FAQ

I don’t attend GW; can I still go to your classes?

We’re more than happy to invite anyone who has a GWorld card to take classes with us, but sadly because of The Lerner Health and Wellness Centers policy, people without a GWorld will not be able to take part in our classes or our practice times. You’re still more than welcome to take part in the classes and socials available in the DC Ballroom community at places such as Chevy Chase Ballroom (CCB).

So what’s this CCB everyone keeps mentioning?

Chevy Chase Ballroom is a ballroom in Friendship Heights used by a number of teachers that are very close to our club. In addition, it hosts a number of classes and socials frequented by our club and provides a good place to practice. Its website includes a full calendar for the month, which details exactly which dance is being taught on a given day and directions for getting there. http://www.chevychaseballroom.com/

What do I wear to class? Do I need shoes?

Comfortable clothing that allows freedom of movement is highly recommended. As far as shoes go, please do not wear any shoes that will mark up the floor. Sneakers, character shoes, and shoes with suede bottoms are permissible. As a beginner, dance shoes are not necessary. When and if you decide that you'd like to purchase ballroom dance shoes, the club will help you decide what kind is right for you.

I have two left feet. I can’t dance. I have no prior dance experience.

Half of the current club was in your shoes. Some of our most advanced dancers originally joined the club without any experience. The club is built around learning dance, and our goal is that anyone, regardless of the experience they came in with, will be able to learn with us.

Do I need a partner?

You do not need a partner for classes. There will be frequent partner rotation during the classes. In fact, you learn better by dancing with different people. You will probably dance with nearly everyone in the class. Even if you compete, for your first few competitions, the club will do what it can to make sure you have someone to dance with.

Here’s a glossary of terms that you’ll find it useful to know.

First of all, the dances:

International/American

There are two styles of dancing, International and American, and for the most part, each dance has an International and an American style. In each case, these are slightly different interpretations of similar music. As a club, we focus on International, but we also give you the opportunity to learn American.

Standard and Smooth

These are what people usually think of when they think of ballroom dancing, with Standard being the International term for this set of dances and Smooth being the American term. These are the ones with the tuxes and flowy dresses.

            This set of dances includes:

            Waltz

            Foxtrot

            Tango

            Quickstep

            Viennese Waltz

Latin and Rhythm

These are the dances performed to Latin music, with Latin being the International term and Rhythm being the American term. These are the ones that a lot of people are initially attracted by because they seem a lot more active and fluid.

            This set of dances includes:

            Cha-Cha

            Rhumba

            Samba

            Jive/Swing

            Salsa (social dance, not competed)

Syllabus

Every dance has a syllabus of moves that compromise what is recognized as that dance. Each syllabus is ranked into 3 different levels that roughly correlate to how complex the moves are. These levels also correspond to levels of competition.

Bronze: These are the basic moves of a dance. That is not to say that they are easy, for even advanced dancers will spend a great deal of time honing these elementary steps because they are versatile and the more advanced steps build off of these. If you are competing, your first semester is called Newcomer, but it is still Bronze level moves that you are learning

Silver: These are intermediate moves with more complicated footwork, timing, and technique.

Gold: These are the most advanced moves that are in syllabus.

Open: When one has mastered the syllabus, one can move on to compete at the level of Open. At this level, a couple is free to express the style of the dance without being constrained by the specific moves in the syllabus, though they often incorporate variations on syllabus moves and commonly accepted Open moves. This level is further divided into Novice, Pre-Champ, and Champ.

		F.A.Q.

Home About Us FAQ Classes Events Competitions Competition Results Links		I don’t attend GW; can I still go to your classes? We’re more than happy to invite anyone who has a GWorld card to take classes with us, but sadly because of The Lerner Health and Wellness Centers policy, people without a GWorld will not be able to take part in our classes or our practice times. You’re still more than welcome to take part in the classes and socials available in the DC Ballroom community at places such as Chevy Chase Ballroom (CCB). So what’s this CCB everyone keeps mentioning? Chevy Chase Ballroom is a ballroom in Friendship Heights used by a number of teachers that are very close to our club. In addition, it hosts a number of classes and socials frequented by our club and provides a good place to practice. Its website includes a full calendar for the month, which details exactly which dance is being taught on a given day and directions for getting there. http://www.chevychaseballroom.com/ What do I wear to class? Do I need shoes? Comfortable clothing that allows freedom of movement is highly recommended. As far as shoes go, please do not wear any shoes that will mark up the floor. Sneakers, character shoes, and shoes with suede bottoms are permissible. As a beginner, dance shoes are not necessary. When and if you decide that you'd like to purchase ballroom dance shoes, the club will help you decide what kind is right for you. I have two left feet. I can’t dance. I have no prior dance experience. Half of the current club was in your shoes. Some of our most advanced dancers originally joined the club without any experience. The club is built around learning dance, and our goal is that anyone, regardless of the experience they came in with, will be able to learn with us. Do I need a partner? You do not need a partner for classes. There will be frequent partner rotation during the classes. In fact, you learn better by dancing with different people. You will probably dance with nearly everyone in the class. Even if you compete, for your first few competitions, the club will do what it can to make sure you have someone to dance with. Here’s a glossary of terms that you’ll find it useful to know. First of all, the dances: International/American There are two styles of dancing, International and American, and for the most part, each dance has an International and an American style. In each case, these are slightly different interpretations of similar music. As a club, we focus on International, but we also give you the opportunity to learn American. Standard and Smooth These are what people usually think of when they think of ballroom dancing, with Standard being the International term for this set of dances and Smooth being the American term. These are the ones with the tuxes and flowy dresses. This set of dances includes: Waltz Foxtrot Tango Quickstep Viennese Waltz Latin and Rhythm These are the dances performed to Latin music, with Latin being the International term and Rhythm being the American term. These are the ones that a lot of people are initially attracted by because they seem a lot more active and fluid. This set of dances includes: Cha-Cha Rhumba Samba Jive/Swing Salsa (social dance, not competed) Syllabus Every dance has a syllabus of moves that compromise what is recognized as that dance. Each syllabus is ranked into 3 different levels that roughly correlate to how complex the moves are. These levels also correspond to levels of competition. Bronze: These are the basic moves of a dance. That is not to say that they are easy, for even advanced dancers will spend a great deal of time honing these elementary steps because they are versatile and the more advanced steps build off of these. If you are competing, your first semester is called Newcomer, but it is still Bronze level moves that you are learning Silver: These are intermediate moves with more complicated footwork, timing, and technique. Gold: These are the most advanced moves that are in syllabus. Open: When one has mastered the syllabus, one can move on to compete at the level of Open. At this level, a couple is free to express the style of the dance without being constrained by the specific moves in the syllabus, though they often incorporate variations on syllabus moves and commonly accepted Open moves. This level is further divided into Novice, Pre-Champ, and Champ.