Current Beginners Class: Cha Cha
Start with the beat. Find your feet.
A beginner-friendly way for adults (couples & singles) to learn social ballroom dancing in a fun and encouraging environment.
WHEN
Every Sunday
TIME
4:30 to 5:30 PM
FIRST CLASS
FREE
Sunday class • Westminster
The Westminster hall where Candlelight Dancers Sunday classes meet.
The Westminster hall where Candlelight Dancers Sunday classes meet.
GIVE US
6
SUNDAYS!
01
No previous dance experience required
02
Clear progressive instruction
03
Home Practice Help
04
Supportive social dance community
The Candlelight Dancers way
Learn one layer at a time.
Beginning dancers have many things to learn: the step patterns, following the music, the lead & follow connection with their partner, and, for the leader, coming up with what to lead next as the dance progresses.
Paul & Shelly start slowly so beginners have time to get comfortable with the basic steps and work them into “muscle memory.” Their teaching approach enables dancers to initially focus on just “the beat and the feet.” As timing & footwork improves, more dance figures and choreography are introduced while continuing to reinforce the basics.
Match footwork to the music
Start with timing and basic step patterns so the music and movement begin to feel connected.
Build muscle memory
Repeat the essentials until the basics become more comfortable and less mentally demanding.
Add figures & choreography
Introduce more figures gradually while continuing to reinforce the fundamentals.
Add lead & follow
Layer in partner connection and help leaders become more comfortable deciding what comes next.
Home Practice Help
Keep the Sunday lesson going at home.
Between classes, students can receive summaries, practice recommendations, cued music, and other materials that reinforce Sunday class instruction and enable effective & comfortable home practice.
Paul & Shelly use occasional follow-up emails to reinforce what was taught and help dancers practice at a comfortable pace.
Written class summaries
Practice recommendations
Cued practice music
Help when something does not feel right
Paul & Shelly Straus
Patient teaching. Thoughtful progress.
Paul & Shelly teach weekly social ballroom dance lessons from beginner through intermediate levels. Their students describe the classes as welcoming, clear, patient, and low pressure. Their goal is to help you understand what you are doing, get comfortable with the music and footwork, and enjoy learning with other people who are progressing too.
(714) 300-3998
candlelightdancers@yahoo.com
Current Beginners Class
Beginning Cha Cha.
Candlelight Dancers teaches 4 different classes on Sunday afternoons & evenings. The first class is the Beginner class. New dancers are encouraged to begin with the first 6 Sundays and see how much more comfortable the basics start to feel.
New dancer invitation
Beginning Cha Cha meets every Sunday
Classes meet every Sunday. Contact Candlelight Dancers if you are considering joining a later class.
When We Dance
Sundays, normally 4:30 to 5:30 PM
Where We Dance
5946 Westminster Blvd., Westminster, CA
The hall is in the small shopping center on the southwest corner of Springdale St. & Westminster Blvd., directly to the right of the “14:six” church storefront.
Your first Sunday: Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early
This gives you time for sign-in and greeting before class begins.
First Class: FREE for new Candlelight Dancers
What “Give Us 6 Sundays!” means
The 5-class option covers the next five consecutive Sundays on which class is held. You can become a Regular Class Member at any time.
Beginner classes run for about 12 weeks, depending on how quickly the class learns. However, the class series can be exited half way through with a basic figure understanding. Also, 6 weeks is about the amount of time that beginners need to become comfortable with dancing.
Class start times occasionally change a little due to hall scheduling, holidays, special events or pre-class extra practice sessions (no extra charge for these). We’ll let you know when this happens.
Beginner pricing
FREE
For dancers who have never attended Candlelight Dancers
$13
Per person, per class
$50
Per person for the next 5 classes
The 5-class option covers the next five consecutive Sundays on which class is held. You can become a Regular Class Member at any time.
Candlelight Dancers social dances
Learn on Sunday. Enjoy it on the dance floor.
At present, Candlelight Dancers holds social dances about twice a month where people from the Sunday classes can come together and enjoy dancing what they have learned.
01
Get dancing “floor time”
Attending fun dances reinforces what you’ve learned on Sundays.
02
Enjoy the community
Spend time with other Candlelight Dancers who are learning, enjoying the music, and progressing through the same program.
03
Use what you learn
Social dances give you a relaxed opportunity to enjoy familiar rhythms outside the weekly lesson.
Candlelight Dancers also participates in special dance events throughout the year.
Other Rhythms & Classes
One Beginner class. Years of dancing to enjoy.
Candlelight Dancers teaches 4 different classes on Sunday afternoons & evenings. The first class is always a Beginner class, taught as a progressive series. For new dancers, the first milestone is simply 6 Sundays.
After “graduating” from a Beginner class, dancers can learn more in the same rhythm in Class #2, take another Beginner class in a different rhythm, or do both. An exception is that beginning Rumba is taught in Class #2 following the completion of a Beginning Cha Cha series. Classes #3 & #4 introduce other rhythms and further expand on rhythms taught in Classes #1 & #2.
Learning & enjoying all of what Candlelight Dancers teaches on Sundays can take 3+ years.
01
Start with a Beginner class
Currently Beginning Cha Cha, every Sunday.
02
Give Us 6 Sundays!
Start with your free first class, then the next 5 classes as a Regular Class Member. For many beginners, six Sundays is enough time to become comfortable with the basics.
03
Complete the Beginner class and choose
Continue in the same rhythm in Sunday Class #2, take another Beginner class, or do both.
04
Keep learning and enjoying new dances
Classes #3 & #4 introduce additional rhythms and expand on dances you already enjoy.
05
Enjoy dancing what you’ve learned
Attend Candlelight Dancers social dances, currently held about twice a month, and other special events throughout the year.
Rhythms we teach
Different music. Different ways to move.
Candlelight Dancers teaches four Sunday classes. The first is always a Beginner class, and the Beginner rhythm changes over time as dancers continue learning.
Current Beginner Class
Cha Cha
A lively Latin rhythm in 4/4 time. Candlelight Dancers starts with the familiar “1 2 Cha Cha Cha” timing, matching basic footwork to the music before adding more figures.
Beginner rotation
Waltz
A very old dance rhythm with a floating rise & fall movement that is rotational and expressive. Waltz is danced in 3/4 time, with basic steps counted 1 2 3.
Beginner rotation
Swing / Jive
An upbeat Swing rhythm danced to music in 4/4 time. Candlelight Dancers uses International Jive figures at a slower pace, more like East Coast Swing, with a Rock Step followed by two triple steps using “one-a-two” timing.
Beginner rotation
Nightclub Two Step
A smooth & flowing rhythm typically danced to slow-to-medium ballads in 4/4, or sometimes 6/8, timing. It is especially well suited to slower romantic music.
As your experience grows
More rhythms in the Sunday program
Beginning Rumba is taught in Class #2 after Beginning Cha Cha. Classes #3 & #4 introduce other rhythms and further expand the rhythms taught earlier.
Rumba • Foxtrot • Tango • Two Step • West Coast Swing • Bolero • Quickstep
The exact mix changes over time as the Sunday program progresses.
From Candlelight Dancers students
Student stories. Shared progress.
Candlelight Dancers students describe what it felt like to begin, learn together, and keep enjoying the program.
Camille & Ryan
“
We started with no prior dance experience, and we really appreciate the care and attention they give to each student, from beginner to advanced. It is an affordable, beginner friendly, and fun way to learn how to dance with such an uplifting and positive community!
Dan & Cindy
“
Paul and Shelly are fantastic teachers who make learning both enjoyable and rewarding. Dancing has become a wonderful activity for us as a couple. It is not only a great way to stay active but also keeps our minds sharp.
Damian & Eileen
“
Our goal was learning to dance, keeping fit, and expanding our circle of friends. Check, check and check! Paul and Shelly’s easygoing, no-stress style of instruction makes dancing attainable even if you have no dance experience, like us.
Steve & Susan
“
They provide very clear and detailed instruction in a fun and welcoming environment with no previous dance experience required. The way they progressively build your repertoire makes it easy to remember the figures and gets you dancing in no time.
Lili & Francisco
“
We originally took Candlelight Dancers classes to learn a waltz for our wedding dance, but we quickly fell in love with Candlelight Dancers & ballroom dancing. The weekly classes have become our favorite activity. Paul & Shelly are amazing teachers. They make every step easy to learn, patiently guiding us through each thoughtfully planned lesson. Lessons are never intimidating or feel as if we’re under a spotlight. Instead, we’ve been met with encouragement and have never felt left behind. Regular Candlelight Dancers dance parties give us a chance to practice and enjoy dancing. In just seven months, we’ve gone from nervous beginners to feeling confident on the dance floor, now able to dance Rumba, Foxtrot, Waltz, Tango, and Cha Cha.
Tu & Mark
“
We originally took Candlelight Dancers classes to learn a waltz for our wedding dance, but we quickly fell in love with Candlelight Dancers & ballroom dancing. The weekly classes have become our favorite activity. Paul & Shelly are amazing teachers. They make every step easy to learn, patiently guiding us through each thoughtfully planned lesson. Lessons are never intimidating or feel as if we’re under a spotlight. Instead, we’ve been met with encouragement and have never felt left behind. Regular Candlelight Dancers dance parties give us a chance to practice and enjoy dancing. In just seven months, we’ve gone from nervous beginners to feeling confident on the dance floor, now able to dance Rumba, Foxtrot, Waltz, Tango, and Cha Cha.
Before you reserve
Questions are welcome here.
If your question is not answered below, call or text Paul at (714) 300-3998 or email Candlelight Dancers.
No. Absolute beginners are welcome, even if you feel like you have “two left feet.” Paul & Shelly start slowly so you have time to get comfortable with the basic steps, work them into muscle memory, and initially concentrate on “the beat and the feet.”
Beginning Cha Cha is the current Beginner class. Classes meet every Sunday. Contact Candlelight Dancers if you are considering joining a later class.
A dance partner is not required. Both couples and singles are welcome. Our teaching approach enables you to learn your part without a partner. We will also set up a singles rotation so that everyone who wants a partner can have one much of the time.
Your first class is free if you have never attended Candlelight Dancers. After that, the drop-in rate is $13 per person per class, or $50 per person for the next five classes as a Regular Class Member.
Wear clothes that allow free movement and smooth-soled shoes that can glide over the floor. Avoid shoes that feel too sticky, such as rubber-soled tennis shoes not made for dancing, and avoid loose shoes such as sandals. Avoid high heels unless you already know you can dance comfortably in them.
Each Sunday class starts with a review of what was taught the prior week, so if you have to skip a class, you should be able to catch up. You can also request a private/semi-private makeup lesson. Such lessons are free for Regular Members who pay in advance, but cost $25/hour for dancers paying the drop-in price. Makeup lessons are not guaranteed, but we’ll do our best to help you! Contact us for more detailed information. If you are sick, please stay home and contact Candlelight Dancers. We’ll help you figure out the best way to catch up after you feel better.
See the Rhythms We Teach section for the Beginner rhythms and the broader Sunday program.
Yes. Candlelight Dancers currently holds social dances about twice a month where class members can enjoy dancing what they have learned. There are also special dance events throughout the year.
Current payment options include cash, check, or PayPal. We plan to add a Zelle payment option.
Current Beginners Class: Cha Cha
Take the first easy step.
Reserve your place for the upcoming Sunday class. Paul or Shelly will follow up with the class details and answer any questions.
(714) 300-3998
candlelightdancers@yahoo.com
New to Candlelight Dancers? Your first class is free.
