The Ballroom Dance Company

Ballroom Dance Instruction for Singles and Couples

Ballroom Dance Lessons and Classes in Portland Oregon

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THE BALLROOM DANCE COMPANY
PRODUCING OREGON'S TOP LATIN, BALLROOM, and WEST COAST SWING COMPETITORS

Click HERE to see just some of our students local, national, and international competitive accomplishments throughout the past 12 months.

Click HERE to view upcoming dancesport competitions.

Click HERE for help finding a partner.

We have the largest and most successful pro-am and amateur competitors program in Oregon, producing superior quality dancers including multiple national finalists and title-winners.

We are the only studio in Oregon with multiple championship level accomplished professional instructors .

Growth is directly related to how much time students have on the floor. We provide cost effective training with multiple levels of instructors for people just starting to dance, through serious international competitors...plus group competition classes every week.

To maximize potential, we provide age-specific, skill-specific, and style-focused classes for children, teens, adults and seniors.

Kids receive youth discount for all adult group classes..

We are the largest ballroom & latin studio in the entire country , & the only northwest studio with a regulation competition size floor for competitors to learn and practice.

We are open 10am-10pm 7 days a week , allowing for scheduling flexibility for you to learn and practice.

Competition Dance Lessons in Portland Oregon

How do I participate?

- First: identify your goal. Would you like to "participate in competition," or "win competition?"
- Winning requires regular practice and private lessons -- as you will be competing against couples who practice up to 7 days a week, or take up to 5 private lessons a week.
- If your goal is to participate, you only need to take enough privates (or group classes, which are occassionally available to learn competition routines) to learn choreography acceptable within NDCA and USA Dance competition rules.
- Group classes are cost-effective method to learn technique and patterns, however they are not as effective as private lessons. Private lesson information is tailored specifically to your strengths and weaknesses. Group class information is generalized to meet the strengths and weaknesses of the group as a whole, which realistically will not be identical to your individual needs.
- Choreography and technique learned in performance classes can be different than competitive dancing. Superior performers will not necessarily be able to compete at a high level. However, competitors can perform their competition routines in shows -- though these routines are generally less "showy" than performance routines.
- Your success in competition will not only be related to your talent, but also the time you dedicate to practice and private lessons.

Beginners:

- There are competition divisions for couples of all ages and skill levels. Couples usually enter the 'newcomer' division for their first competition.
- Before competing, couples should take private lessons supplemented by group classes, to learn choreography appropriate for newcomer competition. Most competitions strictly regulate which patterns couples can and cannot do, in each skill division.
- Before competing, beginners should take private lessons (possibly supplemented by "Intro to Competition" group class) to learn how competition works, including but not limited to practicing entering and exiting the floor, rolling out, navigation, and "what to expect" at their first competition

Progression:

- We offer multiple levels of ballroom, latin and west coast swing classes
- Moving to the next higher level of class is similar to skipping a grade (or multiple grades) in school. This will require reliable group class attendance, private lessons and skill. Intermediate and advanced level class students have been taking group classes and private lessons for many years, so catching up to them will require hard work.
- The more lessons you take, the faster you will learn.
- Private lessons are more expensive, but also more effective, than group classes.
- The more you dance and practice, the faster you will learn. Group classes and public dance parties are the least expensive means to gaining maximum floor time. However private lessons and dedicated practice time are the most effective method towards competition success.
- The more skilled your teacher is, the more you will be able to progress up through the higher levels of competition. Consequently it is important for couples who wish to win, or succeed in higher levels of competition, to take lessons with our most accomplished dancesport professionals. If your goal is to participate and winning or progressing through high levels of competition is not your goal, then less skilled instructors can suffice.

Competition:

- If you wish to compete, your first step is to find an size and age-appropriate partner. Experience is not as important as dedication. Group classes are a great place to find partners. Even a newcomer can quickly become a successful competitor if they reliably attend lessons and practice.
- Once you find a partner, sign up for private lessons with one of our Dancesport Coaches to learn choreography allowed in competition. USA Dance and NDCA rules do tightly restrict what is allowed in competition, particularly at the beginning levels.
- To compete successfully, simple well executed choreography will always place higher than complex, poorly executed choreography. Additionally, complex choreography is generally prohibited in the beginning levels of amateur competition.
- Most instructors across the USA are capable social dance instructors. Relatively few are capable competition dance instructors. Superior technique is necessary for success in competition.
- Our intermediate and advanced group classes are pattern-focused, not technique focused. Consequently taking intermediate or advanced level group classes will not be sufficient for achieving great success in competition.
- Although private lessons are not required for competitors, dancers serious about winning and rising through competitive levels realistically must take regular private lessons -- at least once a week. Private lessons are more expensive than group classes, because they cultivate the highest level of dance through 1-on-1 specialized instruction.
- After you have solidified your choreography (again, make sure an accomplished professional reviews it to ensure it is NDCA and USA Dance approved for your skill level), it is time to enter. There are many competitions you can compete in, a few coming soon are listed below.
- If you cannot find a partner, we recommend participation in one of our Performance Teams. Teams perform and compete, and participants do not need a partner. Team dancing allows less experienced dancers, and dancers who cannot find a partner or afford private lessons, to participate in competition.
- Another option for individuals who cannot find partners is Pro-Am Competition -- where you compete with your instructor. This costs more than team dancing, however is usually a higher quality of dancing, as you are partnered with a professional and work one-on-one with them.

Studio Apparel:

- Many students wear Ballroom Dance Company studio apparel to competitions.
- Visit our Accessories Page to purchase studio apparel & accessories.

Amateur Competition Schedule:

- Snowball Classic (January 22-24) (Vancouver, BC)
- City of Roses Ballroom Classic (March 12-13) (Portland, OR)
- USA Dance National Championships (April) (Baltimore, MD)
- Columbia Star Ball (May 8-9) (Portland, OR)
- River City Ball (July 17) (Portland, OR)
- Oregon Fall Festival (October 8-9) (Portland, OR)
- NW Regional Dancesport Champsionships (October 23-24) (Seattle, WA)