ABOUT FDK
First Dance Kamloops has become a proud part of the Kamloops dance scene. We are dedicated to helping you create beautiful and memorable moments on the dance floor. We specialize in wedding dance lessons, partner dance workshops, and fun dancing date nights.
Our team is passionate about teaching ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS! There's no better feeling than convincing someone that thinks they have two left feet, that they can actually dance AND enjoy it! I feel this is what really sets us apart - our goal is to build confidence and comfort first. Our unique approach, focuses on personalized attention and assistance (even in large groups) - figuring out what might be getting in the way of YOU feeling like a Dance PRO. Offering feedback and tips that will bring your dancing to the next level.
We always aim to create a supportive learning environment and strive to strike that perfect balance between ease and challenge. Join us and let's dance our way to unforgettable experiences!
Our talented team of experienced teachers offer: Waltz, Foxtrot, Hustle, Salsa, Bachata, Lindy Hop, Jive, Two Step, Line Dance, Foxy, and more.
Please Note: When teaching the fundamentals, we often start with basics that are shared amongst many styles of partner dancing. This is to ensure that each couple is developing strong lead and follow skills that will carry them through any style in the future!
ABOUT VANESSA
Hey! I'm Vanessa and I have been dancing for pretty much my whole life. My life used to look a lot different. I was a Contemporary dancer in Toronto - I travelled lots to take and teach workshops; I participated in weird artsy dance stuff; I spent a lot of time in cafes and on international dance floors.
Now I'm in Kamloops, BC; I have a young kid and I don't frequent dance floors! I moved out west in the Pandemic like many others to get help from my family (thanks mom <3) while raising a young child on my own.
Having to build a new life here, in a small town where there were limited dance opportunities, I started this business as a side hustle, helping out a couple or two that had reached out to the dance studio where I was working at the time. It wasn't something I had done before and I wasn't sure I would like it.
Well, I enjoyed it WAY more than I expected to so I kept just saying YES!
And pretty quickly FIRST DANCE KAMLOOPS was born and booming.
After awhile I realized that a lot of engaged couples were coming to me for partnering basics, so I decided to offer a BEGINNER WORKSHOP to get all the couples on the same foot (literally). The workshop was a hit, but... most couples weren't engaged, they were just looking for a night out together! So in came my - now most popular offering - monthly DANCING DATE NIGHTS and DINE+DANCE events, as well as larger Corporate and community events. Sometimes I even dip back into organizing some dance events for kids.
Outside of teaching couples, I work in education as a TTOC (Substitute teacher) and I have my own practice in somatics - teaching people how manage and process stress and pain by connecting to their bodies! Its cool, feel free to check it out here: www.stellarfeels.com
Meet the Team
We also bring in guest teachers every now and then!
Founder, Lead Instructor
Vanessa Woulfe
With an MFA in Dance, Vanessa's been teaching for over 20 years and has worked professionally as a dancer in Toronto and around the globe. Vanessa is passionate about helping beginner's feel comfortable on the dance floor and encouraging relationship building through dance.
While not formally ballroom trained, Vanessa learned through dancing, mentorship and classes. When working with engaged couples on their first dance, Vanessa has an unmatched ability to see when couples are getting stuck, break down movement into bite sized pieces, and build personalized choreography that is enhanced by the music and truly reflects the love story of each couple.
FAV PARTNER DANCE? Hustle!
FAV PART OF YOUR JOB? When people come in so nervous & leave saying they can't wait to come back (it happens a lot)!
Senior Instructor
Bonnie Cleland
Bonnie is a fun-loving dancer, teacher and choreographer. Her main partner dance styles are Swing dance, Lindy Hop, Two-step and Line Dance. Bonnie is a competitive dance teacher (Jazz, Musical theatre, Tap), a black belt in Judo and co-founder of Lindy in the Loops, a local Lindyhop group that teaches weekly classes, hosts social events and offers performances around town.
Bonnie is great at being flexible to meet the needs of each couple, working in the moment to offer alternatives that suit your needs, and bringing smiles to your face the whole time.
FAV PARTNER DANCE? SWING
FAV PART OF YOUR JOB? All of it ;)