Fred Astaire "The Legend"

Fred Astaire, born in 1899, began show business at the age of 5, performing on Broadway and in vaudeville with his sister, Adele. Then he headed to Hollywood where he began a successful partnership with Ginger Rogers for nine movies. By 1976, he had made 33 musical films with esteemed co-stars such as Joan Crawford, Rita Hayworth, Ann Miller, Debbie Reynolds and Cyd Charisse. He also co-starred with the biggest actors of that time, including Bing Crosby, Red Skelton, and Gene Kelly. Fred Astaire was not only a great dancer - changing the face of the American movie musical with his style and grace - but he was also an actor in many different dramatic and comedic roles in both movies and TV specials. He won multiple Emmys for his work in television. The Towering Inferno (1974) earned him an Oscar nomination. He received an honorary Academy Award in 1950 for his "unique artistry and his contributions to the technique of musical pictures." Fred Astaire died in 1987 from pneumonia. With his passing, we lost a true dancing legend. His effortless lightness and grace may never be seen again. As Mikhail Baryshnikov observed at the time of his death, "No dancer can watch Fred Astaire and not know that we all should have been in another business."

The Studios

The first Fred Astaire dance studio was opened in New York City in 1947, on famous park Avenue.  Today,numerous Fred Astaire Dance Studios are located in cities in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and a world wide network of studios has been established in Europe, South Africa and Australia.

Fred Astaire Dance Studios are franchised to individual owners who are required to maintain the highest standards of excellence.  The Fred Astaire Dance Studios are furnished with music and sound equipment of the finest quality.  Dance floors are beautifully maintained for your dancing pleasure.  Morning,afternoon and evening lessons are available. 

In at the Virginia Beach location we have been dancing for forty four years.  Occupying several volumes and covering the full range of American, Latin-American,International Style and Exhibition/Theatre Arts dancing, the Fred Astaire Curriculum is the most fully documented and up-to-date fund of ballroom dance knowledge available in the world.  Originally inspired by Mr. Astaire's superb style of dancing, it is the subject of regular study by our highly skilled dance directors and teachers.

The unique Fred Astaire teaching method includes regularly scheduled private instructions as well as group technique lessons.  Private instruction with one or more key teachers provides each student with the specialized and personalized attention necessary to develop the ability to lead or follow a partner.  Group lessons are an important aid to private instruction, in the patterns, technique and style are featured in these lessons.   More importantly, Group lessons provide every student with the opportunity to meet other students with similar dancing goals.

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