Pro-Am Dance Competitions: Learn, Perform, Compete

Learn to Dance with Your Teacher

Pro-Am ballroom dancing allows adult dancers to train, perform and compete with a professional dance teacher as their partner. It is an ideal route for anyone who wants to progress in Ballroom and Latin American dancing, experience the excitement of competition, and enjoy the world of DanceSport without needing to find an amateur partner.

How Did Pro-Am Dancing Come About?

Pro-Am dance competitions began in the U.S.A and gradually became a major part of the ballroom dancing scene worldwide.

It gives adult dancers a structured way to train, perform, and compete and solves one of the biggest problems: finding a suitable partner. By dancing with a professional, the student can experience the excitement of competition while being supported, coached and guided.

The growth of Pro-Am has been helped by the popularity of television programmes such as Strictly Come Dancing, where non-professional dancers improve and build confidence week by week.

Why Dance with a Professional?

Dancing with a professional enables the amateur to concentrate on their own technique while being guided by a far more experienced partner.

When two amateur students dance together, both need to be at a similar level, train for an extensive period of time and are unlikely to progress at the same pace. Although this can be enjoyable, it's a very different experience.

For adults who want to start competing later in life, finding a suitable partner can be difficult, and the commitment can be intense. With a professional dance teacher, the student is in a far stronger position from the moment they step onto the dance floor.

In Pro-Am dance, the teacher will help maintain timing, correct frame and ensure a quick recovery from mistakes. The result is that the student feels more secure and can concentrate on their own technique rather than worrying about their partner. It also gives them a better physical understanding of how ballroom and Latin dancing should feel.

Who Are Pro-Am Ballroom Competitions For?

Pro-Am dance competitions are suitable for a wide range of dancers. Some students are complete beginners, while others may already have dance experience, but wish to further develop their technique, performance and confidence.

The purpose of training with a professional dancer is to strengthen technical ability, and help the student improve movement, musicality, posture, footwork and presentation.

Do You Need Experience for Pro-Am Dance Competitions?

Pro-Am ballroom competitions can be suitable for beginners, provided the training is approached correctly. The most important thing is to ensure that the dances, choreography and competition level match the student’s ability and expectations.

Some students enter Pro-Am competitions for the experience, confidence and personal challenge. Others are attracted by the glamour of the ballroom world, the costumes, the atmosphere, and the possibility of winning medals and trophies.

Pro-Am dance competitions do not only take place in the UK. They are held around the world, and many students travel abroad with their teacher to compete internationally.

What to Expect from a Pro-Am Dance Competition

When participating in Pro-Am dance competitions, the main expenses usually include your own travel costs, competition fees, and the costs associated with dancing with your professional teacher.

This can mean paying for travel and accommodation, competition entrance fees, the dances you wish to participate in, plus the teacher's professional fees.

There are also grooming costs to consider. These can include additional lessons before the event, appropriate costume or dress hire, shoes, hair and make-up, and professional photography or video if you would like memories of the event.

The overall cost of participating in Pro-Am dance competitions can vary significantly depending on how many dances you enter, the location, and whether your teacher’s costs are shared with other students.

Although Pro-Am ballroom dancing represents a significant investment, it offers exceptional value through expert one-to-one training, performance opportunities, international travel, personal growth and the unforgettable experience of competing with a professional teacher.

Is Pro-Am Ballroom Dancing Worth It?

Although Pro-Am ballroom dancing represents a significant investment, it offers exceptional value through expert one-to-one training, performance opportunities, international travel, personal growth and the unforgettable experience of competing with a professional teacher.

For many adult dancers, Pro-Am is more than a hobby. It's a chance to set goals, build confidence, improve technique and experience the excitement of Ballroom and Latin American dancing at a higher level.

Whether you're a beginner or a more experienced dancer, Pro-Am offers a unique and rewarding way to learn, perform and compete.