Frequently Asked Questions

• Classes
• Do I need a partner?
• I have never danced before in my life - is that going to be a problem?
• When do classes meet? How much do they cost?
• Are there any practice times that I can get help from more experienced dancers?
• What if I'm not a Georgetown student?
• What should I wear to class?
• Am I going to need special shoes?
• Team and Competitions
• What/How many competitions does Georgetown usually participate in each year?
• If I join the Team, do I have to compete?
• Fun Stuff
• What ELSE does ballroom do besides compete?
• Wow, how can I be as cool as you?

Classes

• Do I need a partner?
  Definitely not! If you have a specific person you would like to dance with, bring him/her along, but otherwise, just show up - we switch partners plenty of times during class, so you will get plenty of chances to dance with someone.
• I have never danced before in my life - is that going to be a problem?
  That is what we are here for - A lot of our intermediates had never danced before they started ballroom classes - and in some cases it is easier that way, because there are not any bad habits to break! Even if you do not think you can dance and have two left feet, we are ready to try and prove you wrong. No rhythm? No coordination? NO PROBLEM
• When do classes meet? How much do they cost?
  Please visit our classes page for schedule and class cost
• Are there any practice times that I can get help from more experienced dancers?
  Absolutely - We have practice time in addition to classes. Please visit classes page for location and times of practices. We often have workshops during practices where we teach fun dances like hustle, lindy hop, and salsa!
  Another way to get some dance practice in is to attend one of our social outings where everyone from beginning to high-level dancers gets together for a night of great dancing! It is a fabulous way to learn new steps, to show off what you already know, and to practice to get better.
• What if I'm not a Georgetown student?
  Georgetown Ballroom is unique among DC area schools in that its classes may be taken by any interested area dancers. Although the Club and Team are run mostly by Georgetown undergraduates, we serve the Georgetown and greater Washington community. Every year, our team and social classes are attended by students from all of Georgetown's schools (undergraduate, graduate, medical, and law), as well as professors and staff, members of the Georgetown community, and many local dancers, unaffiliated with Georgetown University.
• What should I wear to class?
  When first starting out, wear whatever makes you feel most comfortable, as long as it will not impede motion. As you get more and more advanced, you will most likely start wearing something slightly more form-fitting which will accentuate your movements.
• Am I going to need special shoes?
  As you get more advanced, you will want to get special ballroom and latin dance shoes. However, when starting out wear a shoe in which you feel comfortable, which will stay securely on your foot (no flip-flops, please!), and, preferably, ones without rubber soles, since they make it difficult to turn. Guys, a regular dress shoe will be great for starting out. Girls, if you want to wear a heel, go ahead, but make sure that the shoe will not slip off your foot!

Team and Competitions

• What/How many competitions does Georgetown usually participate in each year?
  Georgetown almost always goes to:

  1. The DC Dancesport Inferno, which we help coordinate. This is a great competiton for newcomers to practice competing.
  2. Ohio Star Ball (recently renamed the National Collegiate DanceSport Championships). Ohio is one of our big trips for the year, and takes place on the weekend just before Thanksgiving. It's always a great road trip and we get to meet people from lots of distant schools!
  3. International Dancesport Festival - held alternating years in Osmington Bay (England) and Daytona Beach (Florida), this is a weeklong combination of workshops, competitions, lessons, and lots and lots of fun! England years, it's held in April; Florida years, it's held in the beginning of January.
• If I join the Team, do I have to compete?
  No, joining the Team absolutely does not mandate attending competitions. In fact, you can take Team classes all the way through the Advanced level without attending a single competition! However, we will definitely encourage you to at least try, since most people (even the ones who thought they'd never compete in their life) end up really enjoying the experience and wanting to attend more of them.

Fun Stuff

• What ELSE does ballroom do besides compete?
  Not only do we dance competitively, we dance for fun! In fact, we are known for being the best at the crazy fun dances like polka, hustle, lindy hop, and west coast swing! Every week, the club sponsors an outing to a local studio or dance club (like the Chevy Chase Ballroom, the Promenade, Glen Echo, or DuShor) or we hold a dance ourselves on campus.
• Wow, how can I be as cool as you?
  "You can't. Just accept it. I'm not kidding. Ugga wugga wig wam." - Holly Just come, dance, and LOVE IT! And if you have any questions, feel free to contact us