Signature Ballroom

Signature Ballroom is run by Abby Vogels and Matt Schissler, who have been teaching ballroom dancing together for almost fifteen years. Abby started ballet at age 3 in New Zealand, moved to Australia at age 7 where she studied jazz and hip hop before discovering ballroom. She has been teaching in the Kansas City area since 2007, and her favourite dance is West Coast Swing. Matt began learning hip hop at age 15 and found ballroom soon after. He has been teaching since 2004, and his favourite dances are Rumba, Tango, and Salsa.

The studio teaches across multiple ballroom disciplines: International Standard (Slow Waltz, Quickstep, Tango, Foxtrot, Viennese Waltz), International Latin (Samba, Cha-Cha, Rumba, Jive), American Smooth (Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot), American Rhythm (Cha-cha, Bolero, Rumba, Mambo, East Coast Swing), and Nightclub dances (Salsa, Merengue, West Coast Swing). Whether you want to be a comfortable social dancer or a serious competitor, they can teach you. The most important aspect of their approach is the connection you have with your partner, which they emphasize throughout your progress.

Lessons are 40 minutes long and cost $70 for both couples and singles — a competitive rate for the Kansas City area. Learning is on a lesson-by-lesson basis with no contracts, and you can choose what you want to learn. The studio operates by appointment only, available weekdays from noon to 9pm, with no cancellation fees (though 24 hours notice is appreciated).

Beyond private lessons, Signature Ballroom offers wedding dance instruction. Many couples come with a sense of what they want — classic and traditional, intimate and romantic, or lively and fun — and the instructors help you get there, whether you want to simply get through it or put on a show. They also teach private events and group classes at their location or yours, ranging from one-time events to multi-week courses. Group classes typically average around $10 per person per class, with popular offerings including beginner-level Swing, Salsa, and Ballroom; intermediate Swing, Salsa, and Rhythm/Latin dances; and advanced styling and technique classes.

Most lessons are taught at Viva Dance Academy, though they are available to teach at your location as well.

You'll have a 40-minute lesson by appointment, learning partner-focused ballroom technique. You can choose which dance style to focus on, and the instructors will provide recommendations based on your goals.

Abby Vogels has been teaching in the Kansas City area since 2007 and started ballet at age 3 in New Zealand before studying jazz and hip hop in Australia. Matt Schissler has been teaching since 2004 and began with hip hop at age 15. Together they bring nearly fifteen years of combined teaching experience and emphasize partner connection throughout lessons.

They teach students at all levels, from beginners learning social basics to serious competitors, with beginner-level group classes available.