We teach Ballroom and Latin dancing. You have probably seen most of these danced on Strictly Come Dancing. We teach Waltz, Foxtrot, Quickstep, Cha Cha Cha, Rumba, Samba and Jive at beginner level.
Update 5th January 2021
In light of the new national lockdown we need to postpone the start of term. We will announce a new starting date once lockdown is lifted.
Pre-booking is essential!
We are very sorry but both new beginners classes are now full. If you wish to be added to the waiting list please fill in the pro forma below.
New Beginners Class Starts On
Wednesday Nights
9:15pm - 10:15pm
Elmgrove Centre, @ the junction of Redland Rd and Elmgrove Rd, Cotham, Bristol BS6 6AH
The exact starting date will depend upon when lockdown is lifted.
If you wish to pre-book a place in this class please note the COVID guidelines/restrictions shown below.
If you are happy to follow these then please click the purple ‘Pre-book Your Place” button and complete the pro forma.
Due to Covid-19 Restrictions all classes are strictly limited to 14 couples
For the foreseeable future anybody attending classes will need to prebook and give contact details.
The class is for couples only from within the same social bubble
Please do not attend without a partner.
Face coverings must be worn at all times in The Elmgrove Centre
Classes will be £15 per couple.
How to book a place in our BEGINNERS class
Please complete the pre-booking pro forma. We can then book you in. We will need your names, contact telephone numbers and email addresses to register.
We will then confirm by email/telephone your place in the class. If a class becomes full we will also confirm that you are on a waiting list. Please do not assume you are booked in until you hear from us. Please do not just turn up at a class if you have not heard from us.
We will operate on a first-come-first-served basis.
Summary of Our COVID-19 Operational Guidelines
If you or any member of your household has any symptoms of Covid-19 please do not attend any classes.
Face coverings must be worn at all times inside The Elmgrove Centre.
A hand sanitiser station will be available as you enter the Elmgrove Centre. Please sanitise your hands as you enter.
Everybody attending the classes will be required to leave their contact details.
Whilst at the class, please maintain social distancing with anybody outside your bubble.
There will be no seating in use only storage space on some pews for you to leave your belongings.
You must only dance with a partner from your own social bubble. Please only attend a class with a partner.
Numbers per class will be strictly limited to 14 couples until further notice.
Please only attend if you have prebooked your place in that class.
Subscribe to our emailing list
Please join our emailing list so we can send you details of the next set of New Beginner classes. We usually send them out about four weeks before the classes are due to start so that you don’t have to remember to keep checking the website and you won’t miss the classes.
- Get new term dates and info
- No obligation
- Can unsubscribe any time
- We won’t pass on your details
- No junk mailings
- About two mailings per term
- View the Mailing Archive
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Don't Just Take Our Word For It
See for yourself
What Our Students Say
Christopher Power
10:19 06 Dec 19
Started beginners ballroom this autumn (2019) at the Elmgrove centre with Helia as our teacher. The classes are excellent and Helia is a fantastic teacher, keeping the lessons fun. Even with my two... left feet I seemed to have picked up the basics. Classes have a wide range of ages from the younger students to the older retirees.read more
Francoise Seigle
19:04 04 Dec 19
Very nice and friendly classes ! Lessons are very easy to follow, we repeat the steps several times, and we can progress quickly, now we just have to continue to practice ! Thanks a lot
Karolina Jaworska
22:11 03 Dec 19
I love coming to the dance classes. All lessons are very relaxed and friendly. You will pick up all the moves quickly even if you think you have two left feet!
Kathryn hale
18:09 20 Jul 19
My wife Kath used to do a ballroom dance class with Eric about 30 years ago. We attended the social ballroom dance at the Greenway Centre last evening with some friends & we all enjoyed ourselves. A... friendly atmosphere and a good mix of all ages & abilities. Kath says the music is still as good as all those years ago! All being well we're hoping to join a beginners class in the Autumn.read more
Domenica Hall
18:59 31 Mar 19
We really look forward to our dance class. Eric and Helia are simply the best teachers. The lessons are fun and well structured. New steps are thoroughly explained and thought, with plenty of... opportunity given to practice. We have gained so much confidence since attending the classes and it is such a lovely hobby to enjoy together.
We would recommend Bristol Dance Experience to anyone .read more
Watch Video of the Dances We Teach
Watch Video of How Classes Work
Frequently asked questions
I have two left feet, is it worth me coming?
Most people can dance, they just don’t know it yet. Some people will pick things up more quickly than others. We do not expect you to know anything about dancing. Everyone will be too busy with their own feet to notice what you are doing and you may even surprise yourself.
How much does it cost?
All classes are £15 per couple per class. You pay at the start of each class.
Do I need to come with a partner?
We would normally say no, however in the current circumstances you do need to come to a class with a partner who is in your social bubble.
Do I need to book ahead?
We would normally say no, but we currently need bookings because of government guidance.
How should I dress for class?
The classes are relaxed and casual so anything you feel comfortable in is fine. Just wear comfortable clothes that you can move freely in. You can wear normal shoes, preferably ones that allow your foot to swivel on the floor. Please don’t buy dance shoes especially for class before you have tried it.
How long are terms?
We try to run our terms to coincide approximately with school terms so usually a term lasts twelve to fourteen weeks. We have three terms a year starting in January, April/May and September.
I’ve danced ballet/salsa/LeRoc/etc before do I still need to go beginners?
Yes, although you will probably pick up the steps at a faster rate, it is best to do the beginners to understand the fundamental ideas and principles involved.
What happens in class, are there tests?
We explain and demonstrate a bar or two of steps, we then walk the ladies through their steps, then the men walk through their steps. Then everyone tries it with a partner. We repeat the process ironing out problems or refining the steps and then we practice to music. Each week we review what we have done before then add more so that the dances build up.
There are no exams, and students con progress to the higher level classes the following term if they feel confident to do so.
Where We Teach
These are the two venues we currently use for our classes. Please check which venue(s) has/have the advertised beginner class(es).