Dance Passion, the shortcut to happiness in St. Pete
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Learn to Dance With Happy People in A Happy Place
Dance Passion is a Ballroom Studio run by Bulgarian Dancer Ivan Grigorov and his team of certified pros.
They run Group and Private Lessons in Latin and Ballroom in a beautiful custom-created Studio on Central Avenue in St. Petersburg with the motto ‘There are shortcuts to happiness and dancing with passion is one of them.’
Dance Passion aims to bring all forms of social dancing to everyone in a supportive and nurturing atmosphere to play and learn the art of dance. The quality of teaching is excellent for everyone from complete beginners to advanced competition students. We also support our students by giving them instant access to live training videos between classes. Dance Passion strives to create the best environment for learning to dance. It is the only Studio in the County offering free weekly live tutorials with plenty of demonstrations to prolong the effects of the class, thereby empowering students to control their progress.
Whether you’ve never danced before and would like to learn, have thought about it, or are afraid to try, or learned a few times and need a refresher, we can help! From the classic and dashing Foxtrot to the energetic Jitterbug, Dance Passion is where you can have fun while learning to dance. In addition to group dance classes and private lessons, we have monthly dance practice parties.
It all starts with a free Trial Lesson! Call us today to schedule your initial trial lesson (solo or with a partner) or register: For a Trial Lesson Please Click Here
Accolades, Salutations, Hallelujahs and a mess of AMENS (I’d have thrown in Hail Mary’s but I’m Jewish)… finally after too many decades and devastated expectations, coupled with a small fortune that at least kept the AC on for far too many dance teachers and their schools… (and this is inclusive of schools on multiple continents, with different languages and a myriad of techniques) I am finally, FINALLY making progress!!! I”m only on lesson 8 at this point; but my previous accomplishments were never much more notable than stumbling awkwardly, usually out of step and forever grateful that the wayward toes of my partner and even the teacher were fortuitously spared total crippling or permanent disfigurement. Now, with Bryan at the helm, I am moving with some degree of control, synchronizing with my partner, managing basic steps and minimally… I am NOT the worst ‘dancer’ on the dance floor. [Okay, perhaps I’m still the worst dancer on the dance floor… but at least I’m doing so much better than ever before… and I’m improving with each lesson.] While medical school was difficult, nothing ever seemed so evasive and impossible for me as fulfilling my hopes that someday I might actually be able to move rhythmically to music. Yet Bryan and Dance Passion has mastered the rare, alchemic magic and finesse, (or more specifically: the talent, expertise, patience and insight) to get me out of my head, handicap, hubris and hopelessness…. transforming me into… well… someone who not only believes I will someday dance with confidence and joy, but someone who undeniably knows it with unwavering certainty! Kudos, Thanks, and unbridled Gratitude! ~Stuart Lipman MD
I was fortunate enough to meet Ivan and his upbeat circle of staff as well as his sexy, zany stable of students two years ago. I think Dance Passion is terrific. Technique is taught in a supportive, easy to understand way that belies the complexity of the underlying material. The best thing, though, is that the passion for dance comes through in a positive, life affirming way. Dance Passion is a place where you can give yourself the gift of dance. Try it and you will see…
Looking for a place to learn to dance? It is HERE! Jot down the address! Dance Passion is where you will find Ivan and his team of talented professionals, Monika and Kyle; who GREET you with sincere warmth and friendliness and TEACH you their LOVE for the ART of DANCE. After a lesson, we, the students, leave with a feeling of accomplishment, enjoyment and eager to return to learn the next dance! Now, I want to perfect my STYLE ! Look out, Ginger!
Dance Passion Studio is not only the place for dancing. It’s a state of mind and soul because the owner/ instructor Ivan and instructor Thibault manage to give you peace, joy, fun and very professional dancing skills during the class. You always look forward to next class to come, to every Friday’s party and Monday’s to Friday’s group classes. There are multiple programs for kids, couples and seniors waiting for you. Surprise your spouse, friend or child with passionate dancing you can learn at Dance Passion! You will find peace inside you and will forget about life outside with Dance Passion I can guarantee you that, it’s my own experience. You are never too young or too old to dance!
“Great dancers are not great because of their technique, they are great because of their passion”
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How I Can Get Better at Ballroom Dancing
How I Can Get Better at Ballroom Dancing Ballroom dancing is a beautiful and elegant form of partnered dancing that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels. If you're looking to improve your ballroom dancing skills, there are several things you can do to achieve your goal. Here are a few tips to help you become a better ballroom dancer: Take lessons from a qualified instructor: The best way to improve your ballroom dancing skills is to take lessons from a qualified instructor. Look for a teacher who is experienced and has a good reputation. The instructor should be able to provide you with the proper technique, footwork, and styling that is specific to each dance. Practice regularly: Consistent practice is key to improving your ballroom dancing skills. Set aside time each week to practice the steps and movements you've learned in class. The more [...]
10 Things To Do After Your First Ballroom Dance Class
10 Important Things To Do After Your First Ballroom Dance Class We get multiple questions about what to do after the first ballroom dance lesson. One of the most common questions is "what to do to prepare for the next few dance lessons". Here are ten things you can do that will help you prepare. Most of them are fairly simple and have a huge impact on how you dance. 1. Wait to Practice It may be a surprise to learn that it is better not to practice after your first private lesson. Why? It’s very simple. You don’t have the knowledge or the muscle memory of the proper dance technique yet. It’s very frustrating for you and your teacher after that to break all of these “bad habits”. Even the best Ballroom Dance Teacher can’t teach you in one lesson. When you start [...]
Top 10 Wedding Songs in 2020 That Haven’t Been Played To Death
Top 10 Wedding Songs That Haven’t Been Played To Death This post was last updated in March 2020! Are you tired of hearing the same old wedding songs at a wedding reception? Or maybe you want to have a wedding song to dance to that is as unique as your love is for your partner! Perhaps you have no idea what you want to dance to for your first dance and you are desperate for suggestions! Well, we have made a list of ten songs that we feel would be a good contribution to your list to consider for your first dance. We tried to include wedding songs from all different genres to try and find music as different as your story may be. There are even a few of the lyrics included in the description. that we felt really chime strongly in the songs. The other good thing [...]
Passion in Pictures
Passion in Pictures In each and every dancer there is defining moment when technique merges with Passion. You know. You've experienced this. Meet the man who has made capturing that moment his mission. Meet Joe Gaudet in an interview specially for Dance Passion. “I will have done something that matters if I can capture the singular defining moment – the expression and emotion of life – in a photo of their dance.” – Joe Gaudet Picture this. I’m in the audience of the Florida Superstars Dancesport Championships when I notice him. He is near the edge of the dance floor. His stillness exists in stark contrast to the feverish movement displayed on the floor. His eyes seem to be everywhere. His camera is in hand; the lens poised and ready. The photographer looks like a dancer himself with the tight physique of the U.S. Navy helicopter rescue crewman he [...]
Wheelchair Dancing
Wheelchair Dancing Wheelchair dancing is a partner dance where at least one of the dancers is in a wheelchair. The physical benefits of wheelchair dancing include the maintenance of physical balance, flexibility, range of motion, coordination and improved respiratory control. This dramatically increases physical health and keeps your body fit and functioning The psychological effects of ballroom dancing are social interaction and the development of relationships. This increases your mental health and helps you develop a support network and friends to enjoy life with. We had the opportunity to talk with Ms. Wheelchair America 2016, Dr. Alette Coble-Temple. Here is what she had to say about the benefits of dancing for wheelchair-users: Ivan: Tell me a little bit about yourself. Dr. Coble-Temple: I am a licensed psychologist. I have a doctorate in clinical psychology and teach at JFK University. Currently, I’m Ms. Wheelchair America and part of what I’m [...]
Trust A Leader Who Can Lead (Part II)
Trust A Leader Who Can Lead (Part II) This post follows our previous one outlining the fundamentals of “How To Follow” for beginners in partner dancing. This post does something similar with an emphasis on the interaction with your partner. Staying On Time Sometimes you are dancing on beat, sometimes you are 50-50 and sometimes you are in your own world dancing to an “amazing” rhythm no one else can hear. Sound familiar? If you and your partner are both true beginners, it takes time to develop rhythm recognition. Even though it may be challenging, follow your partner along the best you can. A little theory. What does it mean to be “on time”, on the “right beat”? Most of the songs will be on “4” or “8” beat measures. Only the “Waltz” songs will be on 1,2,3 beats. So to be on time, first recognize the music. Is [...]
Trust A Leader Who Can Lead (Part I)
Trust A Leader Who Can Lead (Part I) In ballroom dancing there is a saying which goes "1+1=1". It is very important that a couple be seen as dancing as one individual, rather than two people who just happen to be dancing together. More simply put, this is synchronization. The follower must allow themselves to be lead and the leader must have good clear signals to lead. Each person has a clear role to achieve the best outcome. Learning to allow your partner to lead is not easy, it takes a lot of sensitivity, especially if you are in a beginner’s class and the leader isn’t giving you clear signals (we’ll address this in a separate post). Here are a few tips for the follower beginner dancers: Clear Your Mind Try to avoid running a narrative in your head of everything you're doing wrong. Instead, just be open and [...]
Want to Boost Your Productivity? Get Up and Dance
Want to Boost Your Productivity? Get Up and Dance Sharper thinking If you’ve been experiencing a bit of brain fog at work, shaking your groove thing can help clear that cloud away. Studies have found that dancing can improve cognition as well as fine motor skills. So, if you work at a job that requires focusing on a task for extended periods of time, dancing may be just what the doctor ordered. A report published in the New England Journal of Medicine also found dancing can reduce a person's chance of developing dementia. Reading, playing board games, and playing musical instruments were also found to help sharpen the mind. Increased energy Are you looking for some energy to get through the work day? If you’ve resorted to mixing energy drinks with your coffee, it may be time to make a change. Dancing before work can give you a much [...]
Social Dance Etiquette
Social Dance Etiquette Asking to Dance: When you want to dance with someone, make eye contact, offer your hand, and ask clearly, “Would you like to dance?” Show your appreciation by escorting your partner onto the dance floor and helping them feel comfortable. Accepting a Dance: If someone asks you to dance, the polite response is “Yes, thank you, I’d love to.” In a social dance setting, it is important to be supportive and kind to your partners, regardless of their skill level. During the Dance: Be aware of your partner's needs, smile, make eye contact, and feel free to have a light conversation. At the end of the dance, express your gratitude by saying thank you and escorting your partner off the floor. Declining a Dance: It is acceptable to decline a dance if your partner has been physically or verbally abusive, if they are drunk or threatening, [...]
FREE Ballroom Dance Lesson
To make sure you enjoy the way we teach and that you like our studio, we offer one FREE Private Ballroom Dance Lesson. This lesson can be taken Monday to Friday from 1:00 pm to 9:00 pm. The trial lesson is 30 min long. Every ballroom lesson, group class, and dance party after that will be 40 min.
To reserve your spot, please send us your request through our FREE Dance Lessons Page.