What is Pro-Am?
The Pro-Am category in ballroom dancing refers to duets between professionals and amateurs, abbreviated as "Pro-Am." This dance movement has enjoyed great popularity abroad for many decades and is also gaining increasing momentum in Germany. A Pro-Am pair consists of a teacher (Pro) and a student (Am); the student can be either a professional partner or an amateur. A well-known example of such duets is the popular dance show "Let's Dance," in which professionals dance with amateur stars.
Which dances can be learned in Pro-Am?
As a Pro-Am dancer, you can learn the same areas with your coach as in regular classes at a dance school:
- Standard dances (slow waltz, tango, Viennese waltz, foxtrot, quickstep)
- Latin American dances (Cha-Cha-Cha, Samba, Rumba, Paso Doble, Jive)
Why Pro-Am?
Thanks to the Pro-Am category in ballroom dancing, you have the opportunity to realize your dream of dancing by entrusting yourself to a professional and experienced coach. Compared to group lessons with a partner at your level, the Pro-Am training system allows you to progress faster and more effectively. Even if you can't find a partner, there's no need to worry. In one-on-one work with a coach, you can determine your own training times, the number of sessions, and even the specific dances you want to learn.
Are there Pro-Am tournaments?
Certainly! Pro-Am couples can also compete in competitions: both in regular ballroom dance tournaments and in special annual Pro-Am competitions and festivals. In competitions in this category, your performance as a student is evaluated. Similar to couples in sports categories, Pro-Am is classified according to the participant's age and skill level, with specific rules for performing the figures. The Pro-Am levels are: Beginner, Bronze, Silver, and Gold. The choice of difficulty level is up to the couples themselves. The age classification of participants can vary from tournament to tournament, but in general: A - 19-35 years, B - 35-50 years, C - over 50 years. In Pro-Am, it is possible to compete in only one dance, the so-called "single dance." It is also possible to compete in four, three, or two dances.
The basic idea of Pro-Am social dancing
A central idea of the Pro-Am movement is to develop ballroom dancing not only within professional dance circles, but also for anyone who loves dancing and wants to participate in competitions. It offers an ideal opportunity to enjoy dancing at a challenging level and learn from professionals.