Private Lessons
Take your dancing to the next level with Private Lessons!
Would you like to perform like on "Dancing with the Stars" or just be able to get along on the dancefloor? You have to start somewhere.
Private lessons make your goals an exciting reality. Whether you are preparing for the social dance floor, wedding, dance competition, performance or special event, you will achieve your goals quicker with one-on-one attention.
One private lesson gives the concentrated learning experience equal to several group lessons.
Dance style is your choice - choose from Ballroom, Latin, Swing, and Salsa, Two-Step, Clubbin Freestyle and more, or a combination of dance styles. .
Private Lessons may be taken individually or shared by up to two people with no extra charge.
Private versus Group Classes
Especially for couples, if you are looking to dance with that one special partner you may not enjoy a group class that has you rotating partners and dancing with other people for the majority of the lesson.
Private Lessons will have you dancing with your partner and having fun in a much shorter time!
Group classes are not for everyone!
Group Classes usually have a set lesson plan. If you don't get it right away, they move on without you leaving you feeling discouraged and confused. Private lessons move at your learning pace and every lesson is individualized to ensure that YOU GET IT!
In a Private Lesson you will dance with your professional instructor and get the correct feel of the dance. In Group Classes you will dance with other beginners and sometimes get the wrong feeling!
Private dance lessons are, quite possibly, the most important step in becoming a proficient dancer.
Your instructor will provide you with the personalized attention you need and direct 100% of their attention to you.
Private dance lessons offer much more gain in a comparable period of time than any other type.
Private Lessons make the perfect gift! Our attractive Gift Certificates are perfect for any occasion. When you give the gift of dance you give a lifetime of pleasure on the dance floor! So treat your loved ones (or treat yourself -- you deserve it!) to the luxury of individualized learning with Private Lessons.
DanceExperts in Seattle can arrange a "Private GROUP Lesson" or series of lessons for your group in the dance(s) of your choice. Lessons may be held at our studio, and may also be arranged at your location. (Make your next corporate event, party or fundraiser memorable with a dance lesson in a popular style like Ballroom, Salsa, Tango, Swing !)
We can help you achieve your dancing goal with personalized instruction with no hassles, no contracts, no sales pitches!
Answers to questions from Brides & Grooms
How to get Started: Call us at 206-533-8855 or Email
Send an email to Shannon
email Shannon
Private Lessons are held
at DanceSport International 12535 Lake City Way NE 98125
Private Lessons are scheduled at your convenience; a Standing Appointment (the same time every week) is recommended to help you progress optimally, and reserves your time with your instructor.
We can also be flexible for people with busy schedules.
Shannon Knauss-Mant is a Certified Professional Ballroom Dance Instructor and National Judge.
Shannon specializes in teaching beginners, couples & single men.
Her expertise and friendly personality will make your Private Lessons enjoyable and memorable.
She teaches Ballroom, Latin, Nightclub Dancing, Salsa & Mambo, Country, Social Swing, East & West Coast Styles, Lindy Hop, Club Freestyle, Hustle, all of the International 10 dances and American Style Smooth & Rhythm.
Private Lessons for your Wedding First Dance
Please visit our Wedding Planning page for packages and prices.
Rumba, Slowdance, Foxtrot, Two-Step, Tango, Swing, Salsa, Waltz
The First Dance
Make your picture perfect dance dreams come true. Start the party off with a romantic First Dance full of laughter and smiles. We will make your dance as fancy or as simple as you wish. Everyone will be in awe as he dips you back and seals the moment with a kiss.
Learn the Easy Way
Private lessons with Shannon are fast and easy. She will listen to your music choices and teach you the right dance. Her choreography expertise is remarkable and versatile to many styles of music. She will make you look comfortable and confident. Both of you will enjoy playing your roles of Leader and Follower. Grooms especially will feel at ease by her friendly personality and her realistic approach. They will feel better knowing they can avoid embarrassing moments too! They may even enjoy twirling and dipping you once they know how to do it safely. She has packages suited to fit every budget and the ease of no sales pitches or contractual obligations.
Dear Shannon:
We can't thank you enough for helping us with our wedding day dance. Our friends and family were shocked that my new husband FINALLY learned how to dance. We got so many compliments thanks to you. I will highly recommend you to others. If you can teach my husband to dance, you can teach ANYONE!
Katie Simon
Shannon immediately eliminated our "first dance" jitters. Her bubbly personality, coupled with her expertise, made our dance lessons so much more than just learning the steps -- they were actually FUN! I would refer anyone and everyone to her for their lessons, and I will never forget the ease that we felt during our first dance on our wedding day.
Katie Britt
Call or Email Shannon 206-533-8855
DanceExperts@aol.com
Google Map to DanceSport 12535 Lake City Way NE Seattle 98125
About Ballroom Dancing
In general, Ballroom dancing is when two people dance together with one leading or deciding what steps the couple will do and the other one following.
There are two different styles of Ballroom dancing, International Style and American Style.
Ballroom dancing is also classified as either Ballroom or Smooth dances and Latin or Rhythm dances.
INTERNATIONAL STYLE
International Style is danced in closed position where the Lady's right hand is in the gentleman's left, her left hand is on his right shoulder, and his right hand is on her shoulder blade.
The International Ballroom Dances are:
* Waltz
* Slow Foxtrot
* Quickstep
* International Tango
* Viennese Waltz
The International Latin Dances are:
* Rumba
* Cha Cha
* Samba
* Paso Doble
* Jive
AMERICAN STYLE
American Style is danced in both open and closed position. The dancers are free to release each other.
The American Style Smooth Dances are:
* Waltz
* Foxtrot
* Viennese Waltz
* American Tango
The American Style Rhythm Dances are:
* Rumba
* Cha Cha
* Bolero
* Mambo
* Samba
* Merengue
* West Coast Swing
* East Coast Swing
CLUB DANCES
There are also partner dances which are mainly found in the clubs or special single dance venues.
Most of these have their origins in the Ballroom dances listed above.
These dances include:
* Salsa
* West Coast Swing
* Hustle
* Argentine Tango
* Two Step (Nighclub, Texas, etc.)
POPULAR BALLROOM DANCES
The five most popular Ballroom dances in the world are Foxtrot, Waltz, Rumba, Cha Cha, and Swing. A person skilled in these five dances can go anywhere in the world and find someone to dance with. Following is a little bit about each of these dances.
FOXTROT
The Foxtrot originated in 1914 in New York City by Harry Fox. It is one of the most versatile of all the ballroom dances as it can be danced to a wide variety of music with varying tempos.
The foxtrot is a "walking" dance. The dancers express the music by movement across the floor.
The character is smooth and flowing.
The style or technique used is brush and follow through with the feet.
There are two timings: Slow - Quick - Quick and
Slow - Slow - Quick -Quick
Foxtrot shares many of the same steps with the Waltz.
WALTZ
The Waltz originated in the suburbs of Vienna and the Alpine region of Austria. By the Seventeeth Century it was danced in the Ballrooms of the Hapsburg Court in Germany. Today it is a popular dance at weddings and other social events.
The Waltz is also expressed by movement around the room.
The character is elegant, regal, and graceful.
The style or technique used is rise and fall.
The timing is: ONE - two - three
With the "one" being the downbeat
The basic Waltz step is the box step, a sequence of six steps which, if you were to draw a line connecting all six, would form a box.
RUMBA
American Rumba is a modified version of the "Son" a popular dance in middle class Cuba before World War II. It was introduced in this country in the 1920's and 1930's. It is slow and rhythmical.
The Rumba is a "spot dance". It is danced in one spot and is expressed through body movement.
The character is romantic and sexy.
The style or technique used is cuban motion of the hips.
The timing is: Slow - quick - quick
Many of the steps danced in the Waltz can be danced in the Rumba with Rumba timing, cuban motion, and Latin arm styling.
CHA CHA
Cha Cha, originally known as Cha-Cha-Cha, has its origins in the Cuban Mambo. It gets its name from the distinctive syncopated triple step (cha cha cha) danced between 2 rock steps. It came to this country in the middle 1950's.
The Cha Cha is also a spot dance and is expressed though body animation.
The character is fun, flirty, playful
The style or technique used is cuban motion and syncopated steps.
In America, Cha Cha starts on the "two" beat.
The timing is: two - three - four - and - one
Cha Cha shares many of the same steps as Mambo or Salsa with the cha cha triple step thrown in.
SWING
There are many forms of swing. East Coast Swing, West Coast Swing, Lindy, Lindy Hop, Jitterbug, etc. All of them originate in the 1920's with the Black community dancing Charleston and Lindy Hop to Jazz music.
Swing is also a spot dance.
The character is fast, fun, playful
The style or techique used is 1/2 time motion
There are 3 different timings used in swing:
Single time: Slow (1,2) Slow (3,4) Quick (5) Quick (6)
Double time: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6
Triple Time: 1 and 2, 3 and 4, 5, 6
Swing steps are a combination of rock steps and triple steps.