Frequently Asked Questions
About Our SOCIETY
Q: What is Ballroom dancing?
A: You can find a description of Ballroom dancing and each dance here
Q: What does the society offer?
A: We teach classes in a variety of Ballroom and Latin dances in our weekly classes:
Our Advanced class will also offer the remaining 4 dances - Foxtrot, Tango, Samba and Paso Doble. Workshops for other dances and styles of dance will be offered throughout the year but their content is subject to availability of suitable teachers. Dates for workshops will be made available to you throughout the year via our social media channels.
The society also offers social events including two balls a year, drinks for our members and movie nights!
Q: What is an AGM and when is it?
A: The AGM is our Annual General Meeting during which a new executive board is elected for the upcoming academic year. It is held in the spring, the exact date will be released to the society in classes and on our social media channels nearer to the time each year.
Q: What is the executive board and who is on it?
A: You can find out more about our executive board and its members here.
Q: I would like to be on the board. What do I do?
A: Before the AGM there will be the opportunity to apply for your chosen position(s) if you are interested in being on the board. More information on how to apply will be made available during classes and on our social media channels nearer the time of the AGM each year. In the meantime you are free to ask us any questions you may have and read our constitution to see if being on the board is something you are interested in! We now allow non UofG students to apply for certain positions.
A: You can find a description of Ballroom dancing and each dance here
Q: What does the society offer?
A: We teach classes in a variety of Ballroom and Latin dances in our weekly classes:
- Latin - Cha Cha, Jive, Rumba
- Ballroom - Waltz, Quickstep, Viennese Waltz
Our Advanced class will also offer the remaining 4 dances - Foxtrot, Tango, Samba and Paso Doble. Workshops for other dances and styles of dance will be offered throughout the year but their content is subject to availability of suitable teachers. Dates for workshops will be made available to you throughout the year via our social media channels.
The society also offers social events including two balls a year, drinks for our members and movie nights!
Q: What is an AGM and when is it?
A: The AGM is our Annual General Meeting during which a new executive board is elected for the upcoming academic year. It is held in the spring, the exact date will be released to the society in classes and on our social media channels nearer to the time each year.
Q: What is the executive board and who is on it?
A: You can find out more about our executive board and its members here.
Q: I would like to be on the board. What do I do?
A: Before the AGM there will be the opportunity to apply for your chosen position(s) if you are interested in being on the board. More information on how to apply will be made available during classes and on our social media channels nearer the time of the AGM each year. In the meantime you are free to ask us any questions you may have and read our constitution to see if being on the board is something you are interested in! We now allow non UofG students to apply for certain positions.
About Our Membership
Q: Who can join?
A: Anyone! No previous experience or partner is needed. However, please notice that due to the nature of the Advanced class a certain level of experience is required to attend that particular class.
Q: How much does the membership cost?
A: The basic annual membership for GUBLDS starts at £30. Detailed information about all our membership options can be found here. PLEASE NOTE THAT WE ARE NOT ABLE TO OFFER REFUNDS ON ANY MEMBERSHIP OR SINGLE CLASS PURCHASED.
Q: Where should I pay membership? / Who should I pay it to?
A: At each class there will be a table at the entrance of the venue where you can purchase your membership in cash. For any further questions regarding membership, please use the contact form on this website or approach any of the board members at one of our classes.
Q: Can I pay in instalments?
A: Unfortunately, we are not generally able to offer instalment payments on our memberships. However, if there is a very good reason you are currently unable to pay the full membership, please contact us directly to discuss this. Exceptions for individual cases may be made at the discretion of the Executive Board.
Q: I have missed the taster session, can I still join?
A: You are more than welcome to still join. Pop along to any of our classes to try out the classes and purchase your membership!
Q: I'm not a University of Glasgow (UofG) student, can I still join?
A: Yes! As a UofG society, we are allowed to have up to 20% of our total members as non-UofG students. Please contact us for more information if you are a non-UofG student and interested in joining.
A: Anyone! No previous experience or partner is needed. However, please notice that due to the nature of the Advanced class a certain level of experience is required to attend that particular class.
Q: How much does the membership cost?
A: The basic annual membership for GUBLDS starts at £30. Detailed information about all our membership options can be found here. PLEASE NOTE THAT WE ARE NOT ABLE TO OFFER REFUNDS ON ANY MEMBERSHIP OR SINGLE CLASS PURCHASED.
Q: Where should I pay membership? / Who should I pay it to?
A: At each class there will be a table at the entrance of the venue where you can purchase your membership in cash. For any further questions regarding membership, please use the contact form on this website or approach any of the board members at one of our classes.
Q: Can I pay in instalments?
A: Unfortunately, we are not generally able to offer instalment payments on our memberships. However, if there is a very good reason you are currently unable to pay the full membership, please contact us directly to discuss this. Exceptions for individual cases may be made at the discretion of the Executive Board.
Q: I have missed the taster session, can I still join?
A: You are more than welcome to still join. Pop along to any of our classes to try out the classes and purchase your membership!
Q: I'm not a University of Glasgow (UofG) student, can I still join?
A: Yes! As a UofG society, we are allowed to have up to 20% of our total members as non-UofG students. Please contact us for more information if you are a non-UofG student and interested in joining.
About Our Social Classes
Q: What classes are there?
A: We run classes of different levels to accommodate for our diverse student body. We offer a Social Beginners & Improvers class where we teach the basics of each dance style and build upon your previous knowledge, an Advanced class with a focus on technique and advanced moves, and a Competition class for those interested in competitive dancing and taking part in ballroom dancing competitions.
A more detailed description of the different classes can be found here.
Q: When and where are classes held?
A: The classes will be held in the Glasgow University Union Dining Hall unless otherwise stated. Exact dates/times and venues for our classes will be announced through our social media channels with sufficient notice.
This upcoming academic year 2017/18 classes will be:
Q: What if I decide to change classes / move up?
A. You are more than welcome to move up if you have acquired the necessary level of skill; however, please notice that our Advanced class requires you to pay an additional fee and a knowledge of the basics of all our dances, so please speak to us before attending.
Q: What should I wear to class?
A: There is nothing specific that you are required to wear to class, however as dance is a sport, we would advise comfortable shoes and loose, light clothing as some dances require a lot of movement!
Q: Do I need a dance partner?
A: Not at all! Our classes are social and we match partners up during the class and switch around over the course of each class. In our Advanced class it is not necessary to have a partner as you will be paired up for the duration of the class and if needed leads can switch between partners. However, our Competition class requires a dedicated partnership and we are happy to help you partner up with someone of similar ability if you don't already have your own.
Q: I have previous experience, what class(es) should I attend?
A: We advise you join our social class and start out in the Beginners section to see if dancing at this level is challenging enough for you. If it is not, one of our teachers will advise you to move up to the Improvers section. Should you be certain that you do not require being taught the basic routine of each dance, you can also attend the Improvers class straight away. If this is still not satisfactory, please speak to a member of the board about attending the Advanced or Competition class.
Q: Can I only attend one class/ can I go to all of the classes?
A: You can attend as many classes as you like at any level, however our Advanced and Competition classes have an additional cost so please speak to a board member regarding which membership would be best for you.
Q: Where can I find any updates on classes?
A: Any updates will be posted on our social media channels.
A: We run classes of different levels to accommodate for our diverse student body. We offer a Social Beginners & Improvers class where we teach the basics of each dance style and build upon your previous knowledge, an Advanced class with a focus on technique and advanced moves, and a Competition class for those interested in competitive dancing and taking part in ballroom dancing competitions.
A more detailed description of the different classes can be found here.
Q: When and where are classes held?
A: The classes will be held in the Glasgow University Union Dining Hall unless otherwise stated. Exact dates/times and venues for our classes will be announced through our social media channels with sufficient notice.
This upcoming academic year 2017/18 classes will be:
- Monday 7-9pm
- Wednesday 3-5pm
Q: What if I decide to change classes / move up?
A. You are more than welcome to move up if you have acquired the necessary level of skill; however, please notice that our Advanced class requires you to pay an additional fee and a knowledge of the basics of all our dances, so please speak to us before attending.
Q: What should I wear to class?
A: There is nothing specific that you are required to wear to class, however as dance is a sport, we would advise comfortable shoes and loose, light clothing as some dances require a lot of movement!
Q: Do I need a dance partner?
A: Not at all! Our classes are social and we match partners up during the class and switch around over the course of each class. In our Advanced class it is not necessary to have a partner as you will be paired up for the duration of the class and if needed leads can switch between partners. However, our Competition class requires a dedicated partnership and we are happy to help you partner up with someone of similar ability if you don't already have your own.
Q: I have previous experience, what class(es) should I attend?
A: We advise you join our social class and start out in the Beginners section to see if dancing at this level is challenging enough for you. If it is not, one of our teachers will advise you to move up to the Improvers section. Should you be certain that you do not require being taught the basic routine of each dance, you can also attend the Improvers class straight away. If this is still not satisfactory, please speak to a member of the board about attending the Advanced or Competition class.
Q: Can I only attend one class/ can I go to all of the classes?
A: You can attend as many classes as you like at any level, however our Advanced and Competition classes have an additional cost so please speak to a board member regarding which membership would be best for you.
Q: Where can I find any updates on classes?
A: Any updates will be posted on our social media channels.
About Our Dancesport Team
Q: What is the different between the Social and the Dancesport side of GUBLDS?
A: On the Social side of GUBLDS we teach recreational ballroom dancing to students of all levels. It is meant for socialising and learning basic moves that you can show off at our two annual balls and other social events. On the Dancesport side we teach ballroom dancing more as a sport with the goal of actually competing in intervarsity competitions.
Q: When are the competitions? How many are there going to be?
A: The dates for competitions will be announced at classes and through our social media channels once we have decided which ones GUBLDS will attend. The Society regularly attends three or four competitions each year. If you are interested in finding out more about those competitions, you can have a look here.
Q: Who can compete?
A: Anyone! Competitions have a beginners section - for couples who have been dancing for less than a year, so don't worry as everyone in this category will be in the same boat as you. Competitions also have Novice, Intermediate, Advanced and Ex-Student categories to suit all abilities. Competitions are so much fun and we encourage anyone who is interested to give it a go, no matter what experience you have!
Q: Do I have to pay extra to join the Dancesport team?
A: Yes, there is an additional fee to join the Dancesport team. Please see our membership section for detailed information. Also, please note that you will be required to pay for all expenses (travel, accommodation, etc.) to each competition yourself as society funding is not available. However, we are all students so our TC will search for the best deals possible to keep expenses low. The society pays a percentage towards your competition entry fee to help out with costs.
A: On the Social side of GUBLDS we teach recreational ballroom dancing to students of all levels. It is meant for socialising and learning basic moves that you can show off at our two annual balls and other social events. On the Dancesport side we teach ballroom dancing more as a sport with the goal of actually competing in intervarsity competitions.
Q: When are the competitions? How many are there going to be?
A: The dates for competitions will be announced at classes and through our social media channels once we have decided which ones GUBLDS will attend. The Society regularly attends three or four competitions each year. If you are interested in finding out more about those competitions, you can have a look here.
Q: Who can compete?
A: Anyone! Competitions have a beginners section - for couples who have been dancing for less than a year, so don't worry as everyone in this category will be in the same boat as you. Competitions also have Novice, Intermediate, Advanced and Ex-Student categories to suit all abilities. Competitions are so much fun and we encourage anyone who is interested to give it a go, no matter what experience you have!
Q: Do I have to pay extra to join the Dancesport team?
A: Yes, there is an additional fee to join the Dancesport team. Please see our membership section for detailed information. Also, please note that you will be required to pay for all expenses (travel, accommodation, etc.) to each competition yourself as society funding is not available. However, we are all students so our TC will search for the best deals possible to keep expenses low. The society pays a percentage towards your competition entry fee to help out with costs.
About Our Teaching
Q: I have some dance experience and would like to teach. Who should I contact?
A: We are happy to hear that you are considering teaching for GUBLDS! Please use this contact form to get in touch with us or talk to any of our board members before or after class.
A: We are happy to hear that you are considering teaching for GUBLDS! Please use this contact form to get in touch with us or talk to any of our board members before or after class.
About Our Social Events
Q: What kind of social events do you offer?
A: We offer a range of dance and non-dance socials. Information on past events can be found throughout our event pages and will give you a good impression of what to expect from GUBLDS events.
Q: Where do I find information about events?
A: Our event pages will be updated throughout the year. Information about our events will be made available through social media.
A: We offer a range of dance and non-dance socials. Information on past events can be found throughout our event pages and will give you a good impression of what to expect from GUBLDS events.
Q: Where do I find information about events?
A: Our event pages will be updated throughout the year. Information about our events will be made available through social media.
