Ballroom:
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About Our Program | Performance Troupe | Session Schedule
Commonly Asked Questions | Rates | Ballroom Registration Form
Dancing Foxtrot to 'Baby It's Cold Outside' are MarLo Ballroom Instructors, Maria Merriam & Kai (Brit) Anders
"Maria gives her students individual attention and can really help put some sparkle and style in your dance steps. She has a real feeling for the essence of a dance and can help you discover the magical possibilities hidden in familiar dance steps. Highly recommended!"
Jeff Reese
Thanks to shows like Dancing With The Stars, ballroom or social dancing has come back into the American cultural spotlight. Couples, singles, teens, and folks in their golden years are discovering the exercise and fun of couple dancing.
In response, MarLo Dance Studio began a separate ballroom program to meet this clamoring need. Classes are structured in 5 week sessions. Enough time for the dancer to have a social handle on the given dance. It is our goal to offer more than just steps, but techniques that will allow social dancers to dance together with ease.
Dances we offer, but not limited to include: Waltz, Foxtrot, Swing, Rumba, ChaCha, Hustle, Salsa, Tango, and Night Club 2 Step. Guest instructors are routinely engaged to give master workshops. Contact us to be notified of these events.
Eight positions (4 leads, 4 follows) with 2 alternates. Interested individuals will be enrolled in fall classes. 2011/12 season has several open positions. Must be at least 13 years through adult. Ambitious and dedicated beginners will be considered.
2011 Ballroom Troupe
Session 1 Save 10% when you register & pay by Sept. 22
Discount Code: FALL10
September 29, October 6, 13, 20
6:00-7:00 Introductory Beginners Tool Box
New beginners will be enabled with a simple tool box of basic patterns to get them through a cruise, wedding, or local social ballroom dance. Learn the basic introductory steps of Swing/Hustle and Waltz/Foxtrot. Those new beginners who are familiar with the patterns will be given an opportunity to learn more about the techniques of the patterns and further improve connection and floor craft. 7:00-8:00 Waltz Technique & Vienese Waltz
My favorite dance, the Waltz. This class does not focus on patterns, but rather how to improve your technique through all speeds of waltz. Exercises will improve rise and fall, connection, control, arm styling, and more. This class is limited to 8 participants (preferable 4 leads & 4 follows)
| Session 2
Save 10% when you register & pay by 10/20
Discount Code: THANKS10
October 27, November 3, 10, 17
6:00-7:00 Beginners Waltz/Rumba
Prep for upcoming Christmas and New Years Balls with the most romantic dances, Rumba & Waltz. This is a confidence building class because of the shared patterns of the two dances. We'll learn how to make each dance look uniquely different. 7:00-8:00 Tango Technique Bronze 2
Class assumes particpants know basic, single corte, and open fan. Anyone wanting to join, who hasn't learned these, can arrange for a parivate lesson prior to the group class. Class will include left and right turns, double corte, double fan, open fan variations. |
Session 3 Save 10% when you register & pay by 1/11/13
Discount Code: WINTER10 January 12, 19, 26, February 2
5:00-6:00 Beginning Rumba
A slow romantic dance, not limited to just traditional latin music. Many early rock and roll ballads lend nicely to Rumba. Learn the basics and simple latin styling. Some of the basics patterns are also used in Foxtrot and Waltz. Students will be shown how to use their patterns in these rhythms as well.
6:00-7:00 Waltz 3
My favorite dance, the Waltz. This class does not focus on patterns, but rather how to improve your technique through all speeds of waltz. Exercises will improve rise and fall, connection, control, arm styling, and more. This class is limited to 8 participants (preferable 4 leads & 4 follows). First class will review material from Session 1. 7:00 Troupe
| Session 4
Save 10% when you register & pay bY 2/20/13. Discount Code: VALENTINE10
February 23, March 2, 9, 16
5:00-6:00 Beginning Waltz
Beginners and Newbies welcome. Partner not required.
6:00-7:00 Waltz 3 Continued
A continuation from Session 3. Mastering Reverse and Natural Turns, introducing Continuity and Sycopation, and each week, a fun new pattern or variation. Partner not required. 7:00 Troupe |
Question: How old do I have to be to take ballroom class?
Answer: Minimum 13 years old and in the 8th grade.
Question: Do I need a partner?
Answer: No, although couple dancing involves both a lead (usually a guy) and a follow (usually a girl), our experience is that our classes end up fairly even. Rotating partners is encouraged, but not required.
Question: Do I have to dress up?
Answer: Dress in whatever manner is comfortable for you.
Question: Do I need special shoes?
Answer: Yes, you will eventually need suede soled ballroom shoes. Sock feet or okay while you test drive your first ballroom classes.
Ladies, unless you are accustomed to high heels, opt for 2" or lower heels. Specialty split sole dance sneakers will also be acceptable practice shoes. To purchase try: www.allaboutdance.com/marlo. 5% discount when using this link.
Question: Why do I need ballroom Shoes?
Answer: Two part answer. Street shoes scratch and dirty our dance floor surface. Secondly, ballroom shoes are designed to aide dancing and not inhibit its movement. Whether professional or recreational, it is a matter of the right tool for the right job!
"I greatly appreciate the style and expertise Maria demonstrated in my private lesson. She was patient and thoughtful in her approach to teach techniques, correcting problems I had with frame, and the steps of the waltz. With her guidance I have improved in all of the dancing in which I am involved. Thank you, Maria."
Myrna Lay
Registration Fee: None
Classes Per Session
Per 4-week sessions | Single | Couple* |
| 1 Class | $35.00 | $65.00 |
| 2 Classes | $65.00 | $120.00 |
* Couple rate applies to same class enrolling & same household.
All classes have a maximum & minimum enrollment. Individual assistance guaranteed! If a class does not meet minimum enrollment, class length will be adjusted to meet a semi-private structure.
8% Discount: Eligible accounts of regular MarLo program enrolled in 3 or more hours. Applies to enrolled students & their immediate families.
Scholarships: Partial student scholarships available.
Private Lessons
Getting married? Going on a cruise? Want to speed up the learning curve? If the answer is yes, private instruction is the answer. Partner not required. $35.00 hour or 4 hours for $130.00 pre-pay.
Please complete all the information on the form below and then click the Register button. This will take you to our online registration page where you can select classes. You will receive both a confirmation and a statement that you can pay by mail-in check, Paypal.
