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Learn to Square Dance

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You've seen the dancers twirling, laughing, and having fun at the state fair or at a dance convention. You've seen ads on television. You want to meet people that will turn into life-long friends. You've decided that this is the activity for you. You've decided that you would like to try it out. Where can you find lessons? What can you expect at lessons?

Let's start with the last question. What should you expect at lessons? Lessons are sponsored by one or more square dance clubs or by the caller (the instructor). The lessons start out with the basic calls and move through to the Mainstream level and, sometimes, through to the Plus level. The number of weeks for lessons will depend on the number of times the class meets each week and the number of hours of each lesson, as well as to which level the caller is teaching.

Experienced square dancers, called angels, attend lessons to partner students and to help fill out the squares (which are made up of eight dancers). The caller gauges the progress and moves students along at their learning pace. Student dances are usually available so that students may dance at the level they have thus far attained. The main rule is to listen to the caller! At the end of lessons, there is a graduation ceremony and dance for the new dancers. If club-sponsored, the graduates become full club members and may attend the club dances (if this hasn't happened already).

How do you find lessons? Try these methods:

• Check out the United Square Dancers of America Lessons Database.
• Check out USA Regional Square Dance Associations for your state's association web site. These association sites usually have lesson and/or contact information.
• If you see dancers dancing, ask the caller (the person singing out the dance instructions) about lessons. If he isn't currently giving lessons, he will be more than happy to put you on his mailing list for future lessons or direct you to a caller that is starting up a class.
• Find a square dance club in your area. You can do this by checking out the web sites listed under Club & Caller Databases below. Call the contact person and ask about lessons. Again, if the club is not sponsoring lessons, the contact person can direct you to a club that is sponsoring lessons.
• Find a caller in your area by checking out the web sites listed under Club & Caller Databases below and give the caller a phone call.

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