The keywords in, Boston Mobile Dance Studio, are: mobile and dance. There are a range of classes that are taught in various studios throughout Greater Boston and Boston. I would check out their website to see what is currently being offered, when and where. Since 2008, I have been taking hip hop classes with Boston Mobile Studio on Saturdays. This review is going to focus on that experience.
I try to make both the Party 101 Dance from 9:30-10:30 and the Hip Hop Beginners from 10:30-11:30 in the morning. These particular classes are held at the Dance Complex in Central Square in Studio 2. The studio can get packed with people for both classes. I recommend trying to get to the classes a little early to ensure a spot where you can see the instructor and yourself in the mirror. Classes are also slightly cheaper if you book them through their website, than if you pay at the door. At $10-$12 a class you will get a good workout, learn some new moves, and meet some friendly people.
Seriously, the people who go to these classes are so diverse and excited to come together through dance. I have met people, who I now call my friends, after taking many classes together. On Saturdays, the instructor, Carl Alleyne, makes a deliberate effort to get to know who is in his classes, as well as make sure we are all having fun. He plays a mix of R&B and Hip-Hop from mostly 90s until now. Afterwards, you can usually find his playlist on Spotify too.
It is true that everyone's definition of "Beginner" may be different, however, Carl's primary objective is to make sure everyone is having fun, therefore he focuses on making the classes feel like you are among family. I would suggest going to Party Dance 101 (the 9:30 am class), if you want to practice a few fundamental hip-hop dance moves. This is a non-choreographed class. You will warm up, go over dance moves that you can easily do at a party or a club, and then practice them with everyone else. The last half of the class, you will usually move across the studio in 4-6 lines practicing a move he gives you. Then there is usually a Soul Train dance line where you partner up with various people and follow along with people in front or do your own moves. It feels like a party at this point.
The class afterwards, the Hip Hop Beginners, is a choreographed dance class. If you have not done choreographed dancing, I recommend standing near the front of the mirror when possible. It's important that you see exactly how Carl breaks down the moves. Also, he pays close attention to what we are doing and he will review steps with us, if he can see that we need help with something. He also does stop periodically to ask us if we have any questions about anything he has gone over. I have found him to be good humored and patient with anyone who asks, so don't be shy if you have a question. Choreographed dancing is not something one usually does, so it can be challenging. What makes this a "beginner" class is the time Carl will take to break down some of the moves. Also, you will not have time to learn a routine for a whole song. You will learn enough moves for maybe the first minute of a song.
Both classes compliment each other. The more you do them, the more confident you will be. I feel like I have grown not only as a dancer, but as a person because of these classes. read more
