Blue Moon Dancesport

Blue Moon Ballroom is a full-service dance studio founded in 2011 and led by instructor James Williamson. The studio teaches over 20 styles of social dance: Foxtrot, Waltz, Rumba, Salsa, East Coast Swing, Cha-Cha, Samba, Bolero, Tango, Mambo, Merengue, Viennese Waltz, Carolina Shag, West Coast Swing, Line Dances, Hustle, Bachata, Quickstep, Peabody, Night Club Two Step, Country and Western Two Step, and American Tango. Both group classes and private lessons are available seven days a week by appointment.

Jim Williamson trained in the Arthur Murray method of ballroom dancing and has been teaching since 1986. His teaching style is described as fun and relaxed with humour. He has coached students to first-place finishes at the Florida Gator Classic Dancesport Championship, the Costa Rican National Dancesport Championship, the Sunshine State Dancesport Championship, and the Millennium International Dancesport Championship. During his time at Arthur Murray Studios, International, he was trained by Patrick Johnson (ten-dance world champion), Sergio Moya (top international competitor), Michael Richenbach (retired regional director and former owner of Arthur Murray Studio, Ft. Myers), and David Hamilton (Theatre Arts World Champion). Additional coaches include Tony Prado (Top Five World Competitor), Max Sinitsa (World Champion), Kem Overby (Grand Master Instructor), Dan Calloway (Dual Fellowship with the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing), and Karina Smirnoff (five-time U.S. National Champion, World Trophy Champion, and Asian Open Champion). Jim now teaches the DVIDA (Dance Vision) system at all levels and is the author of "A Ballroom Dance Teacher: How to Find a Good One, How to Be a Great One" (available on Kindle and Createspace). He is also available for remote teaching and willing to travel.

The studio offers several entry points for new dancers. A free first group class is available, and a New Student Special provides 2 private lessons plus 1 group class for $99 (regularly $218). The studio encourages a three-phase programme: at least one to two private lessons per week, at least one group class per week, and attendance at First Friday night dance parties. All private lessons are 45 minutes long and accommodate up to four people. Practice sessions can also be booked by appointment, offering studio use with music sources and video references.

The studio runs First Saturday social dance parties from 7:00–9:00 pm each month at $5 per person, featuring open dancing, refreshments, one complimentary beverage, and drawings for free group classes and private lessons. Wedding dance packages are available for bride and groom, father and daughter, mother and son, grandparents, or the entire bridal party. The studio also offers training for competitive dancers, with beginner categories available.

Group classes follow a calendar schedule; private lessons are booked by appointment seven days a week. You'll work with instructors trained in the Arthur Murray and DVIDA systems who teach at all levels. The studio offers a free first group class and a New Student Special of 2 private lessons plus 1 free group class for $99.

James Williamson (Jim), the owner and lead instructor, trained in the Arthur Murray method and has been teaching since 1986. He was coached by world champions including Patrick Johnson, Sergio Moya, Karina Smirnoff, and Max Sinitsa, and has guided students to wins at multiple national and international dancesport championships.

The studio explicitly welcomes absolute beginners: instructors work with people of all levels of ability, and the studio notes that "if you can breathe you can dance."