ballroom dancing in Europe?

[standardgirl]

In the US, ladies without an amateur partner can often find decent and top male instructors willing to provide lessons and dance with them, although sometimes at a premium price. Can someone in Europe tell me if there is a similar option there? I am not talking about pro/am competition necessarily, but more or less just the possibility to take high quality lessons as a lady without a partner in Europe. On one hand, I tend to think that there should be more opportunities since most am's in Europe teach to a certain extend, but on the other hand, from my own experience, it seems like the concept of individual ladies taking lessons by themselves is not as common outside the US. Can anyone in Europe share their experience?

Let's say if someone (an above average competitive dancer) go to Europe for a 2-3 month study abroad program and would like to continue taking seruous ballroom lessons but without a partner, how feasible would it be? Just curious, since someone I know will be going to France or Italy and Switzerland for the summer and I might be going sometime in the future as well. :)

[Nikonovna]

I'm in Leicester, England right now & it's not that fabulous. Although, I know in London there's top instruction there at least.

I would bet that you/your friend could find something in France or Italy in the larger cities.

[elisedance]

Nikonovna - welcome to DF! Sorry to hear Leicester is not a dancing hub - I grew up just south of the city in Oadby (ages 6-18 ) so remain somewhat attached. however, from your letter I now know why I had to leave :)

Is it a general dance wasteland or just with respect to getting lessons for women, as per the focus of this thread.

[SirTwisT]

Well, first of all: Europe consists of a whole bunch of different countries. And each one is significantly different from the others regarding the subject of dancing. From my impression in France dancing plays no real role. I can't think of any dancers from France except in the R'nR division. In England, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Netherlands, and Germany (and many others) dancing is much more common but the respective systems are different.

The main difference is that in a lot of countries the competition scene is not governed by studios but by non profit organizations (clubs/societies/associations). There you should be able to find a suitable teacher/coach.

I would say it is not too complicated to find a teacher for private lessons if you are not planning on competing with him (which I doubt due to the fact that you/your friend is going to be in Europe for a few months only). At least in Germany, Austria or Switzerland that is, for the rest I cannot speak. You will have to find a dancing association in your area, talk to the coach if he has time to teach and a room. Though it is not common it should be a matter of negotiation only. Just ask, you have nothing to loose :)

If you know where in Switzerland you or your friend is going to stay I might be able to help you find an association. On this (http://www.tanzsport.ch/index.jsp?mandant=dancesport&actualMode=Public&homePage=0&mainRessort=62&subRessort=394) website you'll find a list.

I hope this helps you a bit.