Getting Started

How do I get started social dancing?

A great introduction to dancing are our FREE Monthly Guest Nights. These evenings offer an intro dance class, social dancing and a performance showcase! They are a great way to get acquainted with social dancing and could help you determine which dance you'd like to try. And you'll make some new friends in the process! Guest Nights are held on the last Friday of each 4-week series of classes - exact dates are highlighted in the Special Interest box of our homepage and on our events calendar.

Here's a little featurette produced by TimeOut New York about our FREE Monthly Guest Nights, narrated by Dance Manhattan co-owner Ms. Teddy Kern. Guest Nights are a great way to check out our studio and make some new friends! TimeOut NewYork Guest Night Video

Once you are ready to dance, there are many ways to get started -- private lessons, group classes, intro packages or, by what we call, a crash courses.

Weekly practice sessions are also held. Studio space is made available for students to practice their new skills with other students and outside dancers. There are practice sessions for each dance style, like the tango salon or swing practice.

To see the schedule of monthly classes offered at Dance Manhattan, click here, Class Schedule, or the class link on the left. To see the schedule for events like the tango salon, crash courses, practice sessions, or Friday night dances click here, Event Calendar, or the event link on the left.

How do I register for a class?

Registration is a simple process and takes just a few minutes to complete. Either come by the front desk at Dance Manhattan where you can view class schedules, or check out the class schedules online then give us a call at 212-807-0802. We can take your registration over the phone.

For more information on policies, registration costs, etc, look on the Policies and Pricing section page, which can also be accessed from the navigation bar on your left.

What is a lesson at Dance Manhattan like?

Four week classes offered at Dance Manhattan run for 55 minutes and occur in the evening and on Saturdays, as you'll see by browsing the Class Schedule page. Salons, practice sessions, workshops and crash courses all vary in times, check the schedule for the specific event you are interested in.

What class should I take?

Picking classes is easy, after you've decided on a style to study. If you are not sure about what style dance you'd like to learn take a look at the STYLES section of this website for descriptions and lots of videos of the various styles ... you can also take a quick look at the videos below:

Argentine Tango-Valeria Solomonoff & Jorge Torres

American Waltz (Ballroom)-Heather Gehring & Lou Brockman

Swing/Lindy-Evita Arce & Nathan Bugh

West Coast Swing-Arjay Centeno

Salsa-Rodney Lopez and Mariana Parma

Hustle-Audrey Martinez & Lou Brockman

Once you've decided on your dance, picking your class is easy! Simply browse through the class schedule to find the teachers that you prefer and topics that interest you. Classes are almost exclusively level based, so, a beginner class in any style, no matter what the specific topic, is for beginners. That means simply, no experience with the dance is necessary. After you've found the class you are interested in, just jump in and take it.

Should I register with a partner?

Bringing a partner is not required. All classes, except those specifically denoted in the class description as "Couples Only" will rotate partners. If you would like to dance exclusively with your partner, however, private lessons and "Couples Only" group lessons are the way to go- share a date night and join us for a great line-up on Friday evenings!

What level should I enroll in?

There are a few different ways to choose what level you should take. In the Introductory Package, an instructor analysis helps you determine which level class would be appropriate. Or you may audit a class and see where you fit. Otherwise, you may inquire with our front desk staff as to which level may be best suited. If you do sign up for a class and it is not the appropriate level, simply talk to the instructor at the beginning of class and ask them what you should do.

If you are an experienced dancer but have not yet taken classes at Dance Manhattan, perhaps a refresher course, at a level which you are most comfortable, will help you define which classes would offer you the most for your time.

How long will it take to learn one of these styles?

Each person has their own learning curve. We recommend you feel very comfortable at one level before proceeding to a higher level. Ask your teacher if they think it's time for you to move up a level. Obviously, your success will depend greatly on your dedication to the style. The more you practice what you learn, the faster you will become comfortable with your style.

Is there anything that I can read that will help me learn?

Of course! There are study guides on the style pages that describe the various Class Curriculum. As well, you can check out various reading and viewing material from Amazon.com.

Is there a listing of all beginner classes?

Yes. Just click on Class Schedule and sort by level. This will outline which classes are offered on which days.