Now that we are able to see more of each other we are over the moon to get back to offering some of Portland's finest dance instruction with some of Portland's finest dance instructors. Come go get your vaccine and come and see us! You don't have to look like a dancer to feel like one. Here at the Viscount, we support real dancing for real people.
In this noncompetitive, no-judgement environment, dancers create community the minute the music starts playing, and the minute you start moving to music, you become a dancer. Our classes start with the importance of understanding the present and historical context of the dances we teach, and giving credit to the people/cultures who created them.
In this noncompetitive, no-judgement environment, dancers create community the minute the music starts playing, and the minute you start moving to music, you become a dancer. Our classes start with the importance of understanding the present and historical context of the dances we teach, and giving credit to the people/cultures who created them.
Services
Founded in May of 2000, the Viscount Dance Studios was owned & operated by Jeff Freeman & Janine Twining. Working closely with the former Viscount Ballroom which was conveniently located upstairs, they were instrumental in the revival of swing dancing and Lindyhop in Portland. After starting with Swing they grew the syllabus to include a plethora of dances including Salsa, Tango, Hip-hop, Bellydancing, Tap, and Balboa.
Counter body technique! This short video will give you the basics of counter body technique to work on at home alone, or with someone you are stuck at home with (a pet maybe?). This 10 minute video breaks down both the lead and follow footwork and upper body technique of this int/adv Balboa step. You get both videos when signing up for just 1 :.
You know Portland's incredible DJ Anjali, but do you know the Punjabi folk dances Bhangra + Giddha? Now you can get to know all three! Get to know Anjali, and she will get you familiar with these two Punjab dances, and their histories, culture, and modern applications. There's a lot to learn here, not to mention, do.
Here's just a little freebie video giving you some background of Boogaloo Cha Cha Ch. Sarah covers the Tumbao rhythm in Cha Cha Ch, and how to recognize Latin Boogaloo (also spelled Bugal or bugaloo) when you hear it, and some quintessential steps/moves that you'll see in Latin Bugal. The name first appears in the 1960s.
Black Coffee is an original Charleston/solo jazz routine choreographed by our own, amazing, Melissa Roane! Broken down into 4 separate videos, Black Coffee is best for dancers with some familiarity with Charleston already, but since we are doing these at home, anyone is welcome to try! You can do the Charleston all by yourself, and love it with this 2 part routine to one of the most feel good songs that ever was.
Reviews (24)
Dawn Everly
Dec 07, 2021
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Greg A.
Sep 03, 2021
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Kane Tobin
Apr 28, 2021
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If you want to learn to dance, this is the place. My partner loves to dance, so I wanted to learn dancing so if she wanted the opportunity to dance, I'd be able to make it happen for her. I lack any musical talent, and was not good at drill and ceremony. I was worried this would be a disaster. Sarah, our instructor, took away the apprehension and made it simple and easy to learn. Even for someone with no talent. I am so excited to have gone here to learn to dance. I can confidently say, if my partner wants to get up from the table and dance, I'll be right there to lead her put to the floor and
Ernie Sliter
Jun 28, 2020
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I took my first salsa classes with Sarah. Sarah helped make each class as accessible as possible, which was extremely nice and thoughtful of her. Also she brought an enthusiastic and lively vibe to each of the classes and socials. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the classes and am thankful that she ensured that my initial experiences with salsa were so positive.
Cristian Phipps
May 19, 2020
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The Viscount is the absolute best! I have taken classes with Sarah for several years, and it has been the best thing to happen to me in my adult life. Her studio is very welcoming to everyone, she attracts wonderful people, her charisma is addictive, and she is an amazing instructor. Mention her name around the salsa scene, and you will hear nothing but the highest praise. If you want to learn or improve your dancing, or just have fun, you should definitely check the Viscount out!
Nolan P.
Jan 05, 2020
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I never usually write reviews, but I had such a great time in the Swing workshop taught by Melissa that I am breaking my rule. I took a few swing classes in college so I thought this would be a refresher for me, and my partner was new to swing. Turns out I was doing a lot of things wrong, and Melissa helped point out ways to make the dancing way more fun. For example, my old classes taught the "lead tells the follow what to do" style, which sucks for the follow. Melissa pointed out how both people should participate, and the lead just gives suggestions. This lead to one of the most fun
Lisa W.
Jul 27, 2019
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My first experience at this studio. I'm really impressed, and I've been taking dancing lessons for about 15 years total. Sarah, owner and Latin instructor extraordinaire, is an exceptional teacher. She specializes in Cha Cha which is my absolute favorite dance!! How exciting for me! The 2 1/2 hour class/practice dance was only $8 online...unheard of!!!
Debbie Lusk
Jun 28, 2018
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We’ve been learning how to dance since May and Sarah has made this experience really great. We learn something new at every lesson and have so much fun. The space is perfect and with Sarah as our teacher we’ve learned so much that we’ll actually know what we’re doing on the dance floor at our son’s wedding :)!!
Rachel J.
Nov 07, 2017
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Small space but great for social dance lessons. Despite being called a Ballroom this guys are more focused on the social dance style rather than ballroom dance competitive form. I was a little surprised how small the floor was for how many people in the class. Maybe 20 people or 10 couples could have squeezed in, but we had 30 people and it was quite tight quarters. The instructors are awesome though and clearly love what they do. Great pricing compared to many other studios, so I recommend this place often.
Mia A.
May 10, 2017
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InternationalTraveler
Mar 19, 2017
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Took a swing boot camp, will be back for more boot camps and other socials. Lesson well planned and well executed. Good for beginner and intermediate. Had a good complete routine Real cute end of dance routine move ! some nice simple but good looking turns for leaders and followers. Lession well taught and at a good pace. Recommend. Parking on street. Affordable price. Melissa not pushy at all comfortable learning environment
Gabriella P.
Feb 26, 2017
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My husband and I dropped into a Partner 101 class last night and had SO MUCH FUN! Neither of us have much dance experience (or rhythm), and we ended up learning lots of great basic steps. Our instructor was fabulous and helpful - she broke down steps that were otherwise foreign to us into bite sized pieces and was great at picking up on where we needed help. She had some great corrections for us. We'll be heading back this week for a 102 class, and we can't wait! Come here, partner dancing is a good life skill, and the Viscount is a great place to learn.
Michelle H.
Feb 25, 2017
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I have had such a great experience at The Viscount dance studio.
Ive been looking to move to Portland so I have been visiting frequently alone to the city.
I figured I'd take up dancing while I was here for fun, fitness and occupy some time. I found the Viscount on line, signed up and away I went. Having not danced salsa in 15 years and never really knowing the steps correctly Sarah got me sorted out quickly with her kind and patient teaching style I felt comfortable to learn the step count and movement while having fun and not feeling self conscious. I can be shy when learning something
Ive been looking to move to Portland so I have been visiting frequently alone to the city.
I figured I'd take up dancing while I was here for fun, fitness and occupy some time. I found the Viscount on line, signed up and away I went. Having not danced salsa in 15 years and never really knowing the steps correctly Sarah got me sorted out quickly with her kind and patient teaching style I felt comfortable to learn the step count and movement while having fun and not feeling self conscious. I can be shy when learning something
Matt B.
Aug 07, 2016
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I'm not a dancer and I'm pretty afraid of dancing in public. Sarah (the owner and our teacher) really made me feel comfortable, and I ended up having a lot of fun at the partner dance workshop. It was awesome. I took it just to see what this place was like, and I'd totally go back for another class. I think Sarah is what made me like it so much. She was just super fun and real.
Thomas Cox Tom
Sep 17, 2015
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It's rare to have a dance teacher who is simultaneously fun to learn from, loves to dance, and is a truly excellent teacher. Sarah is all of that and more. I've danced for over a decade and she's the finest teacher I've yet had. She has deep knowledge, has mastered multiple dance styles, and she's especially good at making dance easy for the beginner.
She took me from ignorant to dancing a passable intermediate salsa in 3 hours.
I highly and enthusiastically recommend her.
She took me from ignorant to dancing a passable intermediate salsa in 3 hours.
I highly and enthusiastically recommend her.
Lindsey J.
Apr 07, 2015
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My husband and I signed up for private dance lessons with Sarah at Viscount prior to our wedding this year. We had no dance experience and wanted to do more than the middle-school two-step for our first dance as husband and wife. Sarah helped us to select the perfect song and then created a routine that was easy for us to learn and yet contained enough little flourishes to wow the crowd. We both loved working with her--she helped us to overcome any self-consciousness we may have had at the beginning, clearly and patiently explained the steps and techniques, and brightened the whole process with
Adam H.
Aug 19, 2014
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I've been learning vintage swing from Melissa since April. Melissa and her lead instructors are amazing as they inspire and promote a fun atmosphere. Most sessions, I forgot I was learning a new skill and not just dancing for fun.
A fellow social dancer once told me it was cheaper to just go to social dances. She's right. But what's missing and what Melissa's vintage swing classes have is personal instruction that is catered to your strengths and weaknesses. Melissa also throws herself into rotation so you get personal assessment and direct feedback on what you're doing
A fellow social dancer once told me it was cheaper to just go to social dances. She's right. But what's missing and what Melissa's vintage swing classes have is personal instruction that is catered to your strengths and weaknesses. Melissa also throws herself into rotation so you get personal assessment and direct feedback on what you're doing
Tim D.
Jun 26, 2014
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My wife and I joined the Intro to Partner Dancing Workshop in late May and had a truly wonderful time. Our class size was very small and we got a lot of personal attention from our lovely instructor Sarah, who displayed amazing patience with our near-complete inability to move gracefully at the beginning of the class.
By the end, we had several basic tools in our dancing toolbox to practice and to allow us to get out and feel like we had a clue about what to do on the dance floor.
We're definitely planning on taking more classes in the future with Sarah and The Viscount Dance Studio.
By the end, we had several basic tools in our dancing toolbox to practice and to allow us to get out and feel like we had a clue about what to do on the dance floor.
We're definitely planning on taking more classes in the future with Sarah and The Viscount Dance Studio.
Ron P.
Jan 30, 2014
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As a present, I bought my wife (and I) the Couples Dancing 101 class. I have to say I enjoyed the 4 week class 10x as much as I expected. Sarah was the instructor and she was just great. The classes were typically about 20 people, she would teach us something, we'd rotate partners and just try it. She would wonder around and give pointers. But mostly what made it great was that she was very very upbeat and personable and that was infectious and just made the whole experience a whole lot of fun.
I looked at my wife at the end of 4 weeks and said: I should have done this when I was
I looked at my wife at the end of 4 weeks and said: I should have done this when I was
Tawny H.
Jun 29, 2013
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Recently we surprised my sister-in-law with a private dance session for her 30th birthday. We had a large group, but were never able to confirm exactly how many people would show up. Selena was able to come up with a STELLAR hip hop routine for our group of all abilities, and was flexible to the variable of numbers. An important component for anyone trying to throw a surprise party!
She was fun, outgoing and talented (and supportive for non-rhythmic people like myself!). I would, without doubt, go to viscount again... And, while I'm sure there are other amazing instructors, I would ask for
She was fun, outgoing and talented (and supportive for non-rhythmic people like myself!). I would, without doubt, go to viscount again... And, while I'm sure there are other amazing instructors, I would ask for
Angelique H.
Jun 13, 2013
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Lizzy J.
Apr 26, 2013
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Just finished the Partner Dance class taught by Sarah! We had a fantastic time with two other couples. The small class size was perfect for learning and offered a comfortable environment for us. Sarah was a awesome teacher, she was very knowledgable and always encouraged questions. The facility was nice as well, very open and inviting.
I would definitely recommend Viscount to anyone looking to learn how to partner dance. Our confidence grew each week and we really had a lot of fun.
I would definitely recommend Viscount to anyone looking to learn how to partner dance. Our confidence grew each week and we really had a lot of fun.
Claudia Fuentes
Sep 06, 2012
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I love this place! If you're looking for a fun class to do, try this dance studio. The best class is the hip hop class lead by Selena. But all their classes are great. They take their time to show you the moves and work with you to learn them The smaller classes are better for that one on one action, so if you're a slow learner, the salsa classes get pretty large.
K. David M.
Sep 15, 2009
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Located just east of MLK on Burnside between the Farm and Le Pigeon restaurants Viscount Dance Studio (Viscount) was my first exposure to dance as well.
My experience with Viscount began with West Coast Swing (WCS) and Chris Jones. Being new to dance, I was unaware of some dances being considered harder to learn than others, so WCS may not have been the best choice. Lucky for me and the rest of Portland Chris is one of the best. And one hell of a DJ I found out!
Since then I have traveled from Seattle to Palm Springs for dancing conventions and private instruction and I still love Viscount.
My experience with Viscount began with West Coast Swing (WCS) and Chris Jones. Being new to dance, I was unaware of some dances being considered harder to learn than others, so WCS may not have been the best choice. Lucky for me and the rest of Portland Chris is one of the best. And one hell of a DJ I found out!
Since then I have traveled from Seattle to Palm Springs for dancing conventions and private instruction and I still love Viscount.
