Ballroom Dance Classes at UMBC

UMBC Ballroom Dance club offers a variety of ballroom dance classes. Anyone can take classes through the UMBC Ballroom Dance Club, both students and non-students alike. The classes that are offered next semester are shown below.

You do NOT need a partner to take our dance classes. Partners will be changed frequently; you will dance with everyone in the class. This provides a range of experience with different leaders or followers, not to mention a good opportunity to become acquainted with your classmates!

Rubber-soled shoes are discouraged, as are mules, platforms, and heavy soles. The best type of shoe to begin with would be close-toed dress shoes, as those designed specifically for dancing tend to be an expensive choice for beginners. If you're interested in purchasing ballroom shoes, see The Promenade's shoe guide.

Clothing for the class can be anything that allows you to move freely and comfortably.

How to Sign Up

To sign up for classes, come to any of the first 3 sessions of the class that you are trying to take. The classes must be paid up front because all money goes directly to the instructors.

Alternatively, you can sign up by e-mailing us at umbcballroom@gmail.com At the beginning of each semester, we host what we call a Jam Session in the Commons building on Mainstreet. It's a gathering at which we offer several free dance lessons and answer any ballroom questions you might have. If you sign up there, you'll receive an e-mail on how to get discounts to classes we offer this semester.

We accept cash or check, filled out to the UMBC Ballroom Dance Club.

Lessons

Please check the schedule for lesson availability.

Formation Team Click here for more information. Beginner International Style (standard and latin) International Style is often described as more technique-based and competition-oriented, but we would call it a whole lotta fun! Sunday evenings for the Fall 2011 semester now features two hours of beginner International Style lessons. Intermediate International Style Intermediate International Style class is for those who have already taken both beginner International classes and/or received permission from the instructor. This Spring 2012 semester, the more challenging of the International dances such as FoxTrot, Samba and either Quickstep or Viennese Waltz will be offered through the Intermediate class. If you have taken both beginner International classes already, you are highly encouraged to take Intermediate International this semester. If you have an interest in taking the Intermediate class next semester, please plan on completing the two beginner classes beforehand, if you haven't already. This class is highly recommended for those who like to be in the Formation Team in the near future. Beginner American Style (smooth and rhythm) Beginner American Style (Smooth and Rhythm) is taught on Mondays, and is most popular for social dancing. On Monday nights, we offer an hour and a half of clases in American style, with the first half of the semester focusing on the first three of the six main American Ballroom dances, and the second half of the semester focusing on the remaining three of the six main American Ballroom dances. American Beginner classes are for those with very little or no prior ballroom experience. By having two sets of Beginner American Style classes, you can learn steps from all six dances in one semester. Click here to check what combinations of figures are usually taught in Karen's Beginner I American Style classes in the syllabus. Intermediate American Style Intermediate American Style class is for those who have already taken at least two semesters of Beginner Ballroom classes and have permission from the instructor, Karen Trimble, to participate at this level. While additional dances (Mambo, Samba, Hustle, Quickstep) may be taught in this class, the focus is more on dance figures and techniques that can be incorporated into multiple dance styles across the American Ballroom Dance Syllabus from Advanced Bronze, Silver, and even Gold levels. Beginner Salsa Beginner Salsa Nightclub class, held on Thursdays, covers Salsa, Bachata, and other popular night club dances. These fun classes are for those that want to learn the steps for clubbing or partying, as well as ballroom outings. Intermediate Salsa Intermediate Salsa Nightclub class, held on Thursdays after Beginner Salsa, covers Salsa, Bachata, and other popular night club dances and adds to what was being taught in Beginner Salsa. With instructor's permission, students who did not take beginner salsa are welcome to join. Beginner Swing (WCS) and Hustle Beginner Swing and Hustle class, held on Thursdays, covers West Coast Swing, and other popular club dances. These fun classes are for those that want to learn about connection, musicality, and styling for clubbing or partying, as well as ballroom outings. West Coast Swing is considered to be a dance that is still evolving, which allows for a vastly broad musical selection for this dance's catalog. Music includes Blues, R&B, Pop, and more. Intermediate Swing (WCS) and Hustle Intermediate Swing (WCS) and Hustle class, held on Thursdays before Beginner Swing (WCS) and Hustle, this class covers West Coast Swing and Hustle as they are danced in their respective dance communities today. Moving beyond the basics that are taught in the beginner class, students will be exposed to more advanced styling, techniques, musicality, and broader concepts of the two dance styles. With instructor's permission, students who did not take Beginner Swing (WCS) and Hustle are welcome to join.

Back to Top