Okay, so you’ve finally decided after all these years, to stop talking about learning to dance and actually do it. Congratulations, learning to dance is one of the most exciting processes you could ever wish for. The only problem is figuring out where to start as a beginner.

Dance in itself is a very broad term. When people say they want to learn how to dance, it can be difficult to understand exactly what they mean. Do they want to learn line dancing? Ballet? Salsa? Break dancing? Regardless of which style of dance they’re interested in learning, the good news is that there are instructors and classes out there that can help.

As daunting as learning to dance is, one of the toughest aspects of mastering a new skill like dancing isn’t actually learning the dance at all, it’s figuring out how to do so. Some people, for example, believe that private lessons are the way to go when learning to dance. Others, however, swear that group classes are far more practical.

So, who is right? To help you decide, here’s a look at private dance classes vs group classes and which, if any, is best for adult beginners?

What are Group Dance Classes?

To begin with, we’re going to explore in more detail, precisely what group dance classes are.

Now, as you’ve probably already figured out from the name, without stating the obvious, group dance classes are classes where you will learn how to dance in a large group.

While class sizes vary from dance school to dance school, and from class to class, typically multiple students will be taught how to dance by one instructor who will teach the entire class. The type of dance that you’re taught will also vary from class to class, though the idea is to ensure that dancers in the group all learn the basics at the same, or a very similar pace.

The goal here is not to nurture individuals and focus on stronger participants, but rather, to help each member of the group to learn the basic fundamentals of the dance style they’re being taught at the same pace. That way, it ensures that everybody progresses at roughly the same time.

Advantages of Group Dance Classes

While some people believe that private one-to-one dance classes are better for people learning how to dance, others think that group classes can actually be more beneficial.

In this section, we’re going to highlight some of the main benefits associated with group dance classes.

Motivation

One of the main advantages of taking a group dance class is the fact that it can serve as great motivation.

Learning as a group means that you get to see others thrive. If there’s a step that you’ve not quite mastered, yet one of your friends can now do it with their eyes closed, seeing them do well will only motivate you to do the same. There’s also the friendly competitive element, which also spurs on a lot of people and encourages them to work that little bit harder.

Community

Without question, one of the main benefits associated with group dance classes is the sense of community.

Whether you’re a in a small group class of just five people, or a class with upwards of twenty members, they’re great for socializing, meeting new people, making new friends, and finding common ground with others.

Dancers in group environments will likely gain confidence quicker, they’ll learn how to work as a team, and they’ll learn patience.

Experience

Finally, group dance classes are also fantastic for dancers looking to learn more sociable, partner-oriented dances.

Many types of dances require you to be partnered up with another individual, which is when group dance classes really come into their own. Here, you’ll dance with different people and gain valuable experience. Different people dance in different ways, and come in different shapes and sizes.

Whether you’re learning the Tango, Salsa, Paso Doble, or any other dance, the more different partners you dance with, the more experience you’ll pick up.

Potential Drawbacks of Group Dance Classes

As great as group dance classes are, they’re not for everybody, and they do still have a few potential drawbacks, which we’ll be highlighting below now:

·       Less personalized tuition

·       Classes can sometimes get crowded

·       You may be restricted by weaker dancers in the group

What are Private Dance Lessons?

If group dance classes aren’t necessarily for you, then you may wish to consider taking private dance lessons instead.

Instead of being taught in a large group consisting of several people, with private dance lessons, you will typically receive one-to-one tuition. That means it is likely to just be you being taught how to dance by one single dance instructor.

With private dance lessons, each lesson focuses primarily on your individual performance and progress. They are, literally, all about you and your progress as you learn to dance.

Advantages of Private Dance Lessons

As we’ve previously highlighted several advantages of group dance classes, we’re now going to do the same with private dance lessons. Here are several potential advantages:

More Intensive Training

Probably the biggest advantage associated with private dance lessons is the fact that they allow you to benefit from more intensive training.

As these are literally one-on-one classes, it’s just you and your instructor. That means that they can dedicate 100% of their time and focus on you, and you only. So, whether you’re struggling to master the Rumba, or your timing is off with the Salsa, you’ll benefit from more intensive, personalized training.

If you want to learn a specific type or style of dance, perhaps for the first dance at a wedding, private dance lessons would be ideal.

More Hands-On Training

Another benefit associated with private dance lessons is the fact that you get to enjoy more hands-on training.

With private dance lessons, as it’s just you and your tutor, they focus solely on you. If you’re unsure of something, all you have to do is ask. With a large dance class full of dozens of members, you likely won’t get the chance to ask your tutor directly because they’ll be too busy.

With a private dance class, you can ask your tutor if you’re struggling with a dance or a sequence, and they can even show you directly.

Potential Drawbacks of Private Dance Lessons

As great as private dance lessons are, they do still have their drawbacks. These include the following:

·       Can sometimes be expensive

·       Classes can sometimes feel quiet

·       It can sometimes be difficult to get motivated

·       You aren’t always guaranteed to get along with your instructor

Private Dance Lessons vs Group Classes – Which is Better for Adult Beginners?

Okay, so the moment of truth. Private lessons or group classes, which is the better option if you’re an adult beginner trying to learn how to dance? Well, in all honesty, it depends on a number of factors.

If you purely wish to learn how to perform a specific type of dance professionally, you’ll likely benefit from private lessons. If however, you want to meet new people, socialize, and learn how to dance at a leisurely pace with no real sense of urgency, or time constraints, group classes could be the better option.