We are glad to see that you are interested in joining the Columbia University Ballroom Dance Team (CUBDT)! This section is an FAQ for individuals looking to join the team. More information is also available in other sections of this website:

• for information on the classes and practices (dances offered, schedule, locations, instructors, dues), please visit our Class Information section,
• for information on ballroom dancing in general, please visit our Resources section,
• you can also contact us at the email address cuballroom@gmail.com.

FAQ How can I become part of the Team? Do I need prior experience or a partner to join? How much does it cost to join? How much time must I commit? What if I do have experience / partner already? What is CUBDT's policy on members?

To join the team, simply show up at the beginning of the fall semester at the classes; time and location of the classes are in the class information section. We accept the majority of our members for the competitive classes at the beginning of the Fall semester. No prior experience, and no partners required! Joining during the Spring semester is harder, as the classes in each level would have progressed relatively far during the Fall semester, and an audition process may be required to join as well as other stricter requirements. Students can join the social class at any time; just show up! The trial period in the Fall semester is meant for you to try out all the CUBDT has to offer!
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No prior experience is necessary to join the team! We are dedicated to promoting ballroom dancing to Columbia University and feel that it shouldn't be exclusive. Most of our team members have never danced a step of ballroom before joining. Our instructors will teach you more than just the basic steps and the whole team experience is sure to leave plenty of fond memories. All you need is an interest in ballroom dancing and two walking legs. Also collegiate dancesport competitions are especially geared towards people who are new to dancesport. So come! And don't be shy. There are plenty others who are in your same shoes. Again, there are no try-outs or auditions required to join.

No partner is necessary to join the team! We try to match all of our newcomers for competitions. However, shortage of male partners do occur at times, and in those situations we try our best to accommodate everyone by rotating partners at different competitions. If you are really worried, ask the veterans of the team for help or drag a friend in! However, there is no need for a partner to come attend classes, as we do rotate in classes.
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Dancesport is not cheap. We subsidize our group lessons and competition registration fees. In order to support these costs, the team collects a certain amount of dues from each member. For current prices, please visit our Membership page in the Class Information section. Paying full dues offers:

• Classes in both latin and standard styles in one level
• Registration fees for each competition (usually around $35 per person)
• Usage of our practice space

Any other costs? Some of our classes are located in the Dodge Fitness Center, thus members that do no have access to the DFC would also incur the cost of DFC membership. Most of our team members choose to purchase dance shoes for classes and competitions at some point during their first semester. The team usually organizes a fall shoe shopping trip downtown, and fortunately we enjoy a student discount. A detailed shoe-buying guide is in the Resources section of this website. There are also transportation fees to and from competitions. Sometimes the team will subsidize the cost of transportation. Also, costumes, accessories, shoe brushes, and other miscellaneous items are sometimes desired.
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Each team member decides how much time he/she wants to commit to the team. You decide how many group lessons to take and how often to come to practice. Most of our dancers spend about 4-5 hours a week between lessons and practice with their partner/s, but some spend less time and some substantially more. We recommend that you come to practice at least once a week and skip no more than 2 classes in each style.

The only required time commitments are assisting in our own competition in December, and representing the team in a competition at least once per term. Yes, it is possible that you may be on the team without attending any classes or practicing, but you probably would not perform too well on the competition floor. We recognize the high level of academic demands at Columbia and we understand that your academics should come first. But give it a chance and you will see just how fun ballroom dancing can be!
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Of course, people with prior ballroom or dance experience are also welcomed to join the team. Your level of experience will dictate the level of classes you will participate in (read the next paragraph on member policy for more information).

Generally speaking, how long you have been dancing may restrict your competing in the Newcomer or Bronze levels; aside from length of experience, placement is usually based on skill level. Our recommendation is that you try competing in the lowest level you are permitted to dance, based on the rules of that particular competition.

If you already have a partner and have moved here from another area, please understand that our coaches may teach in a different style. The level of dancing may also be different from region to region.
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Grace Period - At the beginning of the fall semester, the first latin and standard class is free. The next two are pay by week. This is a grace period for allowing individuals to become acquainted with ballroom, the board, as well as the instructors. After this period, we must close off the grace period as the competitive class will proceed very quickly in the beginning.

Joining Midway - You may opt to join Columbia University Ballroom Dance Team midway into the semester, should you choose. However, this must be approved by the board as the classes (even the lowest) would have progressed relatively far. By midway, we just mean after the grace period. Also we do not offer discounts for joining midway (you must pay full dues) and we also do not offer discounts for individuals who do not wish to attend competitions.

Skipping Levels - Whatever the class structure, you must place at least in the semifinals of the class before or approved by the board. For example, if you wish to jump to the silver class from bronze, you must place at least in the semifinals of bronze to attend the silver class. Attending a class for a higher level than you are currently competing may also be approved of by the board. Generally, you may attend the class lower without problem, if for example you wish to brush up on basics. We apologize we must be strict about this as the integrity of the class levels must be kept.

Skipping Classes - If you miss a class, you miss a class. Please come to practice to catch up. If you miss more than 2 classes in a row, we will require you to attend practice. Also, we do not offer discounts or money back for individuals who knowing, coming in, that they will miss a certain number of classes.
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