Your first dance class: what can you expect?

Walking into a dance studio for the first time is nerve-racking for almost everyone. You don't know anyone, you don't know how it works and you are afraid you will be the only one who can't do anything. That last part is not so bad: in a beginners' class or trial class, nobody can do it yet.

Below are the questions people most often have before their first class. I write from a salsa perspective, but most of it applies to bachata and kizomba as well.

How does a first dance class start?

With an explanation. The teacher tells you what the dance is about and what the basics are, and you don't have to do anything except listen.

Those first minutes are also meant for getting used to the setting. You are in a room with people you don't know, there is music on and everyone is finding their way a bit. A good teacher knows this and takes time for it. A first class is as much about getting to know each other as it is about dancing.

What do you learn in a first salsa class?

Usually the basic step and a few elements of the dance. Don't expect to dance a whole song after one class.

In salsa you learn the rhythm of the basic step: how you shift your weight and on which counts you step. After that a few simple things are added, such as a turn or a first figure with a partner.

At a good school you also get some background: where the dance comes from and how the music is put together. That may seem like a side issue, but it helps. If you understand what the music is about, you learn to dance sooner instead of just counting steps.

Do you dance with a partner straight away?

In partner dances usually yes, although it often starts with the step on your own. After that you practise with a partner and move on to the next one.

Dutch schools call this moving on rouleren (rotating partners). So you don't need to bring anyone; see also learning salsa without a partner.

Partner dancing is close. You hold hands and sometimes stand close to someone you have only just met. The first classes are partly there to get used to that, and for most people it goes faster than they expect.

How do you know whether the atmosphere is safe?

A good class feels safe: you can concentrate on the dance, not on someone who comes too close or lingers too long.

If something feels wrong, don't assume it is part of the dance. The closeness that comes with dancing is not a free pass to cross your personal boundaries. You can stop a dance, you can say something and you can talk to the teacher or the organisers. A school that takes this seriously is a good place to be. More on this in boundaries and safety on the dance floor.

What do you wear to a salsa class?

Clothes you can move in that breathe, and shoes with a smooth sole. Don't overthink it.

Trainers with a lot of grip make turning difficult; a smoother sole works better. Proper dance shoes are nice, but not necessary for a first class. Deodorant in your bag is no luxury, because you will be standing close to other people.

Do you start with a trial class or go straight into a course?

Start with a proefles (trial class) if the school offers one. That way you can see, without much commitment, whether the style and the school suit you.

Bear in mind that a trial class is also there to win you over, so the school shows itself at its best. If you want to know what it is really like, go to one of the school's socials as well. There you see how people dance together when there is no class. How to choose a school is covered in how do you choose a good dance school.

Do you know after one class whether dancing is for you?

Usually not yet. Give it a few classes.

The first time you are mostly busy getting used to things: the room, the people, standing close to someone. Only after that do you notice whether the music and the style grab you.

Where can you find a first dance class near you?

On Baila Discover you can see which schools teach each style in each town. Have a look at salsa classes, salsa in Amsterdam, salsa in Utrecht or dance schools in Rotterdam. If you are an adult starting from scratch, read dancing as an adult beginner too.