Ballroom Dance Experience Is Now Dance Plus Ballroom
The Oldest Ballroom Dance Tradition in Columbus, Ohio
About
Dance Plus Ballroom was founded by a talented group of dancers who were passionate about bringing the joy of dancing to their community. Since 1982, it has offered lessons, performances, Djing services, and events to thousands over the years in all sorts of local communities from weddings to school systems to studio showcases to internationally acclaimed competitions. In 2021, Emily Mertens became the new owner of Dance Plus Ballroom. Under her guidance, local community continues to be a major tenant of the studio’s mission. At its new home in Hilliard, it has stayed true to its roots: a fun, easy experience where individuals and couples can learn partner dancing.
Our Mission
Dance Plus Ballroom is in the business of building memories that last forever through a once in a lifetime experience. Our group and private classes are affordable, easy, and high-quality. Our services are available for both individuals, couples, families, and friends. You can learn all types of partner dancing including Ballroom, Swing, Salsa, Tango, Latin, and more in a fun, relaxed environment whether it is for social or competitive dancing. We are about bringing the joy of dance to all of the Columbus Community.
Experience Quality: Professional Instruction
Dance Plus Ballroom is a high-quality, independent, professional dance studio that offers affordable private and group dance classes. Ballroom dance lessons are offered to both singles and couples, and includes partner dancing such as: Ballroom, Swing, Salsa, Tango, Latin, and more. Professional dancing lessons can be given to wedding couples, social dancers, enthusiastic hobbyists, or competitive dancers.
While our current group class schedule can be found online, private and customized lessons are scheduled at your convenience. We guarantee that all private lessons will be a minimum of 45-minutes of dancing, even if you need to discuss lesson plans with your instructor. In an effort to make our prices affordable, we do not offer high sales packages with lessons or parties you will not use. In fact, Dance Plus has a no high-pressured sales policy. Each purchase is customized to the number and type of lessons a student wants. Students can also determine what style of dance they wish to learn-including wedding dances! No strings attached!
Dance Plus Ballroom also offers gift certificates as a way to “Give the Gift of Dance” to a loved one. We encourage anyone who has reservations about ballroom dancing to contact us so we can answer any and all questions on how to use Gift Certificates for group lessons, private classes, or wedding instruction.
We take pride in our ability to meet the many needs of students and are willing to work with you for the best experience. We cannot wait to meet you and look forward to seeing you on the dance floor.
Experience Fun: Private Ballroom Dance Classes
Dance Plus Ballroom provides private ballroom, wedding, and social dance instruction. Private lessons are the most popular way to learn how to dance. Students have the opportunity to learn any dance style and experience the benefits of dancing at their own pace in a fun, non-stressful environment. All lessons are taught by professional ballroom instructors who are certified by DVIDA, the national standard for ballroom dancing.
As with all Dance Plus classes, students have the opportunity to choose the dances they wish to learn, whether it is salsa, tango, swing, ballroom, wedding, or more. Professional instructors will ask which dances you would like to learn and what goals you would like to achieve with your dancing. We guarantee that we will honor your request to choose what you wish to learn -no strings attached. In an effort to accommodate the needs of our students, we don’t try to sell students dance packages or lessons they do not want or will not use. In fact, we have a no high-pressure sales policy.
Dance Plus Ballroom believes that students should have fun at their lessons and during their entire dance experience -including their instructor, type of dance music, and lesson prices. As professionals, we encourage students to actively participate in their own dance education by developing a sense of curiosity and appreciation for the arts.
Students can learn unique choreography for wedding dances, fun moves for social dancing, and even new information to improve partner and ballroom techniques. It is widely accepted that private dance lessons are the best and fastest way to progress. Unlike group classes, private lessons allow the instructor to give you personal attention and feedback on your dancing while teaching at the student’s pace. During the lessons, students receive custom, and oftentimes, more advanced information.
Professional Private Dance Lessons
If you are still unsure what style of dance you would like to learn, or are simply looking to try something new, we suggest meeting with our instructors to decide what you might enjoy. In the meantime, below is a list of all the ballroom dances and styles our professionals are qualified to teach during your lesson. If you would like to learn more about the dances themselves, please find each dance in the student center.
American
International
Rhythm
Cha-Cha
Rumba
East Coast Swing
Bolero
Mambo
International
Standard
Waltz
Tango
Foxtrot
Viennese Waltz
Quickstep
Latin
Cha-Cha
Samba
Rumba
Paso Doble
Jive
Nightclub
Nightclub
Caribbean
Merengue
Bachata
Salsa
Kizomba
Zouk
Argentine Tango
Country
West Coast Swing
Country Two-Step
Country Waltz
Country Line Dances
Polka
Other
Jitterbug
Hustle
Samba
Nightclub Two-Step
Balboa
Charleston
Peabody
Experience Romance: Wedding Instruction
Preparing wedding couples for their first dance has become a staple feature at Ballroom Dance Experience. Since so many wedding couples have chosen to take private lessons or group classes, we have decided to start a series of private and group wedding classes specifically for couples who are getting married or will be attending a wedding.
All private lessons are 45-minutes and instructors will help choreograph and teach you a specific dance to any song. We begin with a wedding consultation to learn about you and how you envision your first dance. Within two lessons, a couple will be able to learn a beginning, middle, and end to their dance, and will also have the opportunity to film it so that they can practice at home.
Group wedding classes ensure that any couple will be able to dance to fast or slow music at the reception. All group class instruction for wedding dancing is taught in our group class wedding series. Classes are an hour and will cover most wedding dance basics and common songs played at weddings. Instructors also teach popular line dances played at weddings such as the Wobble or the Cupid Shuffle.
While most wedding couples take a combination of private wedding and group dance instruction, many couples choose one or the other. Regardless, instructors focus on social dance skills and etiquette necessary to feel confident in public venues.
Meet the New Owner of Dance Plus Ballroom
Emily graduated from Ohio State University and is actively involved in the Columbus community. While she has a passion for dance, you can find her integrating her desire to share the benefits of dance through various community programs she has created throughout Columbus.
She has taught dance to youth and families in multiple school districts including Wellington, Columbus School for Girls, St. Andrews, St. Brennan, City of Dublin, Upper Arlington, Our Lady of Peace, and many more.
She has also brought the benefits of Ballroom dance to other parts of the community through her Alzheimer’s programs, Parkinson’s workshops, nursing facilities, and Down’s Syndrome.
Emily genuinely believes that dance can offer individuals the confidence and life skills necessary in any social function. She strives to bring awareness of the health benefits of dance to anyone who can benefit the most. Emily is proud of what she has accomplished and wishes to continue to give to the community.