Dance Connection
Couples ballroom and social dance instruction in Pearl, Mississippi
Dance Connection is a ballroom and social dance studio in Pearl, Mississippi, founded in 2002 by Mike Day and Lisa Day.
Photo: Dance Connection via Google
Before your first class
The studio specializes in teaching couples and emphasizes that learning to dance requires time, patience, commitment and often a sense of humour, making it suitable for those starting together.
Private lessons available in monthly blocks; group classes and dance parties were historically $10 including practice party, Salsa Sundays $5, theme dances $10 per person
About this studio
Dance Connection is a ballroom and social dance studio in Pearl, Mississippi, founded in 2002 by Mike Day and Lisa Day. The studio specializes in teaching couples — whether married, dating or friends — through private lessons offered in monthly blocks with no long-term contracts required.
Mike Day is Mississippi's most experienced ballroom dance instructor, with a career spanning decades. He began dancing in 1978 as an amateur, winning numerous Disco dance contests across the South before transitioning to formal ballroom training. He trained under renowned coaches including United States champions David Hamilton and Teresa Shiry, and British Professional Exhibition Champion June Mavor. Mike served as Dance Director for Fred Astaire studios in Mobile, Alabama, founded Hollywood Dance Studios, directed Florida Dance Centers in Tampa and St. Petersburg, and managed In Step Dance Club in Jackson from 1990–2002. For 20 years he produced regional ballroom competitions in Biloxi, Gulfport, Mobile, Branson, Pensacola and Myrtle Beach. He is a certified Fred Astaire Gold level instructor specializing in American style Smooth, Rhythm, Cabaret and Theatre Arts, and winner of multiple Top Teacher and Top Pro-Am awards at Fred Astaire National Championships, Southern States Dance Championships and Florida State DanceSport Championships.
Lisa Day is the studio's most successful female ballroom instructor, with over twenty years of experience. She received formal training in Fred Astaire and DVIDA programs from Mike Day and developed additional expertise in Savoy Style Lindy Hop, Argentine Tango and West Coast Swing. Lisa is also a Jackson-area veterinarian specializing in animal dentistry, serves as the studio's business manager and coordinates all outside bookings, special events and DJ services. Together, Mike and Lisa pioneered several firsts in Mississippi: the weekly group class combined with practice party, Salsa Sundays classes, First Tuesdays dances at nightclubs, formal New Year's Eve dance parties starting in 2003, monthly theme dances with decorated ballroom and complimentary hors d'oeuvres, specialized wedding dance lessons, outside-studio classes with full DJ service, house-call lessons and ballroom dance instruction at Hinds Community College.
The studio teaches American style ballroom dances including Foxtrot, Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Rumba, Cha-Cha, East Coast (Triple-Step) Swing, Mambo, Samba, Bolero and Merengue, alongside social dances such as Night Club Two Step, Savoy Style Lindy Hop, Single Step Swing, West Coast Swing, Salsa, Bachata, Disco Hustle and Country & Western (Texas) Two Step. Instruction covers leading and following with connection and partnership, techniques and terminology of social dancing, posture, control, balance and comfortable movement, music and timing, and blending patterns and floorcraft.
From 2002–2019, the studio's Thursday evening group classes and dances accumulated a combined attendance of nearly 40,000 people, introducing social dancing to more people than any other studio in the entire South. Mike Day developed one of the most outstanding dance music libraries in the country with thousands of traditional ballroom, swing, Latin and country & western selections, with over 20,000 songs individually edited for proper dance tempo and optimal length for social dancing. The studio expanded Fred Astaire programming by also teaching from the Dance Vision International Dance Association (DVIDA) syllabus. Mike Day is available for coaching, student evaluations, group class instruction, event organization, adjudicating, music editing, staff dance sessions, dance choreography, exhibitions and program design.
What to expect
Your first visit
Private lessons are by appointment only and offered in monthly blocks. Instruction focuses on leading and following with connection, social dancing techniques, posture, balance and musicality. The studio also offers group classes, wedding lessons, performances by instructors, and outside-studio classes at churches, schools, businesses and events.
Instructors
Who teaches here
Mike Day and Lisa Day are the primary instructors. Mike Day has trained hundreds of teachers and students across multiple Fred Astaire studios and is certified at Gold level in American style Smooth, Rhythm, Cabaret and Theatre Arts. Lisa Day, trained by Mike, is the studio's most successful female ballroom instructor with over twenty years of experience and additional expertise in Savoy Style Lindy Hop, Argentine Tango and West Coast Swing.
New to dancing?
What beginners can expect
The studio specializes in teaching couples and emphasizes that learning to dance requires time, patience, commitment and often a sense of humour, making it suitable for those starting together.
Studio history
Dance Connection was founded in 2002 by Mike Day and Lisa Day, transitioning from the traditional studio format to make ballroom dancing practical and affordable. Their mission was to offer high-quality instruction with a genuine venue for students to practice. From 2002–2019, their Thursday evening classes and dances attracted nearly 40,000 combined attendees, introducing social dancing to more people than any other studio in the South.
Styles offered
21 dance styles taught here
Gallery
The people, the parties and the dancing here
Amenities
Pricing
Approximate lesson costs
Class schedule
Weekly classes and workshops
Dance Connectionhasn't set up a public class schedule yet.
If you own Dance Connection, claiming the studio lets you add a public schedule in about 2 minutes. A free Google Calendar is the easiest path — visitors see your class times inline + can add events to their own calendar.
Frequently asked about Dance Connection
Quick answers to the most common questions
What dance styles does Dance Connection teach?
Dance Connection teaches Ballroom, Foxtrot, Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Rumba and 15 more. The full list of styles is shown above on this page along with each genre's classes and lesson options.
Where is Dance Connection located?
Dance Connection is located in Pearl, MS. See the map above for the exact address and one-tap directions.
Does Dance Connection offer private lessons?
Contact Dance Connection directly to ask about private lessons and current class options — their website has the latest details.
Does Dance Connection teach kids and adults?
Dance Connection welcomes students of varied ages and experience levels. Contact the studio to learn which classes fit your age group and level.
How do I sign up for classes at Dance Connection?
The fastest path is to visit Dance Connection via their website or check the class schedule above. Many studios offer a free or discounted intro lesson — contact them directly to ask.