Photo by Alex Maness

While you might think you were cursed with two left feet, chances are that with a little coaching, you could be boogying with the best of ’em. Take Nathan Foreman for instance. The former UNC Chapel Hill undergrad walked into a Fred Astaire dance studio in Durham 15 years ago with no dancing experience. After about six months of lessons, he was asked by the staff to train as an instructor. He accepted the off er and has been dancing ever since. Foreman, who now teaches at the Fred Astaire Greensboro North Dance Studio on Battleground Avenue, says one of his favorite programs is So You Think You Can Dance. “Public reaction is interesting,” he explains. “Some people really like the show, while others have a sour-grapes reasoning about it. ‘They’re so young and skilled,’ is a typical observation. My answer is, yes, they are. That’s what I like about it!”

Q: What do you most enjoy about dancing?

A: A lot of different things. There’s a meditative, Zen aspect. If you are dancing to the music and you and your partner are dancing well, it all blends together — you’re in the zone. And it’s fun to perform. I enjoy coming up with an idea for a dance and turning that into a performance.

Social dances have a certain system. It’s fun to play around with the rules, to ask, ‘How can I make the system do what I want it to?’ It’s kind of like being a hacker.

Q: What do you teach?

A: Mainly American dances — the Foxtrot, Waltz, Tango, Rumba, Swing, and Cha-cha. Some students may also want to learn Salsa or the Carolina Shag. Right now, I’m the only instructor here who teaches Shag dancing, which is fairly close to Swing.

We also have instructors trained in international dancing. If someone wants to learn the Paso Doble, for example, we would have them work with an instructor more familiar with the international style.

Q: What can new students expect?

A: New students receive one-on-one instruction first, with the instructor and student really getting to know each other. This provides an introduction to dancing and also lets the instructor assess what the student already knows. Students learn the basics and have fun.

Although we teach a few morning lessons, most of our lessons and classes are at night, so people can come after work. New students are also encouraged to attend group classes. We offer an introductory package that includes three half-hour private classes, a group lesson, and a practice party.

Q: What is a practice party?

A: It’s a studio dance party made up mostly of teachers and students, although students may bring guests. You dance with everybody, and without the distractions of smoking and drinking and some of the craziness that comes from many clubs.

Q: Do you need a partner to enroll?

A: You can come with or without a partner; it works either way. You can’t wait until you get the ideal situation or partner. It’s better just to come on and do it.

The best candidates for dance are often nervous or shy. But once they get started, they have a good time. We provide a professional and supportive atmosphere. Everyone feels good. People will make friends if they want to; they’re meeting people. One of the people they meet may turn out to be their next dance partner. Over time, those shy beginners find themselves relaxing, getting exercise, having fun; they may even end up dancing in a competition.

Q: What is appropriate dress for dance class?

A: When people first walk in, we don’t expect any particular clothing or shoes. Occasionally someone will arrive in tights, legwarmers, and character shoes, but that’s not necessary. It isn’t even desirable, really, since most social dancing is done in normal clothes like what you’d wear at a club or a party. I don’t like jeans that well. They’re tight and restrictive. And it’s best to avoid rubber-soled shoes. They’re sticky. You can’t spin; you can’t turn. Jeans and tennis shoes work against progress.

A lady may arrive in pumps, her partner in loafers, and both of them in pants. That’s great. They have leather soles, and they’re wearing clothes they can move in. At some point, people want real dance clothes: the white tie and tails, the ballgown. It feels great to put on real gear, but it’s not necessary. These days there aren’t too many opportunities for formal dress, almost no reason to wear a suit or a nice dress. Still, a lot of people enjoy dressing up, and dancing gives you a reason.