Business Details
26 Years
experience
Your Home for Real Dance in Portland
Since 2000, The Viscount has been dedicated to making dance accessible to everyone, regardless of experience or background. Our mission is to create a welcoming, non-competitive environment where individuals can explore dance as a form of self-expression, social connection, and physical wellness. We offer instruction in diverse styles including Salsa, Swing, Balboa, Bhangra, and more, taught by experienced instructors who emphasize cultural context and historical roots. Our community-focused approach prioritizes inclusivity, creativity, and joy, ensuring students feel comfortable making mistakes and growing at their own pace. We provide flexible learning optionslive-streamed classes, on-demand videos, in-person workshops, and private lessonsto accommodate modern lifestyles.Located in SE Portland, weve built a reputation for fostering lasting friendships through dance while maintaining a commitment to integrity and student-centered teaching. Our programs cater to all skill levels, from absolute beginners to seasoned dancers seeking refinement. By blending structured technique with playful exploration, we help students discover their innate ability to move and connect with others. Our events, from social dances to community gatherings, reinforce the belief that dance is for every body and every spirit.
Services
Salsa Classes
Swing Workshops
Private Lessons
Video Downloads
Community Events
Wedding Dance Prep
Balboa Instruction
Bhangra Workshops
Dance Socials
Zoom Classes
Details
- Year established: 2000
Highlights and features
- 20+ years creating inclusive, non-competitive dance environments
- Instructors emphasize cultural context and historical dance traditions
- Flexible learning options for modern lifestyles
- Community-focused approach with social events and workshops
- Proven track record helping shy and inexperienced dancers thrive
What people say
Consistently awesome instruction
Fun and friendly atmosphere
Best cha-cha class around
Welcoming to dance-phobic students
Created lasting friendships
Services
Salsa Classes
Learn Salsa rhythms, body movement, and turn patterns in a welcoming environment. Our classes cater to all skill levels, from complete beginners to experienced dancers. No partner required. Focus on cultural context and historical roots while building confidence through structured technique and social practice.
Private Lessons
Customized dance instruction tailored to your goals. Available in-studio, via Zoom, or at creative locations. Wedding dance preparation, skill refinement, or personalized choreography. Flexible scheduling with experienced instructors who adapt to your learning pace and style.
Video Downloads
On-demand dance instruction accessible anytime, anywhere. Professional-quality videos covering Balboa, Bhangra, Salsa, and more. Includes technique breakdowns and practice routines. Immediate access via email registration confirmation, with options for single classes or multi-class packages.
Community Workshops
Interactive dance workshops fostering social connection. Weekend intensives, themed classes, and special events. Opportunities to practice with rotating partners in a judgment-free space. Combines technical instruction with social dancing to build community and reinforce learning through practical application.
Wedding Dance Prep
Stress-free wedding choreography designed for your unique style. Personalized instruction focusing on comfort and authenticity. Learn routines tailored to your song, attire, and personalities. Packages available for couples or groups, with flexible lesson durations to accommodate wedding timelines and guest participation.
People
Sarah
Owner/Instructor
Founder with 18 years experience teaching diverse dance styles. Started as a student, became manager in 2005, and now leads The Viscount's inclusive dance community. Specializes in creating welcoming environments for shy and inexperienced dancers.
Rod
Instructor
Experienced Balboa instructor offering technique-focused classes. Co-creator of instructional videos covering advanced footwork and body mechanics. Known for breaking down complex movements into accessible components for dancers at all skill levels.
Emily
Instructor
Balboa and Swing specialist with expertise in partner dynamics. Develops curriculum emphasizing musicality and connection. Co-instructor for popular video courses and live workshops that combine technical precision with playful exploration.
Questions
What dance styles do you teach?
We offer Salsa, Swing, Balboa, Bhangra, Charleston, Disco-Fit, Solo Jazz, and Tranky Doo. No prior experience needed for any style.
Are classes available online?
Yes! Choose from live-streamed Zoom classes or on-demand video downloads accessible anytime from any device.
Do I need a dance partner?
No partner required. We rotate partners during classes, and private lessons accommodate individual or couple bookings.
What safety measures are in place?
We maintain clean facilities and ask symptomatic individuals to stay home. Outdoor/private lesson options available for additional safety.
Can you help with wedding dance preparation?
Yes! We create customized first dances tailored to your song, style, and comfort level with packages starting at $250.
What makes The Viscount unique?
Our non-competitive, inclusive environment focuses on cultural context and community building through dance for every body type and skill level.
Reviews (4)
Dawn Everly
Dec 07, 2021
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Excellent studio with excellent teachers. So nice to have a safe place to dance these days. These guys take all the right precautions for a safe and pleasant dance experience. Couldnt recommend them more!
Greg A.
Sep 03, 2021
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Sarah is an exceptional teacher regardless of experience or comfort level. We took a series of couples lessons and found her to be fun to work with and very flexible and adaptable to our strengths and weaknesses. Highly recommend.
Kane Tobin
Apr 28, 2021
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If you want to learn to dance, this is the place. My partner loves to dance, so I wanted to learn dancing so if she wanted the opportunity to dance, I'd be able to make it happen for her. I lack any musical talent, and was not good at drill and ceremony. I was worried this would be a disaster. Sarah, our instructor, took away the apprehension and made it simple and easy to learn. Even for someone with no talent. I am so excited to have gone here to learn to dance. I can confidently say, if my partner wants to get up from the table and dance, I'll be right there to lead her put to the floor and
Ernie Sliter
Jun 28, 2020
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I took my first salsa classes with Sarah. Sarah helped make each class as accessible as possible, which was extremely nice and thoughtful of her. Also she brought an enthusiastic and lively vibe to each of the classes and socials. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the classes and am thankful that she ensured that my initial experiences with salsa were so positive.
