The Viscount Dance Studio

For those in Oregon looking to embrace the joy of movement, connect with a vibrant community, and even prepare for life's most special moments, The Viscount Dance Studio stands out as a true gem in Portland. While the term "yoga studio" might bring to mind serene poses and quiet meditation, The Viscount focuses on a different kind of movement: the lively, engaging, and social world of dance. This beloved studio has cultivated a reputation for being incredibly welcoming, supportive, and fun, whether you're taking your very first steps on the dance floor or perfecting a complex routine. It's a place where you don't just learn steps; you learn to move with confidence, make lasting connections, and feel truly alive through the power of dance, making it a unique and invigorating option for locals seeking "health" through active and social engagement.

The Viscount Dance Studio is conveniently located at 720 SE Sandy Blvd, Portland, OR 97214, USA. This prime location in Southeast Portland makes it highly accessible for individuals and couples across the city and surrounding areas. SE Sandy Boulevard is a major arterial road, ensuring straightforward navigation by car, bicycle, or public transportation. For those driving, street parking is typically available in the vicinity, though as with any popular urban area, it's always a good idea to allow a little extra time during peak hours. Portland's extensive TriMet system, including various bus lines, has stops conveniently located near the studio, connecting The Viscount to a wide range of neighborhoods. This central and well-connected placement underscores The Viscount's commitment to being an accessible hub for dance and community for all Oregonians.

The Viscount Dance Studio offers a diverse range of services designed to get everyone moving, from absolute beginners to those looking to refine their skills.

• Wedding Dance Lessons / Private Lessons: Highly acclaimed for their wedding dance choreography, particularly with instructor Sarah. These private sessions are tailored to individual couples, their chosen song, attire, and venue, focusing on creating a comfortable, photogenic, and memorable first dance. They also offer private lessons for general dance improvement in various styles.
• Salsa Classes: A popular offering, with instructors like Sarah and Jenny providing engaging and supportive instruction. Classes range from beginner levels, teaching foundational steps, to more advanced sessions focusing on cross-body lead variations and styling. They often incorporate historical and cultural context of salsa.
• Swing Dance Classes: Including Lindy Hop, Jitterbug, Charleston, and Balboa. Classes range from beginning swing to intermediate levels (Lindy 1 and Lindy 2), focusing on footwork, movement, and improvisation, honoring the jazz and black cultural roots of these American art forms.
• Solo Vernacular Jazz Classes: Classes that explore solo jazz movements, drawing inspiration from tap, Charleston, and African movements, ideal for enhancing styling and versatility in swing dancing or as a standalone form.
• Weekly Series Classes: Structured classes taught over a period, allowing students to progressively build skills in a specific dance style. No partner is required, and rotating partners is optional, fostering a friendly and inclusive environment.
• Weekend Workshops: Intensive sessions focusing on specific techniques or dance styles, often ranging from 1 to 3 hours in duration, providing an accelerated learning experience.
• Monthly Socials: Regular social dance events (like "salsa socials") providing an informal and fun setting for students to practice new skills, meet fellow dancers, and enjoy the community atmosphere.
• Video Downloads: For flexible learning, The Viscount offers pre-recorded video lessons that students can purchase and watch anytime, anywhere, allowing for practice outside the studio.
• Live Stream Classes (Zoom): Offering remote access to classes via Zoom, allowing students to participate from home. These include instruction and time for connection, with options for cameras on/off and recordings available upon request.

The Viscount Dance Studio boasts several standout features and highlights that make it a cherished institution in Portland's dance and wellness community.

• Exceptional and Supportive Instructors: Teachers like Sarah and Jenny are consistently praised for being "amazing," "very fun, supportive and professional," and "really good about providing historical and cultural context." They are adept at meeting "every student with kindness and support for where they're at," ensuring a positive and effective learning experience for all levels.
• Incredibly Nurturing and Inclusive Community: The studio prides itself on having "built a dance community that is student focused, casual, accepting, safe, and that is run with love and integrity." Reviewers repeatedly emphasize the wonderful "community that they create and support," with people who are "the absolute best!" This non-competitive, no-judgment environment encourages mistakes, laughter, and building lifelong friendships.
• Specialized Wedding Dance Expertise: Instructor Sarah's deep experience in both wedding dance choreography and the wedding industry is a significant highlight. She tailors each dance specifically to the couple, their song, attire, and personalities, focusing on making the dance feel good and look photogenic. This service is highly recommended by overjoyed couples.
• Holistic Approach to Dance: The Viscount emphasizes that "you don't have to look like a dancer to feel like one" and "everyone was meant to move." They focus on teaching rhythm, communication, grace, musicality, and easy-to-access repertoire, viewing dancing as a "life skill that enhances your social, physical, and mental wellbeing." They actively encourage social dancing as "the best part of learning salsa."
• Historical and Cultural Context: Instructors provide valuable "historical and cultural context" behind the dances they teach, giving credit to the people and cultures who created them. This adds depth and appreciation to the learning process.
• Flexible Learning Options: With in-person weekly series classes, weekend workshops, monthly socials, private lessons, and even online options via Zoom and video downloads, The Viscount offers multiple ways for students to engage with dance, catering to various schedules and preferences.
• Focus on Enjoyment and Connection: The core mission revolves around the "experience of socializing, moving, and connecting," rather than performing or competing. This creates a relaxed and fun atmosphere where students are encouraged to "make mistakes, look like a fool, laugh at your progress, become amazing."

For those interested in connecting with The Viscount Dance Studio, here is their contact information:

Address: 720 SE Sandy Blvd, Portland, OR 97214, USA

Phone: (503) 226-3262

The Viscount Dance Studio is an outstanding choice for locals in Oregon, particularly those in the Portland area, seeking to enhance their "health" through a vibrant and engaging form of movement. While not a traditional yoga studio, The Viscount offers a holistic approach to well-being that benefits both mind and body. For many, the idea of "getting healthy" can feel like a chore, but dance transforms it into an exhilarating and deeply social experience. The studio's commitment to creating a "student focused, casual, accepting, safe, and... run with love and integrity" community makes it incredibly appealing. This welcoming environment, where "the people here are the absolute best," ensures that beginners feel at ease and experienced dancers find a supportive space to grow.

Beyond the sheer joy of movement, The Viscount's emphasis on social dancing provides a fantastic avenue for connection and stress relief – a crucial aspect of overall health. The expert instructors, like Sarah and Jenny, not only teach steps but also impart cultural context, enriching the learning experience. Whether you're a couple preparing for a wedding dance, an individual wanting to learn salsa for social events, or simply someone looking for a fun and active hobby, The Viscount provides pathways for everyone. Its convenient Southeast Sandy Boulevard location makes it easily accessible, and the flexibility of in-person, Zoom, and video classes caters to diverse schedules. For Oregonians desiring a dynamic, community-driven approach to health that embraces fun, learning, and connection, The Viscount Dance Studio offers an unparalleled and highly recommended experience.

The Viscount Dance Studio

720 SE Sandy Blvd, Portland, OR 97214, USA