You Should Be Dancing
You Should Be Dancing is a privately held midtown Manhattan dance studio offering private lessons, group classes, wedding packages, and social events in Argentine Tango, Swing, Balboa, and Latin styles, serving individual learners, engaged couples, and the NYC dance community since 1999.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1999
- HeadquartersNew York, United States
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What You Should Be Dancing does
You Should Be Dancing (YSBD) is a privately held dance instruction studio operating from a single location at 37 West 26th Street in midtown Manhattan, founded in September 1999 by Tammy Halaburda. The studio offers private lessons, group classes, workshops, wedding dance packages, and recurring social dance events across multiple styles including Argentine Tango, Swing, Balboa, Ballroom, and Latin. The facility comprises three combinable dance rooms (Studios A, B, C) equipped with sprung wood floors, 14-foot ceilings, mirrored walls, and climate control, and is staffed by over 20 instructors with championship and performance credentials.
The business operates a direct-to-consumer model with multiple revenue streams: private lessons priced at $90-$120 per 55-minute session and sold in packages of 5, 10, or 20 lessons (with 6-month expiry); 4-week progressive group courses at $90-$110 per cycle; wedding dance packages ranging from $495 to $2,160; recurring branded social dance events ($15-$30 admission); studio space rentals ($65-$200/hour); and custom group classes for corporate and private groups. Customer segments include individual adult learners, engaged couples, the NYC dance community, and corporate/private group buyers. Bookings are processed through MindBody's SaaS registration platform, by phone, or via walk-in.
The studio is bootstrapped, independently owned, and led by CEO Charles Hamowy with Halaburda serving as Studio Director and Owner. Its competitive position rests on a 25-year operating history, a deep talent bench, a recurring event ecosystem (including co-production of the NYLX dance exchange), and specialized physical infrastructure. The company has no external investment, no parent company, no patents, and operates solely within the NYC metropolitan market.
You Should Be Dancing firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- You Should Be Dancing
- Legal name
- You Should Be Dancing
- Website
- https://ysbd.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1999
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- You Should Be Dancing is a privately held midtown Manhattan dance studio offering private lessons, group classes, wedding packages, and social events in Argentine Tango, Swing, Balboa, and Latin styles, serving individual learners, engaged couples, and the NYC dance community since 1999.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
You Should Be Dancing industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Dance Instruction Services
- NAICS
- Fine Arts Schools (61161), Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (71394)
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Dance Education (Ballet, Contemporary, Hip-Hop, Cultural Dance) (EDAMAAAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Dance & Movement (Ballroom, Contemporary, Social Dance) (EDAAAGAD), Nightclubs (Dance Clubs) (MPAGAIAA), Ballroom & Latin Dance Shows (MPAGADAE)
Keywords
Where You Should Be Dancing is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- New York
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
You Should Be Dancing business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Private Dance Lessons: 55-minute private lessons sold individually ($120) or in packages of 5 ($495), 10 ($950), or 20 ($1800). Additional $25 per person beyond first two. Lessons expire 6 months from purchase.
- Group Dance Classes: 4-week progressive courses at $110 per person, with $90 per course when registering for 2 or more. Drop-in classes available for $30 (only during weeks 1-2 of cycle).
- Wedding Dance Lessons: Customized wedding first dance instruction in packages of 5, 10, or 24 lessons ranging from $495 to $2160. Includes Simple Steps, Have Fun, and Custom Choreography options.
- Workshops: One-time or monthly crash courses and special topic workshops for beginners and experienced dancers. Pricing varies by workshop.
- Dance Events and Parties: Various dance events including Saturday Night Swings with live bands ($25 advance/$30 day of), Tango Cafe, White Heat, Frim Fram Jam, Mala Leche, and Volver NYC Milonga with varying admission fees.
- Studio Space Rentals: Hourly studio rental for events, with daytime rates of $65-100/hour and evening rates of $100-200/hour depending on whether renter is Non-Profit/Arts or Commercial. 50% deposit required for evening bookings.
- Gift Certificates: Gift cards available in custom dollar denominations for use toward group classes, workshops, and private lessons.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Group Course - Full Month Package |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Group Drop-in Class |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Single Private Lesson |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | 5 Private Lessons Package |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | 10 Private Lessons Package |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | 20 Private Lessons Package |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Wedding Dance - Simple Steps |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Wedding Dance - Have Fun |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Wedding Dance - Go All Out! |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Daytime Studio Rental - Non-Profit & Arts |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Daytime Studio Rental - Commercial |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Evening Studio Rental - Non-Profit & Arts |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Evening Studio Rental - Commercial |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Frim Fram Swing Party - DJ Night |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | White Heat Balboa Event |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Saturday Night Swings with Live Band |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Volver NYC Milonga |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Mala Leche Argentine Tango |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Tango Cafe |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Friday Night Fever Ballroom Dance |
| Other | Multi-year contract | NYLX Weekend Event Pass |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
You Should Be Dancing product offering
Product offeringCore offering
You Should Be Dancing is a New York City dance studio that sells in-person dance instruction in Argentine Tango, Swing, Balboa, Ballroom, and Latin styles through private lessons (55-minute sessions sold individually or in packages), progressive 4-week group classes, multi-tier wedding first-dance packages, single-session workshops, and recurring social dance events and parties. The studio also rents its three combinable dance rooms by the hour and hosts the annual NYLX Lindy exchange weekend in partnership with Prohibition Productions and Swing With Us NYC.
Product overview
You Should Be Dancing is a dance studio offering a comprehensive suite of dance instruction services. The core offerings include private lessons, group classes, workshops, and dance events. The studio specializes in Argentine Tango, Swing/Balboa, and wedding dance preparation. Additional services include custom group classes for private events, studio space rentals, and gift certificates. The studio also hosts regular social dance events and the annual NYLX dance exchange.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Private Dance Lessons 55-minute one-on-one dance instruction with professional instructors covering multiple social dance styles for individuals or couples, sold individually or in discounted lesson packages.
- Group Classes Progressive 4-week group dance courses with partner rotation, taught across Argentine Tango, Swing, Balboa, and other styles; drop-in attendance available during weeks 1-2.
- Wedding Dance Lessons Multi-lesson wedding first-dance instruction packages for engaged couples, ranging from basic first-dance steps to fully custom choreography.
- Dance Workshops Single-session or short-run specialty workshops and intensives for various skill levels, featuring both regular staff and guest instructors.
- Dance Parties & Social Events Recurring social dance events and parties including weekly swing nights, Argentine Tango milongas, Balboa nights, and live-band events that drive community engagement and practice opportunities.
- Custom Group Class / Semi-Private Bespoke dance instruction packages for private groups of 10+ participants, including corporate team-building events, birthdays, and families.
- Studio Space Rentals Hourly and event rental of three combinable dance studio rooms to other dance teachers, event organizers, and performing groups.
- Gift Certificates Custom-denomination gift cards redeemable toward group classes, workshops, and private lessons.
- NYLX (New York Lindy Exchange) Annual weekend Lindy Hop dance exchange event featuring workshops, social dancing, and live music, co-produced with Prohibition Productions and Swing With Us NYC.
Quantifiable outcome
- Class sizes limited for best results with personal counseling provided
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use You Should Be Dancing
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
You Should Be Dancing technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
You Should Be Dancing partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Prohibition ProductionscoreCo-producer of NYLX (New York Lindy Exchange) October 9-11, 2026. Prohibition Productions hosts Saturday Night Swings events at YSBD with live swing bands.
- Swing With Us NYCcoreCo-producer of NYLX (New York Lindy Exchange) October 9-11, 2026.
- Frim Fram JamminorWeekly Thursday swing dance party held at YSBD, serving as NYC's home for Lindy Hop since 2001. Features free intro lessons and dancing to DJs.
- White HeatminorMonthly Balboa-focused dance event held at YSBD, featuring live music and DJ dance parties.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
You Should Be Dancing competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Steps on Broadway: Long-running NYC dance studio offering group classes across multiple styles including ballroom, jazz, and social dance. Closest direct peer in geography and multi-style instruction model.
- Peridance Capezio Center: Major NYC dance studio and retail center offering group classes, private lessons, and studio rentals across many dance styles. Comparable in scale, location, and breadth of offering.
- Broadway Dance Center: NYC-based dance studio offering drop-in classes, intensives, and private instruction in multiple styles including ballroom and Latin. Similar audience of adult learners and visiting dancers.
- Ballroom City NYC: NYC-based social and ballroom dance studio offering group classes, private lessons, and practice parties. Direct competitor in the same geography and dance styles.
- Dance Manhattan: Former NYC social dance studio (closed 2014) that previously competed head-to-head with YSBD for Argentine Tango and social dance students; its closure benefited YSBD and absorbed staff.
- Millennium Dance Complex: Large multi-room dance studio offering group classes, intensives, and studio rentals across multiple styles. Comparable facility-based model though skewed toward commercial/hip-hop.
Broad incumbents
- Arthur Murray Dance Studios: Large national franchisor of ballroom dance instruction with locations across the US including NYC. Competes for the same adult social/wedding dance customers at scale.
- Fred Astaire Dance Studios: Established national franchise chain offering private and group ballroom and Latin dance lessons. Overlaps directly with YSBD's wedding and social dance segments.
Emerging players
- Steezy: Online dance instruction platform offering on-demand classes in multiple styles. Indirect competitor that threatens beginner/entry-level demand for in-person studio classes.
Regional players
- Shall We Dance Dance Studios: Regional NJ-based social dance studio chain (Toms River and Sea Girt locations) where YSBD's founder previously taught. Comparable curriculum but does not compete in NYC.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
You Should Be Dancing social profiles
Digital presenceYou Should Be Dancing financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
You Should Be Dancing leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
You Should Be Dancing funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
You Should Be Dancing M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about You Should Be Dancing
What does You Should Be Dancing do?
You Should Be Dancing is a New York City dance studio that sells in-person dance instruction in Argentine Tango, Swing, Balboa, Ballroom, and Latin styles through private lessons (55-minute sessions sold individually or in packages), progressive 4-week group classes, multi-tier wedding first-dance packages, single-session workshops, and recurring social dance events and parties. The studio also rents its three combinable dance rooms by the hour and hosts the annual NYLX Lindy exchange weekend in partnership with Prohibition Productions and Swing With Us NYC.
Is You Should Be Dancing a public or private company?
You Should Be Dancing is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was You Should Be Dancing founded?
You Should Be Dancing was founded in 1999.
Where is You Should Be Dancing based?
You Should Be Dancing is headquartered in New York, United States, in the North America region.
How does You Should Be Dancing make money?
Seven revenue lines are on record. Private Dance Lessons are the primary driver. The others are group Dance Classes, wedding Dance Lessons, workshops, dance Events and Parties, studio Space Rentals and gift Certificates.
Who are You Should Be Dancing's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Steps on Broadway, Peridance Capezio Center, Broadway Dance Center, Ballroom City NYC, Dance Manhattan and Millennium Dance Complex. Broad incumbents are Arthur Murray Dance Studios and Fred Astaire Dance Studios. Steezy is listed as an emerging player. Shall We Dance Dance Studios is listed as a regional player.
Does You Should Be Dancing have an API?
No public API is recorded for You Should Be Dancing.
What industry is You Should Be Dancing in?
You Should Be Dancing's product category is Dance Instruction Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAMAAAH, Dance Education (Ballet, Contemporary, Hip-Hop, Cultural Dance), with a secondary code of EDAAAGAD, Dance & Movement (Ballroom, Contemporary, Social Dance). Its NAICS code is 61161 and its SIC code is 7900.