Hartford Ballroom

$20 per person per hour. We offer only two prices: one for couples, one for groups.

flat rate of $60 an hour. Your wedding should be all about you and we can help you make your first dance be a truly magical moment!

These lessons are just like our regular private lessons; no contracts, no packages, just pay-as-you-go! We will teach you how to dance to your song and choreograph the dance if you want. We will even edit your song if it's too long or too slow, and provide you with an MP3 copy.

Let us help you make your wedding dance a truly memorable experience. Every wedding deserves a beautiful first dance, so we offer private lessons for wedding couples and wedding parties! We will teach you how to dance to your song and choreograph the dance if you want.

We Do Weddings Too! Our private lessons are not only flexible with what you want to learn, they're flexible in length and time as well! We're willing to do lessons whenever both the instructor and the student are available.

Our private lessons are not only flexible with what you want to learn, they're flexible in length and time as well! We're willing to do lessons whenever both the instructor and the student are available. The length of lesson can be as short or as long as you want.

Affordable, customizable, and pay-as-you-go! At Hartford Ballroom, we take pride in having the most affordable and flexible private lessons in the area. You don't have to sign up for a package of lessons, or sign a contract.

West Coast Swing is a form of dance that originated from the Lindy Hop in the '40s and '50s. It's a slinkier, more elastic form of swing that is danced along a line, or "slot". It is typically danced to more bluesy types of music. Alternative rock is also popular for this style of dance. Because this dance is flexible and easy to improvise with, there are many arguments on how exactly it must be led and followed, as there is no single style for this form (East Coast Swing is the same way). However, it is generally agreed that the basic patterns for this dance are the sugar push, the whip, and the pass.

Viennese Waltz is the oldest form of the current waltz styles. It originated in Austria in the latter half of the 18th century, and is danced at a considerably faster pace than the other waltzes. "The Blue Danube" is a prime example of Viennese Waltz music. The true form of this dance only has 3 moves: a right turn (natural), a left turn (reverse), and a change step (where you change weight from one foot to the other). Other patterns that are seen in this dance (underarm turns, sways, and fleckerls) are modern inventions. At our studio, we teach both the true form and modern patterns.

Waltz is a dance form that's been around for centuries. It is always danced to music that has 3 beats per measure (1-2-3, 1-2-3). In the 16th century, it was danced without hand and body contact, and it was considered scandalous among the upper class when body contact was introduced in the 18th century. The latter form became widely popular, however, and has evolved into the various forms of waltz we know today. The term "Slow Waltz" is used to differentiate from Country/Western waltz and Viennese Waltz, as this form of waltz uses slower-paced music. The style we teach is the American Style, which has patterns that allow partners to open up or break contact with each other.

Samba dancing (the version we recognize on the ballroom dance floor), evolved separately from Brazilian samba, to the point that the two versions look completely different. However, it's evolution and development was influenced by Brazilian samba. Samba is a very rhythmic and lively dance, with heavy-sounding beats in it's music. It has the appearance of bouncing without actually bouncing, and has large, yet grounded, movements.

Salsa is a Latin social dance that has its roots in Caribbean dancing and music. It is a popular and widespread, with people dancing salsa in clubs, at restaurants, and festivals. There are multiple variations everywhere, but each variation is easy to adapt to. Salsa is immediately recognizable with it's break steps, turns, and hip action. It's fairly easy to learn and highly enjoyable.

There's another form called International rumba, which is frequently used in competitions. It's slower than the American style, and has different figures and patterns.

Rumba (a.k.a "ballroom rumba" or "rhumba") is a dance that originated in the '30s and '40s in the East Coast of the US. It has some Cuban roots in it's music and it's dance form, but the form of rumba that ballroom dancers use socially and competitively looks very different from Cuban Rumba. The American form is the version we teach at our studio. It has a box-like form in it's basic figures and it's patterns have some similarities to cha-cha and bolero patterns.

Developed in the 1920s by the English, Quickstep has the smoothness and elegance of foxtrot, but the speed and hop of Swing and Charleston. There isn't so much a basic step as there are 3 basic patterns: the quarter turn, the chasse, and the lockstep. This dance was created to go with the ragtime jazz music that was popular in the 1920s, so it has a rather fast pace. Modern quickstep music sounds like like really fast foxtrot or swing music.

A Dominican dance that involves stepping to the beat of the music (also Dominican) in small steps. The dance allows plenty of freedom to move, dance in place, and to do turns, making this one of the easiest dances to learn.

A social dance that originated in the early '70s, it is a style that is frequently associated with disco music and the disco era in general. It can also be danced to pop and alternative rock music, and has some features in common with East Coast Swing, although this style is smoother and sleeker than Swing. It is thought to have originated in the South Bronx among Puerto Ricans and was originally known as "Latin Hustle".

Similar to American Continuity, except body contact is a must. It's the most difficult version.

Silver level form, frequently used in competitions, where the feet don't come together, and body contact is optional.

This version is easy to learn, and involves either slow-slow-quick-quick, or slow-quick-quick rhythms.

Foxtrot is a ballroom social dance that first premiered in 1914, and was originally danced to ragtime music. It was the most popular fast dance for the first half of the 20th century, and is still one of the primary dance forms danced in competitions and taught at studios. Now done at a slower pace, it is frequently danced to popular classics, such as Frank Sinatra's "Somewhere Beyond The Sea" and Top Hat's "Cheek To Cheek".

East Coast Swing is a fun and bouncy social dance that was created by dance studios in the 1940s. It's forerunner, the Lindy Hop, was considered too difficult for beginners, and too unstructured for dance studios to teach, so East Coast Swing was born. It can be done with either a triple step or a single step, and while there are technically correct ways to dance it, East Coast Swing is versatile enough to allow improvisation and personal styling.

Another similar form of waltz is called Cross-step waltz. It shares similar patterns with country waltz, but there's a trademark cross-step that defines this form.

Country waltz (we call it "Fast Waltz") covers a wide variety of informal waltzes that are locally popular amon g the waltz-dancing community. These dances are frequently danced to songs that have a medium-paced waltz tempo, too fast for a comfortable ballroom box step, but not fast enough to really be considered Viennese Waltz. The steps and patterns are among the easiest waltz moves to learn.

Cha Cha is a fairly easy Latin dance that originated in the early 1950s when a Cuban composer introduced the cha-cha-cha rhythm in to his songs, and dancers began improvising a triple step into their footwork while they danced to the music. The dance took off and is now popular worldwide.

Bolero is a Latin dance. The version that is widely used in ballroom dancing evolved from Cuban music, and currently uses a very slow, romantic beat. Bolero movements are bigger and slower than other Latin dances, almost waltz-like in quality. This is a dance that also works really well with slow music in 4/4 time, making it excellent for wedding couples.

Bachata is a Latin dance that is popular among salsa dancers. Originally danced in the Dominican Republic, it is a fairly simple dance that, like tango, has evolved into various styles around the world. Most dancers in Connecticut, however, keep it easy and casual, and use it as a chance to take a break from the fast-paced salsa.

Argentine Tango is the original tango, and a specialty of our dance teacher, Nate Evans. Tango was originally danced by the working class in Argentina, but eventually became popular with all social classes. In the early 20th century, Argentine Tango's popularity became international, with people dancing tango throughout Europe and America.

Ballroom tango is a smooth dance that was developed when European and American dance teachers wanted to standardize Argentine Tango. American style and International style are different from each other, but in general, the trademark style of ballroom/American tango is a mixture of smooth gliding steps, and sharp movements. American Tango has the simplest most basic foot pattern, and that is what we normally teach our students at Hartford Ballroom.

An Argentine Tango dance event is called a Milonga, and we have our own milonga once a month! Looking for a milonga to practice your Argentine Tango? Well look no further, Milonga Mariposa is back!

A fun combination of a salsa dance and salsa workshops! There are half hour workshops spread throughout the evening, with lots of open salsa dancing in between. The workshop schedule starts at 7 p.m. with an absolute beginner salsa lesson.

An absolute beginner salsa lesson held as part of Salsa Night. Please arrive on time or else you'll miss it!

A fun combination of a salsa dance and salsa workshops! There are half hour workshops spread throughout the evening, with lots of open salsa dancing in between. The workshop schedule includes a basics salsa lesson at 7:30 p.m.

A basics salsa lesson held as part of Salsa Night. Lots of open salsa dancing in between.

A fun combination of a salsa dance and salsa workshops! There are half hour workshops spread throughout the evening, with lots of open salsa dancing in between. The workshop schedule includes an intermediate salsa lesson at 8:30 p.m.

An intermediate salsa lesson held as part of Salsa Night. Lots of open salsa dancing in between.

A fun combination of a salsa dance and salsa workshops! There are half hour workshops spread throughout the evening, with lots of open salsa dancing in between. The workshop schedule includes an advanced salsa lesson at 9:30 p.m.

An advanced salsa lesson held as part of Salsa Night. Lots of open salsa dancing in between.

The perfect class to get started with! The moves are easy, and the class is slowly paced so you have time to get comfortable. An excellent introduction to a dance.

An easy class that builds off of what was taught in Level 1 the previous month. Great for beginner students who want to learn a bit more, or for more experienced students who want to revisit easier steps and improve their technique.

This clinic is designed for those who want to learn as well for those who want to practice their skills, this clinic includes two 45-minute lessons, each of which are followed by a 45-minute salsa practice. The beginner session starts with a beginner salsa lesson at 2 pm.

Intermediate Bachata classes are all taught by guest teacher Jason Pepin. Each class costs $15. All regular forms of payment accepted. Every Saturday Afternoon.

Intermediate Bachata class offered every Saturday afternoon by guest teacher Jason Pepin. All regular forms of payment accepted.

This clinic is designed for those who want to learn as well for those who want to practice their skills, this clinic includes two 45-minute lessons, each of which are followed by a 45-minute salsa practice. The intermediate session starts with an intermediate salsa lesson at 3:30 pm.

Intermediate Salsa classes are all taught by guest teacher Jason Pepin. Each class costs $15. All regular forms of payment accepted. Every Saturday Afternoon.

Intermediate Salsa class offered every Saturday afternoon by guest teacher Jason Pepin. All regular forms of payment accepted.

TBD class offered every Saturday afternoon by guest teacher Jason Pepin. All regular forms of payment accepted.

This class builds upon what was taught in the Level 2 class on Mondays the previous month. Great for beginner students ready to start moving on to more difficult patterns, and for experienced students who are trying to get better with their technique and skills.

Currently, this our most advanced class, and it builds on what was taught in Level 3 last month. Ideal for experienced dancers looking for a challenge.

Even though this is called a basics class, it is not a beginner friendly class as we tackle the usage and technique of basic movements in Argentine Tango. If you are looking for a beginner experience, please contact Nate Evans at 8609221550 for private lessons.

Nate Evans teaches tango classes every Tuesday night. In these classes, he covers the various forms of Argentine Tango, including milonga and vals.

This is an intermediate to advanced class that follows a monthly theme of steps and material.

Nice easy classes to set up a good basic foundation. Great place to get started.

A more difficult and technical lesson that builds on what was taught in the beginner class the previous month.

A beginner salsa lesson as part of Lisa's Salsa Clinic, designed for those who want to learn as well for those who want to practice their skills. This clinic includes two 45-minute lessons, each of which are followed by a 45-minute salsa practice.

An intermediate salsa lesson as part of Lisa's Salsa Clinic, designed for those who want to learn as well for those who want to practice their skills. This clinic includes two 45-minute lessons, each of which are followed by a 45-minute salsa practice.