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Dance school Dance hallAbout the Club
Take the Lead Dance Studio is the place to go for Private and Group Lessons and Events in Salsa, Swing, Ballroom, Latin, Social dancing and so much more. Whether it’s to prepare for a special event or wedding, for a fun date night, a way to meet new friends, or you want to compete on a national (or international) stage - Take The Lead can get you there. With 12+ instructors and coaches from across the country and around the world, as well as frequent guest instructors, our team can’t be beat. Take The Lead has been voted Favorite Ballroom Dance Studio by Reader's Choice every year since 2014. Already a dancer? Check out our events! Latin Nights, Ballroom Socials, Oldies Nights, and more.
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Reviews
Richard Simmons
★ 5
Source: Google
Rich Huhn
★ 5
Joe is a real pro and great instructor!
Source: Google
Dan K
★ 5
Great venue, friendly stuff, awesome teachers. The dance social is the highlight of our weekend.
Source: Google
Sophia Davies
★ 5
Source: Google
Juli Powers
★ 5
We can’t thank Douglas enough for helping us create such a special moment for our wedding. He was patient, kind, and encouraging as he taught us our first dance over just four lessons. He made every step feel easy, fun, and full of laughter.
Thanks to Douglas, what started as something we were nervous about has become one of our favorite parts of wedding prep. We’re so excited (and confident!) to take the floor next week and it’s all because of him. Highly recommend Douglas to anyone looking for an instructor who teaches with heart.
Source: Google
Susan Grace
★ 5
Fun date night learning meringue from Joe F!
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Megan Nadzan
★ 5
Doug was fantastic! We came in to choreograph a dance for our wedding. He helped us understand how to move more naturally and look amazing for our wedding day! We can't recommend them enough, try it out!
Source: Google
Kasia Huzij
★ 5
Great place to learn how to dance and have fun in the same time.
Source: Google
David Cardillo
★ 5
Still a great dance studio and community! All the staff and instructors are friendly, and the people at the socials are friendly and welcoming. Great to see the college kids there, too!
Source: Google
Emily Dickerson
★ 5
I went to a wedding expo and of course got signed up for all the emails. A couple months before my wedding, stumbled across an email from “Take the Lead Dance Studio” with a free introductory dance lesson. Half mentioned it to my future husband and never thought about it again. About a month before the wedding, we remembered the email and decided to take a chance on the free lesson. We had such a great time at the introductory lesson with Luann we decided we needed to continue lessons and learn a choreographed first dance. We walked in not knowing our left foot from the right foot, and we walked out excited and confident for our first dance within 5 lessons. I highly recommend giving the studio a shot, we quickly got comfortable and were treated like family. Probably the best money we spent towards the wedding!!
Source: Google
Vincent Gabriele
★ 5
Amazing dance lessons. Truly a professional experience. Started from not knowing my left foot from my right foot. And now I feel more confident then ever! THANK YOU!
Source: Google
Heather Cook
★ 5
Joe is terrific!
Source: Google
terrence keith
★ 5
Excellent experience!
Source: Google
River Rodriguez
★ 5
Favorite dance studio hands down! Joe is the best dance teacher you could possibly ask for!
Source: Google
Sandra Brown
★ 5
Take the Lead is a friendly and welcoming place to learn and enjoy dancing. Dancing has so many positives, including exercising and socializing. The studio offers an impressive list of dance parties as well as lessons, group or private, for all levels of dancers. If you have not yet been there, please visit, I'm sure you won't be disappointed.
Source: Google
sarita sen
★ 5
So much fun. Thank you!!
Source: Google
Alejandro Centeno
★ 5
Love the salsa and bachata instructors, lessons are for all levels, offer workshops on weekends, socials have great music and dancing atmosphere, and there is a good Latino community on Latin Nights!
Source: Google
Madison Johnson
★ 5
I don't have much experience with other dance studios, but I absolutely love this place. The dance socials are fun and the people are awesome.
Source: Google
Valeri Jerger
★ 5
Great studio with dedicated teachers and friendly atmosphere. It's a good place to learn for both new and experienced dancers.
Source: Google
Rita Rivera
★ 5
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Rachel Smith
★ 5
My parents took group dance lessons with Peter in preparation for my wedding. Additionally, we had a private dance lesson for just myself and my father to "choreograph" our father-daughter dance. Peter did a fantastic job instructing and always made us feel so comfortable. The wedding day was beautiful and it was so much fun to dance with my father! Cannot recommend Take the Lead Dance Studio, and Peter, enough!
Source: Google
Miguel Aquino
★ 5
Nice place to learning dance salsa and bachata i love
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Jessica Moret
★ 5
I love this place! My sister and I started back in June 2023 with Joe as our instructor for Salsa and we've been going since. For the past month we've had Kristin and Alexs as our Salsa 1-2 instructors and they've truly done an amazing job not only teaching the steps and choreography of each lesson, but also creating a nice welcoming atmosphere. I'm continuously spreading the word and am so happy to have found a place I not only have tons of fun, but also feel part of an amazing community.
Source: Google
Ranin Ghamrawi
★ 5
Best dance studio in delaware! Take the lead is hands down a phenomenal place to learn to dance! Excellent instructors, kirstin, alex and joe are all phenomenal! The owners are the sweetest! And in take the lead, you feel like a family! This is not just a regular dance studio- this is a place where you meet incredible people . I have personally never thought i could dance, but now i can !!!
Source: Google
Karen Lynn
★ 5
You absolutely can’t go wrong with this dance studio. It has always been on my bucket list to learn salsa and bachata and I finally took the leap and signed up for classes. I started 2 months ago taking 1 class a week and love it so much I now take 5 classes a week. Both instructors and students make the experience so comfortable. Everyone is super friendly and treats you like family. It’s not uncommon for classmates to get drinks and/or food in between or before/after classes or socials.
Kristen and Alex that teach the salsa 1/2 and bachata 1 classes are so patient and knowledgeable. They make you feel completely at ease even when you fumble. Joe that teaches the intermediate/advanced salsa/bachata classes is one of the best there is. Your head may be in a tailspin leaving his class, but all instructors allow you to record the demonstration at the end of class so you can go home, practice, and return to the next class able to flawlessly execute the moves.
If a group class isn’t your cup of tea, they also offer private lessons. I am taking private lessons with Kristen and it has improved my technique tremendously.
If you are on the fence at all, take the class, you won’t regret it.
Source: Google
Yasmin Moghadamnia
★ 5
UPDATE on Salsa classes, skip to end for overview review:
The Monday and Wednesday Salsa classes have now been taken up by two new, young and super enthusiastic instructors, I believe trained by Joe Figueroa himself (who is still teaching the advanced salsa classes), Alexs and Kristin. I was lucky to meet Alexs as an assistant instructor in Joe's last Salsa 1 class, he is very helpful and always stayed after class with me and my partner to help us work out the kinks of certain steps. He is the first person who spontaneously asked me to dance and helped me find my way into Salsa as a dance and art, not just a bunch of steps. In social parties it's really wonderful to see and dance with him, he can easily adapt to my level and he is also a wonderful and approachable teacher.
Kristin, it took me some time to meet her, since I only took the Monday classes. She is an amazing dancer herself, her movements are so natural as if she were born Salsa/Bachta dancing! She is also a really great teacher, it's so easily to understand my mistakes when she is teaching, and her switch from lead to follow and back is so incredible!
Together these guys have been doing a wonderful job with the Salsa classes. I have not tried the Bachata class but I know the above-mentioned can be extrapolated to that as well.
I highly recommend them!!
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OVERALL REVIEW
If you are always looking for fun activities to do in DE and are constantly disappointed for not finding much, look no further. This dance studio is absolutely amazing.
I found them through Google search and contacted Peter, the owner. He was beyond kind in helping me figure out what kind of class we should take, and after a lot of emailing back and forth we took their "intro to social dancing" (by we I mean me, my partner and a couple friend of ours) which was truly helpful in us actually understanding what it is to dance with another person in a social setting. We are Persian and we love to dance but in a very different way, in our parties you just dance by yourself near others. Which is fun but not nearly as fun as the social dances we learned about in Peter's class.
After we finished that course we realized we loved Salsa the best, which is why we started taking Salsa 1 with Joe Figueroa (who is one of the best of the best in Salsa dancing) and have been having a blast meeting other dance enthusiasts. The place is beyond welcoming even if you know nothing about dancing or are too shy, and the social dances! If you love parties, those are the ones to be at.
We just went to our first Latin social dance this previous Friday and it was amazing. An hour class to teach the basic moves, so even if you know no salsa, you'll be covered. And then all night dancing! It has been amazing and after watching so many other amazing dancers I am convinced I want to learn Bachata too!
Peter, his wonderful wife and Luan are amazing in guiding you through what to do and which courses to take, and it has become such a favorite place for us to go to, almost like a second home. You can also always figure out things that don't work with your schedule, there is no rigidity in dance! For instance we had to miss some sessions and Peter kindly helped us with re-using those in another class.
I think Take the Lead has been such a blessing in our lives, I look forward to our dance session all week.
Cannot recommend more.
Also, if you have doubts about your physical capabilities or some similar issues, you can always discuss it with Peter or the other owners/instructors. I have seen people age 60 and above dance amazingly in this studio and there is no limit to the joy.
Source: Google
Mary Ellen Gordon
★ 5
I started taking salsa classes here in July with Joe and it has been a great experience. In the fall I began additional lessons with Alexs who has helped build my confidence in both salsa and bachata. I'm currently taking classes with Alexs and Kristin and they are a great team. Together they build up their students making them feel comfortable and confident in their dancing skills. I feel like I have personal cheerleaders and I'm sure most students would say the same. I'm very grateful to all the instructors and the good vibes at the studio. I highly recommend salsa and bachata classes and look forward to one day exploring other styles.
Source: Google
Tracey
★ 5
My husband and I took the group dance lessons taught by Peter and Brona for about a year before switching to private lessons with Brona. We always had so much fun at the dance lessons, and Brona helped with our choreography for our first wedding dance which our guests loved! We are so happy that we discovered Take the Lead Dance Studio, and we highly recommend the studio for group lessons and private lessons.
Source: Google
John
★ 5
Highly recommended! Started classes a few weeks ago as our friends had started the classes a week earlier to be ready to dance at their daughter's wedding, which we will attend, as well as another wedding a week earlier. Our dance instructor Peter (the owner), is very patient, and provides individualized instruction during the group instruction. At the end of the classes, he enables us to take videos of him dancing with another such as his wife so that we can practice at home between classes. The videos are extremely valuable as you will forget basic moves. Practicing at home is key, but if you don't have room to do that, he offers his studio for you to practice there as long as you are an active member. Bring the right shoes when you attend (not sneakers). Your feet need to be able to slide. Very fun, at the class and at home practicing. And we looking forward to being one of several couples that can dance at the weddings.
Source: Google
Bernadette Thomas
★ 5
Had my first private Salsa lesson and it was fantastic. My instructor Joe was very patient and professional even though I was trying to do salsa-ballet lol. The studio is clean and welcoming. The owners are friendly. I'm hoping to take classes twice a week if not more. Overall very good experience.
Source: Google
Jacklyn L Doering
★ 5
Fun we are learning alot but my legs feel tired after we get home. Fortunately just for the one night
Source: Google
Marianna Enyedi
★ 5
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Ed Duckinfield
★ 5
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Malek Elsayyid
★ 5
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mary jane isaacs
★ 5
Friendly and welcoming atmosphere for beginner dancers and singles. Popular Latin dance nights. Great instructors for all levels of dancers
Source: Google
Patrick Roeser
★ 5
Source: Google
Adam Sarah Protano
★ 5
My fiancé and I were looking to take some dance lessons before our wedding, so we signed up for an intro to social dance class at Take The Lead. We can’t say enough great things about our experience! Peter is a fantastic teacher who created a fun and welcoming atmosphere while making the steps easy to understand. He also helped choreograph our first dance in some private lessons once we had a few classes under our belt. If you’re looking to learn how to dance while having a lot of fun in the process then take the lead is the place for you. I can’t recommend them enough!
Source: Google
RaJe Jo
★ 3
Mostly beginners, so if you are new to dancing this might be a good place for you to go. Although people seemed to only dance with those they knew from class. There's a small bar and a spacious dancefloor. Overall, not a bad place.
Source: Google
Michael Urbanik
★ 5
Peter is Very patient with the student
Source: Google
Vick Matthews
★ 5
My wife and I have taken both social dance lessons and private lessons at Take The Lead. Peter, who was our dance instructor for both, is not only a great dance instructor but also an absolutely delightful person. He was able to keep lessons engaging and entertaining. We highly recommend Take The Lead if you are considering taking any kind of dance lessons.
Source: Google
Justin Comegys
★ 5
Take The Lead Dance Studio went above and beyond for our Delcastle school community during our recent self-care professional development. Our dance instructor for the day, Peter Ennis, shared his passion with our staff, which led to staff engagement, community building, and a lot of laughter. Staff members loved the experience and left his session enthusiastically charged for the day. We can't wait to welcome Take the Lead back into our building for our staff and to give our students an opportunity to benefit from their lessons. Thank you Peter and Take the Lead Dance Studio!
Source: Google
Elise Trivett
★ 5
Peter is an EXCELLENT instructor. My fiance and I knew nothing about ballroom dance and we took Peter's Intro to Ballroom dancing class. Peter started with the fundamentals which are repeated in various dance styles. It was always very fun and Peter walks around to give 1:1 instruction when you are practicing a new step. We also opted to do a private lesson before our wedding day and we feel much more confident about our first dance. A gift card makes a great gift for a recently engaged couple also.
Source: Google
Brenna M
★ 5
Looking to learn Waltz, Rumba, Swing, Foxtrot, Latin...? This is a dance studio with a very welcoming and fun atmosphere. They do dance socials every 1st and 3rd Saturday (which are TONS of fun) as well as group classes. If you wanna learn how to ballroom-dance, definitely check this place out. Also be sure to look into their Latin Night events every month!
Source: Google
Stephanie Varis
★ 5
Fine dance hall. Large floor. Dances include dance instruction and intriductions. Variety of lessons. Nice owners.
Source: Google
Paola Gabriela Durbin
★ 5
Source: Google
Chris Kris
★ 5
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Alan Goldberg
★ 4
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Peter Lee
★ 5
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Abroad Link
★ 5
The dance teacher was very kind and of course very talented. Everyone, was welcoming . It was a great experience. I highly recommend it!
Source: Google
Jamie Hollobaugh
★ 5
Never been but I'm sure it's excellent. Not sure why Google asked me to review it.
Source: Google
Tim S.
★ 5
This studio provides you with a fun and comfortable atmosphere to learn how to dance. My fiancé and I started taking classes and haven’t had this much fun learning a skill together that will last the rest of our lives. The proprietor Pete is a wonderful instructor and has made this experience very enjoyable.
Outside of private lessons, the staff is very kind and they provide a wide range of activities and events that opens up opportunities to explore different styles of dancing.
I highly recommend Take the Lead Dance Studio to anyone interested in learning how to dance or just looking to go dancing.
Source: Google
Sandra Patricia Smyth
★ 5
The best beginners class ever...love it!!!
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Ronet Bachman
★ 5
The environment is extremely friendly and relaxed and Peter is hysterical, which makes learning fun! I was nervous taking lessons alone but I always left much happier. It is great exercise and fun!
Source: Google
Elaine Scholz
★ 5
Source: Google
Suzanne Cherrin
★ 4
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Michael Durbano
★ 5
My wife and I decided to take dance lessons at Take the Lead for our first dance at our wedding and we could not have chosen a better place to learn. Our instructor was Peter and he was absolutely amazing. He was patient and kind with us and always kept us laughing. Everyone treated us like family and we couldn't have asked for a better experience! They really helped to make our wedding day special.
Source: Google
Charlotte Cote
★ 5
Take the Lead Dance studio is awesome!! They helped my husband and I learn how to truly dance together for our wedding! The lessons were not only super fun but great date nights too! Peter also helped my dad and I with our dance (no small feat if you know my dad) 😂.
The first dance married to my best friend will truly be one of the most memorable moments of my life and Take the Lead Dance Studio helped us make that memory!! I would recommend them time and again!!!
Source: Google
David Choi
★ 5
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S Chinnery
★ 5
Everyone is super friendly. Staff are very humorous and the time flies by. No one is embarrassed or made to feel silly. Great group classes!!
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Sara Me
★ 5
This studio has become my family! I’ve met my best friends there! Wonderful people and amazing professionals!
Source: Google
Shawn Sorrell
★ 5
I had a great time at the class I went to tonight everyone was super welcoming!!! The instructor Joe gave easy to follow instructions the class was fun the time just flew by. The other students who had been there longer then me were so helpful and patient with me while we practiced together even students from a more advanced class jumped in to help me out while waiting for there class to begin. Great place to learn can't until the next class!!!
Source: Google
Gabrielle Peters
★ 5
Peter is so friendly and made me excited for my lessons!
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hcajrmd
★ 5
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Elaine Scholz
★ 5
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Alex Quinones
★ 5
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Nathaniel Legg
★ 5
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Anel Mojica
★ 5
Great classes and great teachers.
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Charles Wyszynski
★ 5
Best place to learn dancing. When you are someone with two left feet, and rated as 4000 out of 4000 dance students, you and your dance partner are going to enjoy the instruction. Soon you are climbing the rating ladder to become a top ten dancer. :-). Peter and Debbie have established a professional dance studio and created a social that is number one in state and surrounding area. World class instructors are on the staff. Don't miss the chance to experience this dance studio when looking for instruction.
Source: Google
Michelle Dempsey
★ 4
I had a great time. We did this with my daughter and her future in laws and had a blast with them. I have another daughter getting married and we can definitely use what we learned
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Bryan Silbermann
★ 5
Very good teacher, nice environment, not rushed.
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Jessica Rombach
★ 5
Wonderful classes and customer service
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Vicki Pollert
★ 5
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GregoryBreitkreitz
★ 5
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Lee Burstein
★ 5
TTL is a friendly and welcoming environment. Come for lessons. Come every Saturday night for a fun social dance preceded by a lesson.
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John H
★ 5
This dance studio is very good. the facility is huge and comfortable. The owner is always there to help people professionally and friendly as well.
There are many classes to choose from and these instructors are excellent. Also this place has social events all so the people can meet and making friends.
Source: Google
Judy Barker
★ 5
I have been going to Take the Lead Dance Studio for over 3 years now. Absolutely the best dance studio ever. The owners, Peter and Debbie, are wonderful. All teachers are great. You are welcomed and made part of their family very quickly. Highly recommend them and we will continue to be part of their studio ...
Source: Google
Cindy Bartoshesky
★ 5
Absolutely fabulous! Peter was a wonderful instructor and genuinely interested in our upcoming wedding event! We looked forward to going to his classes. Most of the time he made us laugh, however, on our last class before the wedding he sent us off like new birds learning to fly, and gave very sweet, sincere advice to my son and daughter in law! Many, many thanks to you, Peter! We' ll be back soon!
Source: Google
Miz Spice
★ 5
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Doug Doerfler
★ 5
Enjoyed our first round of introduction to dance! Peter was wonderful, was easy to follow and built our confidence for future instruction! Would highly recommend
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Trupti Shah
★ 5
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Ron Calloway
★ 5
My wife and I have had individual and group lessons at Take the Lead and also attended special occasion events. We thoroughly enjoy our lessons and events. Peter and Deb have the best team / team to work with and their enthusiasm is very clear!
Source: Google
Carlos Parientes
★ 5
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Jason Sullivan
★ 5
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Claryssa M
★ 5
The price was low but the fun level was high! My spouse and I took intro to social dance because we've never done this type of dancing. (BTW, you can totally take this class solo so be unafraid) Peter is awesome! He's funny, helpful and never made us feel stupid for our mistakes. We had so much fun that we're going to continue to the next class.
Source: Google
regina goodbred
★ 5
The teacher was fun and explained everything in detail. Fun place.
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Annie Tsao
★ 5
Peter demonstrated great knowledge in ballroom dancing fundamentals, he gave me good techniques, he definitely is a great instructor
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Juan Soto
★ 5
The staff here is WONDERFUL and have made the experience very gratifying for me. The hardest part was showing up the first time, everything else has been complete joy!
Source: Google
Diane Oswald
★ 5
I love dancing at Take The Lead Dance Studio! Peter and Debbie Ennis are the ultimate hosts for their Saturday evening dances! New Year's Eve is a wonderful dance party every year. Never danced before? Take Peter's Intro to Social Dancing classes and you'll be dancing in no time!
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David Siegel
★ 5
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Bonita Ryan
★ 5
everyone was friendly and upbeat. enjoying the class iam taking now and looking forward to taking other classes and other types of dance.
Source: Google
Myrian Perez
★ 5
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Heidi Gross
★ 5
I have loved learning to dance at Take the Lead. The instructors are superior teachers and the dance socials are fun for everyone - even if you don't have a partner! I have never been in a studio that was more inclusive and more welcoming. Peter and Debbie Ennis have set a high bar for excellent dance instruction and for making everyone feel a strong sense of belonging.
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Felix LaBoy
★ 5
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Quinlan Cheng
★ 5
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Diane Marino
★ 5
The owners are wonderful people to work with. The instructors are awesome. I love the big floating dance floor!
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Jean Marie Maresca
★ 5
My finance and I decided to take a class to be able to move together nicely during our wedding we had a great time and were able to but some good advise to use . This is a fantastic place the owners are very nice and are will to work with your schedule we had a great time and would go back and dance again ...... Maybe a social night I hear they are amazing as well.
Source: Google
Nina Ellis
★ 5
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B Pierce
★ 5
ATTENTION : IF YOURE LOOKING FOR WEDDING FIRST DANCE LESSONS!
I called up the studio about 2 months or so before the wedding looking for dance lessons. I talked to Peter the owner of the studio who informed me that we should take an intro to social dance class before taking private lessons. Listen, its the best move you can make, to make the most of your private lessons. It will save you money in the long run and will teach the guys how to lead and the ladies how to follow. We did the 6 week class then started our private lessons. We did 3 lessons and learned so many more steps then people who didn't take the intro to dance class. Long story short Peter is a great teacher. He will not get mad but will be completely honest if you mess up. With that said he knows his stuff. I just got married last weekend 10/29 and we did a waltz for our first dance and everyone loved it and a lot of people cried during it saying it was just so beautiful. So guys get out of your comfort zone and just give your wife a first dance to remember. Its the best moments you will ever have. So, make it special. You wont regret it. I know I didn't. Thanks Peter. See you in future classes.
Source: Google
CelNav T.
★ 5
Many studios offer wonderful ballroom instruction and a beautiful venue to stretch your dancing toes. However their are only a few that come to mind that offer a welcome mat that makes you feel at home and among friends, Take The Lead is that type of place. Congrats and job well done.
Source: Google
Stuart Doyle
★ 5
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Linda Walck
★ 5
I went there by myself Saturday night for the lesson and open dance after. I had the best time. There were several excellent male dancers who offered to dance with me. One man was an exceptional lead and taught me 8 different dances. I would say 9, but I was too horrible at one to mention it. Lessons for that one are in my future, for sure. I had a blast. Everyone I came in contact with was friendly and I met a lady from my church that was a very good dancer, as well. When I wasn't dancing, I enjoyed watching as there were many very good dancers there. The UofD students were helpful and friendly, as well. If you love couples dancing, I highly recommend it. The quality of the dances and dancers was amazing.
Source: Google
Danielle Van Drew
★ 5
My husband and I went to Take the Lead Dance Studio to take lessons for our first dance at our wedding. LuAnn, our instructor, was so incredibly helpful. She truly understand our personalities and vision for our first dance and turned it into a reality! We LOVED her choreography and the way she taught-- she made it so fun and easily understandable. We had such a wonderful experience! The entire staff is friendly and helpful. We recommended Take the Lead to a co-worker whose daughter was getting married and he had a great experience as well!
Source: Google