Fred Astaire Dance Studios

Fred Astaire Dance Studios in Carmel teaches ballroom and Latin partnership dances to students of all ages and abilities. The studio is part of a franchise that has been helping people discover the joy of dance since 1947. Their approach combines private lessons, group lessons, and practice parties to help you learn as much as possible in the shortest time, with the highest retention.

The Carmel location sits at 820 E 116th Street, Suite 600. The studio teaches a comprehensive range of styles: waltz, tango, foxtrot, Viennese waltz, quickstep, cha cha, rumba, samba, mambo, merengue, jive, paso doble, bolero, salsa, Argentine tango, East Coast swing, West Coast swing, hustle, and country western two-step. They offer both International and American ballroom styles.

The team includes owner Dan Rutherford, Regional Dance Director Nicole Carroll-Rutherford, Manager Lindsey Rutherford, and instructors Elizabeth Krug (from Santa Barbara, California), Fabio Pellicori (from Rome, Italy), and Daphne Koziura (from Greenwood, Indiana). All instructors are certified in the Fred Astaire Curriculum. Many are award-winning professional dancers, some with Fine Arts degrees, and many actively compete. Collectively they bring experience from around the world.

Wedding dance instruction is a core offering. The studio customises wedding programmes for couples, from simple first-dance steps to fully choreographed routines for the entire wedding party. They recommend starting lessons at least one month before the ceremony, or 5–6 months for more involved routines. They can also choreograph dances for the father–daughter, mother–son, and other wedding party participants.

Beyond weddings, the studio serves social dancers and competitive dancers alike. For those with competitive interests, Fred Astaire offers opportunities to compete in Regional, Inter-Regional, National, and International Pro-Am and Professional dance competitions. The studio also runs Guest Parties, Showcases, Spotlights, Community Outreach Events, Coaching Sessions, and group outings to help students apply what they're learning in a social setting.

Private lessons are available both in-person at the studio and online via virtual instruction. The studio also operates a dance store (in-studio and online) with dance-related merchandise. New students can take advantage of an introductory offer: 1 dance session for $45.

You'll enter a warm, non-judgmental, welcoming environment. The studio promises you'll be on your way to confident dancing by the end of your very first lesson. Your instructor will assess your goals and tailor instruction to your needs, whether you come as a single (your instructor partners with you in private lessons) or as a couple.

The studio employs six named instructors, all certified in the Fred Astaire Curriculum. Owner Dan Rutherford and Regional Director Nicole Carroll-Rutherford are World Open Professional American dancers. Manager Lindsey Rutherford is a World Professional American dancer. Elizabeth Krug, from Santa Barbara, achieved Regional FADS Professional Open American status. Fabio Pellicori, from Rome, Italy, was an Italian National Championship Latin finalist. Daphne Koziura, from Greenwood, Indiana, is an Indiana Fred Astaire Regional Closed competitor. All have completed rigorous certification and many actively compete professionally.

The studio welcomes students of all ages and abilities and explicitly states it is 100% non-judgmental; you can also learn privately without others watching if that helps you build confidence.