Group Dance Classes
Group dance classes are a fun, social way to start dancing—no partner needed! Meet new friends, move to music, and enjoy a healthy, feel-good vibe.
Here are some helpful links:
Dance Recommendations – Explore class levels and our curriculum overview.
Need help picking classes? Schedule a Planning Chat—we’re happy to help!
Curious what the dances look like? Watch videos of real classes and events to see the fun in action.
Don’t see your favorite dance on the schedule? Send us an email request or join a similar style to keep progressing—many dances share the same foundations.
Need help booking? Visit our Booking Support and Video Library
How Do Classes Work?
Our group classes are designed to build your skills step-by-step, starting with Level 1 for brand-new dancers. Whether you’re solo or bringing a partner, you’re welcome—and rotating partners is totally optional!
Each series kicks off the first week of the month and builds over 3–4 weeks. Beginner-1 classes flow right into our Pre-Intermediate Foundations, giving you 6–8 weeks of growing confidence in one dance style.
Our instructors keep it fun and flexible, adjusting the pace based on the group—so you might get to try more advanced moves sooner if the class is ready!
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Planning to Join Us?
Online registration closes the day before class, and Earlybird discounts end the last day of the previous month—so it’s best to preregister as paid, though you can also “pay cash at door”.
Not into tech? No worries—we’re happy to book for you! Just call our landline 503-241-0460 or email Linda.
Walk-ins are welcome! Just check the Daily Class Updates the afternoon of class.
Want to save time? Create your account here.
Tip: Allow cookies so our schedules load properly—thanks for your patience!
What to Expect —
Your First Class (and Beyond!)
Your class runs 45 minutes with 15 minutes of guided practice, usually once a week for 3–4 weeks (like 4 Mondays @ 7pm). Classes start the first week of the month.
Wear comfy clothes and shoes that slide—not stick—like smooth soles or leather. Arrive a few minutes early to check in, meet your instructor, grab a name tag, and settle in.
Then… have fun! You’ll learn new steps, meet fellow dancers, and build on what you learned each week.
Our instructors tailor each class to your group—if you’re ready for more, they’ll level it up!
The Long Game
DanceWell’s got you covered with classes in Parkrose and Aloha Beaverton, OR. We teach everything from Ballroom to Latin, Swing, Country, and Nightclub dances.
It’s not just about memorizing steps – we focus on movement, lead/follow skills, and making your dance look good. Start with Level 1 and work your way up, repeating classes to really get it down. Each series adds something new, so you’re always leveling up.
Mix it up! Taking different styles not only makes you a more versatile dancer, but it keeps things fresh and fun. The more you try, the better you’ll get at switching gears and adapting your moves. Think of it like perfecting a golf swing, hitting that sweet guitar riff, or nailing that shot on the basketball court. It takes time and practice.
Take advantage of our Rewards Points Program and easy online booking. Ready to go all in? Try our Unlimited Class and Party Card. And don’t forget to hit up our weekly dance parties or book a private lesson to keep sharpening those skills!
Curriculum Overview
Classes are grouped by skill levels, each level building on skills learned in earlier classes.
- Beginner Month 1: INTRO [no experience] –
- Pre-Intermediate Level 2: FOUNDATIONS [1-6 months actual dance experience]
- Intermediate Skill Level 3: [6 months to 2 years actual dance experience]
- Advanced Skill Level 4: [2 years plus actual dance experience]
- SWING-1 (a Beginner or Intro class) –no skills needed. repeat to “set” your basic skills on auto-pilot.
- SWING-2 (Beyond Beginner or Improver class) should have 2-4 months experience in beginner steps before joining this class and plan to remain in this class level for a year or longer.
- SWING-3 or 4 (Intermediate to Advanced class) Students in this class should have already been studying this dance for 1 year or more. There are many variations to learn.
Repeating our classes is encouraged to build a solid foundation in social dancing while developing skill and style. How long you should I stay in a certain class level? This is directly related to how much dance time you put in outside of class… Speed up the process! Attend our dance socials and private lessons to practice the new steps you’ve learned.
Skill-Set: LITTLE OR NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED. For brand new dancers and also for those who have experienced some sort of dance rhythms and partnering. A half hour private lesson or two can be of help if you get started if you wish.
Your BEGINNER goals: 1) Learn simple Rhythms to music. 2) Learn balanced movement with a partner. 3) Learn some partnering “lead/follow” skills” turning, traveling, twirling and more. 4) Learn usually the first 5-7 patterns of a certain dance. 5) “Get by” at a dance event.
Note: All patterns at a level cannot be taught in one 4-week series. Each time you repeat a class series you’ll learn better form, partnering and movement skills and a few more patterns too.
ADD MORE DANCE STYLES: Each new dance learned improves your general timing, partnering and movement skills. BALLROOM like Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango. SWING like East Coast Single, East Coast Triple, 4-count Swing, West Coast… NIGHTCLUB & COUNTRY like Nightclub 2-Step, Hustle, Country 2-Step… LATIN like Cha Cha, Rumba, Salsa.
Skill-Set: 3 MONTHS DANCE EXPERIENCE IN THE DANCE LISTED. For those who can already comfortably transition with partners between many basic patterns.
Your goals in an Basics & Beyond class: 1) Improve your partnering skills and style. 2) Improve turning, traveling, twirling. 3) Add to your repertoire of dance moves, usually steps 8-10 of the foundation social patterns. Note: all these variations cannot be taught in one 4-week series.
Repeating class series lets you “forget” the steps and begin to shine.
Skill-Set: 1 TO 2+ YEARS EXPERIENCE IN THE PARTICULAR DANCE BEING TAUGHT. Continuously improving your skills, ready to add new exciting moves to your dance repertoire. For those already comfortable with their lead/follow skills in a particular dance style.
Your goals in an INTERMEDIATE / ADVANCED class: 1) Understand and use the fundamentals learned earlier. 2) Apply your skills to more difficult steps. 3) Add to and improve your dancing skills with more advanced form and finessed movement. Become free to express yourself.
**You can stay at this level for a long long time. Many many new variations to learn!
Skill-Set: 2-3 YEARS EXPERIENCE IN THE DANCE BEING TAUGHT. Continuously improving your skills, able to quickly review and add or create new combinations. Preparation for Medals Testing if desired.
Your goals in an ADVANCED class: 1) Review of all steps in a certain level. 2) Continue improving technique skills, lead/follow and variations. True mastery of the dance!
Some things to take note of when learning to dance:
Repeating “Class Levels” does not mean repeating the exact same steps each time. There are more steps in a ‘level’ than can be taught in one month. It’s one thing to be able to get around the dance floor – it’s quite another to get around the dance floor with PANACHE!
Advanced DanceWell students are encouraged to continue to repeat Beginner or Intermediate classes often to focus on skills instead of steps. And watch for Technique Workshops!
Planning ahead for your new hobby. Plan to wear comfortable clean clothes and thin-soled, snug-fitting shoes that are NOT “non-skid. (Specialized dancing shoes do support dance movements better…)
Enjoy treating yourself to a private lesson appointments in-person or virtually! Get some personal attention to speed your learning curve and improve your skills! And practice your new skills often; on your own and at our parties & socials.
Learning a variety of different dances gives you more options for nights out… Need more details about group classes or dances in general? Go HERE Need help? EMAIL or call Linda 503.241.0460
Remember Dance is not just about the steps — it’s about everything in between the steps. We hope you’ll try to “get” that fundamental movement and footwork of the dance and work to make your partner-to-partner connection good either as lead or follower.
