Rookie Program

Rookie Program: our introductory class program for Harvard affiliates who are trying ballroom dancing for the first time!

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— About the Rookie Program —

In your rookie year we officially teach you 19 dances, and you will probably learn some social dances (bachata, salsa, hustle) when you are casually hanging out with the team. The official dances we teach are in four styles: International Latin (cha cha, jive, rumba, samba, paso doble), International Standard (waltz, viennese waltz, quickstep, foxtrot, and tango), American Rhythm (cha cha, American rumba, East Coast swing, bolero, mambo), and American Smooth (waltz, foxtrot, tango, viennese waltz).

Note: only Harvard Affiliates are allowed to join HBDT's rookie program. Harvard affiliates include: Harvard College full-time undergraduate students, Harvard graduate students, Harvard Extension School degree-seeking students, Harvard College or graduate school alumni, Harvard faculty/staff, Faculty Deans and tutors, and the spouses/partners of these affiliates.

— Schedule —

Rookie Classes

Mondays at the Dance Center

  • 9pm-11pm: Latin and Rhythm

Wednesdays at Northwest

Spring classes start the week of Jan 29th!

  • 8pm-10pm: Standard and Smooth

Practice Spaces & Rounds

Saturdays

  • 3-4pm: Latin Rounds, MAC Mezzanine

  • 4-5pm: Rhythm Rounds, MAC Mezzanine

Sundays

  • 9am-2pm: Practice Space, LLH

  • 5-6pm: Smooth Rounds, MAC Mezz

  • 5-7pm: Standard Rounds, MAC Mezz

— Prices —

Team Dues (to be paid in the spring semester): $20 for Harvard affiliates

  • Dues grant you access to our classes, rounds, and practice spaces

Class prices:

  • If paying semesterly: $60 in the fall, and $60 in the spring

  • If paying for the year: $95 for the year

If paying for classes would be a financial hardship, please talk to our Treasurer (hbdt.treasurer@gmail.com) about our current financial aid policy

— What to Wear —

Our rookie classes are very low-key and "‘come as you are’! We encourage all rookies to wear clothing they can move easily in, and that usually means some kind of athletic wear. When dancing in the Dance Center, you cannot wear sneakers or shoes that may scuff up the floor, so we recommend just dancing in socks or barefoot! Our other locations allow for a wider range of shoes, so you will get some time to try out your new dance shoes before competitions!