-shaking and fun! Unleash your wild side and find the Salsa, Bachata and other Latin dances a blast to learn and enjoy anywhere.

Be your own star in your life with dancing as hobby. All of the benefits of social dancing are available to you right now! Begin your journey into social dancing with us at Dance FX Studios in Mesa, Arizona. We will show you how to light up any dance floor in no time!

Get Social and Dance!

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Arizona dance lessonsWe love our social life, but most people don’t have one these days without documenting it on Facebook or other social media sites. Looking over someone’s shoulder at the latest popular youtube video is about the closest many of us get to body to body contact. The lack of physical connection to friends, family and the world has put us in a place of constant loneliness. Oddly, many times this singleness happens even when surrounded by friends. People have over 200 “friends” on Facebook, yet Friday and Saturday nights are spent watching a movie or reading an e-book because, in reality, the friends you can physically go out with, are few in numbers.

One of the best ways to offset social media syndrome is to get out and start connecting with the real world to meet new people in a fun and exciting way is to learn to dance! Have you ever thought of how cool it would be able to Salsa dance, Swing dance or Country Western Two Step dance? Think about the idea of holding and touching a real person instead of your iPhone or tech gadget by giving social partner dancing a try. You will remember how it feels to connect with others in person, and, with dancing, you will gain many other benefits too!

There are more reasons to leave the virtual world behind and step into reality. Dancing builds confidence and going out and getting social not only increases online connections, it build your offline networking! Becoming a great social dancer also leads to in-person date nights, no screen required between you and your soul-mate!

Dancing is the ultimate way to build confidence! We have become very dependent on technology. Therefore it is easy to get stuck behind the screen and have online confidence, yet acquire no interpersonal confidence. Learning various new dances like the Country Two Step, Arizona Two-Step or Nite Club 2-Step gets you out from behind your device and into the big wide world. Swing dancing is incredibly upbeat and can lighten your mood in just about any atmosphere. Exploring Latin styles like Salsa and Bachata, can improve body image due to the strong male presence and the woman’s feminine hip movements. Trying out the Argentine Tango, a bold and intricate style of dancing, will help you find yourself.  No matter what you choice of dancing style, confidence will unleash your passionate side on the dance floor and allow you to share that with someone special. When someone sees your dancing skills and wants to dance with you, this is a huge confidence booster!

Build a network! Taking dance lessons to learn how to dance with a partner is a great way to increase your offline network. Going out to night clubs or events and meeting people creates a physical network. Connections found through dancing will build to the point that your social calendar of activities will be full. Unlike Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter, dancing with another person is real, face-to-face interaction. Dancing connects two people along with groups of people with each other. Utilizing online sites has facilitated us to devalue the true importance of palpable, touchable, concrete, one-on-one human experiences. Going out to communicate with another person while dancing helps you use your social skills in new environments, allowing you to gain new and lasting relationships.

Enjoy date nights without a screen between you! Instead of posting a picture of your dinner on your home page or spending date nights in front of a computer screen Skype-ing … go out Country dancing! Imagine meeting your new potential girl or guy out at a dance club knowing you already feel comfortable anywhere there is dancing! Spend romantic time actually getting to know someone using the hobby of dance to create passion in a relationship that will last a lifetime. You can’t use a computer or cell phone while dancing so both of you will be looking and interacting with full attention on one another. How exciting and fun is that?!  Take looking at your partner on a screen out of the picture, go out together at least one time per week, and you’ll notice a lot more happiness in how you feel about yourself, your friendships and your romantic relationship.

Get out and live life in person, try new experiences like social dancing, and stop looking at life through the internet. Learn how to social dance at Dance FX Studios in Mesa, Arizona with beginner private dance lessons. Take advantage of our New Student Offer and for only $25 you can start getting out into the real world and having real and exciting interactions today! We are located inside the greater Phoenix area, in Mesa, AZ. If you live anywhere in the East Valley, we are minutes away. Drive over from Scottsdale, Tempe, Chandler, or Gilbert and visit us now.  We are open 12 – 8 pm Monday through Friday and Saturday’s 11 am to 4 pm.

Swing Dancing-It Isn’t Just for Cowboys

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Swing dancing in ArizonaWhat is “Swing” dancing? Swing dancing is fun, high energy (which is great for exercise) always evolving and changing form of dance with lots of fun turns and exciting music to match. New versions of old dances are inevitable and the rabbit hole of Swing dancing goes as deep as you want it to.

You might be surprised to learn how many different kinds of Swing dancing there is!? Just look at all these titles below … they are all variations of Swing!

Lindy Hop

Balboa

Collegiate Shag

St. Louis Shag

Jitterbug

Lindy Charleston

Eastern Swing

East Coast Swing

West Coast Swing

Western Swing

Boogie-woogie

Carolina Shag

Imperial Swing

Jive

Skip Jive

Modern Jive

Rock and Roll

Acrobatic Rock’n’Roll

Washington Hand Dancing

Push and Whip

Modern Swing

Mo-Cathy or Silly Swing

Out of the list of Swing dance choices above, the 5 top dances that can be utilized most for social dancing are: the Lindy Hop, Balboa, Shag, East Coast Swing and West Coast Swing.

Here is a little bit of history about these dances. The Lindy Hop was the original Swing, and it emerged during the 1920’s to 30’s. It was followed Balboa and Shag-two dances that are also in the Lindy Hop family. The East Coast Swing is a simplified version of the Lindy Hop and comes in triple, double, and single-time varieties. Single time is commonly referred to as Jitterbug, although the term “Jitterbug” originally referred to anyone who danced Swing.

The West Coast is a modern version of Lindy Hop with a different twist on the style. Originally, Lindy Hop dancers looked down on West Coast dancers, nick-named “Westies” and vice-versa. Today both styles of dancers tend to appreciate each other’s swing version a bit more.

So now that your interest is peaked, how does one go about learning Swing dancing? Dance FX Studios in Mesa, Arizona recommends starting with either Jitterbug or West Coast Swing by taking private dance lessons. This way you can dance swing to a variety of music and have lots of fun doing it. Private instruction is the fastest way to become a great Swing dancer.

In fact taking private one-on-one dance lessons is the fastest way to becoming a great social dancer of any style of dance you are interested in.  Dance FX Studios teaches just about any style of social ballroom dance popular today including Country and Latin Styles. Why not try out the dance of your choice today by taking advantage of our New Student Offer of only $25 for an hour lesson!

A Social Dance Studio in the Phoenix Valley – Made for Dancing!

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Swing dancing in ArizonaOver fourteen years ago the co-founders of Dance FX Studios here in the Phoenix East Valley, Adam and Nicole Dekavallas, knew there was something missing from the other dance studios around town. At that time, competitive ballroom dance studios seemed to be the only place to learn to dance. Adam and Nicole felt that what most people really wanted was to become great social dancers. The couples and singles that they were teaching wanted to learn popular social dances like the Country Two Step, Salsa and Argentine Tango-all dances that most traditional ballroom dance studios did not offer. When it came down to it, the everyday person simply wanted to learn to dance for social events like: weddings, date nights, holiday parties and cruises.

With this in mind, Adam and Nicole’s vision for their dance studio was developed around building confidence on the dance floor for Arizona couples and singles. Having a traditional ballroom dance studio background themselves, the Dekavallas’ knew they would have to modify their entire way of teaching to make this concept a reality.  After two years, they created an unparalleled system of instruction that would make anyone a great social dancer, and Dance FX Studios was born!

With teaching methods that made learning to social dance easy, Phoenix residents finally had a place to learn to dance all of the most useful Country Western styles, Latin dances and Swing dances that were used around town. Dance FX Studios was, and continues to be, the first of its kind … the only Arizona dance studio that provides instruction for in all of the social partner dances. No matter what style of dancing is being taught, social dance styles like Country Swing, Bachata or the sensual and authentic Argentine Tango, the Dance FX Studios’ instructors deliver the goal of creating great social dancers.

Dance FX Studios specializes in private dance lessons for those who want to become social dancers. This means helping you to prepare for any dance situation. We will show you how to dance with wonderful form and be able to easily navigate any crowded dance floor with great dancing style, all while feeling comfortable and making it look effortless!

One last thing… Adam and Nicole wanted to create a fun and relaxed environment in which to learn to dance. Dance FX Studios is warm and inviting. Everyone here, from our dance instructors to our wedding dance specialists, office staff and Adam and Nicole strive to make our students feel welcome. The idea is for a student to be as comfortable here as they are at home.

For almost 15 years Dance FX Studios has set the bar for quality social dance instruction in the Phoenix Valley. By keeping the motto “Real dancing for real people” in mind, Dance FX Studios has helped thousands of Arizona residents to learn to dance with ease.  It is not surprising that Dance FX Studios students visit from surrounding areas from Flagstaff to Yuma, and Canada to Michigan.

Over the years our concept has been attempted to be replicated by other studios – which we take as a compliment. Our commitment to you is that we will continue to evolve and grow our unique and original product to stay ahead of the pack. It is our mission to positively affect the life of each and every person that comes through our doors. Hence the name “Dance FX” and our first, albeit cheesy, tagline: “Dance FX Studios … because dance FX YOU!”

Dance FX Studios is located in Mesa, Arizona near the border of Tempe and Chandler. We provide private, group and wedding dance instruction in social Ballroom, Salsa, Swing, Tango and Country dancing to Phoenix singles and couples in the East Valley and beyond. For adult dance lessons near Tempe, Chandler, Scottsdale and Gilbert, Dance FX Studios is the place for you.