Belltown Dance Studio

Dance Teacher

Belltown Dance Studio was established since 2005, leading us to celebrate our 10th year Anniversary in June this year.

We know learning a new dance can be intimidating and somewhat overwhelming at first, and we do our very best to make this process fun and easy. For partnering dance, we are known for covering a great amount of detail and technique. For our leads, we don't just offer a pattern of moves, but a style and flavor that makes you overall a smooth dancer, in addition, our pattern is all lead-able and very current with the times, not some flashy patters that were a popular 20 years ago. We also provide each student with individualized attention. Our dance instructions are creative, fun, unexpected, we are all about sharing that awesome connection and musicality with your partner where you BOTH can self-express. Read more

5 recommendations

  •  
    Annie M.

    Shared on yelp.com

    Highly recommend this dance studio whether you're just starting out or have been dancing for years! Definitely sign up for a series so you can consistently improve versus simply taking drop-in classes every now and then. The owner and salsa teacher, Jim, really cares about his students' growth and making sure they understand the counts and steps. He also brings in great teachers from the outside for other dance styles, as well. Try it out!!

    Original recommendation
  •  
    Olga G.

    Shared on yelp.com

    Jim choreographed our first dance. He did a great job! He was easy to work with, very helpful and patient and carefully explained every step. My husband went from no dance experience other than flailing his arms to being able to do a number of Waltz steps after only two lessons. After lessons we decided to start taking dancing classes on a regular base! As for the result , we did great in the wedding! All our guests were in shock when they saw us dance and it was so much fun! Definitely recommend Jim as a great dance teacher and choreographer!

    Original recommendation
  •  
    Linda Janes

    Shared on goo.gl

    My dance partner and I took a private lesson from Jim during the Seattle Salsa Congress. For me, it is important that the instructor is able to deliver the material in a fun yet structured and disciplined manner. Jim did just that and he left me wanting to practice more and hit the dance floor stat. Jim keeps the passion of dance alive and you will take away many upon many tips and tricks to make you a kick ass dancer.

    Original recommendation
  •  
    Nyein Aung

    Shared on facebook.com

    Dear Jim,
    I just want you to know that the beginning and intermediate Salsa on 2 was the first time I ever really enjoyed a dance class. As you could have guessed I'm not much of a dancer but I tag along because my wife loves dance. I had the most fun at your studio.
    Sorry I missed the last class - my work caught up with me. I hope to see you around at socials.

    Original recommendation
  •  
    Janine R.

    Shared on yelp.com

    I danced at Belltown Dance Studio (BDS) from 2014-2016 while I lived in Seattle, and I highly recommend the salsa classes! The owner and main instructor Jim Chow has a unique street salsa style, and he shows his passion for salsa and his students day in and day out, including by recommending social dance opportunities in addition to class time in order to improve quickly. He places a large emphasis on knowing how to truly lead and follow, encouraging students to learn skills in class, but ensure those skills translate to the social dance floor. It wasn't until taking lessons with Jim (both group and privates) that I truly learned how to follow in street salsa (a different skill than my background in ballroom). I have been able to take the skills I learned from Jim to follow many different types of leads - whether dancing on 1 or on 2 - not only in Seattle but also in New York (on 2), LA, and in many other cities where styles differ. Jim also teaches the importance of musicality and brings in highly talented guest teachers, namely world champions John Narvaez and Liz Rojas of Salsamania, to teach 5-6-week intensive workshops on a regular basis. If you want to take your salsa skills to the next level, I recommend BDS and also the Salsamania workshops held there.

    Original recommendation