1. Can I really learn to dance? Anyone who has the desire can learn to dance! Carl makes learning as easy and fun as possible. You’ll be dancing after your first few lessons, whether you’re learning Hustle, Swing, Salsa, or any other type of social dancing.
2. How do I begin? Try a group class. Most group classes are drop-in classes – arrive a bit early to sign in or warm up. No pre-registration is necessary. You’re welcome to stop by and watch a group class at no cost, to make sure the class is what you’re looking for.
If you’d like to start with private lessons, Carl will tailor a program specifically for your needs and goals. Learn any dance you’d like, at your own pace, by yourself or with a partner, friend, or a small group of friends.
3. Do I need a dance partner to attend a group lesson? No, you don’t need a partner. Students in group classes practice with different partners in rotation. This allows students to sharpen their leading and following skills – skills that are really important when you’re out social dancing. It also gives you the opportunity to meet new people and make new friends.
On the other hand, if you come with a partner and prefer to dance only with him or her, you’re certainly not required to switch partners!
4. What are progressive group lessons? Progressive group lessons run for four, six, or eight weeks. Each class builds on what was taught the week before.
5. Can I join a progressive group lesson already in session? Yes, but you might have to do some extra work to catch up. If you are joining a progressive class already in session, it’s a good idea to schedule a private lesson with Carl before you participate.
6. How long will it take to learn to dance? That depends on how much you practice! The more time you spend dancing, the faster you’ll see results. I encourage new students to take one to three classes or private lessons a week to get maximum practice time. In addition to classes and private lessons, there are some wonderful, friendly, no-pressure social dances you can attend to watch experienced dancers and practice with new partners.
One of these dances is Carl’s the Monday night (not available at the moment) beginner ballroom class and social dance at Star Ballroom in Pompano Beach. You can practice a lot at this dance – everyone at the party is friendly and happy to share a dance, no matter what your level of experience. Just ask!
The other great options are Carl's Thursday night (not available at the moment) lesson and social dance at Rumba and Fitness in Pompano Beach.
7. What does a group lesson cost? A 45 or 55-minute group lesson costs between $10 and $15, depending on the location. Dance studios set the prices for group lessons. Special two lessons (Salsa and Hustle) workshops cost $25.
8. What does a private lesson cost? A 55-minute private lesson costs $85. This is all-inclusive (some dance teachers add floor fees to the cost of the lesson). Carl offers discounts for packages of 3 lessons.
9. Can I form my own private dance group? Yes! This is a great way to get personal instruction without breaking your budget. If you schedule a lesson at one of Carl’s regular studios, the cost averages $10 to $15 per person. If you’d like Carl to travel to your location, there is a minimum rate of $100. If one or more members of your group can’t make the lesson, the remaining members are responsible for meeting the minimum cost.
10. Will you be teaching group Salsa classes soon? Yes! Weekly Salsa lessons are available and is very popular these days, and Carl’s salsa lessons are second to none. Check the Class Schedule page regularly for additional classes, or sign up for Carl’s monthly dance news bulletin.
11. Which ballroom dances do you teach, and when? Carl teaches all the Latin dances (Salsa, Bolero, Merengue, Rumba, Cha Cha, Samba, and Bachata), Swing (East Coast and West Coast), smooth dances (Fox Trot, American Tango, and Waltz), social line dances (Electric Slide, MTV Slide, Macarena, Mambo, Waltz, Samba, and more). His ballroom dance students vote each month to determine which dance they’ll learn next. This democratic method seems to work, and everyone learns their favorite dances eventually. If you have a particular ballroom dance you’d like to learn right away, consider private lessons (with or without a partner), or get some friends together and schedule a private group lesson.
12. Where do you teach? Carl teaches at different ballrooms on different days of the week. He is currently teaching in Fort Lauderdale (Dance Dimensions), East Pompano Beach (Star Ballroom), Lauderdale Lakes (Community Center), Miramar and in Boca Raton. Click here for current locations.
13. Do you own a dance studio? Not at present, but definitely in the future – and soon! Carl is an independent instructor and has worked with dance studios and ballrooms across the country. Click here for current locations.
14. How should I dress for classes or private lessons? Dress casually and comfortably in clothes you can move in freely and easily. If you’re new to dancing and don’t have dance shoes, wear leather-soled shoes if possible – they’ll be fine to start. If you continue with dance lessons, you’ll want to invest in suede-soled dance shoes.
15. Do I need special dance shoes? If you’re new to dancing and don’t have dance shoes, wear leather-soled shoes if possible. As dancing becomes a hobby or an addiction, you’ll want to invest in proper suede-bottomed dance shoes so that you can turn and move comfortably on the dance floor. Ladies’ shoes should have between a 1½- and 2½-inch heel. Visit Carl’s Dance Store for a wide selection of dance shoes that can be shipped to any location.
16. Do you teach wedding parties or the first wedding dance? This is one of Carl’s specialties – he’s an incurable romantic, and can help make your first wedding dance stunning and unforgettable. Carl can teach you a particular dance style or choreograph a first dance to a special song that’s an expression of the beauty of your love and two souls coming together. It’s something you'll treasure forever. It’s also a great stress-reliever as you plan your big event. Dancing together is just plain fun!
17. What are the benefits of social dancing? The benefits of dancing are infinite and priceless … friends; fun; inspiration, creativity; a beautiful means of expression; exercise, cardiovascular health, bone and joint health, weight loss; good posture, poise, and confidence; increased flexibility and stamina; stress relief; improved relationships; renewed romance in a relationship, or new romance if you’re single; a sense of belonging. Once you start learning how to dance, you’ll never have to feel alone or isolated on a weekend or weekday night. You can always go dancing (or to a dance class)!
18. What is your group lessons package policy? Monthly or season package is offered as a way of discount to our students. The entire payment must be paid in full prior to your first lesson no exceptions. These packages are not refundable, they are not intended and cannot be carried over to another month or season. Our classes are progressive, taught on a building block foundation, therefore it is your best interest to participate on a weekly basis.
Please, be courteous to your follow students! If you're absent for a week or longer, it is recommended to take a private lesson to caught up with the missed lesson material. Remember, your classmates are ahead of you. Extensive review will slow down and make other regularly attending students impatient.
19. Who is a VIP Student? Any student that takes private dance lessons with Carl on a regular basic automatically becomes a VIP Student. VIP Students are also entitle to attend a fix number of group dance classes FREE of charge. By a way of example, any student that books three private lessons is entitle to three FREE group lessons in any of Carl's group classes at his Fort Lauderdale location.
20. Who is a Grand Fathered VIP Student? Any student that previously worked with Carl privately is automatically grand fathered as VIP Dance Student. As a VIP Student you are entitled to attend any of his group lessons at fifty percent discount at any location within his control such as the Fort Lauderdale location.
Carl teaches his classes using a progressive schedule of three 30 minutes segments (Level I, II, and III). Each segment builds and involves more challenging moves. Most dancers will take two levels (Level I and II or Level II and III) for an hour class.
The three-level schedule ensures that students remain challenged and no one is left behind. Once you've mastered the basic step, you won't have to repeat it every class -- you can join in at Level II and progress rapidly to more challenging moves!
Here's how it works:
LEVEL I : Newcomer/Beginner
For newcomers, Level I is the perfect start -- the basic steps in 30 minutes. A great review for beginning dancers.
LEVEL II : Beginner/Intermediate
With Level II the class switches to slightly more challenging partner work. Students who know the basic step can join the class at the start of Level II, while newcomers should stay and learn more.
LEVEL III : Intermediate/Advanced
With Level III the class moves on to more challenging steps and styling. Students who feel comfortable with the steps taught in the Level II segment should stay for Level III.
23. Why you should learn your first wedding dance with us? Dancing happily and harmoniously to your song symbolizes the first step of the rest of your life together. Family and friends will be impressed and appreciative of your efforts. Dancing lasts alifetime; you can do the same dance on your fitteth wedding anniversary. Your simple choreography will save stress and give you confidence not to mention, it's lots of fun.
24. What you learn in your first wedding dance lesson? A graceful walk on and off the dance floor. How to dance with poise and confidence. Patterns that reflect the song style with emphasis on lead and follow. An elegant dip. The ability to dance rhythmically and naturally to your song.