Fred Astaire Dance Studios

Fred Astaire Dance Studios in North Olmsted teaches all partnership ballroom dances, from Waltz and Tango to Cha Cha, Salsa, Swing, Foxtrot, Quickstep, Rumba, Samba, Paso Doble, Jive, Mambo, Merengue, Bolero, Viennese Waltz, Hustle, and West Coast Swing. The curriculum covers both American and International Ballroom styles, designed for dancers of all ages and abilities.

The studio offers three core lesson formats: private instruction tailored to your pace, weekly group classes for all levels, and practice sessions in a party-like atmosphere where you can apply what you've learned without pressure. The teaching method—developed by Fred Astaire himself—is proprietary to the organisation and emphasises learning steps easily and confidently. All instructors are certified in this curriculum, and many hold Fine Arts degrees and are actively competing, award-winning professional dancers. The studio team includes Aleksei Minaev and Elena Minaeva (Directors and Professional Dancers), Jonathan Gosselin (who has danced since age 7 and spent most of his practice in the social swing dance scene), Cecelia Richey (who began ballroom at 14), and María Laura Arenas (who started dancing at age seven with folkloric dance in Venezuela).

The studio specialises in wedding choreography, offering everything from simple first-dance steps to full routines for the wedding party. It is located just north-east of Great Northern Mall and one block away from David's Bridal on Brookpark Road. The studio runs Regional, Inter-Regional, National, and International Pro-Am and Professional Amateur dance competitions, offering students opportunities to compete and travel.

New students receive a 1 free 30-minute introductory lesson. The studio welcomes both singles and couples; if you arrive without a partner, your instructor becomes your partner for private lessons, and group classes and practice sessions provide opportunities to meet other dancers with similar goals. Private lessons are by appointment during business hours; group classes typically run afternoons and evenings throughout the week. The studio also maintains an online Dance Store with dance-related merchandise.

You'll experience a warm, welcoming, non-judgmental atmosphere from your first visit. The studio runs multiple private lessons simultaneously in the ballroom, so you'll learn in a realistic social dance environment. You can expect to be on your way to confident dancing by the end of your first lesson.

Aleksei Minaev and Elena Minaeva are Directors and Professional Dancers who have competed together since December 2001. Jonathan Gosselin, a professional dancer and competitor who has danced since age 7, specialises in swing. Cecelia Richey began ballroom at age 14 at American Ballroom Centre in Parma, Ohio. María Laura Arenas started dancing at age seven with folkloric dance in Venezuela. All instructors are certified in the Fred Astaire curriculum and many have Fine Arts degrees.

The studio works with students of all ages and abilities; no partner is required and your instructor will partner with you for private lessons.