Q: What is Dance Xpress™?

A: Dance Xpress™ is the primary product line of XI Dance! Dance Xpress™ is a series of interactive mobile seminars designed to incorporate advanced learning techniques with world-class couples dance instruction and choreography. Dance Xpress™ is a quick, easy, and fun way to get your feet moving to the beat without many of the barriers that prevent people from learning to dance. Dance Xpress™ is NOT associated with a ballroom or a dance studio; therefore we do not have long-term contracts or high-pressure salesmen.

Q: Where is XI Dance?

A: As the seminars are mobile, XI Dance classes are currently being offered in a number of locations around the greater Tampa Bay area. The sessions are taught in facilities such as community recreation centers, gymnasiums, and hotel ballrooms. It is our philosophy that dancing is a pastime that can and should be enjoyed and practiced outside the walls of a dance studio, and as such, we look high and low for our seminar locations.

Q: When do the classes take place?

A: The XI Dance classes are designed for busy people with full schedules. Thus they are scheduled primarily on Saturdays and Sundays with occasional weekday seminars (Wednesdays in October, and then Tuesdays in November). The all day seminars begin at 9:00 AM and run until 5:00 PM, and the half day seminars vary, but are usually from 9-1pm. A half hour break is included for lunch in the all day seminar, so it's usually a good idea to bring a bag lunch or have an idea of where to eat quickly.

Q: Why are the lessons usually one day or less?

A: At first blush, many people are incredulous that our curriculum can be taught and assimilated in just one day. You'd be surprised what the right instruction, a lot of patience, and a unique learning environment will give you. After just one day, you'll have a completely different perspective on dancing and on relating to your partner. Dancing is as easy and natural as walking once you are taught by a seasoned professional. Our instructors have successfully trained thousands of people over the years. In addition, we have found that our participants have a much easier time scheduling time for one day rather than two or three consecutive days. We also employ the one-day seminar model because the tight schedule of the seminar does not allow participants to develop, imprint, and ingrain bad habits through incorrect practice techniques.

Q: Why do your classes have a sports theme?

A: Well, this aspect of our classes was designed by guys for guys. Sports of various types are a pastime that most of us are familiar with (especially men) here in America. Dance, however, is not a pastime that most people are familiar with. The sports theme and comfortable athletic apparel are designed to first get you and your partner to the seminar wearing clothing that is comfortable and movement-friendly, and then actually accelerate the learning process through the sports theme. This is accomplished by basing many of the dance moves on their “sports” counterparts. You will be amazed at how quickly you learn during the course of one of our classes.

Q: Who teaches the XI Dance classes?

A: All of the Dance Xpress™ seminars are facilitated by a team of instructors (called coaches). One instructor is designated as the head coach and is considered the subject matter expert of the day. However, the other instructors, referred to as Assistant Coaches, lead various segments of the day and facility group exercises throughout the over-all seminar. All of the instructors are available for questions and are fully trained on the curriculum, couples dancing lead and follow techniques, and the choreography being taught. Many of our instructors compete in their specialty dance styles, such as swing, salsa, or country-western. All of our coaches have been selected because of their teaching skills and ability to help beginners learn to dance efficiently and correctly.

Q: Are dance shoes necessary to take one of your classes?

A: No, they're not, though they're often better for control and sometimes they're more comfortable. We recommend learning with your most comfortable pair of shoes (make sure they're not open-heel like flip-flops or mules) and then practicing in the shoes that you're going to be dancing in on the night of the event.

Q. What is the easiest dance style to learn?

A. The Slow Dance is by far the easiest dance to learn because it is basically just walking in time to music. It comes highly recommended, as it is something everyone can use, no matter what type of music you listen to. The two social dances that we recommend are the East Coast Swing (think big band) and Salsa. Which you select depends on your music preferences. Each dance offers a variety of beginner-friendly moves and are very popular social dances. Also, both Salsa and Swing both provide great foundations for learning other dance styles.

Q: My dance partner and I LOVE techno – is there an XI Dance class for us?

A: Of course there is! A dance called the Hustle (or Club) is ideal for the steady beat and driving movement in techno music. The Hustle, originally developed during the 1970's to fit the smooth disco tunes of that day, is a popular couple's dance that can be danced to music of varying speeds, making it a highly versatile dance. You and your dance partner learn this dance in our Swing Party Pack.

Q: My partner and I have just completed one of the XI Dance classes, and we are excited about what we learned, but where do we go from here?

A: Fabulous! We are excited for you! Now it's time to get out and practice your new moves! XI Dance can direct you to a number of venues where you can get out on the dance floor and shake a leg. If, after you have gotten out and practiced some, you find that you would like to continue on and learn more of the same dance, or perhaps a new and different dance style, give us a call or send us an email. We offer a variety of “continuing education” sessions for the graduates of our beginner sessions.