If you’re looking for a new hobby, give ballroom dancing a try. Dancing will help you meet new people, improve your posture, get in shape, and learn a skill you will use your whole life. Spice things up with some Waltz, Tango, Salsa, and Swing. Here Richard Gere performs a Waltz in this clip from Shall We Dance and Antonio Banderas dances a Tango in the movie Take the Lead. To become comfortable on the dance floor, you’ll have to take some lessons. If you decide to train at a ballroom dance studio, here is a breakdown of the studio rules you need to know.

Ballroom Dance Studio Rules Regarding Appointments

Confirmations, Standing Appointments, and Cancelations

You’ll need to make an appointment to reserve your instructor’s time. Someone at the studio will usually contact you to confirm the date and time. If you’re not sure when you’re scheduled, go ahead and give them a call.

Some instructors and students like to make a standing weekly appointment. In that case, you don’t have to confirm each lesson, although it’s always nice to stay in touch.

Here’s a very important rule of the road…

If you can’t make a lesson, you’ll need to cancel it. When it comes to cancelations, each chain or independent studio has it’s own regulations. Usually it’s something like, “To avoid being charged for a late cancelation, give at least 24 hours notice. This will allow your instructor to schedule another student at that time.”

Exchange lessons are a great way to improve your dancing.

Take a lesson with a different instructor. Really, try it, you’ll like it.

Most dance studios encourage you to switch teachers from time to time. That’s because it’s good for your progress. When the time is right, the studio manager will suggest an exchange lesson for you. I promise it will be very helpful for your ballroom dancing.

Afterwards, the manager will check with you to see how the lesson went. If you loved it and want more lessons with that instructor, just say so. It’s completely normal and happens all the time.

Coaching sessions offer super-charged training with world-class ballroom dancers.

What to expect on a lesson with a visiting coach.

Competitive couples and very experienced instructors sometimes choose to become traveling coaches. They work around the world with professionals and students. Students’ coaching sessions always include the teacher. It is the instructor who is in charge of reviewing and polishing the higher level techniques that the coach worked on. Check out this Dance Safari post, “A Dance Coach is a Good Investment.”

Ballroom dance studio rules include progress checks.

The studio you train at uses a syllabus of steps and techniques that are appropriate for each dancer’s level. As you master the moves at your level, the manager, dance director, or supervisor will visit your lesson to check on your progress. Don’t worry, you’ll be dancing with your instructor, however, you may be required to demonstrate some steps on your own.

Student/teacher demonstrations are a good thing.

When you were just getting started, you probably never imagined getting up in front of others and showing off your dancing. But, it will happen and probably sooner rather than later. It may be on a lesson when another instructor asks you to show a step that’s new to his student. Or, it could be a short routine for a practice session or guest party. Performing in student/teacher demonstrations will make you a better dancer quicker.

Everyone needs to know the regulations about student/teacher fraternization*.

*According to Wikipedia, the definition of fraternization is, “Relations and activities forbidden under anti-fraternization policies. It may be romantic and sexual liaisons, gambling and ongoing business relationships, insubordination, or excessive familiarity…“

I get it. Your ballroom dance teacher is one of the nicest people you know. Teachers are always happy to see you. They want to know all about you so they ask questions and really listen to your answers. When you do something right, they make a big deal about it and tell you how proud they are of you. They make you feel good.

However, in order to maintain a healthy relationship, there’s no way you two can get together outside of the studio. Student/teacher fraternization is not in the cards. The exception is a studio ‘night out on the town‘. This is when students and teachers meet at a dance club to practice dancing in public.

One last piece of ballroom dance studio rules that you need to know…

When you’re taking lessons at a ballroom dance studio, be sure to take advantage of everything they offer. Take your private lessons on a regular basis, get to group classes as often as you can, and don’t hesitate to attend practice parties. Practice parties are for all students, not just the good dancers. You don’t have to wait until you know how to dance to attend. Remember, we all started this journey the same way, knowing nothing.

Hopefully, I’ve taken some of the mystery out of taking lessons at a ballroom studio. It’s a good idea to know rules, regulations, and etiquette of your new hobby (or passion).