My love of dance and my less than stellar dancing shoes (that being, my feet) required me to consider taking professional dancing lessons if I were to really make an effort in becoming the dancing queen I have hoped for....or some version thereof! Fortunately for me, Urban Beat Dance Company boasts some of the best and most critically acclaimed dance teachers around, founders Graeme and Elizabeth Oxendale, amongst others. While the school offers a variety of different dance classes at different levels, from hip hop, funky swing and pussycat doll style, my boyfriend and I were yearning to learn some sexy Latin style salsa dance. The group dance environment that allows everyone, single or otherwise the opportunity to dance with a partner, is a successful teaching method. I have to admit though, that as another half of a couple who doesn't get to see her other half as often as she'd like to, I would now prefer to do private lessons instead of dancing with often nervous and sweaty strangers. Regardless of that, the classes were always fun, entertaining and humbling and honestly, if you're looking for a partner (of any sort...) this really is a great environment for meeting new people! The classes are very well priced and offer the highest form of flexibility to suit your very busy schedules. THE place to go for couples dance! read more

After a lifetime of being the shy AV geek who would always be happy to DJ rather than dance, I decided it was time to change that. A google search for swing dance Vancouver led me to Urban Beat's website where I signed up for both West Coast Swing Level 1 as well Club Freestyle. After a brief panic attack the night before my first class (what am I doing going to a partner dancing class without a partner when I can't dance????) I walked in and was soooo glad I did. Instruction was great, partners rotate in Swing Dance class so it's a great way to meet people, and the dancing is just plain fun. Extra bonus is if you sign up for Tuesday or Sunday class, you can attend the other no charge, gives schedule flexibility and or extra value. 6 months later having progressed through 3 levels of swing classes (2 months each) I'd have to say it's one of the best decisions I made.... which is why I still go to expand my dancing abilities. The Club Freestyle has also proved useful having found myself on a dance floor or two, as well as adding style to my swing dance. Highly highly highly recommended! read more

In a desperate attempt to bring sexy back, I signed up for the Pussycat Dolls dance class at Urban Beat Dance Company about a year ago. I'm admitting this slightly sheepishly, but the class was a blast and I just had to put my two cents in. The best part about it? There was no Pussycat Dolls music! Just a lot of sassy, booty-shakin' hip-hop. This dance company is conveniently located one floor beneath Harbour Dance in a beautiful heritage building on Granville St. The thing that really struck me was just how affordable their dance classes are, and the fact that they're so darn flexible. They allow you to double your classes at no extra cost: if you sign up for a session that occurs weekly on Tuesday, and the same class is also taught on Thursdays, you can go to both sessions for the same price. That's pretty amazing, and a great deal if you're committed. The teacher was very friendly, and I found that the beginner classes are better suited to true beginners than the Harbour Dance classes upstairs. This is a great little studio to check out if you're interested to try your hand (or feet?) at dancing for the first time. read more

Pro: - Cheaper than Harbour Dance. But seriously they are very affordable. I took PCD and each session (7 classes) is $80. On top of that, most sessions runs twice a week concurrently, and you get to go to both classes without paying extra! More practice! - Large studio. Spacious. Big mirrors. - The instructor Angela Amici is very patient and will break down & repeat each dance step until everyone gets it. Could be a bit tedious for those who are more seasoned dancers though. Last time I was there we learned 3 routines to 3 new songs in the 7 weeks. I think she teaches a new routine in each class now. Con: - It's in the heart of Granville entertainment district so parking is a hassle if you drive. - They don't have an office there. Communication/registration is done by emails. - Lacks ventilation. There are no windows so smell is factor. read more

The Urban Beat is a must try for beginners or those looking to get in on the downtown dance scene. As a (complete) non-dancer, I tried the first couple levels of West Coast Swing and found the classes very well-paced and comfortable. The instructors are fantastic, friendly, and funny! Basics are reviewed every class to help calm your nerves, especially if you have missed any of the previous ones. Something also has to be said for the atmosphere and community. The other students are either new and eager to learn, or more experienced dancers looking to practice and help out. The instructors will mention it at the end of class as well, but do consider staying for the end-of-day Swing dance, even if you feel like a fish out of water. Step out onto the dance floor, put out your hand, make eye contact and smile, and you'll see how welcoming the WCS community is. The classes are also great value, particularly if you can attend most of them, and the aforementioned mixers. I recommend these lessons to all my friends looking to try new social activities. read more

Urban Beat is an amazing studio. My partner and I have been taking classes at Urban Beat for over 2 years and keep coming back. The atmosphere is friendly and open to all levels, the teaching is tremendous and the community is incredibly supportive. Regardless of your level, if you have any interest in learning to dance, give them a shot. The prices are reasonable and before you know it you'll be hooked! read more

Lots of people will tell you about Urban Beat's excellent teachers, their generous refund policies, and their flexible class schedules. Those are all well and good, but I'd like to get into a bit more detail about their specific approach to teaching. It's more fun, it makes you feel more competent and less awkward, and it keeps you moving and practicing continually in class. Most instructors try hard to "break down" the dance movements into elements simple enough for the student to grasp, and then try to assemble the components into a whole dance pattern. This approach works, but you have to teach a whole bunch of elements, and get students to remember them all at the same time, and try to combine them. It's unavoidably hard for students to think about six things at the same time. Urban Beat works differently. They start with a broad, simple version of the pattern, that's easy to remember and carry out. Once you've done that a few times, they adjust it a bit, and get you to repeat the improved version a few times more. Little by little, one small change at a time, they sculpt your movements into something more and more graceful, rhythmic, sexy, and powerful. They're still "breaking down" the pattern, but in a particular way that lets you succeed right from the start. The initial version is simple, so you get it down quickly. Once you have that, the next little adjustment is easy to concentrate on, and so is the one after that. You don't have to remember six things at once--you just concentrate on the next small improvement, and the one after that. Before you know it, you're awesome. Urban Beat's instructors are all nice, friendly people, but so are lots of instructors. The difference is, Urban Beat actually understands how people learn, and uses a teaching approach that works the way people think. I think part of it is that not all of them have been dancing since infancy in ballet classes and such--some of them learned as adults, and still remember what it was like not to know how to dance. They're more empathetic than the lifelong dancers--they give you more time to practice, more repetition, more time to think. The thing is, taking a gentler, less demanding approach, they actually get students to learn faster. You don't feel confused or pressured in their classes, and you'll never feel embarrassed. They're always moving you along a step at a time, better and better, and not expecting you to master anything instantly. Oh, and I should point out that most teachers of "social dancing" focus exclusively on the "dancing" part, and almost completely ignore the "social" part. Not Urban Beat. They talk a lot about the right way to ask someone to dance, how to deal with crowding, how to dance with someone much more or much less experienced, and many other subtleties. They want you to go out dancing socially and have a great time--maybe meet that special someone, or at least make some good friends. They don't just want your class fees--they genuinely want to see happy, fully engaged, enthusiastic dancers. When I started at Urban Beat, I was a modestly competent, but rather stiff and mechanical dancer of jive and Lindy Hop. After a couple of their west-coast swing courses, I was a smooth, slinky, impressive dancer with a distinctive style of my own. To this day, every time my friends and I go out dancing at the Fan Club or the Fairview, people come over to offer compliments and ask whether I teach. That outcome had nothing to do with natural athletic talent--I was always a klutz. It had everything to do with Urban Beat's insightful, encouraging, and joyful teaching style. I owe them gratitude for thousands of hours of joy in my life, and I think they're the class of the field in Vancouver. If you want to dance, go to Urban Beat. read more

I signed up for 8 lessons. After the 4th class, I hurt my low back and was no longer able to continue dancing. I even offered a medical note from my doctor indicating I am no longer able to dance due to my back pain. I was hoping they would give me credit for the remaining 4 classes as I want to continue taking classes with them. Unfortunately the lady insisted that it was company policy to not grant credit. What a shame! read more

At age 50+ this was my very first dance lessons. I signed up for Pussy Cat Doll (PCD) to get my sexy back and have an enjoyable form of exercise. It has done all that for me. It forces me to get "out of my head" and into my body. I have a new appreciation for the divine feminine and the expression of that through dance. In 8 classes I have visibly toned all my muscles. My sister-in-law hadn't seen me since I started and yesterday she complimented how nice & toned my arms are looking. Teacher Karoline Dania really rocks! She is an amazingly talented dancer and has the skill to break down the moves so they are easy to learn. Her positive attitude and energy are infectious. It's extremely affordable too; 8 weeks for under $100 with tax. I'm signing up for the next session! read more

i have taken dance lessons from urban beat for several years and they are hands-down the best teachers in the biz. west coast swing, salsa, east coast swing... i've taken it all over the years and enjoyed every one. the teaching is methodically broken down into bite-size information that anybody can understand so you will progress steadily. they rotate partners every few minutes in their classes so you don't need a partner in order to sign up which is a huge plus - and you'll meet lots new people! i arrived as a 'single' and at first the thought of dancing with a bunch of strangers seemed intimidating, but after a few minutes you realize it's the only way to go as it'll make you a better dancer plus it's WAY more fun. oh and they throw cheap dances too, which is a major bonus. so if you're thinking of learning to dance in a structured environment, sign up! i'm sure you'll have as much fun as I did. read more