Dancing in Austin?

[dancingmomof2]

Hi everyone,

I was wondering what the dance community is like in Austin, Texas. It doesn't look like there is a USA Dance chapter there and from what I can see on the web there is only a couple of studios.

My family is currently studying international standard and latin.

Thanks!

 

[bia]

I'd say that the Austin ballroom community is right in the middle -- doesn't compare with the major cities in numbers of high quality teachers or competitors, but there are nevertheless some good resources. For standard and latin, I'd check out Dance International and/or the Dance Institute. Both have youth programs as well. There are a couple of other good studios in town, but their strengths are in other styles.

I'm not sure what's up with the USA Dance chapter -- I know one was started up a number of years ago, but it may have dwindled recently.

For social dancing, Austin Ballroom Dancers is a very active and friendly group, with dances every Saturday.

Does this mean that you're moving to Austin? If so, enjoy -- it's a great place to live!

 

[dancingmomof2]

We talk about it as a possibility. We moved from Houston to Richmond it was hard going from a big city with a lot of dancing and a large community to a very small town and a small community. Since dance is such a big part of our lives I wanted to take it into consideration when we are thinking of relocating. Next time we are in town we will check out the two studios you suggested. I appreciate your response!

 

[GoHokies]

Bump on this. I'll be working in Austin during the summer and continuing throughout the fall semester before returning to school in the spring.

What kids of opportunities for serious (currently bronze though) dancing exist? Anyone from UT's team on here?

 

[bia]

While we're waiting for someone from UT to show up, I'll chime in again. I think the two studios I mentioned before are likely to have the most ballroom competitors, including some young adults. As far as other options, Go Dance is the strongest in town for swing and salsa, and Austin Uptown Dance has some good teachers in a number of styles; they do both teach ballroom and might be worth checking out.

If university regulations haven't changed since I've been gone, members of the UT team and club are required to be affiliated with the university. If you're not, they can't let you in their classes, but their social events are open to everybody. Not sure how active they are over the summer, though.

I think that's everything except the franchises, and I don't know anything about them except that they exist.

Good luck finding your Austin dance niche!

 

[Joe]

Connie (Hannah) Paley is in Austin...not sure if she has her own studio.

 

[latervet1]

I live in Austin but dance american style smooth and rhythm at an Arthur Murray studio. No international stuff happening there. we do have a summer kids camp but again american style. there are some indendent teachers thru Go Dance that do international that i am aware of. i bet there are more in town. There is a studio that does AT, salsa, brazilian samba etc that is really trying to set up a latin community center type feeling and has kids classes. sounds like an awesome place. they even have spanish language immersion things where people get together and watch spanish language movies, eat dinner or whatever but spanish only. i think it is called Esquina de tango. lots of different social dance scenes.