Get ready for your first ballroom dance class
Your first class comes with practical questions. What should you wear? Do you need to bring a partner? What should you check before booking? Start with a clothing checklist and a few questions for your studio.
Your card for day one
Before your first class
Start with what you need for the day. You can check your studio’s dress code before buying anything new.
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No. 1
What should I wear?
Choose comfortable clothes, check which shoes your studio accepts, and pack the few things you will use during class.
Use the first-class clothing checklist
Five questions
Before you book
A short conversation with the studio can clear up the details that a class name does not tell you.
| Number | Ask the studio | What to clarify |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | Is this class suitable for a complete beginner? | Check the starting level and whether you can join partway through a course. |
| 02 | Do I need to bring a partner? | Ask how pairing and partner rotation work, and discuss any preferences before you arrive. |
| 03 | What does the price include? | Confirm the lesson length, whether the price is per person or per couple, and any extra charges. |
| 04 | Which shoes are allowed on your floor? | Check the studio’s policy before choosing shoes or buying a new pair. |
| 05 | What happens if I need to cancel? | Ask about notice periods, package expiry and any charges. |
Keep these questions handy when you contact a studio.
All guides
1 guide
How these guides are researched
Ballroom Dance Planet is an independent publication for adult beginners. The editor is not a dance instructor. Each guide links to its sources and identifies details that depend on a particular studio, maker or event.
Find an error or an unclear explanation? Send the page address and the detail you would like us to check.