Fatcat Ballroom - Phoenix Dance Studio

Fatcat Ballroom opened in 2008 with a mission to provide a welcoming space where everyone could experience the positive and life-changing impact of dance. Owner and founder Terry Schmoyer, a World Dance Champion including in Argentine Tango (and won in Argentina), built the studio on the belief that dance should be accessible to all skill levels, with no partner or prior experience required.

The studio offers group classes every night of the week across multiple styles: Salsa Fever Sundays with Miguel (featuring Bachata, Cumbia, and Salsa), Free Ballroom Classes with Terry on Sunday afternoons (Waltz, Tango, Cha Cha, Samba, West Coast Swing), Argentine Tango Mondays with Terry, Smooth with Chad & Marie on Mondays, Triple Step Tuesdays: Swing with Keith, Mid-Week Ballroom Wednesdays, Line Dancing Fridays with Alison, and West Coast Swing Fridays. Classes range from $10 to $27 per session, with some completely free. Drop-in attendance requires no registration.

Instructors include Yoshi Arnott, Mona Brandt, Chad and Marie Burson, Natalie Crandall, Keith Cyrnek, Tina French, Laura Bates, Igor, Roy and Sharon Johnson, Ivan Khudoliy and Alisa Seleznova, Liegh Anne, Genadi Lulchev, Miguel, Vladi Pavlov, Oleksiy Pigotskyy, Oleg Teleha, and Anastasiia Zhuchenko. Fitness instructors include Sarah Lloyd (Zumba and Strength Training), Lexi Kenrick (Zumba), Judy and Jill (Zumba), Haley Cloud (Holy Yoga), and Patricia (Chair Yoga).

Beyond group classes, Fatcat Ballroom offers private one-on-one ballroom lessons for couples and individuals, wedding dance choreography tailored to your song and timeline, competition coaching for dancers preparing for showcases or competition floors, and teacher training through the AZ Teachers' Academy. High-energy Zumba fitness classes run every day except Tuesday mornings.

The studio hosts social dance parties almost nightly where you can put your skills to use on the floor. These are BYO refreshments events with no registration required. The studio also runs themed events including First Saturday Country Dance Party, West Coast Swing Holiday parties, and Zumba Holiday parties. Hours run 9 AM–9 PM on Sundays, and 9 AM–10 or 11 PM other days depending on the day of the week.

Arrive in comfortable clothing and smooth-soled shoes. Check in at the front desk and find a spot to set down your bag. Classes begin with a short demo, then instructors break down steps for leaders and followers before partner dancing on the floor. You'll rotate partners every few minutes, and no registration is needed — just walk in.

The studio employs a large team of independent dance instructors including Yoshi Arnott, Mona Brandt, Chad and Marie Burson, Natalie Crandall, Keith Cyrnek, Tina French, Laura Bates, Igor, Roy and Sharon Johnson, Ivan Khudoliy and Alisa Seleznova, Liegh Anne, Genadi Lulchev, Miguel, Vladi Pavlov, Oleksiy Pigotskyy, Oleg Teleha, and Anastasiia Zhuchenko, alongside fitness instructors Sarah Lloyd, Lexi Kenrick, Judy and Jill, Haley Cloud, and Patricia. Owner Terry Schmoyer, a World Dance Champion, teaches Argentine Tango and Free Ballroom Classes.

Classes are designed for all levels and beginners are welcomed explicitly; many sessions start with absolute basics and the studio emphasizes a low-pressure, judgment-free environment.