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Writer's pictureArete Dance Center

What to Expect During Your First Dance Lesson or Group Class

Updated: Jul 1

When to Arrive

Please arrive 10 minutes early for your first lesson or group class. This will give you time to get settled in and complete your intake paperwork. We highly recommend you download the Glofox app (this link for Apple or this link for Android) in advance to save time on the day of your first lesson so you can get started dancing sooner!


Where to Go

Our studio is located at 979 Fremont Avenue, Los Altos, CA 94024. There is plenty of free public parking available behind the studio. During normal operation, please enter via the front door on Fremont Avenue to meet your private lesson instructor or to be checked in for your group class.



What to Wear

Please come dressed in comfortable clothing you feel good moving in. Athletic wear such as yoga pants or track pants are fine. You can also come in 'dressy casual' slacks, dress skirts, or ballroom dance clothes. We do have a 'no jeans' in the ballroom policy.

Shoes

Please bring socks to change into for your first lesson on our indoor floor. No street shoes are allowed on the indoor dance floor. For outdoor lessons, please just wear your regular street sneakers.


Click here for a full instructional post on how to know when you're ready for ballroom shoes, what to purchase, and where to go (locally) to get fitted and purchase your new shoes!



Dance Basics

Ballroom dance has two main components. Your individual skills and your partnering skills. It is imperative that you learn to move your own body before attaching yourself to a partner. 


Come willing to learn beginner dance steps, basic dance technique, fundamentals of music, dance etiquette, and how to look and feel good on the dance floor.


No partner needed. In private lessons, your instructor will act as your partner. In group classes, we do our best to ensure even numbers of group class participants so that you will get paired up and meet new people.


Eat a snack or meal beforehand. Dancing is a mental and physical activity. You will need some energy to participate at your best.


What to Bring

Just yourself and a willingness to learn. Truly anyone can be taught to dance if you have patience with yourself and try to not judge yourself or your progress too critically. 


We have bottled water available for purchase or feel free to bring your own.


How to Pay

We accept cash, checks, and credit cards. For credit cards, you can either pay online or bring your card with you to the studio for your instructor to run. Cash and check payments can be made at the time of your lesson.


Continuing After Your First Lesson

At the end of your first lesson, you'll be able to purchase a lesson package if you want to continue. We'd then set up your appointments. Lesson packages are offered at a discount over single private lessons on the premise that your lessons will be taken on a once-weekly (or more) standing appointment basis for the same day and time each week.


Single Lesson: $130

4 Pack of Lessons: $485

10 Pack of Lessons: $1,065


Driving Directions

Directions from San Jose:

Take 280 north to the Foothill Expressway/Grant Road exit. Merge onto Foothill Expressway going north. Continue on Foothill Expressway 1.5 miles. Take the Loyola Corners exit for Fremont Ave. Turn left onto Fremont Ave. off of the exit. Continue on Fremont through 1 stop light. We are on your right after Cafe Vitale, etc.


Directions from the Peninsula:

Take 280 south to the Magdalena exit. Make a left on Magdalena and a right on Foothill Expressway. Take the Loyola Corners exit for Fremont Ave. Turn left after exiting and go over the small bridge. Turn left at the light (Fremont Ave.). We are on your right.


Directions from Highway 85:

From Highway 85 either north or south exit Fremont Ave. headed west. Go approximately 1.5 miles on Fremont Ave. until it curves around to the right. Continue on Fremont Ave. after the curve. We will be on your right after A Street.

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