St. Pete is fortunate to have a champion ballroom dancer and coach who loves to share his love of dance with everyone from the novice to the experienced. Michael Raisch, also a certified ballroom dance competition adjudicator, started St. Pete Dance in 2017 after spending more than 30 years traveling throughout the world.
The benefits to dancing are almost too numerous to mention. First of all, it can get you up off the couch for exercise and weight loss. You can meet new people with similar interests, reduce stress, and learn new dance moves to engage your brain and build confidence. It’s also perfect for a fun date night. Whether you want to learn to foxtrot, swing, salsa, bachata or tango, St. Pete Dance offers lessons on these and many more.
“The hardest part of dancing is taking that first step through the front door,” Raisch says. “Once you are here, you will see how fun and easy it is to learn to dance. We start off by showing you what to do step-by-step with some private lessons. Then you can join group dance classes and practice your moves at our dance parties. It’s a skill you will have the rest of your life, and singles as well as couples are more than welcome.”
Gotta Dance!
People decide to take dance lessons for a variety of reasons. Many are getting ready for the first dance at their wedding reception. Others want to make changes in their lives or prepare for special events. They end up staying because of how much fun dancing is and all of the many benefits they are receiving.
“It’s like learning a new language,” Raisch said. “Do you want to learn some basic phrases to get by, or do you want to become fluent?”
St. Pete Dance sponsors nights out on the town where groups from his classes get together for dancing. There are showcases and dance parties in the studio so friends and family can admire all that you have learned. The studio is also available to rent for birthday parties and other events in which Raisch will conduct a fun group lesson.
Clients frequently ask where they can go to practice their new skills. Michael recommends the Floridian Social Club, the Gulfport Casino, Che at Ceviche for Latin dancing, the Acropolis, and the Coliseum for daytime tea dances and other events.
As one happy customer reports, “Michael is a gifted teacher! He meets you where you are with your abilities and breaks it down for you with great patience. I had so much fun! I recommend his classes to everyone, regardless of experience.”
“We can teach anyone to be a social dancer,” Raisch says, “even if you think you have two left feet and no rhythm. No matter which dance or for whatever reason, we feel positive that you will not only have fun, but also improve your dancing skills quickly and easily.”
For information, visit StPeteDance.com. Reach Raisch by phone at (727) 280-6962 or via email at [email protected]. The studio address is 3138 3rd Ave N. For Green Bench Monthly readers, Raisch is offering two half-hour private lessons for $29, a savings of $10 off his usual introductory lessons.
