★ 5

Wanting to get some exercise and do something fun, my husband and I started taking group dance lessons back in 2019 through our town's continuing education. Our youngest son's wedding in 2020 was further motivation to learn. Those lessons closed down with COVID and never came back.
Through that program we learned that not only is dancing fun and good exercise, it engages your mind too. Looking to get back to dancing, we discovered the Fred Astaire dance studio in Old Saybrook. We started with a free lesson and were hooked on the energy of the instructors. We continued with the 5 beginner lessons and were amazed at how much we had learned in such a short time. I would say it was comparable to what we learned in a year of group lessons through continuing education. We are just finishing up our social foundation lessons with Thommy and have truly enjoyed every minute. Thommy is so talented, and he really cares that you not only learn the steps, you also learn what gives each dance style its unique characteristics and style so you look good doing them. He's funny too. I highly recommend learning to dance at Fred Astaire of Old Saybrook!

Pictures: Thommy teaching me a new step in the studio and my husband and I at our oldest son's wedding in May 2025

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

I've been dancing there for nine years now (as of December 2024), and am still enjoying dancing with Thommy and learning from him and being entertained by him. Good studio, nice instructors.

Source: Google

★ 5

Got back in to ballroom dancing and brought my husband along so he could learn. Loving the staff, the welcoming environment and their process of teaching. So nice to be on the main street too. Looking forward to each lesson!

Source: Google

★ 5

My wife and I took lessons here for our wedding, we couldn't have been happier with our instructor, Rob! Not only did we become much better social dancers as well, but we also had a blast while we did it.

Source: Google

★ 5

With about 10 weeks left before our wedding, my fiancé and I decided we wanted to do something special for our first dance. We set up our introductory class with Samantha and loved every second of it! We were hooked. Everyone in the studio was so warm and welcoming, we never felt out of place for our lack of dance experience. We met with Samantha 1-2 times per week, she was so patient and thoughtful during the lessons - always taking time to show us the steps. Our dance lessons quickly became our favorite part of our wedding planning. We are so happy that we decided to through with this experience, it certainly made our big day that much more special. Thank you, Samantha & all!

Source: Google

★ 5

My husband and I loved to dance even though we had no idea what we were doing. We decided to take lessons with friends, and we not only have so much fun, but we are actually dancing! It wasn't easy at first, but we've learned various dances and find we can dance to current songs as well as traditional songs. We signed up for the initial classes and have continued to sign up for new classes - we don't want to stop! The instructors are outstanding, talented and fun! Samantha! Tommy! Rob!! The social dance offered on the weekends is so fun! Try it! We'll be there dancing!

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

We started dance lessons because our daughter is getting married and we want to dance at the wedding.
Samantha is an amazing dance instructor. She has a way of teaching the dance steps that give us confidence.
We have been married 45yrs and tried dancing in the past but got frustrated and gave it up.
Because of Samantha's detailed coaching and patience we are dancing and having fun!
Thank you Fred Astaire Studio and Samantha,
Nancy and Roger

Source: Google

★ 5

In my 40s I was solidly a wallflower. I booked a lesson with my teenage daughter to engage her in activity that appealed to her. We fell in love with the people, challenge and fun at the studio. Each of the instructors has taught us more about ourselves and dancing than I could have ever imagined. We have gained physically and mentally from our experiences over the years. If you are uncertain about taking a lesson, do it. You won't regret it. You will be in very good hands. Everyone there is supportive and kind. If they can turn this wallflower into a dancer, they can have you out on the dance floor too.

Source: Google

★ 4

Source: Google

★ 5

Taking dancing lessons has been on my bucket list for awhile, so I took the "plunge" and started weekly lessons with Rob. I really love the classes and learning different dances and techniques. Even though initially I was out of my comfort zone being there, Rob and the entire staff made me feel welcome. Everyone is so friendly - even the other students are kind and thoughtful. All of the teachers are incredible dancers and very encouraging. A great vibe and experience with laughter tucked in too!

Source: Google

★ 5

My husband and I are not dancers, but we are now. Our daughter's wedding was a few months away and he was dreading the father/daughter dance. So I called this studio and said we needed lessons. Everyone was super nice and really understanding of our 2 left feet. Well their dance was a huge hit. my husband was able to lead her thru the steps with ease (they only had time to practice together 1x) but his confidence and rehearsing the steps with me for 2 months paid off. People thought it was a choreographed dance that they practiced for months! My husband actually has rhythm now! Thank you Samantha!
I would highly recommend this studio. It's worth the cost. My husband and I will no longer be wall flowers at weddings. See you on the dance floor!!

Source: Google

★ 5

Two months ago, my fiancé and I took our first steps into Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Old Saybrook, looking to share a special first dance at our upcoming wedding in December 2021. After our first introductory meeting, we knew we were in very capable hands! Our instructor, Laura Gurry, could not be a more talented dancer and an even more patient instructor. She explained that she would first teach us how to dance, and then teach us how to dance to our first song - which provided us with an incredible foundation to build our wedding routine on. No matter what your level of experience with dancing, Laura makes the steps easy to master and remember! Her teaching style is so relatable, as she often uses sports analogies to teach my fiancé proper form, which he is then able to easily imitate. Laura makes every lesson more exciting than the last, all while improving our rhythm and dance quality. We could not be any happier with our experience or our routine (which Laura tailored to our preference of difficulty and ability)! We enjoyed our private lessons so much that we tried our first Dance Party on Halloween weekend, and had so much fun learning multiple dance styles and meeting new faces that we now try to make Saturday night Dance Parties a weekly date night. Along the way, we have also become friendly with other engaged couples preparing for their first dance, as well the other instructors at Fred Astaire in Old Saybrook, including Rob and Thommy - both of whom are just as entertaining and supportive as Laura! We are so thankful we put on our dancing shoes and found an establishment that is so dedicated to its students. We highly recommend both this dance studio and these instructors to anyone looking to improve their dancing or just to have a little fun!

Source: Google

★ 5

Laura Gurry helped me prepare for my Father/Daughter dance for my daughter's wedding. She was very helpful and assisted in customizing the dance. She put me at ease and gave me a lot more confidence. Thank you Laura!

Source: Google

★ 5

I am a very satisfied customer of this Fred Astaire Dance Studio - in Old Saybrook. I always believed that I would never be able to dance, but, because of the dedication, encouragement and excellent teaching staff of this studio, I have found a new sense of joy and self-esteem...which naturally comes from learning to dance!! The ballroom is lovely and the people are like a family!

Source: Google

★ 5

I have been dancing since the end of 2016 and the studio is wonderful. The people you meet here become your second family. The staff is wonderful, knowledgeable, conscientious to your learning. Dancing is something that everyone can do and learn and the staff make it a fun experience. It is a stress release, good exercise, and if you need something easy on your joints this is it! You can't ask for a better or more competent team to teach you - give it a try - you won't regret it!

Source: Google

★ 5

If you are apprehensive about learning to dance - this is the place to go! My wife and I had no previous dance experience, were nervous about starting and unsure of what to expect. That all changed when we met Raeleen and Thommy - they are outstanding instructors with unlimited patience, have the ability to alleviate all of your fears, connect with you on a personal basis, teach at a comfortable pace geared to your ability, provide a studio with a non-judgmental atmosphere and frankly make it really fun to dance. Our only regret is that we didn't start with Raeleen and Thommy sooner!

Source: Google

★ 5

I first discovered this studio four years ago and have been going ever since. Thommy is a wonderful instructor with a great sense of humor, which makes it fun to learn ballroom dancing from him.

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

My husband and I loved all the different packages they had to choose from so we could look our best at social events. Raeleen and her team make you feel good right from the start. We had no no previous experience. Thankful we choose Raeleen! instructors will make anyone feel like a pro!

Source: Google

★ 5

Raeleen and her talented team of instructors will make anyone feel like a pro! No matter your skill or experience level, Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Old Saybrook is the place to go!!

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google