Not at all. Most of our students are complete beginners when they walk through our doors for the first time. Our instructors — including Canadian Professional National Champions Claire Hansen and Richard Tonizzo — use a patient, step-by-step approach that breaks complex rhythms into simple, easy-to-follow movements. If you can walk and count to four, you can dance.

We create a warm, supportive, and fun environment where you can develop rhythm, build self-confidence, and learn completely at your own pace.

Yes. New students receive a complimentary 30-minute private dance lesson with one of our professional instructors. During this session you will learn a few basic steps, discuss your goals, and get a personalized recommendation for the best path forward — whether that is private lessons, group classes, or a combination of both. There is no commitment or obligation.

Schedule your free dance lesson here.

We teach a variety of ballroom and Latin dances, including Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Samba, Cha-Cha, Rumba, Swing, Salsa, and Bachata. Our group class sessions rotate through different dance styles each session, so you build a well-rounded foundation over time.

Private lessons provide one-on-one instruction tailored specifically to your goals, pace, and experience level. You have the full attention of your instructor for the entire session, and you can work on any dance or combination of dances you prefer. Private lessons are scheduled by appointment to fit your personal calendar.

Group classes are a fun, social way to learn alongside other students. Our group classes run in structured 7-week sessions at set times each week, with each session covering multiple dance styles. You progress through Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, and Masters levels as your skills develop.

For the fastest progress, we recommend combining both formats — private lessons to refine your technique and group classes to build social dancing confidence.

Each private lesson or group class session is 45 minutes long. The free introductory lesson for new students is 30 minutes.

No. Individuals and couples are both welcome. In group classes, couples dance with the partner they come with. If you come by yourself, you rotate partners with other singles throughout the session, which is a highly effective way to build versatility and comfortable lead-and-follow communication on the floor.

Wear comfortable clothing that allows you to move easily. Shoes that stay secure on your feet and allow you to pivot are best — clean, lightweight shoes with smooth or hard soles work well. No special dance shoes are required for beginners.

Avoid heavy rubber-soled athletic sneakers, boots, or flip-flops. Rubber treads grip the hardwood floor too tightly and can cause joint strain. As you progress, investing in suede-soled professional ballroom shoes will improve your balance, control, and glide. Ask your instructor for specific brand recommendations.

You will be dancing basic steps after your very first lesson. Learning the fundamentals of a few core social dances typically takes about six months. Becoming a highly confident social dancer takes two to five years, while competitive mastery takes longer.

Your rate of progress depends on your personal goals, practice frequency, and consistency. Students who regularly attend group classes alongside their private coaching build muscle memory significantly faster than those taking sporadic instruction.

We recommend scheduling lessons one to two times per week, especially when you are starting out. Keeping the time between lessons short prevents you from forgetting steps and minimizes repetitive review.

A consistent weekly routine of one private lesson and one group class ensures your brain and body retain the patterns, moving them from conscious thought into long-term muscle memory.

Group class sessions at Ballroom At Its Best run in 7-week blocks. Beginner and Intermediate sessions are $145 per person. Advanced is $130 per person in Ann Arbor, and $145 per person in Windsor. Masters of Smooth sessions are $130 per person. Children's group class sessions are $115 per person for 7 weeks.

Private lesson rates are discussed during your complimentary 30-minute dance evaluation, where your instructor tailors a plan to your goals and budget. Contact us or schedule your free lesson to learn more.

We offer four adult group class levels, each designed to build on the one before:

Beginner — Designed for people who have never danced before. Over seven weeks, you gradually learn two to three steps of each of the four featured dances.

Intermediate — For dancers who already know the basics. This class reviews fundamentals and adds new steps, building a solid foundation. Most dancers stay at this level for one to two years.

Advanced — Bridges Intermediate dancers to our Masters-level program. Each seven-week session covers two dances with full Bronze-level steps plus a few showy, fun moves.

Masters of Smooth (Ann Arbor Only) — For experienced dancers who love advanced choreography. Each seven-week session dives deep into one Smooth dance, teaching a Silver-level routine with advanced technique.

We also offer a Ladies Only Latin class in Windsor and children's group classes for kids ages 7–12 in both locations.

Because our group classes run as progressive 7-week series where each week builds on the previous one, we recommend joining during the first or second week for the best experience. Check our group class schedule for upcoming session start dates.

We require 24-hour notice for all private lesson cancellations or rescheduling requests. Our instructors reserve their professional time and studio space specifically for each appointment, so cancellations with less than 24 hours' notice are typically charged the full lesson fee. We suggest booking your private sessions several weeks in advance to secure your preferred times.

We have three locations:

Ann Arbor, Michigan — 4531 Concourse Dr, Ann Arbor, MI 48108. We offer private lessons, adult group classes (Beginner through Masters of Smooth), and children's group classes. Phone: 734-546-1300.

Windsor, Ontario — Mackenzie Hall Cultural Center, 3277 Sandwich St, Windsor, ON. We offer private lessons, adult group classes (Beginner through Advanced), Ladies Only Latin, and children's group classes. Phone: 519-991-3000.

Toledo, Ohio — We offer private lessons only, taught by Richard. Contact us for scheduling.

Our studio is owned and operated by Claire Hansen and Richard Tonizzo, who competed together at the world level for 16 years. Their credentials include multiple Canadian Professional National Championships (2017–2019), Blackpool Professional Standard Quarter-Final placements, representation of Canada at the World Professional Standard Championships, and a North American Amateur Standard Championship at the Ohio Star Ball. Claire began competing at age 11 and trained under English World Champions in Europe. Richard started dancing at age 4 in Perth, Australia and was the Australian Youth Standard Champion.

Our teaching team also currently includes Robert Nowak, Sophia Mendez, Nathan Peterson and Nadiya Fink.

Yes. We specialize in helping couples prepare for their wedding first dance in a way that feels natural, comfortable, and memorable. You do not need any prior dance experience — most wedding couples we work with are complete beginners.

Pick out your song and then book your free 30-minute intro lesson with us. We will listen to your song, determine which dance style suits it best, and show you some first steps. After the intro lesson, you will have a clear sense of how it works and how many private lessons you want.

For a simple and comfortable first dance, we generally recommend about 4–5 lessons. If you would like a more polished, choreographed first dance with dips, turns, or impressive movements, we recommend 7 or more lessons. At the end of the day, it is up to you and your comfort level.

We recommend starting at least a few months before your wedding whenever possible. For fully choreographed routines, three to six months gives you comfortable time to build genuine muscle memory. Starting earlier turns your lessons into a relaxing date night and a romantic break from wedding planning stress.

Yes. We can choreograph your first dance specifically to your wedding song and your comfort level. All you need to do is pick out your song. We listen to it, decide which dance style it best suits, and create a routine tailored to you.

That is extremely common. Our entire goal is to make the experience fun, relaxed, and enjoyable for both partners. We focus on helping you look comfortable, connected, and elegant — not overly complicated unless that is exactly what you want.

Yes. We help prepare family dances in addition to the couple's first dance. We also welcome parents, bridesmaids, groomsmen, and other wedding party members to join lessons so everyone feels comfortable on the dance floor.

As your wedding approaches, it can be very helpful to practice in shoes similar to what you plan to wear on the big day. This helps you feel confident and natural in them when it counts.

Yes. Even with limited time, we can help you feel more comfortable and confident on the dance floor. Contact us and we will work with your timeline.

We offer group classes and private lessons for children ages 7–12. Our children's group classes run in 7-week sessions at $115 per person, with Beginner and Intermediate levels available in both Ann Arbor (Wednesdays) and Windsor (Tuesdays).

Ballroom dancing builds coordination, confidence, poise, and social skills that benefit children in all areas of life. Private lessons are also available for kids who want to progress faster or prepare for competitive DanceSport.

Yes. Children can compete in ballroom DanceSport against other kids of a similar age and level. Competition encourages discipline, teamwork, communication, and consistent goal-setting. If you think your child may be interested in competing, contact us and we will be happy to discuss the options.

We host Friday night dance parties, workshops, and showcases throughout the year. Our showcases give students the opportunity to perform choreographed routines in front of an audience — a fun, exciting way to set goals and accelerate your progress. Check our events page for the latest schedule and registration.

Yes. Dance lesson gift certificates are available for both our Ann Arbor and Windsor locations and can be purchased online. Dancing makes a wonderful gift for couples, birthdays, holidays, and special occasions. Browse gift certificates here.

Yes. We help students prepare for cruises, galas, parties, competitions, and other occasions. We also offer private group classes at our studio or at your event — a great option for friends, family groups, or corporate teams who want to learn together.

Ballroom dancing provides an effective combination of low-impact cardiovascular exercise, improved coordination, enhanced posture, better balance, and core strength. It is suitable for a wide range of fitness levels and is particularly beneficial as an engaging indoor activity during Michigan and Ontario's colder winter months.

Mentally, partner dancing reduces stress, boosts self-confidence, and stimulates cognitive function through real-time motor decision-making and pattern recall.

Yes. Ballroom dancing is a lifelong physical activity. Our children's classes serve kids ages 7–12, and our adult group classes regularly include students from their 20s through their 70s and beyond. The physical coordination, memory of patterns, and social connection involved in partner dancing promote both physical longevity and cognitive sharpness at every stage of life.

Social ballroom dancing focuses on connection, versatility, and enjoyment with a variety of partners in a relaxed setting. Competitive DanceSport focuses on athletic precision, strict technical execution, and polished presentation evaluated by judges. Social dancing is a wonderful low-stress hobby for creative expression and fitness. DanceSport is a demanding hybrid of art and athletics. We train students in both paths.