Bringing the joy of dance to the nation’s capital for over 40 years. Whether you're stepping onto the dance floor for the first time or looking to refine your technique, we offer a welcoming and supportive environment to learn a variety of ballroom and latin styles — from Waltz and Foxtrot to Tango, Rumba, and beyond.
Our studio offers private lessons, group lessons, and practice party instruction. Learn to dance as a couple, or individually with a professional dance instructor at the happiest, friendliest spot in town!
New Student Introductory Specials
Interested in learning how to dance but not sure where to begin? Our new student specials includes private, group lesson, and party lessons for you to enjoy solo or with a partner. Allow us to introduce you to various ballroom styles and prove that learning to dance can be easy and fun!
The first dance at a wedding is a special moment. It’s when the couples' eyes don’t leave each other, yet all eyes are on them. We want your first dance to reflect the love and unity in your relationship, but most importantly we want you to both to enjoy this special moment!
I love my dance lessons at the Ottawa Fred Astaire Dance Studio! I sometimes feel like I have two left feet, but the incredibly talented instructors have been successful in teaching even me, and making it fun in the process.
I appreciated that it wasn’t necessary to register with a partner. Their lessons are very adaptable, with flexible scheduling, so I benefit in my own lessons equally as well as the student couples, through private and group lessons. And the studio dance parties are another great way to practice and have fun with other students! I’ve met a lot of nice people also taking lessons! Big dance floor, great variety of music. So far I’ve learned waltz, foxtrot, tango, swing and cha-cha, and I continue to learn, improve and have fun under their guidance.
Nicola
Awesome experience as a couple!! We're taking private classes with Isabel, she's very funny and professional, guides us kindly always with a smile and pushes our natural talent for dancing further (lol) we're beginners. We've been going weekly, making the dance class a very special date night every week and we're very much looking forward to it. It always cheers us up no matter how bad the work day way and how tired we are. We recommend! It's a game changing activity!
Morgane & Derek
I started dancing about two years ago at the Fred Astaire Dance Studios. I simply wanted to try something new. Little did I know back then, dance would have become my new hobby! I fell in love with tango after my first lesson. It was love at first steps!! Fast forward two years later, I am amazed about the progress and confidence I have gained while dancing. The instructors are very friendly and helpful. Dance became a part of my weekly schedule. It is not only a great way to exercise and stay fit while expressing my creativity. Dance became my time of the week where I allow myself to pause and take a mental break to have a blast at the studio and learn new things!
Ariane
Fred Astaire Dance Studio Ottawa is an absolute gem! The team is not just instructors; they're maestros of fun on the dance floor. Their enthusiasm and guidance make every lesson thoroughly enjoyable. With their help, we're working to reach our goal to dance like Fred and Ginger…but at the after party; a little awkward, a few missed steps, and somewhat unbalanced but still full of elegance and grace :). From the studio lessons to the practice parties, their passion for dance shines through, making every step a delightful journey. If you're looking to learn to dance with a well planned and structured curriculum while having a blast doing it, look no further than Fred Astaire Dance Studio Ottawa!
Andrew & Amanda
I was happily surprised with how great this is. Honestly, whether you have never danced before or have lots of experience, this studio covers all levels.
The teachers here are so thoughtful of teaching at your pace, and you can tell they really love dance and are well versed in many different styles. If you are a beginner you’ll be surprised how fun the lessons are and how well they explain to make things easy for students; and if you are experienced you will be amazed by their depth of knowledge and skill to help you build on top of your experience. A gem within in the city for sure!
Evan
My fiance and I have been coming for 4 months now. It's been a great experience so far. Dancing is a great life skill and translates well with various sports such as golf. As a Personal Trainer, I believe the hip movements and various body rotations would benefit any athlete.
The staff are all very kind and a huge shout out to our instructor Kayla! She always brings enthusiasm and energy and she's a huge reason why we're continuing to our bronze level and possibly further.
Dancing is a fun hobby and a great date night. I would recommend Fred Astaire to anyone.
Kevin & Chelsea
I love my dance lessons at the Ottawa Fred Astaire Dance Studio! I sometimes feel like I have two left feet, but the incredibly talented instructors have been successful in teaching even me, and making it fun in the process.
I appreciated that it wasn’t necessary to register with a partner. Their lessons are very adaptable, with flexible scheduling, so I benefit in my own lessons equally as well as the student couples, through private and group lessons. And the studio dance parties are another great way to practice and have fun with other students! I’ve met a lot of nice people also taking lessons! Big dance floor, great variety of music. So far I’ve learned waltz, foxtrot, tango, swing and cha-cha, and I continue to learn, improve and have fun under their guidance.
Nicola
Awesome experience as a couple!! We're taking private classes with Isabel, she's very funny and professional, guides us kindly always with a smile and pushes our natural talent for dancing further (lol) we're beginners. We've been going weekly, making the dance class a very special date night every week and we're very much looking forward to it. It always cheers us up no matter how bad the work day way and how tired we are. We recommend! It's a game changing activity!
Morgane & Derek
I started dancing about two years ago at the Fred Astaire Dance Studios. I simply wanted to try something new. Little did I know back then, dance would have become my new hobby! I fell in love with tango after my first lesson. It was love at first steps!! Fast forward two years later, I am amazed about the progress and confidence I have gained while dancing. The instructors are very friendly and helpful. Dance became a part of my weekly schedule. It is not only a great way to exercise and stay fit while expressing my creativity. Dance became my time of the week where I allow myself to pause and take a mental break to have a blast at the studio and learn new things!
Ariane
Fred Astaire Dance Studio Ottawa is an absolute gem! The team is not just instructors; they're maestros of fun on the dance floor. Their enthusiasm and guidance make every lesson thoroughly enjoyable. With their help, we're working to reach our goal to dance like Fred and Ginger…but at the after party; a little awkward, a few missed steps, and somewhat unbalanced but still full of elegance and grace :). From the studio lessons to the practice parties, their passion for dance shines through, making every step a delightful journey. If you're looking to learn to dance with a well planned and structured curriculum while having a blast doing it, look no further than Fred Astaire Dance Studio Ottawa!
Andrew & Amanda
I was happily surprised with how great this is. Honestly, whether you have never danced before or have lots of experience, this studio covers all levels.
The teachers here are so thoughtful of teaching at your pace, and you can tell they really love dance and are well versed in many different styles. If you are a beginner you’ll be surprised how fun the lessons are and how well they explain to make things easy for students; and if you are experienced you will be amazed by their depth of knowledge and skill to help you build on top of your experience. A gem within in the city for sure!
Evan
My fiance and I have been coming for 4 months now. It's been a great experience so far. Dancing is a great life skill and translates well with various sports such as golf. As a Personal Trainer, I believe the hip movements and various body rotations would benefit any athlete.
The staff are all very kind and a huge shout out to our instructor Kayla! She always brings enthusiasm and energy and she's a huge reason why we're continuing to our bronze level and possibly further.
Dancing is a fun hobby and a great date night. I would recommend Fred Astaire to anyone.
Kevin & Chelsea
Wedding Preparation to Lifelong Hobby
"What started out as simply preparing for a wedding quickly turned into a hobby for life. The team at Fred Astaire really know how to create a fun and exciting environment to be in. I honestly think there is no better place to learn how to dance." - Shayne
Shayne began dancing in the fall of 2023 and attended his first competition soon after in June 2024. He was recognized as the Top Male Student for the entire competition -WAY TO GO SHAYNE!
"For years we talked about learning to dance together, and never followed through. We both loved music, but could never enjoy it at events beyond the “hug and shuffle”. We eventually took the plunge on a 5-lesson package, and have never looked back. We love to be able to take the time together for ourselves. We love to be able to learn a new skill with each other. We love being able to show off our abilities at various functions. Most of all, we love an opportunity to touch each other, and work together as a partnership." - Steve & Eva
Showcase your new moves with fellow students at our Studio Parties. These parties are a fun way to meet other students and put what you have learned into practice.
It’s imperative for us to give back to the Ottawa community. For over 18 years, we have provided free dance instructions and performances at the Viennese Winter Ball, Bust a Move’s fundraiser for breast health, and other Ottawa-based charity events.
In 1947, Fred Astaire, along with his partner Charles Casanave, Sr., a retired motion picture executive, opened the very first Fred Astaire Dance Studio on New York City’s famous Park Avenue. It was an instant success and soon the company was on its way to opening franchises throughout the world, making it a pioneer in the franchise business. The foundation of the business then and today is the dance programs that were personally designed by Fred Astaire. Throughout the years and decades that followed, the company grew quickly as franchises opened throughout the world.
