Arizona dance studios for adults Archives - Dance Lessons in Mesa Arizona

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4-Week Group Dance Courses are Back!

March 6, 2017/in Dance Lessons Mesa AZ /by Sierra

Dance FX Studios’ 4-Week Progressive Group Dance Courses are back! Join us for four weeks of fun, starting in April 2017. Each four week class is jam packed with great tips, techniques and cool moves that will help dancers of all levels, from beginners on up, to become more confident on any social dance floor. We will go through many of the most popular social dances in each month’s course over the next few months, from Salsa to Tango, and Two Step to Swing, so keep an eye out for the course that is of interest to you.

In April, we are featuring the Salsa and the Argentine Tango, two incredible social dances that are both beautiful and playful. Both classes begin on Monday, April 3, 2017, however the Tango class will be held at the studio, while the Salsa course is online via our closed Facebook Page, Real Dancing for Real People.

Did you know that our courses can also be taken at the Studio or Online? This exciting new feature allows you to learn from the comfort of your home, or in person, whichever is better for you. And…if you’re feeling adventurous, you can sign up for both In-House and Online Courses. 🙂 Why not, right?! What’s great about the Online courses is that they are posted each Monday and stay up for you to view for an entire week before the next week’s class is released. This way, you can study the techniques and new moves over and over again. Of course, theres also perks to coming to the studio to learn to dance. Our in person classes offer you the benefit of being able to meet new people, and ask the instructor questions throughout the class.

Our four week courses are perfect for dancers of all levels, whether you’re learning from home or your laptop! Exciting course material will build from week to week, giving you as a student a chance to put together all of the pieces of each dance, and begin to become fluid and natural by the end of the course. This way, you won’t feel like you’re starting from scratch each time you come to class, as you would in a Drop-In Class.

Two courses are beginning right around the corner from now, so sign up ASAP to reserve your space. On Monday, April 3rd, our Argentine Tango Course will begin at 7 pm, and will be held at Dance FX Studios. We are located just off the 101 highway on the south east Dobson Rd and Guadalupe Rd in Mesa, Arizona. This hour-long class will be taught by the owner of the studio, Adam Dekavallas. With almost two decades as a professional Tango instructor, you’re sure to get great tips in this class. On April 3rd, you will also gain access to our Online Salsa Dance Course once you register.

Each course is just $40 per person for the entire month! With such an amazing offer, you have nothing to lose, but a ton to gain. Knowing how to social dance is a fun and rewarding hobby. Aside from making more social contacts, you will find yourself walking taller, and feeling more confident. In fact, the benefits of social ballroom dancing are truly endless. So get registered today, so you can experience the joy of dance for yourself.

Exclusive New Jewelry Line and New Retail Brand for Ballroom Dancers

November 24, 2016/in Dance Lessons Mesa AZ /by Sierra

Dance FX Studios’ NEW, exclusive jewelry line is finally here! We are so excited to bring you these beautiful and unique necklaces and bracelets from our new brand, iLeaduFollow™.

Those who have previewed our necklaces and bracelets often ask what the sayings on our pieces mean. I love to share how special they are to me, and the meaning behind Lead With Love™ and Follow With Faith™. (iLeaduFollow™ speaks for itself. Right, fellow ballroom dancers?)

Lead With Love™ is a saying that I came up with many years ago as a way to live my life. I wanted to give myself a positive message on how to move through life and show my love and support for those I meet and know.

Over time, it became such an important quote to me that I tattooed it on my arm as a daily reminder. I look at my tattoo throughout the day and it provides great peace, especially when times get tough. I know that if I simply lead my life with an open, loving heart, everything will be OK. So far, so good!

The tricky part was that my Lead With Love™ tattoo was the only tattoo I had that was exposed for others to see. This was quite a risk as a 40-something year old local business owner here in Mesa, Arizona. I thought about hiding it, but I wanted to share my mindset with the world. I had a few double takes at first from long-time dance students and new students who didn’t know what to make of it. Even in this generation, I was concerned as to how I would be viewed, but after a brief explanation of it’s meaning, everyone really seemed to like it! Most importantly, I did (and do).

After I got my tattoo, my husband pointed out something that I had never thought of. He said, “It feels like you’re telling me to lead you with love and care around the dance floor. Is that what you intended?” If you don’t already know it, my husband, Adam, and I are professional Ballroom dancers, so this did make sense. Ironic, isn’t it, I thought. It wasn’t my intention, but it’s pretty cool that a double-meaning like that was behind my message, and I didn’t even realize it. I have been in the ballroom dance business for over 20 years, and I didn’t make the connection, until Adam pointed it out. Crazy, right?

A few months later, Adam came to me with a thought. “What if I tattoo “Follow With Faith” on my arm, as a response to how to be a follow who trusts me to lead you well on the dance floor? Genius! I loved it! He now has Follow With Faith tattooed on his arm in the same spot. When we dance together, our arms line up (his left and my right) to remind each other of our roles on the dance floor, and how to treat each other as we are dancing.

Since then, Dance FX Studios has celebrated it’s 15 year anniversary in business in June of this year. We are so proud to provide adult dance lessons to the community. This is a hobby for singles and couples that lifts one’s spirits, helps them become more confident and keeps them healthy and fit. What a gift to be able to make a living doing what we love!

In recent months, we have completely re-modeled our dance studio to keep up with the times. We are going for a modern industrial lounge feel, rather than strictly a learning environment. Think oversized cozy couches, cool light fixtures that you may find in a trendy bar and lot’s on tv’s to watch your favorite dance shows and movies on. With the upgrade close to complete, I can say it’s going to be fantastic when we’re done. Pictures will coming soon on the website. We are way too excited!!

With this, we are launching our retail brand (TODAY!) iLeaduFollow™. It’s extremely exciting to be able to put our life’s philosophy on our new items, and that they will be featured both in our studio and online. What a thrill!

As the holiday season kicks off, we will be featuring Lead With Love™ and Follow With Faith™ t-shirts, key chains, jewelry, and tote bags. Plus, our iLeaduFollow™ aluminum, re-useable water bottles are the coolest thing ever!

If you’re a ballroom dancer who can relate, come shop our Online store to see what we’re all about. And, if you’re not a dancer (yet), but you love the idea of leading your life with love, and following with faith, you too can find some really fun gifts for yourself and those you love.

Visit our website to take advantage of our Holiday Savings Event on both retail items and dance lessons. Or drop into our Mesa, Arizona ballroom dance studio to get the first peek at our exclusive iLeaduFollow™ retail line. You’ll be impressed with what we’ve got!

Today is Thanksgiving, and I could not be more grateful. Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Holidays! Thank you to so many for your years of support, and to allow us to share our love of dance every day with you.

A man in an orange shirt and a black hat dancing with a woman

4 Must-Know Dances for Upcoming Holiday Parties

November 16, 2016/in Dance Lessons Mesa AZ /by Sierra

The 2016 holiday season is just around the bend. Can you believe it!? For most people, that means Christmas parties in the neighborhood, with close friends, and at work. Most likely, that also means live music and dancing, at least at your office party, right? Why not be prepared this time around by squeezing in some adult dance lessons before that chaos begins. Wouldn’t it be nice to actually ask that cute girl in the office down the hall for a dance or two? Maybe you can sweep her off of her feet and score yourself a date for New Year’s Eve. It’s not too late to get start taking beginner’s Country, Salsa or Swing dance lessons and get noticed this season.

What’s more is once you know how to dance, you’ll be ready for any future occasion. Valentine’s Day is just months away, and so may be those Spring weddings you’ve been invited to, so truly there’s no better time than now to start learning to dance.

If you do not have a spouse or steady dance partner, don’t let that hold you back from “cutting a rug” this winter. With Private Dance Lessons, you will learn to dance with your instructor first, so you can really shine on the dance floor when the time is right. Solo lessons are wonderful even if you are a part of a couple to get some great one-on-one tips for how to be an awesome follow for your partner.

Now that you see why it’s time to learn to dance, let me share with you those must-know dances to keep you on the dance floor all night long this holiday season.

Line Dancing

Line dancing is more popular this year than ever before. From the Cha Cha Slide to Copperhead Road, there are plenty of fun and easy Line dances to discover before those upcoming parties. Line dancing is also great for not having to worry about learning too much about partner dancing. You can let go, add your own personal flair to each dance, and even get some low-impact exercise in while you’re at it. I call that a true win-win!

Aside from the two Line dances mentioned above, I would take the time to learn the Wobble, Cupid Shuffle and the good ol’ fashioned Boot Scootin’ Boogie. These three will surely be played, and all offer something unique in terms of style. You can also learn to Dougie, if you’re so inclined. ;0) Undoubtably, you will use this dance at a future wedding in 2017.

Slow Dancing

There are several slow dances to explore, from the Foxtrot to the Waltz. Ask your instructor what he/she would do when the music quiets and you want to hold someone tight. I don’t recommend taking time to learn to Waltz because Waltzes are not played often enough on most occasions, but a slow Night Club Two Step dance would be in order, or a social version of Bolero, which would add a sexy and romantic element to your dance repertoire.

Most often, slow dancing is left to the side and written off as easy to learn, but there are some really cool moves that you can apply to your favorite slow jams that would be so much more fun to do than the ever-popular 8th grade prom sway, if you know what I mean. Take the time to learn a slow dance, and you’ll have all the right moves when you’re looking to get close to someone on the dance floor.

Swing

I’m NOT talking about Poodle skirts and suspenders here. With over 20 variations, I would put Swing dancing at the top of your list of must-have dances. You may not know this, but there’s a Swing dance style for music that ranges from Country to R&B, and oldies to Hip Hop. And pretty much everything in between! Swing dancing can be playful, sexy, flirty and most of all, fun! You can even use it to dance to Reggae music…How cool is that!? So while you’re getting started with your Private Dance Lessons, please request to learn to Swing dance if your instructor doesn’t mention it to you first. You will use it time and again.

Country Two Step

It’s undeniable, Country dancing is hugely popular these days! Even if you’re not in love with Country music, I do suggest you learn to Two Step dance. It’s super-easy, and you’re going to hear at least 5-10 Country songs at most events, so, in my opinion, you have to know this dance.

Are you more excited now for your upcoming parties this season? What dance or dances excite you the most? Which ones do you want to learn first, and why? With all the many social dances to discover, you can really have some fun with this! And, once you see how much fun it is to learn to social dance, you may even want to make it your New Year’s Resolution to be even better in 2017!

Guys, Become Confident in Your Dancing Today!

September 9, 2016/in Dance Lessons Mesa AZ /by Sierra

Hey guys, are you looking to improve your odds of meeting someone special? Would you like to have more fun while staying fit through the holidays? Then social dance lessons are exactly what you need, and you need to start today! Guys, the equation is simple enough, and it looks something like this: A man who adds dancing to his list of skills also adds the most probable chance of sweeping a few lovely ladies off their feet! What’s better than that?

Now, some of you may think that knowing how to Country dance or even Latin dance couldn’t have such an enormous impact on your life, but believe me, after creating thousands of confident social dancers over the last 20 years, I can say with assurance that dancing opens doors, lots of them, and indeed will have a big impact on your life.

Dancing can make you so much more confident! There’s even actual science to back up my claims. For instance: Men who can dance have an 84% higher chance at attracting a female than men who can’t. Alright, so maybe I just made up this statistic on the spot, but the fact is that women are very much more attracted to a guy who can dance than one who cannot. This we all know.

Swing dancing or Salsa dancing is a fantastic way to sweep her off of her feet, so if you’re a great lead, it’s a very exciting thing! Ladies sort of feel like Cinderella in this instance, and that’s not only relaxing, but it makes them feel pretty and elegant.

Women also tend to relate what you can do on the dance floor to other areas of a relationship, if you know what I mean (wink wink). If you’ve got the moves, they think it’s sexy and that’s never a bad thing, right? Men who actually take the time to invest in themselves with beginning private dance lessons are not just giving to themselves, they are learning a hobby that helps them to connect with the ladies on a more intimate level, and even look cool amongst their friends while doing it.

You want another absolutely genuine scientific statistic? Your friends are going to be about 100% more jealous of you if you know how to dance. Okay, okay yes, another made up stat, but guys, come on, it’s SO true! If you’re sitting on the sidelines with a beer while your friend is twirling around the ladies who are smiling from ear to ear, who wishes they could be who? Be the envy of your friends, or be envious yourself. Make those girls happy and have a blast Country dancing, Salsa dancing or Swing dancing. Every dance is just as fun and exiting as the next! Also, you can burn up to 500 calories in just one hour, just by dancing! Now this is a fact. If you’re looking to slim down, Two-Step your way into a healthier you by dancing for 8-10 songs straight. The time will seem like it is flying by and you’ll be getting in shape without even realizing it. Now that’s something you can take to the bank!

There are so many more reasons to explore social dance lessons for beginners this upcoming holiday season. Remember all the totally legit scientific statistics we talked so much about. 🙂 You owe it to yourself to look up your local dance studio and see how soon you can begin you journey to a more confident and capable dancer. For you lucky Arizona residents, come visit us at Dance FX Studios in Mesa, AZ near Tempe. We would love to give you the dancing skills that add up to a more confident life for you!

Spice up Your Summer With Couple’s Dance Lessons

June 14, 2016/in Dance Lessons Mesa AZ /by Sierra

Are you ending up on the couch after a hot and taxing week at work? Is your weekend filled with Netflix and lazy nights under the cool a/c? Don’t let yourself, or your relationship, go as things heat up. Instead, put a little pep in your step with adult dance lessons!

Now you can beat the heat this summer and keep the sizzle going in your relationship by exploring exciting social dances like Country two step, salsa, and swing dancing. Or, if you’re really looking to ignite the flame, throw in some Argentine tango dancing in the mix as you dance your way through the summer months. Now there’s dance that will bring out the passion!

Dance lessons for couples encourage romance, playful interaction and teamwork, three things that would benefit any twosome! Yes, snuggling up to a movie on your home theatre is also sweet, but when you combine the physicality of dance with the opportunity to move as one and hold each other close, there’s really nothing better.

In fact, beginner’s dance lessons now will provide endless chances to connect with your sweetie for years to come, regardless of the time of year. On that note, dance lessons will not only keep you active during warm days, but will prepare you for upcoming events in the fall and winter, like your best friend’s wedding, or that holiday party that you dread going to each year (because you never knew how to dance).

If you’re still in doubt as to whether taking Country or Swing dance lessons this summer will benefit you both, consider the bigger picture. Many couple’s do not carve out time in their busy schedules for a hobby together. He may golf while she is in a book club, but what do they do to get away from the kids, work and life’s stresses? Dancing will build your confidence and trust in each other and give you something different to do on date nights, after the kids go to bed, or whenever you’re in the mood to dance.

If you live here in Phoenix, Arizona along with me, give Dance FX Studios in the East Valley a call to get started learning to dance. Find our how we teach, what makes us unique and how we can make your summer on 2016 the best one yet!

The Real Reasons Why You Should Learn to Dance

April 27, 2016/in Dance Lessons Mesa AZ /by Sierra

OK, it’s going to be tough to stick with just three reasons why I believe you (and every adult) should know how to dance, but I will try my best! First, let me share with you the kind of dancing that I’m thinking of, so we can be on the same page. The type of dancing I want to share with the world is social ballroom dancing. Think Swing, Salsa, Country Two Step and Argentine Tango.

Imagine holding someone close and sharing in a fun, playful or romantic moment with them. Picture you and your sweetie swaying to your favorite music at home in the living room when the kids are asleep. How cool would it be to take a date out Country dancing and swap her off her feet? Wouldn’t it be nice to know how to social dance? I say YES! YES! YES!

The number one reason why, in my opinion, we should all know how to social dance is that it truly does build confidence. Everyone can use a bit more self-assurance in general, and trust me when I say that this does trickle into other areas of your life. Over the years as a ballroom instructor, I have trained many a salesman in Private Dance Lessons, for example, whose numbers have gone up dramatically because they are more fearless after conquering something as intimidating as dance. It’s true, and very cool to watch!

Also, ballroom dancing, be it Salsa or Country Western styles, is an awesome way to spend time with your partner. You can catch a flick, go to dinner, even take a bike ride, but nothing is more romantic than embracing one another and looking into each other’s eyes while dancing. The physical and emotional connection is truly cathartic. For newer couples, seal the deal in your relationship by taking couple’s dance lessons early on. It will give you a go-to skill and hobby that will keep you banded together through thick and thin. (I only say this because when my hubby and I have a spat, we hit the dance floor and within minutes, we are back in harmony again.) For pairs that have been together for some time, dancing will surely reignite that flame that may have dimmed over time. The dimming part is normal, but you don’t have to accept that your relationship will become stale, especially when there’s a way to spice it up.

Lastly, social ballroom dancing is so much fun! it’s easy to get caught up in work and family and not do anything for yourself, or for you as a couple. With exciting dances like Country Two Step or the flirty Tango, you can put some joy and laughter into your week as you gain a new skill. Dancing will get your heart rate up too, so you can let go that much more from life’s everyday stresses.

Give back to yourself or you and your partner by learning to social dance. You can enjoy a hobby that will keep you healthy, youthful and more in touch with each other. You deserve it, right? OK, so what are you waiting for?

If you happen to live in the Phoenix valley of Arizona, we at Dance FX Studios would love to share our passion for dance and all of its benefits with you! Since there’s no one we can’t teach, come join in the fun of social dancing and try out our Private Dance Lesson Introductory Offer. You’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain by knowing how to dance. We hope to see you on the dance floor soon!

A group of people having fun while dancing

The Best Valentine’s Day Gift…Couple’s Dance Lessons!

February 8, 2016/in Dance Lessons Mesa AZ /by Sierra

Valentine’s Day is less that a week away! Are you stressing out on what to get your sweetheart? Well search no longer! Hop in your car and head over to an adult dance studio near you and grab a gift card for couple’s social dance lessons and you’re sure to put a smile on your sweetie’s face!

“What exactly is social dancing?,” you may be wondering. It’s what you do when you’re out at a Country bar, or a dance club that plays Salsa, Swing, Rock and Roll, R & B or oldies. It’s the type of dancing that you would do with someone special, or someone new, where you hold each other and enjoy dancing together. And it’s super-exciting to know!

Social partner dancing is great fun on so many levels. From Salsa to Swing dancing, and Tango to Two Stepping, social dancing is a wonderful way to connect with your partner on a more intimate level. You’re grooving to your favorite tunes and holding each other tight. What could be more romantic than that?

For couples, social dance lessons are also a fantastic outlet when it comes to carving out “adult” time in your schedules. It’s quite easy to get caught up with the kid’s activities and put each other last on the list. Once you know how to dance, though, you can clear out space in the living or move that kitchen table out of the way once the kids head to bed, and you’ve got something to do that’s just for each other. Plus, you’re off the couch and moving, which means that you’re also getting a little exercise in without even knowing it.

Some of you guys out there have wives that have been wanting to dance with you for years. What are you waiting for? Knowing how to Country dance or Latin dance is very manly, and she deserves to be swept off of her feet, right? With couple’s dance lessons, you will really get to know what you’re doing, which will make you want to take her out dancing more and more often. It’s a beautiful thing! Trust me, they say that food is the way to a man’s heart, well dancing is the way to a woman’s, so let’s get this ball rolling. She’ll be so appreciative that you did!

This Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to learn to social dance as a pair. Give Country dancing, Swing dancing or Latin dancing a shot…you really can’t go wrong with any of them!

If you live here in Arizona with us, come visit Dance FX Studios in the Phoenix East Valley, where we make learning to dance fun and easy. We specialize in creating confident dancers so that you can enjoy this new skill for years to come! We have a great New Student Offer for beginner dancers as well as a small Foundation program, which is perfect for your better half and you to come and explore social dancing with us! Private dance lessons are held five days a week from noon to 8 pm and on Saturdays from 11 am to 4 pm. Give us a call or stop by to see how we can help you to make this the best Valentine’s Day ever for the one you love.

Why Free Group Dance Classes Don’t Work

February 9, 2015/in Dance Lessons Mesa AZ /by Sierra

Have you ever heard the expression “You get what you pay for.”? Well, that saying rings true for many things, even learning to social ballroom dance! You’d think that with all of the free group dance classes in the Country bars and Latin clubs that there would be tons of great dancers out there, but the fact is that most social dancers haven’t a clue what they’re doing. “But they’re having so much fun! Isn’t that all that matters?”. Truly, no. That is not all that matters (although fun is real important). What matters most when social dancing at bars, in nightclubs or even at your best friend’s wedding is that those around you are safe and comfortable and that you can actually apply what you know to a real world situation. How do you learn those skills? With private dance lessons, of course!

Consider social ballroom dancing, like Country Two Step, Salsa, Swing and other partner dances, to be the same as learning a new language…the language of dance! How can one possibly learn enough detail to become a clear communicator on the dance floor in a group class with 20 to 30 other people? Even more, how can one become a proficient dancer when they are just learning patterns and not how to really lead or follow? These are just two questions that we will delve into to reveal that private dance lessons are a better investment if you are sincerely looking to learn how to dance with confidence.

Here’s the scoop on why free group dance classes don’t work:

1. The attention to detail is missing: In group Swing or Salsa dance classes, you will get an overview of a few cool moves or “tricks” that you can take out social dancing. But what if you are not sure how to lead or follow them? What if you don’t have a proper dance frame or even know that your footwork is secondary to the connection you have in your upper bodies? What you are left with is just a bunch of sloppily executed moves with no structure or foundation with which to rely on. How unfortunate! After just a few private dance lessons, you could actually know how to lead or follow those moves so much better, just by understanding your roles and responsibilities on the dance floor as a leader and follower. With these tools, you are sure to have more confidence to take with you on any social dance floor.

2. Group Classes are not customized for how you learn best. The one major disadvantage of group dance classes is that you are learning with the masses. Some of you will pick up the material slower than others, simply because you are not being taught in a way that makes sense to you. For example, some students learn best when seeing the move over and over again, while others learn best when their dance instructor explains the moves in more detail with pictures or examples that are relatable to them. With customized instruction from a knowledgeable instructor, you can bet that you will be taught in a way that makes sense. That’s our job. In a group setting, it’s just not possible to personalize the learning experience, leaving some out in the cold to fend for themselves, so to speak. This tends to be quite demotivating and leaves room for you and your partner to give up on a hobby that can truly enhance your lives.

3. Group Classes are pattern-based. Social partner dancing is all about adhering to a specific rhythm, rather than memorizing patterns. If you didn’t know that, it’s OK. It probably just means that you haven’t taken private dance lessons yet! It’s not too late to enjoy the real benefits of knowing how to dance by not just memorizing routines that you can watch on youtube, but by getting quality instruction that will keep you on the dance floor all night long!

It’s your turn to make the investment in yourself, or in you and your partner with private dance lessons. There’s no reason to fumble around on that dance floor when you can be floating with ease and comfort through any social dance, from the Argentine Tango to the Country Two Step. If you live in Phoenix, Arizona, come have some fun with us at Dance FX Studios in Mesa, AZ. We are right off the 101 highway so that we can accommodate residents valley-wide. Your days of enjoying social dancing are just around the corner!