Suzanne's Dance Fitness

Suzanne's Dance Fitness is a boutique studio offering dance fitness, group exercise, and social dancing classes for adults of all ages and ability levels. The studio has roots going back to 1984, when founder Suzanne LaBounty opened the original location in historic downtown Fort Myers. After relocating several times, including a nine-year run in Royal Palm Square off McGregor Boulevard, the studio now operates from Metro Parkway, one mile south of Colonial Boulevard.

The core of the offering is dance fitness: DanceFit (high-energy aerobics with pop, Latin, and funk music), Just Dance!, and Adagio, Suzanne's signature creation that blends ballet, contemporary, and ballroom movement at the barre. For group exercise, the studio teaches GYROKINESIS, described as Yoga for Dancers—spiraling, circular movements performed on mats and chairs that improve flexibility, balance, and joint mobility. Jazz classes follow the authentic Luigi Jazz Technique, designed to be both aesthetically beautiful and medically sound. The studio also offers culturally diverse dance: Belly Dance (Cabaret and Tribal styles), Hula, and Bollywood/Tollywood, each running in structured sessions with direct signup.

Ballroom and Latin dancing is a major focus. Group classes cover rumba, cha-cha, salsa, swing, tango, foxtrot, waltz, and country two-step. Private individual and private group instruction is available by appointment. No partner is necessary, and beginners are welcome. The studio markets ballroom lessons for couples looking to build confidence before weddings, cruises, or social events, and as date-night experiences.

The instructor team brings significant credentials. Suzanne LaBounty has taught since 1980 with ballet training from age 7 and decades of ballroom experience; she holds Cecchetti Level 1 certification and danced with Gulfcoast Dance under choreographers including Marc Platt. Brenda Perry, GYROKINESIS instructor, holds certifications from July 2019 and November 2019 and brings 42 years of professional background plus active competitive ballroom experience. Ravah Daley teaches Luigi Jazz Technique and has performed on The Carol Burnett Show, Sonny & Cher, The Osmonds, and Broadway, partnering with Mikhail Baryshnikov and performing with Tina Turner's act globally. Mary Witham is ACE-certified with over 30 years of fitness and dance teaching, specializing in functional fitness and cardio dance. Sherry Coffey brings over 20 years of ethnic dance teaching, holds Tribal Grooves and Gypsy Caravan Tribal Bellydance Level 5 certification, and directs the Caravan Project Florida; she has trained at the Polynesian Cultural Center and directs a local Polynesian Dance troupe. Dmitry Barov, ballroom and Latin instructor, is a professional dancer with 24 years' experience, German Cup Champion, World and European Championships semifinalist, US National Rising Star Finalist, and former choreographer for the German version of Dancing with the Stars.

Your first dance-fitness class is complimentary. The studio operates on a drop-in and pass system: single drop-in $16, 7 classes $98, 14 classes $168. Belly Dance, Hula, and West Coast Swing are priced separately. Ballroom, Latin, and Swing group classes and private instruction are bookable through the instructors listed.

Your first dance-fitness class is complimentary. You can register online or call to reserve a space. Classes range from high-energy cardio (DanceFit) to balletic, flowing movement (Adagio) to group ballroom lessons and cultural dance. The studio is described by students as friendly and inviting.

Suzanne LaBounty (founder, teaches DanceFit, Adagio, Ballroom, Latin; certified Cecchetti Level 1, taught since 1980). Brenda Perry (GYROKINESIS, retired veterinarian with ballroom competition experience, certified July 2019 and November 2019). Ravah Daley (Luigi Jazz Technique, performed on The Carol Burnett Show, Sonny & Cher, and Broadway, partnered with Mikhail Baryshnikov). Mary Witham (Cardio Dance, ACE-certified, 30+ years teaching). Sherry Coffey (Belly Dance, Hula; 20+ years, Tribal Grooves and Gypsy Caravan certified, trained at Polynesian Cultural Center). Dmitry Barov (Ballroom, Latin; German Cup Champion, World and European Championships semifinalist, German Dancing with the Stars choreographer).

Beginners are welcome in all classes; no partner is necessary for ballroom and social dancing.