Dance With Me is a ballroom studio founded by champion and celebrity dancers Maks & Val Chmerkovskiy of Dancing with the Stars.
I took three private classes at the new Galleria location and I’m so excited to share that experience with you!
Photos by @Banavenvephotog
Located conveniently (or inconveniently) by Shake Shack by the main entrance of the Galleria, Houston the Dance With Me studio is a beautiful, clean and elegant studio with large windows, mirrors and sparkling chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. If the chic but functional space isn’t enough to make you feel like you might be entering the ballroom competition by the end of class, the look of your instructor will! Every male instructor is elegantly dressed in a uniform comprised of a white shirt, black vest, dress pants, and a tie. But don’t let the formal attire intimidate you. Dance with Me is dedicated to world-class instruction but they have fun! My instructor Manu is the kindest and most patient partner and so talented. We had a great time over the course of my classes.
I explained to Manu that I danced ballet, modern and jazz and character (a style of dance you would learn in a strict classical ballet school) but the ballroom styles were pretty foreign other than me faking the salsa here and there. So we decided it was time I learn the proper salsa.
Shop this dress and fringe pieces:
I had the basics down within one session. We videotaped a little bit of what I learned so that I could stay familiar with the movements and even see where I needed to make corrections. For example, I noticed I was taking rather big steps when stepping back and it was making me slow and stiff. Manu explained that the steps should be smaller and stay more under my hips. Seeing it on the tape helped me identify that right away.
Dance With Me is the perfect place if you have a wedding coming up! Be it your wedding or maybe you just want to be able to cut-a-rug at friends weddings or Gala events. You don’t want to be sitting out while everyone is having fun on the dance floor. Solid few basics steps are key to having fun and being confident on the dance floor. I promise you will soon be addicted.
Dance with Me offers private lessons, group classes, social parties, private/custom group classes, and a whole lot more. Specializing in all types of Ballroom and Latin Dances in both American and International styles I discovered they also offer hip hop, wedding dance instruction, contemporary, ballet, jazz and all styles of partner dancing.
