About DanceClass.com

As far as I know, I am the only professional Dance Class Critic. And how I created this unique role is quite straightforward.

I trained as a dancer for years. And although I decided to work in film, TV and music rather than dance, I never stopped going to dance classes and always kept up-to-date with what was going on in the dance world.

When people would find out that I’d had dance training, they always wanted to know more and generally, everyone seemed to have a favourite dance that they wanted to do. But when I asked them, “Why don’t you go to a class and learn?” most replied that they thought dance classes weren’t ‘for’ them.

Delving a little deeper revealed that a lot of adults think dance classes are full of tiny skinny girls with bendy limbs and matching leotards. Not a place for ‘normal’ sized grown-ups at all!

Meanwhile, there were dance teachers who reported to me that although they love to teach adults as well as children, their adult beginner’s classes weren’t always well attended.

So, why not try to bridge the gap?

If the teachers want to teach and the adults want to learn, then perhaps by providing as much information about dance classes as possible, that gap of knowledge would be bridged and more adults would find the courage and confidence to go to beginner’s classes and realise their dream of being able to dance.

And thus, DanceClass.com was born.

I am not a dance teacher. I am a lifelong dance pupil and as such, I hope that my unique and detailed view into the world of dance classes helps you towards learning your dance of choice.

I figured that if I could educate people about what really happens in a good adult beginner’s dance class, people would see that in fact, it’s a pleasure to be in one – not scary at all. So I set about putting together information on what it’s really like to learn dance; how good dance teachers teach, who else goes to dance classes, what you should wear, what kinds of steps and moves you’ll learn, the list goes on.

Who is involved

On my travels, I came across some great dance teachers. But very occasionally, I came across a truly remarkable teacher. And I had the idea of filming them teaching a class of adult beginners.

It would mean that, wherever you are in the world, whatever your local dance class facilities are, via dvd or download you would be able to join in with not just a good adult beginner’s dance class, but an amazing one. As good as it gets. And in the privacy of your own home!

So that’s exactly what happened. The four teachers I have filmed so far are, quite simply, the best there are at teaching adult beginner’s dance. This is the gold standard.

And these are the teachers…

Deborah Sims trained at the Royal Ballet School. She is one of the few people in the world to have received specialist training in how to teach adult beginner's. In September 1980 she opened the Classical Dance Studios. From a nucleus of two children, the school has grown to 250 children and adults who can attend classes in one of five locations. Read her full profile here.

Lil' J
Hip Hop

Undoutedly one of the best teachers of beginners anywhere, Lil' J brings her famous techniques to the brand new Hip Hop for Beginners DVD. But if you ever get a chance, why not go along to one of her brilliant classes and meet her in person? Read more about her here.

Larisa had been dancing Salsa for 14 years when she made the instructional program. During her dancing time, she trained with, among others, Enio & Terryl Cordoba, Franciso, Joby & Luis Vazquez and Eddie Torres. She appeared in Latin American Showcases and on TV. A fluent Spanish speaker, she was assistant editor of Salsa News International Magazine and frequently undertook research into Latin American music, dance and culture to complement her BA in Spanish and Masters in Latin American Literature. She taught thousands of people to dance the Latino way: with feeling.
Shortly after recording our Salsa program, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Read her story here.

Alexx Wood
Contemporary Modern Dance

Alexx has been a visionary force in modern dance for many years. She founded, taught and toured with the Hurly Burly Dance company and has appeared on TV for the BBC, on stage at the Albert Hall in London and in the movies.

She has taught thousands of Contemporary Dance Classes for both children and adults, conducted workshops and devised choreography for an integrated able-bodied and disabled dance project and has created Dance & Movement classes for stroke victims.

And finally, thanks to Lizzie Leigh from Dance-Classes-In-Bath for posing for the Ballet and Jazz photos (see her on the right!).

One last thing…

I hope this has given you a good idea of who we are, and what DanceClass.com is all about. You’ll forgive me for staying anonymous, but I still constantly research new dance styles to add to the site. And I don’t wish to influence a class or a teacher in any way.

I do what I do best if the teacher doesn’t know who I am or why I’m in their class. It’s important to me that you get an accurate picture of what’s going on in the world of dance classes. But next time you go along to a class, as I hope you will be inspired to after reading DanceClass.com, give a big smile to the person next to you. It just might be me…