Dance Lessons 101

Dance Lessons 101 is the #1 rated all-in-one do-it-yourself DVD. After extensive planning, we've combined the starting points for Ballroom, Country, Swing and Latin Dancing into one easy-to-understand program. This DVD is proof that you can learn to dance without live instruction - and in a fraction of the time. You'll be dancing the Slow Dance, Waltz, Swing, Salsa, Two-Step, Cha-Cha, Hustle and in a matter of minutes.

Dance Lessons 101 features just over two hours of incredibly simplified dance instruction, picture-in-picture technology, optimum clarity, and multiple camera angles to ensure that you, the student, get the best view. Each step and move is taught for both the leader and the follower as well as together, allowing you the option of learning with or without a dance partner. Already know the Cha-Cha and can't wait to learn the Swing, Salsa, or Hustle? DVD menu selections allow you the option of streamlining your lesson.

Owning this DVD is the equivalent of having your own private dance instruction for a fraction of the cost, and it's ideal whether you want to learn to dance for a special event or simply achieve better fitness. Feel good about your new hobby, and take your skills ever-further...Dancing Success Starts with Dance Lessons 101!

Better Than an In-Person Lesson
"This DVD isn't intimidating, and it basically puts a world-renowned dance teacher in your living room. I actually think it's better than an in-person lesson because you're able to see the steps from every angle. By the end of the lesson, I was so excited that I had learned the steps - it's almost as if I internalized them."
-Amy H

Simply the Best!,
"I'm so glad I ordered Dance Lessons 101 and am impressed by how simple it was to follow. Shawn Trautman lives up to his reputation in this one of being one of the best instructors. He and his wife are very patient and certainly know what it means to teach beginners. Overall, great instructions - we loved it and will continue ordering more. BRAVO!"
-Jane A

Excellent overview and intro to several ballroom and social dance styles
"I highly recommend the Shawn Trautman instructional dance DVDs. Shawn and his wife Joanna are excellent teachers. Shawn does a good job of breaking down the footwork and also provides tips on style and leading. Joanna does a very good job of providing info on following and style- and she makes cute and funny comments along the way. They are very down to earth and personable and really care about feedback from dancers.

This DVD is a great place to start for an overview of many of the most popular ballroom and social dance styles. Each dance is covered briefly in one chapter. If you want more detail about a specific dance you could purchase a DVD from Shawn Trautman's collection devoted to that specific dance (which we decided to do with west coast swing- which is actually a series of several DVDs). However, even from this one DVD we were able to learn enough basics, footwork, and rhythm to do nightclub two step, cha cha cha, and hustle on the dance floor in public. This is also a great overview for an "advanced beginner"- someone who is already a dancer in one or more styles and wants to learn a new dance."
Dawn (NYC, NY)

It's About Time I Really Learned How To Dance!!!
"Ten and twenty years ago, my wife and I took a few months of weekly dancing lessons for around $600 each. After each lesson, I couldn't remember much of what we had learned in the previous lesson and my wife and I would disagree with our steps. Because each of the dance companies were preparing us to dance competitively, although we were there to learn to dance socially, my back was always hurting after each lesson from trying to conform my body to these exact positionings. My wife and I learned very little, and thus when we went out dancing we rarely used anything from our dance lessons but just danced like everyone else did, so we could have fun. When we saw others dancing ballroom style, they always danced the same basic moves counter-clockwise around the dance floor (i.e., forward, left turns, and lady turns), regardless of which dance they were performing.

After 33 years of marriage and dancing in our own styles, I thought I'd try learning ballroom dancing for my wife again but decided to try something different. I bought 6 of Shawn's dancing DVD's and took them with us on our vacation, watching one dance lesson each day, taking my time analyzing them and making detailed notes of each move (my wife would watch them after I had studied them, as she could learn faster and remember better than I did). In each lesson, we learned more than several lessons with either of the dance companies I mentioned above. Then my wife and I took our time to slowly work on each dance together. We moved the chairs and table out of the kitchens and set up speakers that were hooked up to my computer to play music, and would dance for an hour each night to different songs. Just for fun, we even tried new moves that Shawn hadn't taught and probably doesn't exist. Learning to dance was enjoyable and dancing with my wife turned out to be a wonderful experience - I finally understood the joy of dancing with one I love. After three weeks traveling through the U.S. and dancing almost every day, my wife and I knew how to perform 10 different dances well. We next went on a cruise, where we danced these dances every night and received compliments that we appeared to have been dancing for years.

Since our cruise, we were unable to dance for a few weeks, so I forgot many of our dance moves. Unlike taking lessons from the dance companies, we didn't have to pay to relearn the dances - I went back to my notes and went back to Shawn's lessons and were quickly able to relearn the dances.

We have since purchased additional dance videos from Shawn and will purchase additional ones in a few months. He takes his time instructing us and gives various angles to his lessons. I'm sure you will see how great he and his wife do from the other reviewers, so there's no need to cover that here. I just want you to see the benefits of purchasing his DVD's over taking dance lessons from the dance companies (even if you want to compete, I suggest you learn the dance lessons from him first, as he was a dance teacher at one of those companies long ago according to his statements on his DVD's and in his book)."
John J. Kirschman "jjkmusic" (Albuquerque, NM)

"Good clear unintimidating instruction from a regular guy. Great product."
Fraser M., Marlow, United Kingdom

"I bought this to make the wife very happy. With the DVD we had the ability to repeat a part very quickly. I loved the ease of observing everything I needed to do at a slower pace."
Darrell B., Spring Hill, FL

"I loved the fact that I can do this at home when I want."
Gerry G., Roseville, CA

"I bought this for exercise. I loved that it was easy to follow with good songs."
Jana M., Darien, FL

I'm a beginner dancer, and received these as gifts. I like the clear instruction and demonstration. Thanks for a quality instructional tool."
Debra O., Danbury, CT

"We love to dance. We enjoyed the good preview presentation of dances."
Jim and Katy E., Mount Dora, FL

"Dance Lessons 101 is easy to follow. The DVD allows you to stop, rewind, and pause."
Lana B., Norfolk, VA

"Very clear instruction - good quality video. Articulate explanation. Good job! I'm a reasonably experienced ballroom dancer, east and west coast swing dancer (1.5 year Fred Astaire followed by independent WCS classes and lessons). I appreciat the clarity of your video and instruction."
Chris G., Fox Poit, WI

"Very good DVD. I like the style and we learned a lot from the DVD. We really like the way the steps were broken down." Ron K., Hot Springs, AR

"Simple explanation and break down of dance steps."
Robert T., Pueblo, CO

"Easy to understand, simple, I can replay it as many times as I need."
Linda W., Franconia, VA

"Very detailed and easy to follow instructions with two different perspective views of the dance instructors."
Christopher M., Burlington, MI

"Simple clear instruction for a beginner like me. This is my first DVD from Shawn Trautman, and I am going to buy a second one."
Hak-Yam, T., Scottsdale, AZ

"Easy to follow instructions. Generally plenty of repetition to get the steps down."
Debra H., San Diego, CA

"Liked Most: Logical arrangement: sample of dance then step by step instruction then fuller demonstration. The time taken to explain lead/follow, touch points, etc. was also very helpful. Overall, I rally like the DVD; it meets my goal of practicing between actual dance classes. It has also given me a preview of other dances that I might like to learn."
LeShelle W., Quincy, MA

Great for Beginners!
" I bought Dance Lessons 101 and Line Dance 101 on Amazon.com because of their reviews and totally agree. My husband and I could not be happier with our purchase and we will definitely be back for more of the other titles. We love how you break down the steps for beginners and make it simple and non-intimidating. Many thanks Shawn!"
L. Jackson, NV

Clear and Simple
"Just wanted to pass a quick note along to say how much we enjoyed your 101 dvd. It was just as clear and simple as you stated and we're glad we started with it. It's made for fun practicing and we've certainly learned a lot! "
bob_allison

Dance Lessons 101 can be found in any of these sets:

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