Fred Astaire Dance Studios - Arcadia

Fred Astaire Dance Studios—Arcadia is part of the national Fred Astaire chain, which has been teaching ballroom dance since 1947. The studio teaches partnership dances across American and International ballroom styles, Latin dances, and social club dances. You can study Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Foxtrot, Quickstep, Bolero, Cha Cha, Rumba, Samba, Mambo, Paso Doble, Jive, Argentine Tango, Merengue, Salsa, Hustle, East Coast Swing, and West Coast Swing.

The studio offers private lessons, group classes, and practice sessions (social dance parties in a dimmed ballroom with music). The teaching approach uses the Fred Astaire proprietary curriculum, which the studio says allows students to feel confident by the end of their first lesson. Lessons are tailored to your goals: social dancing, wedding preparation, or competitive Pro-Am dancing.

The Arcadia location is led by Studio Director Serhiy Smolin, who was born in Lviv, Ukraine and began ballroom dancing at age 6. The teaching team includes Kyryl Vasiuk (WDC European Champion in Professional Latin American Show) and Polina Bohdanova (multiple winner of Ukrainian championships). All instructors are certified in the Fred Astaire curriculum and many have Fine Arts degrees and are actively competing professional dancers.

Wedding dance programmes are a speciality. The studio creates choreography for first dances, father–daughter and mother–son dances, and full wedding party routines, ranging from simple steps to fully choreographed pieces. The studio recommends starting lessons at least 5–6 months before your wedding. You can bring song choices, venue photos, and attire examples to consultations to shape the dance to your style.

The studio accepts both singles and couples; if you come alone, your instructor partners with you in private lessons, and group classes and practice sessions offer chances to meet other students. The introductory offer for new students is 2 private lessons and 2 practice sessions for $99. Beyond that, pricing varies based on your specific interests and goals. Lessons can be scheduled close together in the beginning to minimise forgetting and speed learning. The studio also runs Regional, Inter-Regional, National, and International Pro-Am and Professional Dance Competitions for students interested in competitive dancing.

On your first visit, you'll join other students in a warm, non-judgmental ballroom environment. If you're taking private lessons, you'll work one-on-one or as a couple with a certified instructor. Group classes combine several students learning from one instructor. Practice sessions are dimmed, party-like social dancing where you apply what you've learned and meet other students.

The studio is directed by Serhiy Smolin, who was born in Lviv, Ukraine and began dancing at age 6. Kyryl Vasiuk is a WDC European Champion in Professional Latin American Show category and Arizona Grand Championship 2023 winner. Polina Bohdanova is a multiple winner of Ukrainian championships and Quarter-finalist in other competitions. All instructors are certified in the Fred Astaire curriculum; many have Fine Arts degrees and are actively competing, award-winning professional dancers.

No partner is necessary; singles are welcome and your instructor partners with you in private lessons. Group classes and practice sessions welcome all levels and all ages.