Guide to your First Practice Dance Party
Table Of Content
Embracing Social Dance Events
What is a Studio Practice Party?
Skills That You Learn At The Practice Parties
Frequently Asked Questions
Embracing Social Dance Events
Are you just beginning your exciting journey into the world of dance?
Have you been thinking about attending a social, but feel held back by worries and doubt? Then read on!
You're not alone - even some experienced instructors felt anxious when they first hit the floor.
You constantly hear the enthusiastic buzz of your instructor and other students talking about the dance socials that are taking place all the time, even immediately after classes.
You realize that you should take advantage of these events to boost your dancing skills, but at the same time, you find yourself recoiling with hesitation.
Then that inner voice may begin to discourage you with thoughts such as “I’m still a beginner” or "I'm afraid of embarrassing myself and making a mistake."
These thoughts are natural and can be overcome with practice. After attending a few socials, one will easily see how everyone is there in support of each other, simply wanting to learn and have fun together.
Thus, there is no need to feel embarrassed or shy - the dance socials provide an ideal environment for one to get used to the basics while having a good time!
So let's go social dancing!
What is a Studio Practice Party?
Practice Parties offer a chance for both novice and seasoned dance students to apply their newly learned techniques in a realistic setting.
These parties emulate a night out dancing at a nightclub, an office party, or a wedding reception.
Our social dancing playlist has a range of different dance music, from elegant Waltzes and Foxtrots to trendy Salsas and Bachatas (and everything in between).
We've organized the songs into blocks based on specific dance styles.
This approach enables you to watch and become more at ease with the dance before stepping onto the dance floor. Alternatively, you can practice your moves on the sidelines until you're ready to join in.
Skills That You Learn At The Practice Parties
While private lessons and group classes are essential for learning techniques and patterns, dance parties offer a unique opportunity to put those skills into practice in a relaxed and supportive environment. Let’s explore some of the most crucial skills that can be learned through in-studio practice parties.
# 1 Important Skill
The lights are dimmed, music is playing and dancers are mingling with each other, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
Soon enough, the inevitable question arises:
“What dance is that?"
So can you guess what is the first very important skill that you learn in the practice party setting?
You learn to associate the music with the corresponding dance!
To assist you with that, our instructors announce the dances!
Eventually, every dancer will learn how to identify the appropriate style of dance for any song but it takes some time.
# 2 Important Skill
The second important skill that you'll acquire is the ability to maintain a conversation while dancing.
Although it may seem challenging at first, particularly if you're still in the "Awkward Use Stage," it's an essential skill that can help move you towards the "Natural Use Stage."
Pro-Tip: To master this skill, we suggest practising intentional dance conversations, such as asking "How was your weekend?" while dancing 2-3 basic steps.
With practice, you'll become more comfortable holding conversations while dancing, which can add a new dimension of enjoyment to your social dancing experiences.
# 3 Important Skill
Additionally, dancing with different partners can also help you develop better communication skills. Each partner may have a different way of communicating their movements, and by paying attention to these differences and adjusting accordingly, you'll be able to better understand and respond to their lead or follow.
You'll become more versatile in your dancing and be able to adapt to any situation on the dance floor - an invaluable skill that will make your social dancing experiences more enjoyable.
It's important to remember that social dancing is all about having fun and connecting with others through movement. Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and try dancing with different partners - it's an essential part of the social dancing experience!
And practice parties provide the perfect environment to do so, as they offer a low-pressure, supportive setting where you can experiment and learn without the fear of judgment.
Pro-Tip: Instead of viewing it as a party that you're not ready for or might embarrass yourself at, try thinking of it as behind-the-wheel dance training.
Your instructor has invited you to attend, and although it may seem daunting, it's an opportunity to practice and improve your skills in a supportive environment.
As a beginner, I'm not yet comfortable with all of the dances.
Would it be a good idea for me to attend a practice party?
Absolutely! Attending a practice party is an excellent way to build up your confidence.
After practicing leading and following in a social setting, you can bring your newfound skills to your next private class where you can learn something new!
Can I come late / leave early if I'm busy?
Our socials usually last for an hour and a half, but if you are busy, you can come late or leave early - even 20 minutes is great!
So don't hesitate to join the next practice party and start reaping the benefits of this fun and rewarding social activity!
