Ballroom Dance Lessons

Q. If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?

A. Cheaper is not better. Ballroom dancing lessons is a luxury purchase, much like a massage, a trip to the hair salon or dinner out. We'd like you to read the fine print, and make sure you're actually getting the best NJ has to offer. Our price is non-negotiable and we don't hold "sales" to give you a false sense of savings. You can feel safe at Fred Astaire of Upper Montclair that the person next to you paid the exact same price for the services they received, whether it's lessons, groups, shoes or competitions. We don't do "deals" individually. We're so proud to be able to say that! You do have to sign a contract, but you never have to pay in full, and everyone designs their own program, so you can sign up for as few as 5 lessons at a time. You can feel confident knowing we've been respected members of the ballroom community and Montclair and Essex county since 1998. And our owners before us served Essex county for more than 40 years!

Q. What important information should buyers have thought through before seeking you out?

A. We're happy to let you know we aren't magicians. If you really want to learn how to dance, it will take time. The closer you keep your lessons together, the faster you'll develop muscle memory. And it's a good idea if you think about your dancing goals before you start. Do you want to be a fantastic dancer, or do you just want to learn 5 steps in the swing? It will make a difference. Finally, read our website and our blog to get to know more about us before you come. You'll save a lot of time and have a wonderful idea what to expect when you step into the studio. Oh, and one more thing. The hardest step is picking up the phone! Call now!

Q. Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?

A. Fred Astaire of Upper Montclair has been voted NJ's top studio 10 times since 1999. And it's easy to see why. 5-Time US Champions Carrie and Kostadin, first teachers with the company starting in 1997 and 1998 and now the owners, have been trained by the industry's finest, and have remained loyal to the Fred Astaire organization for more than 10 years each. Both with college degrees and a committment to integrity, they stand by the Fred Astaire mission statement "to enrich the lives of each and every person who comes in contact with the Fred Astaire." Kostadin and Carrie are committed to training their teachers, staff and students with the utmost care and respect, ensuring the quality of your lessons and your dancing reaches the highest in industry standards. No other studio can claim 10-times at the top. They set the standards.

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. Changing peoples lives through dance. My students, our students, spend 40 minutes a day, sometimes 3-4 days a week, doing something they absolutely love, that has nothing to do with their every-day lives. We teach college professors, acupuncturists, psychologists, life-coaches, stay-at-home moms, doctors, computer specialists. They all say the same thing. Dance lessons is like therapy, only more fun, healthy, and to great music. For 40-minutes a day, a week, they forget their troubles and become.....

Q. Do you do any sort of continuing education to stay up on the latest developments in your field?

A. The staff of the Fred Astaire of Upper Montclair consists of U.S. Champions, 2010 Fred Astaire Champions, and current competitive professionals. By competing at dozens of competitions a year, our professionals not only are at the top of their game, but are also privy to trends and fashions in the ballroom world, in steps and styling.
Our instructors are trained in the Conceptual Methods (TM) of Teaching, and required to take professional examinations yearly, to further their education, as dictated by the Fred Astaire Organization. Fred Astaire New Jersey is home to some of the finest instructors in the country.

Q. If you have a complicated pricing system for your service, please give all the details here.

A. Taking ballroom lessons can seem like a trap, but at Upper Montclair Fred Astaire, it's really very simple. You start small, and increase as you go. Once you've passed our first two programs, which are offered at beginner rates, you create your own program. About half of our students are "pay as you go", where they make a monthly payment that covers the cost of the lessons they plan to take in the next few weeks. The other half pay up-front. The one's who pay up front have usually been students of ours for more than 3 months, and they know they've found the best place for them in ballroom and Latin dance instruction. You can feel safe knowing that we'll create a program that suits your time and financial budget.