Education & Classes in Middleton

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In 1947, on New York City's Park Avenue, the first Fred Astaire Dance Studio—cofounded by the eponymous toe tapper himself—opened its doors to the public. More than six decades later, now boasting schools across North America, the dancing institution still adheres to the legendary Mr. Astaire's curriculum and instruction techniques.

Specializing in social ballroom and competitive dances, the schools' current consortium of professional instructors shepherds students of all ages and skill levels through dance lessons that span from classic ballroom and foxtrot romps to the modern steps of salsa, swing, or mambo. In addition to classes, the studio hosts social practice parties where up to 40 students hone newly acquired rug-cutting capabilities. As foot-charming music blares from the speakers, instructors work to cultivate a lively social setting where each guest can dance, mingle, and surgically correct their second left foot without fear of embarrassment.

In 2008, Peter and Linda Goethche—both of whom are professional dancers who earned their master’s degrees in ballroom from Germany's ADTV program—united their formidable talents and lifelong dreams to open a dance studio. After partnering with the consortium of award-winning instructors Fred Astaire Dance Studio—a national franchise that was cofounded by the legendary toe tapper himself—the pair’s team has gone on to win the Best Dance Instructor award from Wisconsin Bride Magazine for three years running.

Their instructors shepherd students of all ages and skill levels through lessons that span the style spectrum. Low-pressure private sessions allow enthusiastic teachers to fine-tune individual students' techniques and form, using their expert eyes and mechanical dancing shoes preprogrammed to do the Charleston. Patrons can learn how to cavort through classic waltz and foxtrot romps or swivel through the modern steps of salsa, swing, or samba. For dancers hoping to hoof it up in a social setting, the group practice parties provide a one-night extravaganza of instruction, demonstrations, and amateur firewalking.

Director Tom Choudoir, a competitive dancer and University of Wisconsin-Madison mini-course instructor, draws students into both the stately and fiery sides of the ballroom tradition at Dancesport of Madison. During beginner classes, students learn how to move with a partner and distinguish a song’s beat from the sound of a truck backing up, and feet gain the confidence to waltz, tango, and perform more advanced moves in intermediate classes. Zumba fitness parties add cardio to dance steps, melting calories with Latin-inspired shimmies and lively international music.

At The Right Step, instructors Dakota Windancer and Gwen Engel school steppers of all levels during private and group dance lessons. Combined, Dakota and Gwen boast nearly a half-century's worth of dancing and training experience, and over that time, they've developed their own unique curriculum for teaching others how to move. The pair does so atop The Right Step's 3,000-square-foot dance floor, where they guide students during beginner through intermediate sessions, as well as specialty styles including ballroom and Latin.

Dedicated to celebrating family rituals, traditions, and customs in life, White Jasmine dedicates itself to the most popular ritual of all: food. Beyond offering a variety of spices, teas, and flavored gouda cheese in the store, the staff conducts cooking classes in which they impart skills in everything from handling traditional Pakistani woks to converting staples such as rice and bigger rice—also known as potatoes—into gourmet meals. The store's president, Huma Siddiqui, also produces a half-hour cooking show, Everyday Cooking, seen on Madison TVW every Sunday morning.