WaltersDance Center
If someone says “Shall we dance?” can you say “I would love to”? If not, we can help.
Group classes and social dances in ballroom, Latin, swing and country, six nights a week in Kansas City, Kansas. In business in Kansas City for over 50 years. No contracts, and you don’t need a partner.
Every week at Walters
The studio runs the same nights week to week, so this is the schedule to remember. Beginners are welcome at every one. Dress is relaxed. We rotate partners in class, so come on your own or bring someone.
- Ballroom
- Latin
- Country
- Social
-
MondayTonight
Rumba with Rafael
Rafael Labrado. Six-week Rumba series through Oct 19, then Cha Cha from Oct 26.
- 7 pm
- Beginning
- 8 pm
- Intermediate / advanced
$15 a class, or both for $30
-
TuesdayTonight
Line Dance and Country Swing
Shari Augustine. Singles and beginners welcome.
- 7 pm
- Line dance class
- 8 pm
- Country swing class
- 9 pm
- Practice time
$15 a class, or both for $20
-
WednesdayTonight
Beginner friendly Bachata and Salsa
Laura Szymanski. Singles and beginners welcome.
- 7 pm
- Bachata class
- 8 pm
- Salsa class
- 9 pm
- Practice time
$15 a class, or both for $20
-
ThursdayTonight
Country Two Step
Marta Elder. Singles welcome, rotation optional.
- 7 pm
- Beginning two step
- 8 pm
- Intermediate two step
- 9 pm
- Open dancing to a mix of music
$15 a person
-
FridayTonight
Marta’s Friday Country Dance
Marta Elder. Held all year long.
- 7 pm
- Line dance class
- 8 to 11
- Country dance to a mix of music
$15 a person, class included
-
SaturdayTonight
Saturday Night Ballroom Dance
October class: East Coast Swing, with Rafael Labrado.
- 6:30 pm
- Beginning class
- 7:10 pm
- Beginning / intermediate class
- 8 to 11
- Ballroom dance to a great mix of music
$15 a person, class included
The best place to practice what you learn in class all week.
What to wear: something loose, and shoes that don’t grab the floor. Dance shoes are best; leather soles work too. Skip the tennis shoes, they make it hard to turn. Private lessons can be booked any day of the week.
October 2026, night by night
Sundays are quiet except karaoke night on the 25th.
October 1 to 4
- 1ThuCountry Two Step with Marta Elder7 pm Beginning two step8 pm Intermediate two step9 pm Open dancing$15 a person
- 2FriMarta's Friday Country Dance7 pm Line dance class8 pm Country dance to a mix of music$15 a person, class included
- 3SatSaturday Night Ballroom Dance with Rafael Labrado6:30 pm Beginning East Coast Swing class7:10 pm Beginning/intermediate East Coast Swing class8 pm Ballroom dance to a mix of music$15 a person, class included
- 4SunNo class tonight
October 5 to 11
- 5MonRumba with Rafael Labrado7 pm Beginning Rumba8 pm Intermediate/advanced Rumba$15 a class, or both for $30
- 6TueLine Dance and Country Swing with Shari Augustine7 pm Line dance class8 pm Country swing class9 pm Practice time$15 a class, or both for $20
- 7WedBeginner friendly Bachata and Salsa with Laura Szymanski7 pm Bachata class8 pm Salsa class9 pm Practice time$15 a class, or both for $20
- 8ThuCountry Two Step with Marta Elder7 pm Beginning two step8 pm Intermediate two step9 pm Open dancing$15 a person
- 9FriMarta's Friday Country Dance7 pm Line dance class8 pm Country dance to a mix of music$15 a person, class included
- 10SatSaturday Night Ballroom Dance with Rafael Labrado6:30 pm Beginning East Coast Swing class7:10 pm Beginning/intermediate East Coast Swing class8 pm Ballroom dance to a mix of music$15 a person, class included
- 11SunNo class tonight
October 12 to 18
- 12MonRumba with Rafael Labrado7 pm Beginning Rumba8 pm Intermediate/advanced Rumba$15 a class, or both for $30
- 13TueLine Dance and Country Swing with Shari Augustine7 pm Line dance class8 pm Country swing class9 pm Practice time$15 a class, or both for $20
- 14WedBeginner friendly Bachata and Salsa with Laura Szymanski7 pm Bachata class8 pm Salsa class9 pm Practice time$15 a class, or both for $20
- 15ThuCountry Two Step with Marta Elder7 pm Beginning two step8 pm Intermediate two step9 pm Open dancing$15 a person
- 16FriMarta's Friday Country Dance7 pm Line dance class8 pm Country dance to a mix of music$15 a person, class included
- 17SatSaturday Night Ballroom Dance with Rafael Labrado6:30 pm Beginning East Coast Swing class7:10 pm Beginning/intermediate East Coast Swing class8 pm Ballroom dance to a mix of music$15 a person, class included
- 18SunNo class tonight
October 19 to 25
- 19MonRumba with Rafael Labrado7 pm Beginning Rumba8 pm Intermediate/advanced Rumba$15 a class, or both for $30
- 20TueLine Dance and Country Swing with Shari Augustine7 pm Line dance class8 pm Country swing class9 pm Practice time$15 a class, or both for $20
- 21WedBeginner friendly Bachata and Salsa with Laura Szymanski7 pm Bachata class8 pm Salsa class9 pm Practice time$15 a class, or both for $20
- 22ThuCountry Two Step with Marta Elder7 pm Beginning two step8 pm Intermediate two step9 pm Open dancing$15 a person
- 23FriMarta's Friday Country Dance7 pm Line dance class8 pm Country dance to a mix of music$15 a person, class included
- 24SatSaturday Night Ballroom Dance with Shari Augustine6:30 pm Beginning East Coast Swing class7:10 pm Beginning/intermediate East Coast Swing class8 pm Ballroom dance to a mix of music$15 a person, class included
October 26 to 31
- 26MonNew six-week Cha Cha series startsCha Cha with Rafael Labrado7 pm Beginning Cha Cha8 pm Intermediate/advanced Cha Cha$15 a class, or both for $30
- 27TueLine Dance and Country Swing with Shari Augustine7 pm Line dance class8 pm Country swing class9 pm Practice time$15 a class, or both for $20
- 28WedBeginner friendly Bachata and Salsa with Laura Szymanski7 pm Bachata class8 pm Salsa class9 pm Practice time$15 a class, or both for $20
- 29ThuCountry Two Step with Marta Elder7 pm Beginning two step8 pm Intermediate two step9 pm Open dancing$15 a person
- 30FriCountry Halloween PartyMarta's Friday Country Dance7 pm Line dance class8 pm Country dance to a mix of music$15 a person, class included
- 31SatBallroom Halloween Party, costumes optionalSaturday Night Ballroom Dance with Rafael Labrado6:30 pm Beginning East Coast Swing class7:10 pm Beginning/intermediate East Coast Swing class8 pm Ballroom dance to a mix of music$15 a person, class included
New to dancing?
You have come to the right place. Everybody on that floor started in the same spot.
- No contracts, ever. No programs and no memberships, so you never feel pressure to buy anything. We believe you’ll come back if you’re learning and having a good time.
- No partner needed. We rotate in group classes. You’ll learn faster that way, but couples can choose not to.
- Practice the same week. Come to the Saturday night dance right after you start classes. We think it’s the best dance floor in town.
- Faster with a private lesson. Our teachers include many who compete or have competed nationally. Two annual shows let you dance with your teacher in front of a crowd.
Should I take group classes or private lessons?
Both can be good for you. Group classes are where you make friends and pick up new moves. In a private lesson you get all the attention, so you progress much faster.
What happens in bad weather?
Our policy is to keep the doors open. Some dancers travel a long way and will make the trip no matter what, and we don’t want them to find the door locked. If a teacher can’t get here, or too few people come for a class, we’ll at least try to have open dancing. We would never encourage anyone to drive in bad weather.
Do I need a physical first?
Most dancing isn’t very strenuous, but we recommend checking with your doctor before starting any new physical activity.
Ballroom Basics
A class built for complete beginners, and for couples learning to dance for their wedding reception. You’ll learn the basic moves in Fox Trot, Waltz, Rumba and Swing. Class size is limited so everyone gets attention.
- When
- Saturdays, 2 to 3 pm, in six-week series
- Cost
- $75 a person for the series
- Teacher
- Mark Harris, DVIDA and NADTA certified
- Next series
- Dates to be announced
Singles welcome. To register or ask about the next start date, call Mark at (816) 665-6275 or email mark@waltersdancecenter.com.
Private lessons and teachers
Private lessons are set up to fit your schedule, any day of the week. Every teacher at Walters is independent, so prices vary a little from teacher to teacher. Call the studio and we’ll put you in touch, or ask about a teacher at the desk.
-
Rafael Labrado
Mondays, and Saturday classes in October
Teaches every style, with a specialty in International Latin. Three-time Top Teacher at the Heart of America DanceSport Championships.
-
Shari Augustine
Tuesdays
DVIDA Certified Professional Ballroom Instructor. Dances Pro/Am with her students at ballroom events.
-
Laura Szymanski
Wednesdays
Beginner friendly Bachata and Salsa, followed by practice time.
-
Marta Elder
Thursdays and Fridays
Has called Walters her dance home since 1992. Reached Masters level, the top level, on the UCWDC country-western circuit.
-
Mark Harris
Ballroom Basics and first dances
Teaches ballroom, country and swing. Three-time American Country Dance Association National Champion, and 2011 ACDA Top Male Teacher of the Year.
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More teachers
Ask at the studio
Walters is home to more independent instructors, many of whom travel to ballroom, swing and country events to dance Pro/Am with their students.
Your first dance
Everyone plans the venue, the caterer, the photographer and the DJ. What people remember is when the couple can dance. Our teachers can show you a few moves that fit your song, or choreograph the whole thing for that polished look.
Want a few moves? You can start a few weeks out. Want to look great? Start several months before the reception, which also gives everyone time to get comfortable dancing in front of a crowd.
No contracts here either, and the first consultation is free.
Book a consultation
Call (913) 287-3355 or (816) 665-6275, or email weddingdancing@waltersdancecenter.com.
Prefer to start in a group? Ballroom Basics is designed for wedding couples and new dancers.
Coming up
-
Friday, October 30
Country Halloween Party
Marta’s Friday Country Dance in costume. Line dance class at 7 pm, dancing 8 to 11. $15.
-
Saturday, October 31
Ballroom Halloween Party
Costumes optional. East Coast Swing classes from 6:30 pm, ballroom dance 8 to 11. $15.
-
Sunday, December 6, 3 to 8:30 pm
Walters Christmas Extravaganza
Dancing in heats, social dance time, a catered dinner and showcases. More details soon. Call Mark at (816) 665-6275.
Gift certificates are available and can be personalized. They’re a favorite for Christmas and Valentine’s Day. Walters was named Top Studio at Heart of America 2024.
Find the studio
5023 Minnesota AveKansas City, KS 66102
Near 50th Terrace and State Ave. We’re up on a hill on the south side of the street.
- Studio: (913) 287-3355
- Also: (816) 665-6275 (Mark)
- Email: info@waltersdancecenter.com
- Photos and videos: facebook.com/waltersdancecenter
From I-635, either direction
Exit at State Ave. Northbound, turn left; southbound, turn right. Pass the Pizza Hut on your left and continue to the light at 50th Street. Just past it, look left and you’ll see us up on the hill. The drive is on the left and slants uphill.
From I-70
Take I-635 North, exit at State Ave and turn left, then follow the directions above.
Another way in
Exit at 57th Street and turn left, then right on State Ave. We’re about six blocks on, on the right. The drive is just past Car Hop.
Lost? Call (913) 287-3355 and we’ll talk you in.