Brian Oakes Ballroom & Latin Lessons Naples FL

Foxtrot, Waltz, Tango, and Viennese Waltz classes are excellent hobbies for reducing stress and increasing overall well-being. As the saying goes, there are not a lot of shortcuts to happiness, but dancing is undoubtedly one of them.

Beginners must start with private lessons to learn the basics before joining group classes. Unbeatable prices guaranteed. No partner is necessary. No rhythm, no problem at all! It is never too late to learn! If you can walk, you can dance. Waltz is the granddaddy of all Ballroom dances. Waltz was first introduced into the ballrooms of the world in the early 19th century.

Salsa is truly a great club dance, one that is fun, accessible, sexy, and constantly evolving as new generations come to the Salsa clubs. Salsa as a dance style began in New York in the Latino dance clubs (Puerto Rican, Cuban, and Dominican) in the 1960’s and 1970’s, though most agree that Salsa clearly had its earliest origins in Cuban Son.

Foxtrot has become a popular Ballroom dance. Foxtrot is the dance of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. This smooth and elegant dance had its beginnings in a New York theatre in 1914. Eventually the dance evolved to incorporate the walking and brush steps that make this dance popular with beginners and advanced dancers alike. Foxtrot is danced to music with a 4/4 time signature (think Frank Sinatra) and has two rhythms: slow-slow-quick-quick and slow-quick-quick.

Ballroom Rumba is a sensual dance to romantic music. It evolved from “Son” and “Danzon” which comes from Cuba. “Son” is a modified version of Cuban rumba along with other African influences. Cuban rumba is a folkloric dance performed to a fiery orchestra of drums and came to Cuba in the 16th century with the black slaves from Africa. This folk dance is a sex pantomime danced fast with exaggerated hip movements and with a sensually aggressive attitude on the part of the man who plays the part of the rooster and a defensive attitude on the part of the woman as the coquettish hen.

From this melting pot emerged a highly passionate dance, one that the respectable classes of society shunned. Legend has it that the gauchos of Argentina wore chaps that had hardened from the foam and sweat of the horse’s body causing the gauchos to walk with knees flexed.

Ballroom Tango was born in the slums of Buenos Aires in the late 19th century. There is uncertainty as to how the dance came about. Argentine gauchos and migrating blacks were socializing in the infamous Bario de las Ranas, trading cultural rhythms and dance steps in and around the areas of well-known brothels.

Is up-beat, high energy swing dance. You can dance this dance to any up-temo, fast-paced music from any genre or era.

This dance and all contemporary Swing has its roots with the Lindy Hop dances done at the great Savoy Ballroom in Harlem in the 1920s and 1930s. East Coast Swing is an energetic, fast dance, done usually with triple steps and rock steps to Big Band or contemporary music that ‘swings’.

Bolero is a slow, beautiful, expressive dance that is somewhat of a hybrid. It combines the dance patterns of Rumba with the rise and fall action of the Waltz. It is danced to music in 4/4 time, at a tempo slower than Rumba. Bolero is the slowest of all the American Style Rhythm dances.

Cha Cha originated in Cuba and evolved from a slow version of Mambo called “Triple Mambo” or Mambo with guiro rhythm. This musical rhythm inspired dancers to dance a hip syncopation to the forward and back breaks of a mambo which late evolved to a triple step.

Mambo evolved from a fusion of danzon, son and American jazz. Danzon has its origins from Europe (chamber music) and African/Haitian drum rhythms. Mambo is a fast and spicy dance characterized by strong Cuban motion, staccato movement and expression of rhythm through the body. The dancer holds on counts 1 and break on count 2. Mambo also features press lines, many swivels and spins. The Mambo frame is the same as the Rhythm frame

Legend has this dance originating from Latin America with a presidente that was injured in battle. Because of his war injury, he had to make different steps due to reduced flexibility, and the rest of his guest, being polite, imitated his style. Merengue is the national dance of the Dominican Republic and also of Haiti (Meringue), the neighbor sharing the island. Musically, it has links with Cuba but the dance belongs to the island of Hispaniola – one third of which is Haiti and the other two thirds, Dominican Republic.

Samba is the national dance of Brazil, celebrated every year during Carnival where hundred of thousands of costumed revelers parade in the streets singing, drumming and dancing. This style of Samba is not a partner dance unlike Ballroom Samba. In the US, Samba evolved into a couple’s dance performed in most ballroom and was standardized as a ballroom dance in 1956.

Ballroom Viennese Waltz is a whirling, thrilling dance dates back to the early 1700’s in Europe. It was a dance first popular with the common folk and then with the upper classes. Viennese Waltz is characterized by its speed (twice as fast as Waltz) as well as a rise and fall and sway (less than Waltz). With its elegance and turns, Viennese Waltz has an air of magic about it.

West Coast Swing is smooth and danced in a slot. The dance allows room for syncopated footwork and improvisation. Followers have more freedom than any other dance, performing their syncopations at will. West Coast Swing can be danced to a wide range of music including Rhythm and Blues, Country Western, Funk, Disco, Rock and Pop.

Learn a sexy dance that is very social and opens doors to meet new people! No partner is needed—all levels and ages. No rhythm, no problem, because we can teach anyone to dance. Try us!

The waltz is a beautiful dance that is rich in history. It is characterized by elegant “rise and fall” techniques, romantic turns, and swinging body actions . We strongly recommend starting with Private Dance Lessons. No partner is needed. All ages and levels.

Salsa: A Dance That’s Saucy, Sexy, and Sensational! We strongly recommend starting with Private Dance Lessons. No partner is needed. All ages and levels.

Foxtrot has become a popular Ballroom dance. Foxtrot is the dance of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. This smooth and elegant dance had its beginnings in a New York theatre in 1914. We strongly recommend starting with Private Dance Lessons. No partner is needed. All ages and levels.

Ballroom Rumba is one of the most erotic and sensual of all the Latin dance styles due to its slow rhythms and hip movements that create intense bodily expressions. We strongly recommend starting with Private Dance Lessons. No partner is needed. All ages and levels.

Ballroom tango is a ballroom dance that branched away from its original Argentine roots by allowing European, American, Hollywood, and competitive influences into the style and execution of the dance. We strongly recommend starting with Private Dance Lessons. No partner is needed. All ages and levels.

Hustle is an upbeat, high-energy swing dance. You can dance this dance to any up-tempo, fast-paced music from any genre or era. We strongly recommend starting with Private Dance Lessons. No partner is needed. All ages and levels.

Swing is a popular social dance that is often characterized by lifts, spins, and flips . It’s generally upbeat, lively, and a lot of fun to watch—and dance to! We strongly recommend starting with Private Dance Lessons. No partner is needed. All ages and levels.

Bolero is a slow, beautiful, expressive dance that is somewhat of a hybrid. It combines the dance patterns of Rumba with the rise and fall action of the Waltz.

It’s fun, energetic, sexy, and flirtatious and is easily distinguished from other dances by its addictive “Step, Step, Cha Cha Cha” timing. We strongly recommend starting with Private Dance Lessons. No partner is needed. All ages and levels.

Mambo evolved from a fusion of danzon, son and American jazz. Danzon has its origins from Europe (chamber music) and African/Haitian drum rhythms.

Legend has this dance originating from Latin America with a presidente that was injured in battle. Because of his war injury, he had to make different steps due to reduced flexibility, and the rest of his guest, being polite, imitated his style.

Ballroom Samba is an energetic and lively dance currently popular in many parts of the world. Syncopated rhythms, bouncing actions, and rolling hip movements characterize the dance. We strongly recommend starting with Private Dance Lessons. No partner is needed. All ages and levels.

It is one of the most elegant and poised of waltzes. Viennese Waltz is danced in a fast, three-quarter time and features left and right … We strongly recommend starting with Private Dance Lessons. No partner is needed—all ages and levels.

West Coast Swing is smooth (no bounce) and danced in a slot. The dance allows room for syncopated footwork and improvisation.

The most sensual dance in the world. The movements will force you to fall in love with your partner! We strongly recommend starting with Private Dance Lessons. No partner needed to begin Bachata Private lessons.

Why take wedding dance lessons, because the way of dancing, expression and the dancing steps reveal the harmony between the bride and groom. It is an expression of their unending love. It shows the beginning of a love life.

Group classes complement your private lessons because this is where patterns, techniques, and styles are learned. Group classes are also a great way to interact with other dancers! We strongly recommend private lessons before joining group classes. View Calender. No partner necessary. All ages welcome.

No partner necessary. All ages welcome.

Learn Ballroom, Latin, and Swing dancing the fastest way possible with private dance lessons for one-on-one attention! We recommend Private dance lessons to beginners and anyone serious about learning to dance!

We know how important your Wedding Day is, and we can help make it even more special! At Brian Oakes Ballroom & Latin Lessons Naples FL, we customize our Wedding Dance Instruction Programs just for you, to give you both the confidence and skills to show off your elegance, style – and maybe even a little personality on the dance floor, on your wedding day.

We schedule weekly practice parties to complete the information taught in your private lessons and group classes. This is where we turn down the lights crank up the music and enjoy time dancing with different people in a relaxed environment.

Group classes compliment your private lessons, because this is where patterns technique and style are learned. Group classes are also a great way to interact with other dancers!

Salsa Group Class Naples Florida With Brian Oakes. This is a group class focused on Salsa dance.

Bachata Group Class Naples Florida With Brian Oakes. This is a group class focused on Bachata dance.

We have a Bachata class every Friday at 7:15-8:15 $15 What to expect when attending this group class; Basic warm-up individually led by the instructor Bachata We recommend private lessons if you haven’t had any group classes to prepare and make you feel comfortable with beginner’s classes.