I have been enjoying recently posting on a couple of threads that have been about inspiring newcomers to take to the dance floor.

As a result of one of these threads, I have been in touch with someone local to me and have helped organise them some lessons in the New Year. It has been a real pleasure to me to be able to answer questions, share my love of dance, and to (hopefully) see someone new take to the floor and start to love it too ...

Often what puts people off "taking the plunge" onto the dance floor seems to be the fear of the unknown, and the fear of going into it alone. So I thought perhaps if some of our members who are already enjoying dancing may be willing, we could start a thread where newcomers can come to look for a mentor who is local to them, or they can post in the hope of finding a mentor - what do you all think?

Obviously this means being willing to give some basic information about your location, which I understand that people may not be prepared to do, but if you are happy to take part, either as a mentor or a newcomer, then please do post below (with as much or as little information as you feel comfortable with), or alternatively feel free to PM me and I will happily try to hook up as many mentors and newcomers as I can!!!



I live in Stoke-on-Trent, and am an intermediate Ballroom and Latin dancer. I would be delighted to help anyone else in the Staffordshire area to take to the dance floor.

good idea - I have been taking ballroom and latin lessons for about a year with a dance school called Dance at 8 who are based in Malvern, Worcestershire

I took the plunge after becoming a Strictly addict (since series 1) and after a dance weekend at Blackpool and I went alone - the most scariest moment of my life BUT the teachers are fabulous, welcoming and encouraging and I am so glad I went

Anyone wanting to start dancing but dont have a partner - GO ALONE - i did and its the best thing I have ever done

I'll second that, Olivej - my husband works away from home and can't commit to my regular dance lesson on a Wednesday night - so I too plucked up courage and went alone.........it was the best thing I have ever done!

sometimes I dance with a really amazing 16 yrear old guy - if he isn't there, then I dance with the teacher......either way - its fantastic.

to anyone who IS scared and doesn't have a partner - DON'T BE..........the teachers of the classes are lovely and will always help you.........if there are more than just you going alone, they will rotate and always find you someone to dance with.

its the best thing you will ever do!

and Rumple, thanks so much darling for starting this thread - you are to be truly commended for spreading the word about how amazing actually dancing really IS.

I wish everyone could try it at least once.

Anyone near Kingston-Upon-Thames, come on over to Erin's class on Monday nights!

</shameless plug>

This sounds like a lovely idea! I think everyone should be given the oppotunity to learn to dance but it is such a wonderful experience that shouldn't be missed.

I live in Essex and am not sure what type of dancer to class myself as really but I'm happy to help and encourage.

I live in the North of Gloucestershire... every year I more and more want to dance but need help plucking up the courage!

(I don't live that far from Malvern, but have no independent transport...)

(& what a great idea for a thread)

Ooooooh Rumplebums, I live in Stoke on Trent. I danced when I was younger, although it was disco and modern. I'd love to learn ballroom and latin (after becoming a Strictly addict)

I just don't know if I could take the plunge or not......and the fact that I broke my big toe a few weeks ago doesn't help either

If you could line up Mr Cutler to assist you though, well I'd be there in a flash :

Brilliant idea! I'm sure you replied in my thread Rumple a few days ago. I am based in Essex and have emailed a few classes in the area but no reply as of yet. I am really hoping I can take the plunge and sign up for a class at the start of January.

If you PM me, CloneClown, I might be able to help as I'm Essex based too.

Um..I was wondering if someone who does teach dance, or attends dances classes, could just answer a quick question. I've found a local class and the woman recommended wearing high heels and I was just wondering if anyone could tell me what style she meant or could recommend where to buy a suitable pair?
Also is it worth going to classes? I'm quite a shy person so it's going to be hard for me to go to a dance class and I'm already nervous. Is it worth the plunge?
Thanks.

I take dance classes and yes whilst it can be beneficial to wear heels its certainly not essential, esp for a first timer- I wear Supadances shoes most of the time but have also danced in flats and trainers

My advice would be to take the plunge and go to the lessons (scary I know I have done it so you are not the first), see how you get on and if you find you like it and start to go regularly then perhaps get some dance shoes - perhaps ask the dance teacher where she would recommend you get some dance shoes but there are Supadance shoes, Freed shoes and plenty of other places as well

Is it worth taking the plunge? - YES is the short answer - if you want to learn to dance and have access to lessons then do it - it will be scary for about the first 5 seconds of the class but you will be absolutely fine and you will love it

Hope that helps

Sarah with the flute, with your musical background you will get extra out of dance, like Gethin, double whammy. So go for it.

Mutinta - it is TOTALLY worth the plunge!!!!!!!!

I am the shyest little mouse in the world in day to day life, but the dance floor is my heaven. Over time I have started to come out of myself and grow in confidence and self-belief - in fact, my teacher and I were joking yesterday that we can't remember the shy little mouse that first walked through the door, because I am so comfortable and outgoing on the dance floor these days!

Taking that first step through the door is the hardest part, but you won't regret it.

No particular style, just a pair that you feel comfortable in for your first go. Don't pick your killer stiletto heels! A pair of heeled summer sandals would probably be ideal. Just please make sure that you don't go in heels that have the metal post poking through the rubber (you'll spoil the floor) and that the soles are clean. Don't walk to the class in them, take them with you in a bag.No need at this point to buy separate shoes for Ballroom.

If you enjoy the classes and can see yourself keeping it up, then that's the time to get proper dance shoes. You can check Yellow Pages for your nearest stockist although you may be able to order through your teacher.

Supadance do an entry level shoe for about £38 plus VAT. Only one heel height available, but fine for beginners. If you need a higher heel or want a more exciting design, expect to pay upwards of £55 a pair. I used to find Supadance to be a very slim fitting shoe, but they now do wider fittings.

If you like to shop online, Dancesport have a sale on shoes right now!

As for plucking up the courage - just GO! The teacher will put you at your ease and will make you feel welcome and don't forget that every pupil at a dance school, however good they can dance now, had a first time too. I promis you that by the end of the night you'll be eagerly anticipating the next weeks' lesson!

Thought I would bump this one back up for people who are looking to take the plunge and learn to dance, and everyone who wants to help them!

There seem to be a lot of forum members about to take to the floor for the first time in the coming week or so - its so exciting!

new classes in Malvern start on 10 Jan - pm me if you want more details and I shall be happy to help

I so enjoyed this year's SCD - the first one I have watched totally from beginning to end. Matthew and Alesha in particular were great but so were others and it has made me really want to take the plunge but like others on this thread I am quite shy I live in Berkshire and as yet have not found any classes in basic latin and ballroom?

I would loooooovvvvvvve to go to dancing classes!!! Shame i'm a wimp and i can't find anywhere to go
I'm new here by the way, sorry to just barge in!!! lol

Wow. What a fantastic idea for a thread.

I live in South Bucks and do classes there and in central London...

Thanks for the advice guys. The class starts tomorrow and I am scared sh**less, but I'm going to grit my teeth and go, even if I do faint from fear in the process. I'm just scared of making a complete and utter arse out of myself. Oh well, I guess if I do, I never have to go there again. I wish I had more confidence.

Good luck mutinta.

You are going for a group class yes? There will be learners in all shapes and sizes and ages, and lots of giggles, not least from the teacher. You will dance with multiple partners, eventually settling for one by mutual choice. A perennial problem would arise if there are not enough men, but apparently SCD has cured that. Going home for a shower you would have had exercise, refreshing social contact, and lots of cheerful music. Beats watching violence on TV.

(Craig will not be there to say "lumpy" to anybody.) Have fun!

I live in the East Midlands, not particularly near any big Cities, but have found a group class locally for beginners and have joined. Can't wait! I'll see how I get on, and if I like it I might go further afield to a proper dance school. I did Salsa classes at a local pub (upstairs room) a while ago and loved it, and found it great excercise, expecially for the back which is what I need.


Where in Berkshire? Doesn't Ian Waite occasionally do Latin Line Dance sessions at a fitness club? I think it's Sindlesham. And don't his parents run a dance school in Reading? It's a big county so don't know if that's near enough for you.

The BBC SCD site has a section that lists dance schools as well.

well done you - you will love it i promise - be sure to tell us all about it when you come back

For anyone in the vicinity of Maidstone, Kent - I've just started classes at Margaret Preedy's school, which I can certainly recommend.

As I understand it, James Jordan learned with Margaret when he first got started, so the pedigree is impeccable!

It's a scary feeling going into something so new alone, but I had a couple of private lessons first to give me a bit of confidence, and now I've joined a not-quite-total-beginners' group class.

(Emerging from lurkerdom to post this because I finally feel I have something half worth saying!)