STUDIO INFORMATION
Conceived by Bobbi Petri, “Dance Upon a Time” is the premier social dance studio serving Queens and the Eastern Long Island area. Since its inception, the studio has attracted students from all over the tri-state area – we have students that come in from New Jersey and upstate New York. We provide the highest quality instruction available in a professional, yet relaxed and fun learning environment. Our ballroom, one of the largest of the NY area dance studios, regularly holds dance events. The studio can be partitioned into as many as 4 separate classrooms that easily accommodate dozens of students in each.
“Dance Upon a Time” offers group dance classes three (3) nights a week (see class schedule). Our classes cover most of the popular dance styles, including Ballroom (Waltz and Foxtrot), Salsa, Hustle, and Swing. Our group classes typically run on a 4-week cycle. Each week we have multiple scheduled hours of group classes, with as many as three (3) classes running each hour. There are classes offered at all levels, and it is not necessary to come with a dance partner. For students who prefer to work individually with an instructor on dances of their choice, we offer private lessons. Private lessons are also available for those who wish to reinforce what they have learned in group classes. The studio also provides regular nightly practice sessions after our classes. This enables the students to work together and reinforce the material that they just learned. There are also weekly dance parties every Thursday, where you can meet new people/dance partners, and put your dancing skills to the test, dancing in a social dance environment.
The staff of “Dance Upon a Time” is among the most versatile and highly trained teachers that you will find in the NYC area. Led by, and trained to dance and to teach by Bobbi Petri, our staff has over 90 years of combined dance experience and over 50 years of combined teaching experience. Our staff will quickly get you on the dance floor by showing you the basics (Beginner level). We will teach you the correct way to lead and/or follow (Pre-intermediate), providing you with danceable choreography and instruct you in more complicated patterns (Intermediate) as you develop your expertise in the dance (Pre-Advanced / Advanced). Our students are among the most desirable dance partners at any venue. You will also find that our welcoming staff provides a friendly atmosphere that fosters a loyalty that can best be described as family.
In addition to spending numerous hours together taking classes, chatting between lessons, and dancing at our weekly practice sessions, our students often socialize together outside of the studio. From impromptu get-togethers at a Latin club by a small circle of students, to a full-blown "studio field trip," our students enjoy the camaraderie that is a part of “Dance Upon a Time”.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Outside of the regularly scheduled classes and activities, we regularly plan group outings to local dance events and nightclubs, as well as several of the “dance weekends" held throughout the year. Additionally, our studio is actively involved and represented at The New York Hustle Congress held every year on Labour Day weekend. Additionally, for those interested, we have an open invitation for anyone to join our yearly excursion to one of the local ballroom dance events held on New Year's Eve. Lastly, everyone is welcome to join us on our Caribbean cruise vacations (not a "Dance Cruise" -- a vacation). The loyalty shown to Bobbi Petri and her staff extends well beyond the studio. We have loyal students who have been associated with and benefited from Bobbi’s teaching for 20+ years. We sincerely invite you to be a part of our “Dance Upon a Time” family.