Jun 7, 2007
BUSINESS:
Ridgefield dance studio says anyone can do it
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Grace, poise and a little bit funk arrived in Ridgefield June 2 with the opening of the Fred Astaire Dance Studio at 15 Ethan Allen Highway.
Studio owners Martin and Gina Goetsche bring with them 30 years of dance experience as the top professionals in Denmark among the best in Europe. They also have a love of not just dancing but of sharing their passion with anyone.
“If you can walk, you can dance,” said Gina Goetsche. “We can teach anyone to dance. Fred Astaire actually developed a teaching system 60 years ago when he opened his first studio in New York. It’s been modernized over the years, but the basic principles are still the same.”
Lifelong passion
For Ms. Goetsche and her husband, teaching ballroom dancing is the culmination of their dance careers that saw them reach dizzying heights. It also brought the couple together.
“I started dancing 30 years ago. It’s a very common thing in Europe, to learn how to ballroom dance,” Ms. Goetsche said. “I started to compete and that’s how I met my husband.”
The two dancers came together thanks to Mr. Goetsche’s parents, who thought Gina and Martin could make a could competitive dance couple.
“We started training together and we just went from there,” Ms. Goetsche said. The couple won the Danish championship and competed in the both the European and World championships.
Professional instructors
The romance that surrounds ballroom dancing is easy to see as the five full-time instructors glide across the 1,700-square foot dance floor that is the centerpiece of the new studio. Unlike at other studios, Fred Astaire dance instructors are all professionals. The five instructors in Ridgefield all competed in Europe. Three are from Germany, one from Denmark and one from Ukraine. Ms. Goetsche, who is a native of Munich (her husband is Danish) said all bring an unique perspective.
“All of them have at least 10 years of competitive experience,” she said. “They all started dancing at an early age, so I think they have not just experience but a real love for what they do.”
For instructor Sara Bouchet, 27, the chance to teach is way for her to combine several passions.
“I love to teach and I love to learn new things,” the Danish native said. “I think that is what makes it possible for me to put myself in the students’ shoes. Sometime you need to be able to relate dance to something else the student does. Some like to go slow and some want to learn something new every time. I think teaching is really a sharing of what you like to do.”
Something for everyone
The new studio offers a variety of classes for beginner with two left feet to the serious dance competitor. Ms. Goetsche said she and her instructor tailor their programs to each individual or couple.
“We have a basic package that is five private lessons, two group lessons and two parties,” Ms. Goetsche said. “People can also take just a couple of lessons, but most take the package.”
The nine-class package costs $390 “after discounts,” Ms. Goetsche said. Students learn two to four ballroom dances, depending on their ability. Ballroom dances range from the foxtrot to the salsa and swing dancing.
“There is smooth, which is the waltz and dances like that, and rhythmic, which is mambo, salsa and dances like that,” she said.
For students who catch the dancing bug, which Ms. Goetsche calls “social dancers,” the studio offers more advanced training. “We do more of a flexible program,” Ms. Goetsche said. “We pick the dances the person wants to learn and think over the lesson plan we need. It’s a more individualist program.”
Excited to begin
The studio also offers beginners the chance to take a free introductory lesson. Ms. Goetsche said first-time students get a tour of the studio, a few basic footwork lessons and a look at what a dance package entails. She also plans to hold “Friday night dance parties” which would be open to the public.
“People can some in and dance, have some fun,” she said. “It’s kind of thing you can bring someone for a night out.”
The opening of the Ridgefield studio also marks the culmination “of a long-term” project for the husband and wife team. The Goetsches own a successful studio in Norwalk and tried to find a place in the Ridgefield area “for a long time,” she said.
“We couldn’t find the right location that would give us the space we need,” Ms. Goetsche said. “It’s not so easy, so we’re very happy we found this location.”
The studio opened its doors June 2 with a public open house. Ms. Goetsche said even before the official opening, “We had a lot of calls. People have already booked lessons. We’re very excited,” she said.
So is the staff.
“I’m looking forward to seeing who comes in and getting started here,” Ms. Bouchet said. “I taught in Norwalk and now I am excited to see how we do here.”
As for those hesitant to try dancing because of those two left feet, Ms. Goetsche said not to worry.
“We can teach anyone and anyone can learn to dance,” she said. “We have one student in Norwalk who is 86 years old and she still competes. If you can walk, you can dance.”
To schedule an appointment or for more information, call 544-7400.
© Copyright 2008 by Hersam Acorn Newspapers
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