Curriculum Overview

NEW STUDENTS (Beginners)
It's easy to get started with our dance classes.  Basic level dance Series are usually designated with a "I" after it, such as "Salsa I" or "Waltz I," etc.  Basic level Workshops or Sampler Series are usually designated with a "Basic" or "Intro" such as "Intro to Ballroom Dance" or "Black-Tie Basics."  Any of these classes would be a great place to start! 

TO HELP YOU FIND THESE CLASSES, our printed schedules have a highlighted box around all the classes that are perfect places for new students to start.  Of course, PRIVATE LESSONS are always a great option too!  CONTACT US, IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR NEED GUIDANCE.  Our Studio Coordinators can guide you to the best class(es) that fit your interests and schedule.
 

AFTER YOU'VE TAKEN YOUR FIRST CLASS AT MAYI
So you've completed your first Series, or taken a few private lessons.  You realize how awesome social dancing is.  What to take next?

• You can take the next level class.  Usually designated with a "II" such as "Salsa II" or "Waltz II."
• You can repeat a class, and in fact the best dancers usually repeat their basics in order to really master the material.
• Try a level "I" in a different style of dance!

You can learn a dance well just by taking our Core classes, which all follow this sequential number system.  Each dance varies, but typically consists of 2, 3, or 4 core classes that should be taken in sequential order.

If you want to really excel at any particular dance, complete all the Core classes, then continue with the upper level classes -- Int/Adv-Level (I/A) and Mastery-Level (M).
 

EXPERIENCED STUDENTS/DANCERS NEW TO MAYI
So, you've taken dance classes elsewhere, but don't know where to start with us?  Even students experienced from other studios find that it's best to start with our basics.  We find that our classes cover certain important aspects of social dance that aren't included by other studios or teachers.  Our attention to connection, lead/follow skills, and universal fundamentals is unique and beneficial for all dancers even in our basics.

However, if you are confident that you are more advanced in any particular dance, you can get a MayI instructor's approval to jump into a higher level Core or even a I/A-Level (Intermediate-Advanced), or M-Level (Mastery) class.  The most common, and best, way to get instructor approval is to schedule an evaluation private lesson.  Some instructor will do half hour private lessons just to evaluate your dance level and suggest classes for you to take.  These lessons are a cost, which varies by instructor.  Typically, you can get evaluated in 2 to 4 dances in a half-hour private.

If a private evaluation lesson doesn't fit your schedule or budget, it is possible to attend one of our dance parties and ask one of our instructors to dance.  Before the dance, tell the instructor that you are interested in taking some classes and would like them to do a quick evaluation of you during the dance so they can recommend which classes to take.  This wouldn't cost anything (other than the entry for the dance), but there is no guarantee that an instructor will be available to dance or that one dance would be enough to adequately evaluate your dancing.

Once again, if you need any help or have any questions, please contact us.  We're here to help!
 

CURRICULUM OVERVIEW
OUR CLASSES FALL INTO THREE CATEGORIES:

CORE (C)
Where you should start!  These classes should be taken in sequential order:
For example:  Salsa I → Salsa II → Salsa III

INT/ADV (I/A)
After you've completed all the Core classes for a particular dance, you can take ANY of that dance's I/A-level classes in ANY ORDER.  Every dance has various number of I/A-level classes.  For example, Rumba has about 10, while West Coast Swing has over 40!  I/A-level classes come in Series, Workshop, or Special Program form and usually have creative or descriptive titles.  Some are offered regularly, some are only offered once a year.  An I/A-level class is usually listed on our monthly schedules with an I/A icon next to it.

MASTERY (M)
For those that thrive on the most demanding of classes, technique, and a deep understanding of the dances, we offer these high-level classes.  Once you've taken several I/A-level classes and/or private lessons, you may qualify for M-level.  Instructor approval is required for M-level classes.  An M-level class is usually listed on our monthly schedules with an M icon next to it.
 

ONE-OF-A-KIND CURRICULUM
Nino and the May I Have This Dance staff have created the most comprehensive and unique social dance curriculum.  The first and only of its kind, it focuses on the social aspects of dance.  While most other studios use a "Bronze, Silver, Gold" syllabus that is geared towards ballroom dance competitions and the purchase of costly private-lesson packages, the May I Have This Dance curriculum is group class based and will get dancers ready to dance with a variety of partners quickly.  Our curriculum is also the most robust available today with 14 "main" dances and an additional 35 "extra-curricular" dances.  Each dance has an average of 20 courses available.  One of our most popular dances, West Coast Swing, has over 75 courses alone!

That may seem like a lot, and it is.  Those of you that are dance addicts or strive to be expert dancers may feel like a kid in a candy store when you see all that we have to offer.

However, don't let it overwhelm you.  Remember, it's easy to get started.  If the entire curriculum is too much to consider, then just start perusing our Core Guide, where we just list the main dances and the 2 to 4 Core classes for each dance.
 

MORE INFO
Check out our FAQ, Frequently Asked Questions, page for some guidance in which dances are easier to start with, or how many lessons are recommended to meet your goals.