How to Feel Less Awkward in Drop-In Dance Classes: 6 Real Tips

I’ve been that person hiding in the back of class.

I walked into a dance studio where everyone seemed to know each other, laugh together, cheer each other on. I felt invisible. The instructor barely acknowledged me. No one said hi. And when it was time to learn the routine? I struggled. Badly.

In my head, I kind of knew what was going on, but the second the music started? My body wouldn’t cooperate. I was especially ashamed because this was a Caribbean dance class—my bread and butter. Or at least it should’ve been. I left the moment class ended. I had already paid for a bunch of sessions, so I went back... but honestly? I didn’t want to.

That wasn’t the only time I felt that way. There were other classes where I froze mid-performance, second-guessed myself, or left feeling like maybe I wasn’t as good a dancer as I thought I was.

And I’ve been dancing my whole life.

So if you’ve ever felt awkward, behind, or like everyone’s judging you in a drop-in class? I see you. You are not alone.

The good news? Feeling that way doesn’t mean you’re not a dancer. It doesn’t mean you don’t belong. It just means you might need a different approach, and that’s exactly what this post is here to give you.

And if you’d rather start small before heading into your next drop-in, grab my free Dancehall class preview here. It’s designed to help you get moving at your own pace, no pressure.

1. Practice Outside of Class

After class, I almost always felt defeated. I’d compare myself to everyone else and leave thinking, I’m not as good as I thought I was. But here’s what started to shift things for me: I practiced at home.

Not because I was trying to be perfect, but because I actually liked the choreo and wanted to feel good doing it. At first, I was just trying to see what others were seeing, since I wasn’t recording in class yet. But slowly, it helped me realize I could do it. I just needed more time.

Even running through the parts I remembered gave me more confidence to go back and reminded me that growth doesn’t only happen in the studio.

💡 Pro tip: The more you go over the choreo on your own, the faster your body starts to remember it (even during the down time in class).

2. Stand in the Front (Yes, Really)

It’s tempting to hide in the back when you're nervous, but that’s where it’s hardest to learn. Standing in the front helps you see the instructor clearly, catch details, and feel more focused. You're less distracted and more engaged.

If you're taking an online class, congrats—you’re already front and center! 🎉

3. Record Yourself in Class and at Home

I used to think people would judge me if I pulled out my phone. Like, Why is she recording? She’s not even doing the dance right. But eventually I got over that, because I realized: I was never going to grow if I didn’t really see what I was doing.

Watching myself dance wasn’t about being negative or nitpicky. It actually gave me the proof I needed that I was getting better. Even if I didn’t feel confident in class, the video reminded me: You got this.

Whether you're in class or at home, recording can help you notice what’s working, what you want to tweak, and how far you’ve come, even if you're your own biggest critic like me.

4. Take a Private Lesson

After a few classes where I felt totally invisible (like no one cared unless you were already good), I decided to book a private. It wasn’t a big moment. There was a discount, I liked that particular teacher, and I figured... why not?

But that one decision changed everything. I got to go at my own pace, ask questions without judgment, and learn how to make the choreography work for my body. I finally understood how to break things down and feel confident in my own movement.

That’s also where I got the idea to start recording myself, and the confidence boost that followed was major. I went from holding back to throwing myself into the choreo, and for the first time, I started to believe I could actually get this.

Sometimes all it takes is one-on-one support to start feeling like the dancer you want to be.
👉🏾 If you’re interested, you can book a private session with me here.

5. Focus on Performance, Not Perfection

Nobody remembers whether you nailed every count—they remember the energy.
Throw yourself into the routine. Smile. Hit those moves with confidence, even if you have to modify a few things. Make it yours.

Your job isn’t to look like the instructor. It’s to bring your own flavor and vibe.

6. Don’t Give Up

There were so many moments when I just wanted to disappear. Like the time I finally built up the courage to go up and perform in front of the class… and froze the second the music came on.

I was so embarrassed. I had volunteered. I thought I had it. And then my mind went blank.

That kind of stuff happened to me more than once. But I kept going. Not because I was brave—but because I had already paid for the classes 😅. And that ended up being a gift.

Every week, I felt a little less awkward. A little more in control. And even though I still messed up sometimes (like sweating so hard my lace front lifted 🫠), I stopped letting it stop me.

You don’t need to be perfect to belong in the room. You just need to be willing to come back.

✨ You Got This—Now Let’s Dance

The truth is, every confident dancer you see was once a beginner who felt awkward too.

You don’t need to catch every beat or hit every move perfectly to start feeling more at home in your body. You just need space to learn, mess up, and grow without pressure.

If that sounds like what you need right now, I’ve got something for you:
👉🏾 Grab my free Dancehall class preview to warm up, learn beginner-friendly moves, and start reconnecting with your confidence one step at a time.