The Real Ballroom Dance Studio Introduce
For residents across Florida, especially those in the vibrant Tampa Bay area, discovering a place where they can truly connect, move, and express themselves through dance is an invaluable find. The Real Ballroom Dance Studio, nestled in Tampa, is precisely such a place. It's more than just a studio; it's a dynamic hub where passion meets professionalism, offering an inviting and encouraging environment for anyone looking to learn, refine, or simply enjoy ballroom and Latin dancing. Whether you're a complete beginner with two left feet or an experienced dancer seeking to perfect your technique, this studio is dedicated to making dance an accessible and joyful part of your life.
At the heart of The Real Ballroom Dance Studio's success are its phenomenal instructors, Karena and Danilo Forte, a husband-and-wife team with over 40 years of combined dancing and teaching experience. Their dedication and unique approach have earned them glowing testimonials from delighted students. One couple, celebrating their wedding, raved, "Karena is a fantastic instructor who choreographed my wife and I's wedding dance. She gave us instructions in a clear and easy way to understand and made our weekly lessons a great couples activity that helped my wife and I bond even more leading up to the wedding." This highlights the studio's ability to not only teach steps but also to enhance relationships and create cherished memories.
Another couple, who met Karena and Danilo at an Armature Works wedding expo, expressed their immense satisfaction: "Her and Danilo are truly amazing at what they do and made the experience so fun while learning! All of our guests were so impressed as well at our wedding with our first dance!" This studio's commitment to creating a "fun and welcoming atmosphere" ensures that learning is an enjoyable journey, not a daunting task. They genuinely believe that "dancing is for YOU, a real person!" and are passionate about helping "real people" learn to dance for various reasons, be it for fun, fitness, or those special "real life moments" like weddings. This introduction invites you to explore why The Real Ballroom Dance Studio has been voted "Best of South Tampa" and "Best of the Best People's Choice," making it a truly outstanding local gem for all of Florida.
The Real Ballroom Dance Studio is conveniently located at 3423 S Manhattan Ave, Tampa, FL 33629, USA. This address places the studio in a prime and highly accessible area of South Tampa, making it an ideal destination for individuals and couples across the greater Tampa Bay region and beyond within Florida. South Manhattan Avenue is a well-known and easily navigable street, ensuring that the studio is simple to find and reach.
The strategic positioning of The Real Ballroom Dance Studio offers excellent connectivity to various popular neighborhoods in South Tampa, such as Palma Ceia, Ballast Point, and Hyde Park, as well as broader accessibility for those commuting from other parts of Hillsborough County and the surrounding areas. Major roadways are easily accessible, allowing for a straightforward commute whether you are coming from North Tampa, Brandon, or even across the Bay from Pinellas County. This ease of access is a significant advantage for busy individuals or couples looking to incorporate dance lessons into their schedules without extensive travel.
Furthermore, being situated in a well-established commercial area like South Manhattan Avenue generally means that ample parking options are available in close proximity to the studio. This convenience alleviates common urban parking concerns, contributing to a stress-free experience for students arriving for their lessons or dance parties. The surrounding neighborhood also offers a variety of amenities, including local shops, restaurants, and cafes, which can be a pleasant addition to a visit to the studio. The thoughtful placement of The Real Ballroom Dance Studio underscores its commitment to serving the local Florida community by providing quality dance education in a central and easily reachable location.
Private Dance Lessons: Individualized instruction tailored to specific goals and paces. These lessons allow for focused attention on desired dance styles (Ballroom, Latin, Swing, Salsa, Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, Viennese Waltz, Cha Cha, Rumba, Bachata, Hustle, Country Two-Step, and more), ensuring rapid progress and personalized feedback. Available Monday through Saturday by appointment.
Wedding Dance Lessons: Specializes in choreography for wedding dances, including the First Dance for couples. They also help with Father/Daughter, Mother/Son Dances, Wedding Party Dances, and general reception/party dancing. The studio works with couples to create a dance that reflects their unique style (simple, romantic, fun, exciting).
Group Dance Classes: Offers a rotating selection of dances and levels each week. These classes are designed to reinforce fundamental skills, introduce new combinations, and provide a fun, social learning environment. Suitable for all levels, including drop-ins.
Dance Parties / Socials: Regular events where a variety of music is played, and different dances are practiced in a social setting. These parties are essential for applying learned skills in a real-world environment, building confidence, and connecting with other dancers. They are a "best way to get ready to go dancing in the real world."
"Real Kids" Ballroom & Latin Dance Classes: Dedicated programs for younger dancers, introducing them to the fundamentals of ballroom and Latin dance in an age-appropriate and engaging manner. (Contact the studio for more information).
Competitive Dance Coaching: Caters to students interested in dance competitions, helping them set goals and prepare for performances, indicating instruction that goes beyond social dancing.
Complimentary First Lesson & Consultation: Offers a free introductory lesson and consultation to help new students explore different dance styles, assess their goals, and find the right fit for their dance journey.
Flexible Learning: Accommodates individuals and couples, with no partner required for lessons. The teaching approach is adaptable to different learning styles and paces.
Exceptional Instructors (Karena & Danilo Forte): A husband-and-wife team with over 40 years of combined experience. They are consistently praised for being "professional, kind, patient," and "truly amazing at what they do." Their ability to teach in a "clear and easy way to understand" is a significant highlight.
Specialization in Wedding Dance Choreography: A key feature, with numerous testimonials praising their ability to create beautiful and memorable first dances, as well as dances for parents and wedding parties. They help couples "create a wedding dance that is YOU!"
Fun and Welcoming Atmosphere: The studio actively fosters a friendly and inviting environment, making lessons an enjoyable activity and a "great couples activity" or a welcoming space for individuals.
Comprehensive Dance Styles: Offers instruction in a wide range of ballroom and Latin dances, including Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, Swing, Salsa, Cha Cha, Rumba, Bachata, and many more, catering to diverse interests.
Focus on "Real People. Real Dancing. Real Life Moments.": Their mission emphasizes making dance accessible and relevant to everyday life, whether for social occasions, fitness, stress relief, or personal challenge.
Patience and Encouragement: Instructors are noted for their "never-ending patience and compassion," knowing "just when to push" and when to provide support, especially when confidence wanes.
Opportunities for Practice and Socialization: Regular "dance parties" or "socials" allow students to put their skills into practice in a relaxed setting, build confidence, and connect with other members of the dance community. The opportunity to perform wedding dances at these events is a unique benefit.
Tailored Instruction: Lessons are customized to fit unique dance goals and learning paces, whether for social enjoyment, competitive achievement, or personal development.
Community Recognition: Voted "Best of South Tampa" and "Best of the Best People's Choice" for exceptional dance classes, underscoring their strong reputation within the local community.
Address: 3423 S Manhattan Ave, Tampa, FL 33629, USA
Phone: (813) 365-7325
Mobile Phone: +1 813-365-7325
For residents throughout Florida, particularly those in the vibrant Tampa Bay area, The Real Ballroom Dance Studio stands out as an exceptionally suitable and highly recommended destination for embracing the world of dance. Its unique blend of expert instruction, a nurturing environment, and a focus on "real life" applications makes it an ideal local choice for individuals and couples alike.
Firstly, the studio's prime location at 3423 S Manhattan Ave, Tampa, FL 33629, USA, offers significant accessibility benefits for local Floridians. Situated in a well-established part of South Tampa, it's easily reachable from various surrounding neighborhoods and the broader metropolitan area. This convenient access means that busy individuals and couples can seamlessly integrate dance lessons into their schedules without extensive travel, ensuring consistent attendance and steady progress. The likely availability of ample parking further enhances this convenience, making every visit stress-free for locals.
Secondly, and perhaps most compellingly, the heart of The Real Ballroom Dance Studio lies in its phenomenal instructors, Karena and Danilo Forte. Their reputation for being "professional, kind, patient, and more" resonates deeply with students. For locals, this translates into a learning experience that is not only effective but also genuinely enjoyable. Whether it's learning a complex routine for a wedding dance or simply picking up social dance skills, their clear and easy-to-understand instructions, coupled with their "never-ending patience and compassion," create a supportive environment where everyone feels comfortable learning and growing. This personal touch and commitment to student success are invaluable, especially for those new to dancing or returning after a long break.
Furthermore, the diverse range of services caters to a wide spectrum of local needs and interests. The specialization in wedding dance choreography is a huge draw for couples in Florida planning their big day, offering a unique bonding experience and a memorable performance. Beyond that, the availability of private lessons ensures personalized attention for specific goals, while group classes foster a social and engaging learning environment. The regular "dance parties" are particularly suitable for locals, providing a relaxed, fun setting to practice skills and become an active part of Tampa's dance community. This holistic approach ensures that The Real Ballroom Dance Studio is not just a place to learn steps, but a place to build confidence, connect with others, and enrich one's life through movement.
In conclusion, The Real Ballroom Dance Studio is highly suitable for locals because it offers accessible, expert, and genuinely enjoyable dance instruction that caters to various aspirations, from wedding preparedness to social enjoyment and personal growth. It provides a welcoming "home" where Floridians can discover the joy of dance in a supportive and professional local setting.
The Real Ballroom Dance Studio Photos










The Real Ballroom Dance Studio Location
The Real Ballroom Dance Studio
3423 S Manhattan Ave, Tampa, FL 33629, USA
The Real Ballroom Dance Studio Reviews
Professional, kind, patient, and more! Karena is a fantastic instructor who choreographed my wife and I's wedding dance.She gave us instructions in a clear and easy way to understand and made our weekly lessons a great couples activity that helped my wife and I bond even more leading up to the wedding.Karena and her husband Danilo create a fun and welcoming atmosphere. I couldn't recommend them more!
Jul 05, 2025 · Brian ThomassonWe met Karena and Danilo at an Armature Works wedding expo before we started fully wedding planning, and always kept them in mind for the future. We are so happy we remembered our encounter and took dance lessons with Karena who choreographed our first dance so beautifully! We even got to perform our dance at one of their Friday dance events which was so good to do before your big day and get all the nerves out in front of people! Her and Danilo are truly amazing at what they do and made the experience so fun while learning! All of our guests were so impressed as well at our wedding with our first dance! I would highly recommend them for a wedding and/or any other event, and our first dance is so special thanks to them!!
May 15, 2023 · Caroline CiszkowskiI highly recommend Karena for dance lessons! We got married recently and wanted to learn a dance routine for our first dance. The studio is clean and has great lighting for a wonderful learning environment. From day 1, Karena was so patient with us and made sure we felt comfortable with basic steps. At the end of our lessons, she recorded us so that we could practice until the next session. By our 3rd lesson, we had learned so many dance moves including dips and lifts. Learning the dip helped us feel confident with our mid-kiss walking down the aisle after the ceremony! We polished our dance with the remaining lessons. Our guests were really impressed! We had so much fun learning and dancing is a skill we'll continue to use for date nights and going out!
Oct 09, 2023 · KAGP ChanWhat can I say amazing! Karena and Danilo are a master at what they do! We went in for a wedding workshop and haven’t left. Even after our wedding we are continuing classes. It’s a fun energetic atmosphere with great people. They hold private and group lessons. Their dance parties are super fun always a theme. So glad we went in for the wedding workshop. Not only was our first dance amazing it wowed our guests, and I was able to get these amazing shots too. Karena took the time to help make sure our dance was perfect while having fun learning it. Here’s to more dances to learn
May 18, 2022 · AureliaWe took first dance lessons with Danilo for our wedding and could not recommend The Real Ballroom enough. Danilo led with consistent kindness and patience, while truly helping us feel comfortable doing something that was at first out of our comfort zone. He was a such an impactful teacher that when the time came to perform our dance we felt nothing but confidence and excitement. Not only were we thrilled that we got to a place in which we had a polished dance, but the experience of learning at The Real Ballroom was a true joy in and of itself. Thank you Danilo and Karena!
Dec 16, 2024 · Ellen K.
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