As social ballroom dance lessons are so beneficial to adults of all ages for a multitude of reasons. Come on and join us soon.

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Learn to Social Dance at Dance FX Studios

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Social ballroom dance lessons are so beneficial to adults of all ages for a multitude of reasons. Not only can you be active and tone up, you can also relieve stress, improve your self-esteem and confidence, build and strengthen relationships, liven up your social life and so much more! If you live in the Phoenix East Valley, lucky for you, Dance FX Studios has been a leading social dance studio of Arizona for over 12 years! Located in Mesa, Arizona just off of 101 Freeway, our studio is close to many cities of the Valley, including Gilbert, Chandler, Tempe, and Scottsdale. We offer several ways for you to learn and explore the world of social dancing, but our most popular services are group dance classes and private dance lessons. Whether you want to learn to dance Country Two Step or dance the sensual Argentine Tango or Salsa for your next night out at a Latin club, we have dance lesson programs just for you!

Group dance lessons are a great way to practice what you are learning in your private dance lessons. You can also learn dance basics in a group setting with friends and newcomers. Our current group classes are for couples, or friends that pair up together, so you and someone you know can come and learn together and share the cost. You can also meet other couples who are learning to dance just like you, extending your social dancing circle and help you to make new friends with similar interests. Our group classes beginning April 7th, 2014, are progressive dance classes, meaning that each week your class instructor will build off the previous week’s lesson, incorporating new steps and tips each week. This creates a more efficient, productive way to learn. You will get the most out of your 4-week lesson package this way! These progressive group classes are just $75 per couple for all four weeks of classes. On Monday nights, we offer Country Two Step, Tuesdays are for Salsa, Wednesday is for Country Swing and Jitterbug Swing takes place on Thursdays. All of our group dance classes are at 7 pm. Sign up today to reserve your space!

Private dance lessons are the best way that you can become a skilled, confident dancer in the least amount of time. In private lessons, you and your partner (if you bring one) will receive personalized instruction, one-on-one with your instructor. You don’t have to wait for any feedback; your instructor is there with you the whole time! While group classes are an excellent, fun way to learn, private dance lessons are much more effective if you want to become a a confident social dancer in a shorter amount of time. Many of our private lesson students take what they learn in their lessons to group classes, practicing and getting extra feedback through group classes. Each lesson in our private lesson packages is personalized to you and your capabilities, learning styles and goals. We understand that everyone is different; they learn differently, want different things and need different things. Our unique mode of customized instruction is what sets us apart from other studios in the area! You can see for yourself what we mean by trying out our $40 Introductory offer. You will get an hour of tips and dance basics on the floor, as well discussing what you want to get out of learning to dance, which helps us create the perfect set of lessons just for you.

Now that you know more about what makes what we offer so great, get in touch with us to schedule your first visit! If you want to learn to Country Swing, Salsa dance, Jitterbug Swing and so much more, Dance FX Studios is just what you need.

Where Salsa Came From

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istock_000014467721small1Did you know that the dance called “salsa” might not be what you think it is? It is actually a particular style of Latin dance that was developed in New York by Puerto Rican and Cuban immigrants in the 1960’s and 1970’s. The original dance that the Salsa was inspired by was the Cuban Son. Son, a Spanish word meaning sound, was from the 1940’s and also referred to a particular type of Cuban music style. Like the population of Cuba, this type of music was to combine influences of its mixed culture. That is probably why the Salsa has strong African influences as well as Cuban.

Similar to how Salsa was born from the Cuban Son when it came to New York; different versions of Salsa emerged as it traveled through different places and countries. Changes in the dance could range, but it usually was just slight variations in timing that would be the only changes made to the dance. Some of the different styles of Salsa dancing include Columbian or Cali Style, Cuban or Casino Style, Miami Style Casino, Salsa Rueda or Rueda de Casino, Los Angeles Style, and New York Style. As you see, the Salsa traveled across Latin America and North America, but it also made its way around Europe, Australia, and even parts of Asia and the Middle East.

As interesting as the history of Salsa is, it is much more enjoyable if you learn how to dance the Salsa. Dance FX Studios in Mesa, Arizona, has private Latin dance lessons and group Salsa dance classes. To get started with private Latin lessons, we have an introductory offer of $40 for an hour-long one-on-one dance lesson. Salsa group classes are held each month for 4 consecutive weeks. Check out our group class schedule for upcoming Latin dance classes.

Dancing, Music and Stereotypes

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Salsa dancing music Mesa azOur stereotypes about the world around us can often hinder the potential experiences throughout our life. Music and dance styles can generate a lot of stereotypes. When you think of country dance or music, you often already have a preconceived idea of what the people, atmosphere, and music will be about. Some stereotypes can be positive—others negative. Hip-hop is a dance style that often gets a bad rep. Every reader can undoubtedly think of some opinions carried with hip-hop music and dance/dancers.
Now, think of another dance style, say Argentine Tango. Tango is seen as a classy and respected dance style. It was once seen with the same distain as other forms of art; today the paradigm surrounding Tango has been altered. Hip-hop can be described with the same emotion and respect. Jazz is a music style that was heavily banned throughout the 1920’s and, yet again, the public opinion turned around. Or try Rock and Roll or Bachata!
Every new art form has its own evolution and road to acceptance. Our willingness to avoid generating stereotypes will help to broaden our own horizons. So even if you don’t wear cowboy hats, or you don’t know what it means to “drop it and lock it on the dance floor”, you might have the time of your life if you go out and throw yourself into the experience.
In the end, regardless of the genre, music enriches our lives in a way nothing else can. Allow the music to introduce you to a dance style that can do the same.