Private Dance Lessons at Six Locations in Minneapolis Saint Paul, Minnesota

Welcome to Private Dance Lessons where you will find a variety of dance instruction including "Strictly Slow Dancing", "Party Dances", "Ultimate Country", "Salsa Caliente", "Latin Dances for Lovers", "Own the Floor", and our exclusive "Great Moves" lessons . 

We teach Private Dance Lessons throughout the Twin Cities of Minneapolis St. Paul Minnesota and across the country to help you look better on the dance floor.

Private Dance Lesson Prices

Attitude Dance has private dance instruction available in 1-hour or 2-hour sessions with a monthly special of only $300 for three 2-hour lessons.  _{Note 1} Prices shown are for one or two persons, and there is a surcharge of $3 for each additional person per hour.

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Three

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Special Introductory Private One Hour Dance Lesson

Only $50

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Foxtrot

Originally danced to ragtime music, the Foxtrot is most played today by musicians with the Big Band Sound or DJ playing the music chosen for the dance attributes of the Foxtrot.  It is attributed to Harry Fox, an American Vaudeville star.  When he was unable to find female dancers able to do the more difficult two step, he introduced two "trots" to his dances which became known as Fox's Trot.  It like other "trots" had a slightly faster tempo than we do today.  It was actually much closer to a Quickstep.  It was the famous dancers Vernon and Irene Castle who made the Foxtrot an elegant, smooth, and gliding dance.  What is surprising is that the biggest selling Foxtrot disc, with estimated sales of 30 million copies, is Rock Around The Clock, by Bill Haley and His Comets.  Characteristics of the Foxtrot is the upright posture of the dancers walking with quick and slow steps.  If you can stand upright and walk with good posture, you can learn to dance the Foxtrot.

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Tango

Ballroom's American Tango is earthy and dramatic. Walking movements dominate the American Tango.  However, Tango Walks have a “stalking” or “sneaking” character that is unlike the walks of other ballroom style dances.  Movements are sometimes slow and slithery, and other times sharp and staccato, such as a quick foot flick or a sharp head snap to promenade position. American Style Tango has diagonal, corner to corner flow of movement around the dance floor.  It has a lesser sense of urgency than the smoother and more continuous ballroom style dances. The American Style Tango, especially at highly-developed skill levels, makes great use of open and alternate dance positions to further showcase Tango's dramatic nature.

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Viennese Waltz

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Waltz

The Waltz began in southern Germany in the 17th century. Its popularity grew with the music of Johann Strauss.  The Waltz eventually blossomed and is now the basis for many dances with its popularity all over the world.  The basic components of the Waltz are walking steps and side steps. A sentimental elegant, and romantic dance, it is characterized by movements of “rise and fall” and body sway.  A distinctive move of the Waltz is the Waltz Pendulum action.  This is an action that must be visible at any competition level action comparable with the movement of a bell clapper. The Waltz must contain the right level of up and down swing in balance with the required spatial movement.  As in all dances, dancing from the supporting foot is essential. The moment when to start rising from your supporting foot is crucial in the Waltz. And there should be lots of rotation.

Attitude Dance Studios teach the American Smooth style Waltz. The American Smooth style means couples can break the traditional ballroom "hold" throughout the performance allowing more open movements, including under arm turns.

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Techniques of Dance For Ballroom Smooth Dances

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Bolero

Bolero is an "American Style" Dance, which was introduced to United States in the middle of the 1930’s.  At that time, it was danced in its classical form, which was performed, to a constant beat of drums.  Originally a Spanish dance in 3/4 time, it was changed in Cuba initially into 2/4 time, then eventually into 4/4 time.  It is now danced as a very slow type of Rumba rhythm. The music is frequently arranged with Spanish vocals and a subtle percussion effect, played at a tempo of 24 to 26 mpm (measures per minute).  The Bolero is a modification of the Fandango, in which all the objectionable parts are omitted; but all the gracefulness is retained. It is has been said that judges and clergy who were critical of the dance could not refrain from joining in the general excitement of the dance when the Bolero was played in judicial halls or churches.  This is a left turning dance based on a "slip pivot" (a slip pivot is a rotation of the body on the ball of the supporting foot creating a pivot either forward or backward). Bolero has body rise only (no foot rise) caused by gradual contraction of the body into the dancer’s legs. This coupled with the slip pivot and slow dreamy music gives Bolero a very slow, smooth, powerful, romantic look and feeling. The foot patterns are similar to Rumba but have a very different feeling.  The Bolero is often called the Cuban "Dance of Love", because of its beautiful melodies and slow, dreamy tempo.  Although you may hear Rumba music which may seem slow enough to be a Bolero, the music is actually very different in tempo.  Actually, any music with 4/4 timing with a slow 24 to 26 measures per minutes is appropriate to dance this wonderful graceful dance.  Bolero is a slow dance characterized by smooth, gliding, movement, dramatic arm styling, and a romantic feel.  Bolero is a mixture of three dances.  Its contra body movement comes from the Tango.  Rise and fall is performed as in the Waltz; and the Bolero's Cuban Motion flows from the Rumba. Bolero is dance with three steps to a Slow, Quick, Quick beat count.

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Cha Cha Cha

Cha-Cha-Cha was developed from the Mambo, a Latin dance that is best for most people to learn first. The name Cha Cha Cha is a sound imitation of the "shoes" from dancing Cuban women. The Cha Cha Cha was first seen in America and came to Europe almost at the same time with the Mambo the forerunner from the Cha Cha Cha.  After the World War II the Mambo was pushed aside by the Cha Cha Cha which became really popular at 1956.  According to its roots the music for Cha Cha Cha should be played with staccato and passionately without any seriousness allowing the dancers to project an atmosphere of 'naughtiness".

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East Coast Swing

East Coast Swing can be traced to the original swing dance, Lindy Hop.  Lindy Hop was created in the 1920’s by African American youth as a street dance in Harlem.  It was in the late 1920’s that is was noticed at the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem.  The Big Bands of swing and jazz music made popular as a dynamic, athletic dance.  Variations of the Lindy Hop were the Jitterbug, and Swing.  The three captured the imagination of young people everywhere it was danced in the United States and Europe.  Eventually, the Lindy Hop was tamed and simplified by dance schools to become a ballroom dance called the Eastern Swing.  It was in the late 197o’s that the name was changed to East Coast Swing. 

East Coast Swing is a fun, upbeat dance with a tempo of 34-36 mpm (minutes per measure).  It is a non-progressive dance distinguished by its “rock step” and “triple step”, “triple step” foot work.

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Rumba

Historians estimate that the Rumba was brought to America by the African slaves.  But around 1928-1929 the actual steps and figures of this dance were not clear. Many people treated and danced it, like a new type of foxtrot with additional hip actions.

After World War II the rumba was further developed into the "Cuban Rumba" by monsieur Pierre and Doris Lavell which had a school in the Regent street, London but still the standardization was a problem until Walter Laird started to write his Latin books. His work was accepted by many official dance associations.  Orchestra leaders such as Xavier Cugat introduced and popularized Rumba music and dancing.  After much debate the Rumba was standardized in the mid 1950's as a ballroom dance. 

Rumba in a non-progressive dance distinguished by its romantic feel.  Its most important characteristic is the ever flowing hip movement known as "Cuban Motion".  Cuban Motion gives the Rumba it sensual look.  The Rumba is with three steps to a beat count of slow, quick, quick to 4/4 timing and a tempo of 32-36 mpm (measures per minute).

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Techniques of Dance For Ballroom Rhythm Dances

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Mambo

The Mambo is a very popular and sensual dance, with African and Cuban rhythms.  Mambo is actually a name for a bantu drum. The Mambo is a spinoff of the English country dance, which made its way to Cuba through immigrants. It was named the Danza, or the dance of Cuba, and gradually its beat and movement became saturated with African and Cuban rhythms, creating an entirely new beat and style. 

Mambo's origin lies in the early 1900's in Cuba.  Oresta Lopez, a composer and cellist, created a piece known as the "Mambo" mixing everyday Cuban rhythms with the African and South American aspects on the street. The result was a new fusion, and one that supported a continuous beat.

Mambo became ever more popular when Prado Perez, a famous bandleader and a friend to Lopez, marketed his music under the name Mambo. It contained big brass and drum sounds, and incorporated fast beats and runs on the instruments. In 1951, Perez Prado and his Orchestra took a tour of the United States, establishing Perez as a Mambo king and the Mambo as America's latest craze. Perez was actually the first to market  "Mambo #5," now popular again in the 1990's! Dancing houses and clubs began to improvise steps to the beat created, and the Mambo was born. This popularity spread to the United Stated very rapidly. It was actually not the first Cuban-African dance to achieve popularity in the United States. The Rumba was introduced in the 1930's to the American public, and it took on like wildfire. During the mid-1900's, people danced up a Mambo storm in Miami, New York and San Francisco. The Mambo was especially popular in New York dance halls, where dancers twisted and turned and threw their partners, arms, legs and hands in the air to win dance competitions. Mambo bands developed intense rivalries as to who could create the best Mambo rhythm. Players like Ellington, Gillespie and Bob Hope were all part of this friendly competition. 

Mambo is written to music in 4/4 time, but some of these beats call for the partner to hold. The dancer holds movement on the beat count of one and breaks on the count two.  It has three steps  using Quick, Quick, Slow beats. Mambo is characterized by the hip movements that it entails. While moving forward and backwards to the beat, dancers "sway" with the hips, creating a fluid motion that flows with the music. 

The fluidity of the dance entered the Mambo scene shortly after its emergence into New York. The Mambo is quite different from other dances because it is blatantly sensual, fast or flowing, instead of dramatic.  Dancers are best to perform slower, simpler patterns that contain less flashy moves and more graceful simultaneous motions while staring into each other's eyes.

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Merengue

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Salsa

There are several styles of Salsa.  We teach a combination of Salsa Merengue and Salsa Mambo. 

The Salsa Merengue is similar to Merengue because both have a pattern of eight steps danced to eight counts of music.  The Salsa Merengue is easy to learn because of it basic walking technique of one step for each count of music.  The Salsa Merengue uses a touch step on every fourth beat of music.  It can be dance multi-directional and has a nice flow to execute the many turns that is important to Salsa dancing.

The Salsa Mambo is similar to Mambo in that both have a pattern of six steps danced over eight counts of music. 

They share many of the same moves; but in Salsa, turns have become an important feature, so the overall look and feel are quite different form those of Mambo. Mambo moves generally forward and backward, whereas, Salsa has more of a side to side feel.

Samba

The roots of the Samba are African, but most of its development was done in Brazil. You can recognize the Samba from the Carnival Parties and Samba Schools in Brazil. In 1925 the Samba was imported to Europe. Although the Samba was already accepted as a competition dance, the great breakthrough of the Samba happened at the World Exhibition in New York in 1939.  Europe was really captured by the Samba in 1948/1949. And Walter Laird, with partner Lorraine, was highly instrumental in developing  the Samba .

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West Coast Swing

West Coast Swing started from the Lindy Hop and Eastern Swing (now East Coast Swing) in California in the 1930s. The person that got the most credit for it was a dancer and choreographer named Dean Collins. He came from New Jersey to California to work in the movie industry and was asked to choreograph a swing dance scene. The director wanted more people on the dance floor. To accomplish that, Dean had the dancers move forward and back in a slot. A new dance was born.  As more people on the west coast started doing this version of swing, the dance studios began teaching it. It was originally called “Western Swing” or “Sophisticated Swing” to differentiate it from the more familiar East Coast Swing.  In 1959 dance organizations and studios changed the name officially to West Coast Swing.  West Coast Swing is smooth with no bounce and danced in a slot.  The dance allows room for syncopated footwork and improvisation.  West Coast Swing can be danced to a wide variety of music that includes Blues, Country Western, Disco, Funk, Pop, Rhythm and Blues, and Rock.  It is danced to 4/4 timing with a tempo of 28-32 mpm (measures per minute).  The count is 12, 3a4, 5a6 with “a” being the upbeat; or some patterns are dance to eight beats of music as a count of 12, 3a4, 5a6, 7a8 with “a” being the upbeat.  The counts of 12 are danced as two walking steps and the 3a4, 5a6, and 7a8 are dance as triple steps, thus an alternative count is Walk-Walk, Triple Step, Triple Step with the last Triple Step being referred to as an Anchor Step or Anchor Triple Step.

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Techniques of Dance For Ballroom Rhythm Dances

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First Wedding Dance

Party Dances

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Club Slow Dance

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Strictly Slow Dancing

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Nightclub Two-Step

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Latin Motions For Rumba, Mambo, Cha Cha Cha, and Salsa Merengue

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Latin Dances for Lovers

Tango and Samba

Salsa Caliente

Merengue, Mambo, and Hot Spicy Salsa

J-Walk Swing

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Jitterbug

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Ultimate Country

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Country Two-Step

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Burn The Floor

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Club Dancing for

Men & Women

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We proudly present our Metal Program for DVIDA Bronze, Silver, and Gold Level in Ballroom Smooth and Ballroom Rhythm Dances.  Learn to dance your favorite dances better than ever before.  The dances are grouped for the encouragement of students to learn more than one dance so that their learning and the value of the lessons are maximized.  The interrelation of the dances in each group demonstrated common elements such are the partners dance frames, similar figures.  The end results is the students become better dances, have more fun dancing, and learn to burn the floor.

If you prefer to make payment by check, send to

Attitude Dance, PO Box 32014, Minneapolis, MN 55432-0014

Merengue, Mambo, and Salsa Dance Instruction in Minneapolis St. Paul Minnesota is brought to you by Attitude Dance Studios.

Salsa Caliente will help spice up your dance moves!  With easy step-by-step instructions your will learn to dance the Salsa, the Mambo, and the Merengue.  Don't be intimidated by the person next to you on the dance floor. 

Our Learn to Dance Series of dance instruction is for everyone that wants to enjoy dancing for a fun night out.  Don't just learn the steps, learn how to dance.  Learn new techniques to dance on a crowded floor and look great dancing. 

Mambo, Cha-Cha, Rumba, and Salsa Merengue Dance Lessons are brought to you by Attitude Dance Studios in Minneapolis St. Paul Minnesota.

Learn nightclub techniques and styling for the Cha-Cha, Rumba, Mambo, and Salsa in fun dance lessons that fit into your busy schedule. 

The playful Cha-Cha, the romantic Rumba, the Rhythmic Mambo and the spicy Salsa come to you in exciting motions of Latin dance.  Learn foot movements and hip action as you dance these fun dances.  Experience a side of music and rhythm that is yours for the asking.

Attitude Dance Studios bring you exciting Dance Instruction in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis St. Paul for six dances that "own the floor".

We're having a party!  Come on in for an array of party dances that will teach you great moves for Party Slow Dance, Country Two Step, Cha Cha, East Coast Swing, Electric Slide, and Salsa Merengue.

Have move fun dancing up a storm on every occasion.  Whether it is a wedding party, office party, home party, or any dance occasion, you can own the dance floor after taking these dance lessons in Minneapolis St Paul Minnesota.

We teach you the basics of dancing, and then add some electrifying moves.  You will not only learn the dance steps, you will learn how to dance.

Eight 1-hour sessions Only $420

Four 2-hour session Only $410

Private Lesson Registration

Organize your own group of singles or couples with a minimum of 10 persons.  There is an additional cost of $16 per person.  Lessons are available in Burnsville, Maple Grove, Minneapolis, Saint Paul, Shoreview, and Spring Lake Park.   Or add your name to our wait list.

Call 651-245-6670

Country Two Step and the Best of Country Swing is brought to you in Dance Lessons by Attitude Dance Studios

in Minneapolis and St. Paul.

This is your chance to learn how to dance Ultimate Country with a partner.  Not only do we teach you  the steps, but we teach you figures and amalgamations as well.

Six 1-hour sessions Only $330

Three 2-hour sessions Only $300

Private Lesson Registration

Organize your own group of singles or couples with a minimum of 10 persons.  There is an additional cost of $12 per person.  Lessons are available in Burnsville, Maple Grove, Minneapolis, Saint Paul, Shoreview, and Spring Lake Park.   Or add your name to our wait list.

Call 651-245-6670

 Cha-Cha,  Rumba, Salsa Merengue, & Waltz Dance Lessons by Attitude Dance Studios in Minneapolis St. Paul.

Burn the Floor brings you exciting dance lessons of ballroom and club dances.  Each step and movement will be presented to you with techniques for the Cha-Cha, Rumba, Salsa Merengue, and Waltz to the excitement, energy, and passion of infectious rhythms.  This dance class blends ballroom and club dances and will take you to a new height of skill – a skill that burns the floor.  Four dances are taught by Attitude Dance Studios’ instructors.

Eight 1-hour sessions Only $420

Four 2-hour sessions Only $410

Private Lesson Registration

Organize your own group of singles or couples with a minimum of 10 persons.  There is an additional cost of $16 per person.  Lessons are available in Burnsville, Maple Grove, Minneapolis, Saint Paul, Shoreview, and Spring Lake Park.   Or add your name to our wait list.

Call 651-245-6670

Nightclub Slow Dance, Nightclub Waltz, and Tango are featured in Dance Instruction by Attitude Dance Studios.

Our "Strictly Slow Dancing" dance instruction is for everyone that wants to enjoy dancing with a night out socially.  Learn how to hold your partner so that you blend together as one.  Learn new techniques to dance on a crowded floor and look good doing a variety of dance figures.

Six 1-hour sessions Only $330

Three 2-hour sessions Only $300

Private Lesson Registration

Organize your own group of singles or couples with a minimum of 10 persons.  There is an additional cost of $12 per person.  Lessons are available in Burnsville, Maple Grove, Minneapolis, Saint Paul, Shoreview, and Spring Lake Park.   Or add your name to our wait list.

Call 651-245-6670

Great Moves of East Coast Swing

East Coast Swing has long been a favorite of Swing dancers.  Here is your chance to bring your dance to a new level - either a ballroom or nightclub style.  Separate yourself from the ordinary with these moves.

Six 1-hour sessions Only $330

Three 2-hour sessions Only $300

Private Lesson Registration

Organize your own group of singles or couples with a minimum of 10 persons.  There is an additional cost of $12 per person.  Lessons are available in Burnsville, Maple Grove, Minneapolis, Saint Paul, Shoreview, and Spring Lake Park.   Or add your name to our wait list.

Call 651-245-6670

Great Moves of West Coast Swing

Born in California, West Coast Swing has swept across the country.  It's sophistication and smooth flow allows for countless syncopations for both the leader and follower.

Six 1-hour sessions Only $330

Three 2-hour sessions Only $300

Private Lesson Registration

Organize your own group of singles or couples with a minimum of 10 persons.  There is an additional cost of $12 per person.  Lessons are available in Burnsville, Maple Grove, Minneapolis, Saint Paul, Shoreview, and Spring Lake Park.   Or add your name to our wait list.

Call 651-245-6670

 Great Moves of J-Walk Swing

The J-Walk Swing, created by Attitude Dance instructor Jim Crawford, teaches you how to dance to the rhythm of any music you can think of.  Dance to rock n' roll, disco, blues, honky-tonk, Latin sounds, and even the polka.

Six 1-hour sessions Only $330

Three 2-hour sessions Only $300

Private Lesson Registration

Organize your own group of singles or couples with a minimum of 10 persons.  There is an additional cost of $12 per person.  Lessons are available in Burnsville, Maple Grove, Minneapolis, Saint Paul, Shoreview, and Spring Lake Park.   Or add your name to our wait list.

Call 651-245-6670

Great Moves of Free Style Dance

You move your body, feel the rhythm, and dance on time to the music.  Yet, you feel something is missing.  We teach you great moves of Freestyle Dancing.  Feel like a star anywhere, anytime.

Six 1-hour sessions Only $330

Three 2-hour sessions Only $300

Private Lesson Registration

Organize your own group of singles or couples with a minimum of 10 persons.  There is an additional cost of $12 per person.  Lessons are available in Burnsville, Maple Grove, Minneapolis, Saint Paul, Shoreview, and Spring Lake Park.   Or add your name to our wait list.

Call 651-245-6670

OUR LOCATIONS   OUR LOCATIONS   OUR LOCATIONS   OUR LOCATIONS   OUR LOCATIONS   OUR LOCATIONS

Burnsville: 2001 Cliff Road E, Suite #102, 55337 /  Maple Grove: 11355 96th Avenue N, 55369

Minneapolis Downtown: 1637 Hennepin Avenue, 55403  /  Saint Paul: 1560 St. Clair Ave., 55105  

Shoreview: 1057 West Highway 96, 55126  /  Spring Lake Park: 8301 Sunset Road NE, 55432

Also Serving Burnsville, Eagan, Savage, and other South Metro Communities:

Nicollet Junior High, 400 East 134th St., Burnsville, Minnesota 55337-4010

Also Serving Robbinsdale, New Hope, Brooklyn Park, Champlin, Crystal, and other North Metro Communities:

Winnetka Learning Center: 7940 55th Ave N., New Hope, Minnesota 55428-3736

Also Serving Robbinsdale, Golden Valley, New Hope, Brooklyn Park, Champlin, Crystal, and other North Metro Communities:

Sandburg Learning Center, 2400 Sandburg Lane, 55427

Attitude Dance™  1995 - 2010

Attitude Dance Companies™ 2005 - 2010

Attitude Dance Lessons™ 2002 - 2010

Attitude Dance Festivals™ 2002 - 2010

Attitude Dance Schools™ 2005 - 2010

Attitude Dance Shoppe™ 2005 - 2010

Attitude Dance Studios™ 2005 - 2010

Attitude Dance Travel™ 2002 - 2010

Dance-Rite Products™ 2005 - 2010

Single Dancers Network™ 2005 - 2010

Vacation Dance Festivals™ 2002 - 2010

WebCam Dance Studio™ 2005 - 2010

WebCam Dance Lessons™ 2005 - 2010