Thanks For Dancing With Us!
We hope you had a wonderful time dancing with us today! You have a few options for continuing to improve on your new skills, and/or ways to use them around the city. This guide will help you understand the best options for your goals.
Continue With Group Classes
Four-Week Semi-Private Group Classes
Four week courses help you build on your skills week to week. They are only held at our Lakeview studio the first full week of every month. The standard cost for all four weeks is $220 per couple. Studio members pay $143 for all four weeks.
Drop-In Semi-Private Group Classes
Drop-in classes allow you to dance with scheduling flexibility. If you can’t attend all four weeks, want to see what group classes are about, or if you can only attend our West Loop studio, check out our drop-in schedule.
Drop-in classes take place at both our Lakeview and West Loop studio. The standard rate for a drop-in is $80 per couple. Studio members pay $52 per couple.
Partner vs. No Partner Required Classes
Truth be told, a lot of people come to BDC because the majority of our classes allow couples to learn and dance with their partner. All four-week classes and any drop-in labelled as “Semi-Private” will require you to come with a partner. If you’re attending a group class in West Loop, you will need a partner as well.
BUT! We also have options for all you dancers who are looking to meet and dance with others’ who share your passion for learning and fun experiences. Our social classes, DanceSport classes, and long-format group classes (workshops) all allow you to attend without a partner. We might add more, so use the “Tags” filter to select all the classes that don’t require a partner.
Long-Format Group Classes - Crash Course
Sometimes, a shorter group class doesn’t fit your schedule or learning style. That’s why we offer our Crash Course! These classes are meant to give you a more focused learning experience to get further, faster.
If these sound great, keep track of the updated offerings in the “Workshop” section of our group class offerings.
DanceSport Classes
DanceSport is another name for syllabus specific dancing. You can learn a variety of dances with focus on connection, footwork, and body movement. These classes are great for any level dancer.
Other Dance Options
You came to dance for many reasons: to share a moment with your partner, to embark on a new hobby, to enjoy a unique date night, or simply to try something new. There's a rhythm to life in Chicago that extends far beyond our studio, with countless places across the city inviting you to continue exploring the joy of dance. Whether it's in the embrace of a tango, the syncopation of a salsa beat, or the freedom found in freestyle, we encourage you to keep dancing in whatever way feels right for you. Chicago's vibrant dance scene offers a rich tapestry of opportunities to express yourself and connect with others through movement.
So let your dance journey continue to unfold and discover the many ways you can keep moving and grooving!
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Private Lessons
Private lessons are for one to two dancers who want their instructors’ one-on-one attention. This will allow you to focus on your goals while moving at whatever pace is best for you. Another perk of private lessons is that scheduling is easier than group lessons with more availability and a 24 hour cancellation policy. And your lessons don’t expire!
Prices range from $101.25 - $180 per lesson.
Members receive a 25% discount!
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DanceSport Lessons
If you want to learn to dance at a high standard of technical and artistic mastery, DanceSport lessons are for you. When learning in this program, students study groups of dances, never just one or two dances. There are three learning paths to choose from:
American Smooth: Waltz, Foxtrot, Viennese Waltz, Tango. Optional add on: Peabody.
American Rhythm: Cha Cha, Rumba, Bolero, East Coast Swing, and Mambo. Optional add ons: Salsa, Lindy Hop, West Coast Swing, Samba, and Merengue.
American Smooth and American Rhythm
Members receive a 25% discount!
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Dance Around Chicago
You have new skills, put them to use! Chicago has so many wonderful places to dance different styles. Our Dance Events calendar is updated frequently with
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Member Benefits
If you want to truly become a better dancer and/or commit to regular and intentional time with your partner, become a member of the studio! For $500 a year (individual or couple), you can receive the following benefits with discounts averaging $1,500 per year.
Some Member Benefits Include:
• 25% discount on private lessons
• 35% discount on of group classes and drop-in packages
• Member-only classes lead by master instructor, Matthew Sove.
• Free entrance to events, Saturday socials, wedding showcases, and more!
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4th Saturday Socials
The fourth Saturday of every month, we are hosting Saturday night socials, open to the public. The night will begin with a 45 min class, followed by 2 hours of open dancing. The dance style for the class will change every month to keep things fresh!
While we will play music in the dance style of the offered class, we will also play ballroom music throughout the night to give enthusiasts a place to practice, and maybe even show off!
Tickets are available for the class with the social ($25) or a social-only ticket ($18). Entrance is free for studio members!
7pm - Class
8pm - Social
Cancellation Policy
Four-Week Cancellation Policy
If you need to cancel the entire 4-week course we must receive notice 7 days before the time of your first class. If you cancel your course in time you will receive a studio credit.
We cannot reschedule or offer studio credit for any missed lessons in your four-week session.
Drop-In Cancellation Policy
In order to reschedule your drop-in class, we require 24 hours notice.
There are no refunds, rescheduling, or studio credits for drop-ins cancelled with less than 24 hours notice.
Important Studio Policies
If you made it this far, I’m impressed! Thanks again for visiting our studio. We will be seeing you quite a bit over the next several weeks and we want you to feel great about dancing with us. Here are a few things we ask all students to commit to:
Bringing a pair of clean, dry shoes to each lesson. Wet, snowy, or dirty shoes are not permitted on the dance floor (plus they’re hard to dance in).
If you’re coming in as a couple, treat it like a date night! We hope that you will see this as a fun opportunity to learn something new with your partner and maybe even about your partner! If there is something we can do to make your time with us more special, don’t hesitate to let us know.
Avoid correcting and/or criticizing your partner. Have confidence in your instructor’s expertise to guide you both.
Avoid criticizing yourself as learning something new takes time and repetition. Mistakes are a welcome and necessary part of the learning process.
Mandy - Director of Studios
FAQ
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Group classes at Ballroom Dance Chicago are for dancers who wish to join a welcoming learning environment where they can let loose, have fun, meet new people, and get familiar with a new skill.
At Ballroom Dance Chicago, we believe that the most effective way to learn to dance is through customizable private lessons. In a private setting, you can expect personalized attention to detail when it comes to leading and following skills, technique, connection, and overall fundamentals. Private lessons allow you to dig deeper into understanding movement, and allow for valuable individualized feedback. We find that the more understanding you have of these fundamentals, the more comfortable and confident you are as you progress and learn new material.
However, because we value community so much, we offer BYOB group classes that focus equally on learning to dance and socializing. Group classes provide an opportunity to learn a variety of movements, and gain insight on dancing in a social setting. Group classes also provide an opportunity to experience dancing with a variety of people (if you choose), which makes you a more experienced and better dancer! Group classes might be right for you if you:
Enjoy having a great time
Want to learn something new
Want to meet new people
Want to join a fun community of like-minded individuals
Are sick of the tired old dinner and a movie date
Are looking to improve your dance skills
Need something fun to break up your work week
Can't resist the urge to dance
Sounds like you? Contact us today to register.
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We welcome solo dancers to come to our Daytime Classes, Social Group Classes, Dance Practice Sessions and Accelerated Intro Lessons, so if you’re solo, join us in these class options!
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Our group class syllabus at Ballroom Dance Chicago stands apart from traditional ballroom studios. Unlike rigid syllabi focused on dance competitions, our syllabus is designed for social dancing in real-life settings like bars, wedding receptions, or even at home.
We prioritize leading and following techniques while exploring musicality in various dance styles. Each week, you'll discover new dance concepts that enhance your ability to connect with the music and move expressively with your partner. Our classes are about more than just learning fancy moves; they're about connecting to the music and enjoying the dance experience.
Students can jump in at any time; while we continue building on material throughout the group class sessions, students don’t need to come consistently to feel like they know what’s going on.
If you have specific questions about the dance styles covered or want more details about our syllabus, please don't hesitate to reach out to us!
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Think of it like an open gym - a time and space for you to come practice whatever you want to work on. An instructor will be there for music and dance support, but will not be teaching anything new.
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What better way to overcome your fear of dancing in front of others than to join a welcoming community filled with dancers of all levels and experience?! Ballroom Dance Chicago offers a safe learning environment where you can practice and gain more comfort with your moves without the risk of feeling judged. We know that the more comfortable you feel, the more confident you will become. That’s why group classes have plenty of time for practicing and gaining confidence, along with time for instruction and advice from your teacher.
If you’re uncertain about dancing in front of people, we recommend starting with private lessons so that you can gain confidence and certainty from the individual instruction and attention. Now, we know what you’re thinking, “I don’t want a teacher watching and scrutinizing me!” but let us reassure you: we’re here to make you feel comfortable dancing. That means we’ll be honest, constructive, and caring, but never judgmental. We were all beginners once, and can empathize with your tentativeness. But have no fear, we’re trained to work with beginners and inspire people of all levels to find the joy of dancing together.
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At Ballroom Dance Chicago, we offer a variety of group classes to suit different preferences. While the majority of our group classes do not rotate partners, as many students attend as a date night with their partner and prefer to stay together, we also have classes where partner rotation is promoted.
If you’re looking for a group class with partner rotation, we welcome both solo dancers and those with partners in our Daytime Classes, Social Group Classes, and Accelerated Intro Lessons!
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Group classes are not specifically designed for wedding preparation; they are more for learning how to dance in social environments! However, engaged couples are more than welcome to join our group classes for a general introduction to dancing.
For couples focusing on their first dance, we highly recommend private lessons. These sessions provide personalized attention, tailored techniques, and allow you to achieve your specific dance goals for your wedding day. Private instruction ensures your first dance is personal, beautiful, and truly memorable.
Ballroom Dance Chicago is the top rated studio in Chicago for couples preparing to dance for their wedding, so we know our stuff! If you’d like to read reviews of past wedding students, check out our reviews. We have dozens of 5 star reviews on the Knot from students who found private instruction incredibly helpful.
If you are interested in a complimentary consultation to experience what private lessons are like at Ballroom Dance Chicago, please contact us and be sure to check out more information on our First Dance Lessons page.
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Wear anything that you feel comfortable moving in – whether that’s workout gear, formal wear, or anything in between. Typically, our clients come dressed in slacks, jeans, t-shirts, and day dresses, but feel free to dress to your personal taste. As long as you feel comfortable in your outfit, it’s fine by us!
For footwear, we recommend wearing shoes with a leather, suede, or non-grip bottom that enclose your foot so that you can slide easily on the floor, and your shoes stay firmly attached to your feet. For this reason, dancing in flip-flops or sneakers is not permitted. Dress shoes, flats, low heels with straps, or pumps, usually work the best. Ladies, if you’re uncomfortable wearing heels, don’t! Dancing in flats is completely fine.
As you begin taking classes, you may discover that you’d like to purchase dance shoes. Speak to your instructor about what kind of shoes would work for the dance you’re learning/would like to learn, and they can send you in the right direction for purchasing dance shoes.
While fashion does have a place on the dance floor, there are specific trends to reconsider/avoid while dancing:
Long necklaces generally become a nuisance when you dance as you begin to spin, and your necklace flies out in front of you. By wearing shorter necklaces, your partner will appreciate not being hit in the chest/face as they’re leading you into a turn.
Large rings can also become problematic if you’re doing a dance with a lot of changes to the hand hold, such as swing or salsa.
Tops with drapey and excessive fabric for the sleeves can hinder the arm connection between you and your dance partner. Wear at your own risk!
If you want to wear short skirts/dresses while dancing, just make sure to wear shorts underneath.
Keep in mind you’ll be touching people’s underarms. Sleeveless clothing is not the best idea for social dancing.
Save your studded clothing for another going-out occasion. No one likes being poked.
If you have long hair, make sure to put it up in a bun, so that when you’re spinning, you don’t whip your dance partner/yourself in the eyes!
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For group classes at Ballroom Dance Chicago, only wine or beer is permitted. One bottle of wine or a six-pack of beer is allowed for every couple. Feel free to bring any non-alcoholic beverages as well! Ballroom Dance Chicago provides water, glassware, and bottle openers for each class, so don’t worry about bringing anything beyond your drink of choice.
Classes at our sister studio, Ballroom College, are also BYOB.
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We only offer four-week courses at our Lakeview studio; however, regular multi-level, drop-in group classes are offered at both Lakeview and the West Loop.
If you’re considering group classes in West Loop, it’s important to remember that you will need a partner to attend.
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Make-Up and Refund Policy:
For our Four Week Sessions, please note that we are unable to offer refunds or credits for any missed classes.
For drop-in classes, if you need to reschedule, just let us know at least 24 hours before your class. Please remember, if a class is missed without a 24-hour notice, we're unable to offer a refund or credit for that session.
Our class sizes are intentionally kept small to enhance your learning experience, and this policy plays a key role in helping us manage the schedule effectively for everyone. Thanks so much for your understanding and cooperation!
Cancellation/Transfer Policies:
If you need to cancel the entire 4-week course, in order to receive a full refund, we must receive notice 14 days before the time of your first class. Cancelations received at least 7 days before the start of the course are eligible for studio credit. Cancellation with less than 7 days are not eligible for a refund or credit. There are no exceptions to this refund policy.
If you need to cancel or reschedule, you can do this via phone (312) 504-5866) or email. We are not offering any partial refunds or transfers at this time.