Ballroom dancing has become a popular pastime for couples and people who would like to meet other people! Aside from the health benefits, dancing is a very social activity for those looking to get out and about…

Charley Smith and Doug Roth, owners and certified instructors, Dancin' Partners, LLC., specialize in providing plenty of opportunity for dance lovers. They offer ballroom, social and wedding dance classes that feature the Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Cha Cha, Rumba, Samba, Mambo, Bolero, Merengue, East Coast Swing, West Coast Swing, Night Club Two Step, New York Hustle, Salsa, Carolina Shag and Zydeco. In addition, they also provide instruction in the Country/Western Two Step, Cha Cha and Waltz. Dance lessons are taught in a group setting or personalized instruction.

Ballroom dance is of itself a self empowering activity that brings out individual confidence, and helps develop communication among people. As dance partners, both Charley and Doug bring almost twenty-years of combined experience to the Reno area in dance instruction. They work to get new students out on the dance floor as well as to improve the dancing technique of experienced students.

Certified dance instructors in the Dance Vision International Dance Association (DVIDA), both have participated in many aspects of ballroom dance with the goal of integrating it into the northern Nevada community. They are currently working with Diane Jarmalow, the foremost teacher's teacher in the U.S. and founder of the Ballroom Dance Teachers College in the San Francisco Bay area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What if I have never taken a dance class before?

Answer: Many of our group classes are for beginners and have been designed for those students who have little, or no training in that specific style of dance. We recommend that you start at this level and progress to higher-level classes when you become more comfortable.

Question: Do I need a partner to take dance lessons?

Answer: NO - you do not need a partner. Group Classes promote camaraderie and private lessons are with an instructor. Ballroom dancing is a great way to increase your social activities and meet many new people

Question: Do I need dance shoes?

Answer: NO - you do not need dance shoes. It is recommended that you wear comfortable and smooth soled (leather) shoes for your dance lessons. Most people, as they progress with their dancing, do choose to purchase shoes made especially for ballroom dancing. They are lighter, more flexible, and have suede soles and heels.

.Question: What are the American Style Smooth, Rhythm and Social Dances?

Answer: Smooth: Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango, Viennese Waltz Rhythm: Rumba, Cha Cha, East Coast Swing, Bolero, Mambo, Merengue, West Coast Swing, Samba Social: Night Club Two-Step, Salsa, Hustle, Argentine Tango, Lindy HopQuestion: How do private lessons work?

Answer: Private lessons can be taken in any style of dance. Privates give you one-on-one instruction. This provides for more focused attention, with greater emphasis on style and technique, as well as the opportunity to advance your dance skills more rapidly, than in group sessions. Private lessons can be booked for one or more lessons.

Question: What is the difference between American Style and International Style?

Answer: American Style is most popular in the United States, whereas the International Style, which is also known as the English Style, is danced throughout the rest of the world. The 'American Style Smooth' dances - Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango, and Viennese Waltz - experience more freedom and expression. They may be danced in closed or open position, allowing for additional innovative tricks and creative arm and hand styling. The 'International Style Standard' - Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango, Quickstep, and Viennese Waltz - are danced only in closed position. The technique for both styles is similar. The 'American Style Rhythm' dances - Cha Cha, Rumba, Swing, Samba, Mambo, Bolero, and Merengue - have a greater variety of patterns, and are more suited for social dancing. The 'International Style Latin' - Cha Cha, Rumba, Samba, Paso Doble, and Jive - are more disciplined and technical. The technique is different between the styles and changes throughout the years. American Style dancing has always been more popular for social dancing in the United States.

Still have a question not answered here? Contact Charley at (775) 287-5698 or Doug at (775) 677-8125, or visit www.ballroomdancereno.com. Dancin' Partners, LLC., can be found at the Promenade Ballroom, 5301 Longley Lane, Ste. A8, Reno, NV 89511.