We all know the saying, “You are what you eat”. Well the same is true in many other areas of our lives as well-even when it comes to learning to dance, believe it or not.  Take ballroom dance lessons as an example. You’re really only going to be as good as your instructor is at communicating the information. If he/she is articulate, clear and informative, you win! Within a much shorter amount of time, you will be on the fast track to becoming a confident dancer. On the opposite end, if your instructor is lazy, incoherent and lacks the ability to convey the material, well you may find yourself struggling to get to where you want to be on the dance floor. That would be a real shame, don’t you think!?

Taking this a step further, there are many qualities that a great dance instructor possesses. What should you look out for on your search for an awesome one? Great question! Here are some top notch qualities to keep an eye out for in a fantastic ballroom dance instructor.

Let’s say you signed up for Country Western dance lessons because you spend your weekends at the Country bars around town. Country music is in your blood, and you want to get your body groovin’ to the beat. You can’t wait for your first two step lesson. You show up for your Introductory Dance Lesson and your instructor starts showing you how to tango! What does tango have to do with Country dancing? Absolutely nothing. Where does this leave you? Frustrated and confused, right? I don’t blame you. Step one is to look for an instructor that is interested in helping you to achieve your dancing goals, not their agenda. Taking the time to get to know you, what you’re looking for, and why you want it is everything when it comes to being an incredible instructor. He/she understands your end result and focuses on it constantly, discussing it with you often to make sure that we are still on track and nothing has changed.

An incredible coach has also determined how you learn best. Be it auditory, visual or kinesthetic, he/she has discovered how you understand the material and they are teaching you in the most effective/efficient way possible for you. Working smart, not hard is the sign of an instructor who plans ahead and has a system in place. An organized way of learning is essential, rather than jumping from dance to dance flippantly.

Lastly, your awesome instructor is giving you more than just steps; you’re getting an experience. By that I mean your lessons are the highlight of your day. You look forward to going to each dance lesson because he/she knows what you need after a long day at work, and when and how to give you what you need to take your dancing to the next level. A combination of fun and learning is ideal.

The search for a great dance instructor may seem a bit daunting, but, truth be told, they’re out there. Start by looking up your local dance studio for adults and take a beginner’s dance lesson to see how you feel. Being comfortable is everything. Consider my tips on what to look for and you’ll be well on your way!