Testimonials

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I first walked into Fred Astaire looking for a hobby, artistic outlet and new place to meet people. What I discovered went way beyond private and group lessons. Part school, part social club and part serious member of the dance community; this studio thrives by being flexible enough to satisfy clients with a wide variety of dance experience and goals. In my time here I have danced with stars, appeared on stage and screen, shown off in parades, competed nationally and waltzed across multiple continents. Years later I'm still impressed by their desire to find the next new experience for their students to enjoy. You can be as social or serious about dancing as you want and the staff will rise to the occasion.

Tom K.

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My daily life happens in black & white -- day job, errands, house cleaning, etc. But when I enter the studio EVERY EVENING, life burst into vibrant colors, and Im in a lively world of music, laughter, crystal-studded gowns, beaded lashes and satin heels. But ballroom dancing is not ALL GLAMOUR. If you choose to study beyond basic step patterns, dancing with proper techinique requires more discipline and dedication than people realize. Thankfully, all the instructors here posses infinite patience and remarkable talent. They always have time for me and have welcomed me into their world with open arms. Each instructor has made his or her own unique contribution to my development as a dancer, and I feel privilage to work with such a stellar group. Add to this the always cheerful and diligent staff, as well as the new friendships I have formed with other students who have been so encouraging and helpful to me as a newcomer, and there is no place I would rather be. In fact, dance offers an overall experience that affects one physically, mentally and emotionally. I am in better shape that I was in my 20's, and I have discovered stamina and energy I never knew I could have at any age. I am the happiest I have been in years, perhaps ever, I am astonished st my formly introverted self suddenly can not wait to (gasp) perform and even compete! But, as for our studio manager Ria, likes to tell me with her secret, all-knowing smile, "Welcome to Ballroom".  

Karen, Started April 2011  

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I recently moved to Chicago and needed to find a health club that matched my personal training sessions I have been doing for many years in my home town. Chicago has so many options and I wasn't quite sure where to find a place that could match my personal needs. Just some big fancy health club wasn't going to cut it for me because I was so accustomed to one one ones with my personal trainer. I tried a few places and felt so uninspired so thought to myself after watching Dancing with the Stars for so many years, I figured I might give dancing a try. The first day was a little intimidating, it looked like everyone knew what they were doing and had been dancing together for a long time. Not to mention Jesse Desoto from Season 3 Dancing with the Stars was at the studio my very first day! But after my first lesson with Rouslan he made it seem so easy to do and a lot of fun so I signed up for my first package of lessons. The best part about it was group classes were FREE as long as I took a few lessons a week. So not only was I doing ballroom dancing but also some yoga, ballet & jazz. Within the first couple of weeks I took a class almost every day and noticed a change in my body right away, not only did I still have my original strength but my flexibility and grace improved in only a few short weeks and the best part about it is I was also learning to dance! When I am dancing it does not feel like I am working out, it feels like I am having fun and reaching my goals every time I step into Fred Astaire studio. On top of that all the staff is very attentive, very friendly and very willing to custom design a dance program that best suits you. I was not a dancer before, but I am proud to say I'm pretty sure I will be a dancer for life from this point forward! Thanks Fred Astaire!

Sincerely and gratefully,
Tracey N.

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Dancing at Fred Astaire keeps me in great shape. The attention given to techinique and detail has given me more confidence dancing. The teachers are the most professional of any studio I have attended. Dancing for me has been great fun and has taught me to relax.

Mary, Started March 2010

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Christmas 2008 was definitely memorable. My son surprised me with 3 intro Fred Astaire dance lessons! I was so touched I cried. It’s true. There’s a photo on my dance binder from that Christmas morning. The only dancing I had done aside from booty shaking at the occasional party had been a bit of ballet which ended at age 5. However, after watching DWTS I thought if a deaf woman could get on the floor and give ballroom a shot then so could I.

From my 2nd lesson when Vince showed me Tango and then called Megan over to look at my line I was hooked.

It’s the hardest physical thing I’ve ever done, but also the most rewarding. Besides the sense of accomplishment in learning new steps or maintaining connection with my partner when I cross that threshold into the studio I leave work & the world behind me. For the next 45 minutes I feel no guilt in thinking of nothing but myself and what I am trying to accomplish in that day’s lesson.

Not that I didn’t often sit in one of those chairs before lesson started, my stomach aflutter with anxiety about feeling so exposed on the floor, wondering what had I been thinking to have introduced more stress in my life. However, my thoughts were focused on dancing – not spreadsheets or deadlines or groceries or laundry. And the anxiety eased as I became more comfortable and confident in my dancing.

I had hoped that dancing would prove a diversion from work and provide a break from gym routine. While my co-workers still sometimes ask me to prove that I’m putting in fewer hours I have scaled back on work and use dance as a reason to stake out personal time.

Going to the gym became superfluous. I was feeling better and looking better just dancing. Since starting lessons in January 2009 I have dropped 3 dress sizes. I’ve not been this slender and fit since I was 14. Dancing is great exercise and certainly more interesting than the gym. Besides, on the dance floor you can often wear fabulous outfits while breaking a sweat. I don’t recall pulling out the rhinestones and false eyelashes for trip to the gym.

Dance was never a world in which I pictured myself living. I watched it on telly and attended dance performances, but it was a world I thought for others – not for me. My opinion has changed. I am a dancer and while I have much to learn we are all dancers who cross that threshold for our lessons. We each have different paths we follow, but that need to express ourselves physically to music is why we’re all there.

My sense of accomplishment is due largely to the wonderful instructors with whom I have worked. Those individual investments in my growth have helped me progress quickly. Many thanks to Vince, Steve, Megan, Kelya, Jessica and Irene.

Fred didn’t write it, but he did sing it beautifully:
There may be teardrops to shed
So while there’s moonlight & music & love & romance
Let’s face the music and Dance! Dance!
Let’s face the music and dance

Thank you!

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Tjomme Rusticus and Ran Wei were wed June 6, 2009 at the Ritz Carlton in Chicago. They danced their beautiful first dance to Enrique Iglesias' Hero. We were lucky to get a sneak peek as they performed for their teachers (Jessica and Steve), the staff and students at a Friday night studio party as their final rehearsal. Congratulations!

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We wanted to write you a note of thanks for all the work you did getting our dance in shape for the wedding! The dance was a HUGE hit. I think it surprised a lot of people, especially seeing Paul out there. You gave me a lot of confidence in myself as well and I wanted to thank you. People LOVED the dip!
Thanks so much,
Sarah & Paul