How to Sign up for Foxtrot Dance Lessons

The foxtrot and its variation, the quickstep, are true American originals in the world of dance. The foxtrot was invented by a vaudevillian named Harry Fox, who developed it while dancing to ragtime jazz in New York in the 1910s. The dance collided with the growing popularity of "social" dancing, and it became a key ballroom style. Today, dancers across America enjoy the foxtrot socially and in competition.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Basic knowledge of dance and how to count rhythms
• Reference book or video for practice sessions

Practice the Ballroom Basics

1. Enroll in beginner ballroom instruction first, or get the basics by working with a DVD, such as "Ballroom Dancing for Absolute Beginners" at Amazon (see Resources below).

2. Work your way up to the foxtrot. You might start by learning the smooth and steady waltz and then adding syncopation with an easy Latin dance, such as the rumba.

3. Practice until you can lead or follow, move together with your partner in open or closed position, and turn smoothly.

Sign up for Foxtrot Lessons

4. Sign up for foxtrot classes. Choose wisely and purchase a package of lessons that will meet your time and budget. This budget will also determine how seriously you will pursue foxtrot.

5. Revisit the steps you learn in class by working with a foxtrot DVD, such as "Learn to Dance Foxtrot" at Amazon (see Resources below).

6. Enjoy the results of your hard work by entering a dance competition through your studio or joining a club of American dance enthusiasts, such as the USA Dance website (see Resources below).

Tips & Warnings

• The foxtrot, with both slow and fast steps, is one of the more challenging ballroom dances to learn.
• Ballroom dancing organizations hold dances regularly in chapter cities, so you can dance outside of class.
• If you want to go all the way into professional competition, be prepared to expend significant time and money in lessons, practices and costumes.
• The foxtrot can be physically demanding. Always warm up beforehand and stretch afterward.
• Don't waste funds on too advanced a class. Sign on as a beginner if you need to.

Resources

• Nationwide club with local chapter dances at USA Dance
• Beginner instructions
• Beginners' DVD