1.    I can learn to dance by watching. Why should I take lessons?

Watching is a good way to emulate the dance, but it doesn't provide the richness of understanding the dance. The dances' cultural value and evolution cannot be expressed just by seeing it on the dance floor. The history of the dance and the relationship of the dance to the music can be learned from lessons.

2.    I want to learn to dance, but I don’t know anyone who’s taking classes. How should I decide which class to attend?

Contact a local dance group or instructor and ask if you could stop by and watch a class session. Make sure it's a place where the people make you feel comfortable as an observer. Or ask the organization if there is a place they go out dancing so that you can see if they are a social fit for you. The key thing is that this is social dancing, which means you have to become more sociable to experience the value of the dance community.

3.    I want to learn to dance, but there are not any classes in my area. How do I get started?

I'll do my best to help you find dance groups and organizations close to you for the dance style you're looking for. To help you get started now, Mistalocks Chicago Style Stepping has a program starting in 2007 which will allow us to send you a personalized instructional recording which will give you a basic foundation and start on video with explanation on what it takes to get started. And will keep sending you instructional video until you're able to make a transition into a class setting.

4.    The other students in class are learning much faster, how can I catch up to where everyone else is at?

Private lessons can excel your dance 10 times faster than group sessions. A private lesson is like having a personal trainer who will teach and condition you to get acclimated to the dance.

5.    What is the difference between professional dancing shoes and regular retail shoes?

Dancing shoes are usually made with a softer suede bottom that has an easier more flexible break. Leather sole shoes don't give or break in with your feet for some time. Dancing shoes takes on your foot's form much faster.

6.    My instructor tells me that I have a lot of ‘bad habits’ in my dance, but I’m still able to dance with different partners. So why do I need to break my ‘bad habits’?

An instructor tries to set a class standard that will best fit everyone's learning process. So your instructor needs everyone in class to be each other's best learning partner. Your bad habits may hurt your learning process in the future and may hurt other student's learning process as they learn with you.

7.    I want to start teaching classes, how do I know when I’m ready?

You can be ready to teach once you are well grounded in the things you know.  Teach within your ability and never try to teach above or outside your strengths. If you are a fundamentally strong intermediate dancer; only try to teach those who are beginner or early intermediate. As an instructor you should also know your weaknesses.

The best process for becoming an instructor is to become an apprentice or helper in the best class you've learned under.

8.    This dance is new to my area. How do I know that my instructor is teaching it the right way?

Ask your instructor for a history of their learning. Who did they learn from? How long did they learn from them? How far did they advance in those instructors classes? If they were to go currently attend their instructor's class, what would be their current rank in that class? Ask to meet or talk to your instructor's instructors. They should be happy to introduce you to the person or people that got them to the level to be able to instruct you.

9.    This dance is new to my area. How do we know the music that best fits the dance?

It's up to your dance instructor to teach you the dance and the music that best fits the dance. If this dance is new to your area, your instructor should have music available or be able to tell you what songs fit the dance.

10. I want to support the out of state events, but I do not have any contacts with anyone. What should I do?

First, see if your instructor or organizational group is connected to or associated with those groups out of state that you which to support. If not, see if your instructor's instructors are connected. Otherwise, contact these groups out of state and explain who you are and who you are connected to in your state and begin networking with them. This is social dancing and being nationally sociable will heighten your dance experience.

  11. I've only attended one instructor's class. How do I know that I will be able to dance with people from other classes or             states? 

If your dance instructor has a good sense of social connection and standing with other dancers locally and nationally, you should get a chance to experience dancing with other students from other classes. Remember this is social dancing, which means the first thing to be with this is sociable.

12. I’m still a beginner. Why is it important to dance outside of the classroom environment while I’m still learning?

It's not a priority, but the one thing it'll help you do is get comfortable in social settings doing the dance. The class environment can provide a false sense of security. It could allow you to get into a comfort zone of dancing with the same people, never varying your experience with unfamiliar turns, patterns or combinations.

It is also important to go out so as to feel grounded within the dance community.

13. My palms get sweaty whenever I dance, is there something I can do to treat this?

Keep a handkerchief or small towel nearby to dry your hands. You can also put an antiperspirant (not deodorant) on your hands prior to going out dancing (i.e. speed stick/secret) to reduce the amount of moisture.  Baby powder can also absorb some of the moisture on your hands prior to dancing.

14. I have been taking classes for 4 months and I still haven’t danced with a partner. How long will it take?

It doesn't take four months. I would suggest switching classes or taking private lessons so that your instructor can give you some one on one time. It doesn't take four months to learn the basic footwork pattern enough to dance that pattern with someone.

Your basic figure and pattern should be able to be used to dance with a partner the same day shown to you. Your first day in a class should have been the first time you've danced with a partner and everyday from the first day, you should have danced with a partner; even if it's the most basic pattern and figure shown.

15. I have bad knees, but I still want to dance. Is there something I can do to relieve this?

I am not a physician. This question should be referred to your physician. Do describe the nature of the dance you which to engage in so they can make an appropriate assessment.

16. I like the way my instructor looks when he/she dances, but it does not look he/she is counting. So why do I have to learn the count?

Everything about the dance is measured in time; music is measured in time. Even though it doesn't look like your instructor or other people who are comfortable with the dance are counting verbally, they do have mental time keeping going. They are keeping track of something, the same way the drummer in the music is keeping track. There is structure to the dance and that structure matches the natural progression of music.

17. The dance floor is too sticky for me to turn well, how can I make up for this?

Hard sole leather shoes or suede bottom dance shoes sometimes can be helpful on some floors. The biggest problem is the floor. Some places have non-slip floors to prevent falls and accidents. Some venues owners are very relaxed on daily floor care and don't do anything to provide quality floor maintenance. If changing your shoes to a better sole hasn't helped, you may need to consider talking to the venue owner to provide better floor upkeep. If worse comes to worse, pick your feet up.

18. I haven't danced in a couple of years and I'm not sure what level of class I should go back to?

Start at the beginning to be sure things are how you remember them to be. See if the dance has evolved to something you're not familiar with anymore.

19. I’m comfortable with my basics. Am I ready to learn some footwork now?

Yes, if you are comfortable with your basics and are comfortable with the variations that could be done in your dance pattern. That's an assessment best made by your instructor. Every level of the dance should be a building block to becoming the dancer you want to be.

20. I went out and saw two women (two men) dancing together? How can you tell who is leading?

There will be one that looks like they're giving signals and one who is receiving. One person should be guiding the other, raising the others' hand or motioning the other forward and sending them back. This person is considered the leader.