Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a partner?
Do I need to pre-register?
What's the difference between a session, a series, and a lesson?
How many lessons does one series get me?
What do I get if I buy a pass for two or more series?
What if I decide not to continue the series?
Can I just drop in at any time?
What should I wear to lessons?
What advice do you have for beginners?
Where can I go for more dance lessons?

Q: Do I need a partner?

A: No! No partner is required for any series! We rotate partners frequently to ensure that everyone dances, and that you get to dance with different people. This ultimately helps you develop solid partner dancing skills.

Q: Do I need to pre-register?

A: No. All registrations are at the door, and since the first week of each session is free, you do not have to pay until the second week.

Q: What's the difference between a session, a series, and a lesson?

A: A lesson is one hour of instruction.
    A series is made up of eight lessons of one dance form (eg, the Beginner Lindy Hop series consists of eight lessons of Beginner Lindy Hop).
    A session is an eight-week period during which CUA Ballroom offers several different series.

Q: How many lessons does one series get me?

A: One series is eight lessons in one dance form.

Q: What do I get if I buy a pass for two or more series?

A: If you pay for two or more series, you can join as many different series as you like during the session for which you paid. For example, if you pay for two or more series during Fall Session, you may join as many dance series as you like during Fall Session, but you cannot take one series during Fall Session and one series during Spring Session with the same pass.

Q: What if I decide not to continue the series?

A: The first lesson of each series is free. Come and try a class, and if you decide not to stick with it, you at least get a free lesson! Should you pay for a series and drop out, there will be no refunds, returns or exchanges.

Q: Can I just drop in at any time?

A: We close lessons to new registrations after the second week. The reason for this is that each series is cumulative, with each lesson building off the previous one. After the second lesson it will be difficult to join a class and keep up with the others.

Q: What should I wear to lessons?

A: Comfortable clothes, nothing fancy, and most importantly comfortable shoes. Dance shoes, character shoes, or dress shoes are appropriate for most classes, with the exception of lindy hop, balboa and hip-hop, where sneakers are actually preferred.

Q: What advice do you have for beginners?

A: Practice.
       The biggest hindrance to beginner dancers is not enough practice, which often results in the student forgetting the material learned in class. We also suggest you bring paper and pencil to lessons so you can take notes - a great resource to have when you practice outside of class.
       The best environment in which to practice is a dance, so go social dancing! It may be difficult at first, but it will gradually get easier - and more fun - with time and patience. The more often you go, the faster you will improve, and the more fun it will become.
       Keep in mind that some people are naturally better at dancing than others, that dancing is not easy, and that no one becomes a star overnight.

Q: Where can I go for more dance lessons?