First Dance Charlotte

First Dance Charlotte specializes in private wedding dance lessons and online tutorials for couples preparing for their first dance. Founded in 2014 by Alex Zsoldos, the studio has taught over 2,000 beginner couples, both in person and online since 2019. The studio is located in the Country Club Heights neighborhood near Plaza Midwood and NoDa, and operates by appointment only from a home studio space.

Private lessons at the Charlotte studio are structured around three core phases: learning foundations through online tutorials at home (typically 2 hours), private 60-minute lessons with Alex, and filming at the end of each lesson so you can practise at home. The studio offers four private lesson packages: Punch & Mints (2 lessons, $449), Coffee & Cake (3 lessons, $599), Wine & Cheese (4 lessons, $749), and Champagne & Caviar (5 lessons, $899). All packages include enrolment in First Dance 101 or a custom choreography tutorial worth $164. A 50% deposit is due within 72 hours to reserve lessons, with the remainder due in 30 days.

Online tutorials teach you to break away from the "prom sway", learn proper hold, basic footwork, twirls, dips, and how to move naturally around the floor to any song. First Dance 101, the foundational tutorial, takes about 2 to 3 hours to complete and applies to any first dance song. The studio also offers 50+ custom choreography tutorials to specific songs, including "Perfect" by Ed Sheeran, "Beyond" by Leon Bridges, and "The Way You Look Tonight" by Frank Sinatra, priced at $149–$197. All tutorials can be adapted for father-daughter, mother-son, and same-sex couples.

Alex Zsoldos teaches alongside her non-professional-dancer husband Jordan, who features in the studio's tutorial videos. The studio has been featured in The New York Times and received The Knot Best of Weddings Hall of Fame Award. Lessons focus on removing stress during wedding planning and helping couples feel confident, relaxed, and natural on the dance floor.

When you book private lessons, you'll enrol in an online tutorial to complete at home before your first appointment, then attend 60-minute sessions at the studio in the Country Club Heights neighbourhood. Each lesson ends with a film of your dance so you can practise the steps at home. The environment is described as non-judgmental, cheerful and light-filled, with emphasis on fun and customisation to your style as a couple.

Alex Zsoldos, owner and instructor, has been teaching wedding dance lessons since 2014 and has taught over 2,000 couples. She is interviewed in the Wedded Podcast (Episode 35) and was featured in The New York Times. She teaches alongside her husband Jordan, who is a piano teacher and dances with her in tutorial videos.

Designed for absolute beginners and those with two left feet; all tutorials have been learned and performed by absolute beginner dancers.