The owner and instructor of Dance Connection is Alejandro Aldape.
Alex began dancing in 1977 by taking lessons at local nightclubs and
then at a local dance studio. In 1978, Alex began teaching Ballroom and
Latin Dancing at Arthur Murray. He has taught Mambo, Merengue, Salsa,
Cha Cha, Swing and Hustle. While at Arthur Murray he also began competing
and performing in shows. After two and one-half years, in 1981, Alex
moved to the Fred Astaire studio where he also taught and competed and
won several Midwest Titles. In 1983, Alex began to teach independently
in Chicago-- free-lancing at several Chicago studios. In 1991, he opened
Dance Connection on Lincoln Avenue. During his 10 years on Lincoln
Avenue, Alex and the studio appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show and in
several commercials. In 2001, Alex moved Dance Connection to its
present and permanent home at 3117 N. Clybourn.
Alex believes that dance lessons should offer quality instruction as
well as fun. He strives for good communication between instructor and
student so that the student can be excited about his or her progress.
Classes and lessons begin with instruction in the basic steps then move
to basic turns followed by intermediate combinations and finally offer
instruction in the more complex combinations. Alex begins by
demonstrating the move or combination. He then breaks it down into
its parts. Students then practice the move slowly without music, and
finally they practice up to tempo with music. One new combination
containing 3 to 12 new elements is taught in each class. Anyone is
welcome to stop by and watch a class or two.
