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Beginner Level Dance Lessons -- No Experience Required!
Beginner level Ballroom and Latin dance lessons cover the pre-Bronze steps for about eight basic International and American style dances and social style dances during a typical fall or spring semester. A typical list of dances will include:

Cha Cha   Waltz
Rumba Quickstep
Jive Foxtrot  
Samba Tango
Salsa Viennese Waltz

Members begin by learning the basics, focusing on movement, frame, balance, lead and follow, and proper execution. Additional steps are added throughout the class hour and over the whole semester.
 
Guided Practice
We believe that practice makes perfect. And the more you practice dancing, the better you get. In addition, research shows that people forget most of the information they learn in class within a couple of hours. Therefore, we have a practice session right after our beginning level so that you can practice and perfect whatever you learn in class immediately after. Guided practice means that instructors are always available for help. If we see that you are struggling with something, we will come and help. Or if you feel that things are not going how they should simply ask for help.
 
Intermediate Level Dance Lessons
Intermediate Ballroom and Latin dance Lessons review technique for pre-Bronze level steps and cover Bronze steps for the dances that we introduced in the Beginner Level Classes. Dance classes also include more technique and styling for the slightly more difficult dances in International style, such as Foxtrot, Quickstep and Jive. Classes focus on improving technique and musicality and building a practical routine for each individual dance.

Members wishing to take the intermediate level dance Lessons should have previously taken the beginner level class or its equivalent elsewhere.
 

Advanced Level Dance Lessons
The advanced level Ballroom and Latin dance Lessons are geared toward the experienced dancer who is looking to improve their dancing by working more closely with their partners and learning about competition and/or exhibition dancing. Past advanced level lessons have included all ten International style dances, and they are Waltz, Viennese Waltz, Quickstep, Tango, Samba, Rumba, Cha-cha, Jive and Paso Doble. The type of classes offered each semester changes because of the availability and interests of the teachers.

Members wishing to take the advanced Ballroom and Latin dance classes should have previously taken the intermediate level dance classes or its equivalent elsewhere, and have a sincere desire and willingness to increase training and practice in order to take their dancing to a higher level..
 
Need Dance Shoes for Class ?
We highly recommend you invest in a good pair of dance shoes. Dance shoes (for both men and women) are designed for dancing and differ from regular high heels, dress or tennis shoes. They are more flexible, have suede soles, and provide more support. They will definitely help you to advance in your dancing! For a great selection of ballroom, Latin and/or Salsa shoes, check out the local dance store International Dance Design.
 
-- Schedule in PDF Format --
Spring 2012 Ballroom and Latin Dance Lesson Schedule -- Tentative
Week Date
Beg./Int.
Dance 101
Guided Practice
Beg./Int.
Dance 201
Guided Practice +
Session 1
5:00 - 5:55 p.m.
Session 2
6:00 - 6:25 p.m.
Session 3
6:30 - 7:25 p.m.
Session 4
7:30 - 7:55 p.m.
Dance
Activity
Dance
Topic
1 01/22
Int. ChaCha
(Jeanette/Denis)
Practice Time
Beg. Waltz
(Jeanette/Denis)
Intro to Competing: Sign Up and Practice Party
2 01/29
Int. Cha Cha
(Jeanette/Denis)
Practice Time
Int. Waltz
(Jeanette/Denis)
Practice Party !
3 02/05
NO CLASSES: California Regional Competition
4 02/12
Int. Waltz
(Jeanette/Denis)
Practice Time
Beg. Rumba
(Jeanette/Denis)
Competition Rounds
5 02/19
NO CLASSES: Kentucky Regional Competition
6 02/26
Int. Rumba
(Jeanette/Denis)
Practice Time
Beg. Quickstep
(Jeanette/Denis)
Competition Preparation
7 03/04
Int. Quickstep
(Jeanette/Denis)
Practice Time
Int. Rumba
(Jeanette/Denis)
Practice Party!
8 03/11
Beg. Samba
(Jason Blasingame)
Practice Time
Int. Quickstep
(Jeanette/Denis)
Review of Semester Patterns
9 03/18
Standard Styling and Musicality
(Jeanette/Denis)
Practice Time
Latin Styling and Musicality
(Jeanette/Denis)
Comp Rounds and Practice Party!
10 03/25
NO CLASSES: Texas Challenge Competition in Houston!
11 04/01
NO CLASSES: USA Dance Nationals
12 04/08
Int. Samba
(Jeanette/Denis)
Practice Time
Beg. Tango
(Jeanette/Denis)
Review
13
04/15
Beg. Foxtrot
(Jeanette/Denis)
Practice Time
Int. Samba
(Jeanette/Denis)
Comp Rounds and Practice Party!
14 04/24
Salsa
(Samuel Aleman)
Practice Time
Int. Jive
(Jeanette/Denis)
Practice Party !

* Competition preparation will be geared toward preparing for Dances With Owls and/or Gulf Coast Tournament, but includes Technique, Musicality, Timing, Presentation etc.

** The Social Dance Club at UH reserves the right to make schedule changes at any time.

 
 
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Social Ballroom and Latin Dance Club at UH
University of Houston
51 University Center CA BOX 576
Houston, TX 77204-3031