Frequently Asked Questions

This page contains the answers to a number of frequently asked questions about Dance Class Spokane and its services. If your question is not covered on this page, then please don't hesitate to contact us directly we'll be more than happy to reply to your inquiry.

WHAT TYPE OF DANCE CLASSES DO YOU OFFER?

If you are new to Dance Class Spokane, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the various classes that we offer throughout the week by reading our classes page. For a more detailed description of our class offerings, please visit our registration page or click here to contact us directly.

WHAT ARE YOUR MOST POPULAR CLASSES?

Our 6-Week Swing Class is perfect option for individuals looking to have some fun and become competent at dancing to frequently played songs on the radio. This is easily one of our most popular classes and is a great option for both beginners and already accomplished dancers who are seeking to take their skill sets to the next level. You will definitely want to pre-register for this class as it fills up very quickly!

For those looking to prepare for an upcoming special event - such as a wedding or holiday ball - we highly recommend our Ballroom Classics and Partner Dancing for All Occasions classes. Both of these classes cater to dancers of all skill levels.

HOW DO I PRE-REGISTER FOR A CLASS?

Pre-registering for a class is a quick and easy process! Simply click here to visit our registration page.

WHERE DO YOU TEACH?

We currently teach at two convenient locations in both Spokane and Spokane Valley. Please click here to view our locations.

WHERE CAN I PARK DURING GROUP DANCE CLASSES?

Both of our Spokane area locations have complimentary parking available for Dance Class Spokane students.

WHAT PAYMENT METHODS ARE ACCEPTED?

For your convenience we accept cash, personal checks, Venmo, and all major credit cards (Visa, Master Card, American Express and Discover).

DO YOU OFFER A DROP-IN CLASS?

Yes. Our 4-Week Ballroom Classics Class is our dedicated drop-in dance class. This class takes place at Southside Senior Center on most Tuesdays at 6:00pm. Click here to view our calendar and find an upcoming class.

DO YOU PRIMARILY FOCUS ON TEACHING DANCE PATTERNS?

No. Unlike many other dance studios that heavily focus on having their students memorize dance patterns, we instead place our primary focus on first ensuring that you have a strong foundation and the proper form necessary to be successful at dancing. After all, anyone can memorize a bunch of patterns, but without excellent form those patterns will simply look like random steps instead of elegant dancing. In fact, many of our students come to us to help them break bad habits learned from other pattern-focused studios.

Dance Class Spokane emphasizes proper form combined with teaching various spins, turns and footwork techniques that result in our students both looking dynamic and feeling truly confident on the social dance floor. This is the Dance Class Spokane difference!

HOW MANY LESSONS DO I NEED AND HOW OFTEN SHOULD I TAKE LESSONS?

Since everyone has different needs and expectations, the number of lessons you should take depends on a few factors, such as how good you want to become, how frequently you take lessons and how fast you learn. Learning to dance is very similar to learning a new language. It takes time, dedication and a lot of practice before you can carry a full conversation confidently. At the very minimum, we suggest that students take at least one lesson per week. However, many of our most dedicated students take up to five lessons per week to help them retain information and speed up the learning process.

If you are getting ready for a wedding or a special occasion, it is ideally recommended to start taking lessons at least six months before the occasion. However, we also understand that not everyone has this luxury of time. Regardless, our expert instructors at Dance Class Spokane can help you to select a perfect dance type that best fits with your song, as well as teach you how to look beautiful and feel confident on the dance floor. Simply contact us or register for one of our four or six week sessions to get started. We also offer private lessons to help polish your special dance, which we recommended to be taken in conjunction with group lessons.

CAN DANCE CLASS SPOKANE CHOREOGRAPH MY WEDDING DANCES?

We highly discourage choreography for weddings and other special events. Despite common belief, choreographing a dance for a special event is likely the most risky decisions that one can make; all it takes is one tiny mistake and your entire dance routine can instantly fall apart.

Instead of trying to help you memorize a one-time routine, we instead focus on teaching you how to actually follow or lead. This will result in a much more natural looking dance that is more forgiving, elegant, and sure to impress!

HOW MUCH DO GROUP DANCE CLASSES COST?

Dance Class Spokane offers a wide range of options for group sessions; including both single participant rates and discounted partner rates. Click here to view our pricing page.

HOW MANY PEOPLE ATTEND GROUP DANCE CLASSES?

Depending on the time of the year, classes can be as few as 8 students to as many as 30. On average, there are 10 to 20 students per group dance class.

WHAT IF I HAVE TROUBLE KEEPING UP IN A GROUP CLASS?

Most of our students find our class pace just right. However, if you're feeling like the class is too difficult then please do not hesitate in asking the instructor questions during class so that (s)he can assist you. Additionally, always remember that practice doesn’t end at the conclusion of class. Outings and socials are a great way to practice, but one-on-one time with an instructor can also be extremely helpful. Private lessons are a great option to assist you in understanding and executing the movements covered in the group classes, as well as helping you to quickly improve your overall technique.

WHAT IS YOUR CANCELLATION POLICY FOR GROUP LESSONS?

If it is more than 7 days from the date of the class, you can cancel your registration by contacting us and receive a refund for a credit. If your class is less than 7 days away, then cancellation requests are handled at your instructor's discretion. You may also transfer your registration to someone else if done so by the first class of the session.

WHAT ARE PRIVATE LESSONS?

Private lessons are personal classes specifically catered to teach a student in a private setting. Our private classes typically include one instructor per student or per couple. We also offer private lessons for small groups interested in learning privately (up to 15 participants). Please contact us to schedule a session or for further information about either our "private lessons" or "private group lessons."

Our private lesson rate is $75 for a 50-minute session. This price includes one or two people. Upon request, discounts may also be available depending on the number of lessons you wish to book. Please contact us for more information or to schedule a private lesson.

WHEN DOES A PRIVATE LESSON PACKAGE EXPIRE?

We ask that private lesson packages be redeemed within four months from the date of purchase. If you are unable to utilize your lessons within a four-month period then students should opt for a "pay-as-you-go" schedule.

WHAT IS YOUR CANCELLATION POLICY FOR PRIVATE LESSONS?

Any cancellation must be made 48 hours before the scheduled lesson. Lessons cancelled or rescheduled with less than 48 hours notice may be charged a $35 fee. Lessons that are missed without notice (No Call, No Show) may be charged the full price of the lesson.

CAN I SCHEDULE PRIVATE GROUP LESSONS FOR 3 OR MORE PEOPLE?

Yes. Due to popular request, we now offer private group lessons for up to 15 participants at one low session price! Please contact us for more information or to schedule a private group lesson.

WHAT IS YOUR REFUND POLICY?

At Dance Class Spokane's discretion, refunds can be issued for credit only. There is no cash refund.

DO YOU OFFER GIFT CERTIFICATES?

Yes, we do! Gift certificates can be purchased online or by contacting us directly.

Due to popular request, we now offer convenient online gift certificates that can be purchased 24/7 and presented to the recipient via text, email or print. This is a great - quick and easy - option for those in need of a thoughtful last minute gift that is sure to keep on giving!

We are also more than happy to design a custom gift certificate package for you based on your recipient's unique needs. Simply contact us to share your requirements and we'll help you create a custom package.

Click here to browse our convenient online gift certificate packages.

DO GIFT CERTIFICATES EXPIRE?

No. Gift cards technically do not expire. However, as a courtesy we kindly ask that gift cards be redeemed within a period of one-year.

DO I NEED TO BRING A PARTNER?

No. A partner is not required to take any of our classes; however, the more the merrier! Our group dance classes are strategically taught so that we rotate partners every few minutes – this is a great way to meet new people and learn to dance with a variety of leads and follows.

IF I BRING MY OWN PARTNER, CAN I ONLY DANCE WITH THEM DURING THE CLASS?

We strategically teach all of our group classes utilizing a partner rotation method in order to give everyone the chance to learn equally, avoid inheriting their partner's weaknesses, and to expedite your dance techniques by learning from our most experienced dancers. Although it may feel more comfortable to dance with the same person all the time, we strongly believe that dancing with others will help your dance excel at a more rapid pace.

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR FOR MY LESSON?

We encourage our students to wear clothes that you can move in comfortably and are not too tight as to restrict movement. Feel free to dress in a comfortable manner with breathable clothing, as you do get a workout from our classes. If you tend to sweat a lot, you may also want to bring a change of shirt for your comfort.

Most students come to class dressed business casual. For men, a collared shirt and nice jeans or slacks are preferred. 

For women, we suggest something loose and flowing that allows for you to take large steps both forwards and backwards. We do not recommend tight skirts or miniskirts, as this type of clothing doesn't allow for optimal freedom of movement and you may risk your skirt rising too high. Please also be aware that the straps of sleeveless shirts or tank tops can easily slip off your shoulders due to spinning/turning and that some partners may occasionally be uncomfortable touching too much skin.  

WHAT KIND OF FOOTWEAR IS BEST FOR DANCING?

Shoes are the single most important item of clothing for all dancers. Students that are serious about becoming long-term dancers are highly encouraged to invest in a pair of ballroom dance shoes. Dance Class Spokane exclusively partners with Very Fine Dancesport Shoes™, which offers high-quality footwear in a wide variety of styles and prices. Please speak with Melissa Finke if you are interested in placing an order.

Please note that you do not need to purchase special dance shoes for your first set of lessons. However, shoes with either suede or leather bottoms are preferred for these classes. If you do not own dance shoes, we recommend that men wear dress shoes that are not loose and that ladies wear a secure and comfortable heeled shoe. It is extremely important that the shoes you wear will not come off during class as this poses a safety hazard for you, as well as others in the class. Please note that flip-flops or shoes without a back are not allowed for safety reasons. If you're getting ready for a wedding or other special occasions, it's also a good idea to practice in shoes that are similar to the ones that you will be wearing on the dance floor during the event.

WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO KNOW?

We encourage all students to pay close attention to personal hygiene, as we frequently dance closely with multiple partners. Strong colognes or perfumes irritate some people. It's also a good idea to keep mints available, and use them at the beginning of class before you get started.

Besides that, all you need to know is that Dance Class Spokane is an incredibly welcoming place! As such, we pride ourselves on our reputation for having a fun and relaxed environment that puts even the most nervous of new dancers instantly at ease. We truly love getting to work with both new and old students across all different skill levels and dance backgrounds. Our team is committed to always providing you with a fun, enjoyable, challenging and comfortable learning environment that will immediately welcome you into our amazing Dance Class Spokane community.

We look forward to seeing you on the dance floor!