The first connection starts with you
On udansa, you can find dance contacts in Paris and reach out to them with a personal message. A shared dance goal gives you a concrete reason to get in touch.
Making contact6 minutes
Message a dance partner in Paris: How to get started
By Mary De LucaUpdated
- Start your message on udansa with a specific dance interest you share in Paris.
- Mention what kind of lessons you're looking for, your preferred language of instruction, and the general area where you live, without sharing your address.
- End with an easy-to-answer question and avoid making demands or trying to schedule a time right away.
A person you don't know should be able to tell from just a few lines why you're reaching out to them specifically. Your message doesn't have to sound perfect: personal, clear wording helps more than a polished application.
What you need for your message
- A specific dance connection on udansa
- A shared interest you actually mention
- What you’re looking for in a lesson, in one sentence
- Your preferred language for lessons
- Your general area of residence, without an exact address
A shared dance goal makes your message personal
If you want to message a dance partner in Paris, it helps to refer to something they mentioned themselves. “You want to strengthen your basic Tango steps” is a different opening from “You seem nice.” The first sentence shows that you read about their dance goal. The second leaves it unclear why you are reaching out. Refer to something they said, not to qualities you assume they have. A photo tells you neither their preferred language of instruction nor their learning goal.
Shared interests can be about lessons, music or dance history. The bal musette became popular in Paris in the 1880s. If your contact specifically mentions traditions like these, you can build on that; you can find background information on the page about the dance culture of Paris. But an interest in performances does not necessarily mean they want to dance with a partner.
So also say what you are looking for: for example, taking a beginner course together or practising familiar steps. The overview of ways to learn in Paris dance courses can help you describe your goal precisely. The language of instruction and the area where you live are just a starting point for your message. You do not need to explain your language skills in detail or calculate travel times. Whether you would prefer lessons or a dance evening is an important distinction; for the second option, see the guide to going dancing in Paris.
Your first message in seven steps
Choose a specific point of connection
Pick something the contact said that you can respond to honestly: a dance style, a course they’re interested in, or a musical interest. Choose just one point of connection to start with. You have a useful opening when the same sentence wouldn’t work for just anyone.
Start with a name and a reason
Write “Hello” and the name shown, then explain why you’re reaching out: “You mention that you’d like to strengthen your Salsa basics.” Don’t include private information from other contexts. A friendly opening needs neither compliments about appearance nor an apology for getting in touch.
Add your own request
Add a sentence that makes your intention clear: “I’m also looking for someone to take a beginner course with.” Briefly and honestly describe your experience, for example, “I know the basic step.” A list of all the courses obscures the request you want the other person to respond to.
State your preferred language of instruction
Express your preference as a personal request: „For lessons, English would be my preference.“ If you're flexible, „French or English works for me“ is enough. Don't claim which language a particular course uses. The message only describes what would work for you.
Share your general residential area
Share your residential area only as specifically as you’d like: “I live in the 11th arrondissement.” Don’t include a street, house number, or daily commute. This gives your contact an initial sense of your location without already choosing a meeting point or route.
Close with a simple question
Bring the open points together in one response option: “Does this course request generally work for you?” The language of instruction and your area of residence are already listed above and can be referenced in the reply. Leave out calendar questions. A friendly sign-off is enough, there’s no need to ask for a quick response.
Shorten and send the draft
Here’s what the finished text could sound like: “Hi Alex, your Salsa class request matches mine. I know the basic steps and am looking for beginner lessons together, preferably in English. I live in the 11th arrondissement. Does that generally work for you? Best, Kim.” Replace all the details with your own.
Dance classes in Paris
To find classes that suit what you both want to learn, use the course filter on udansa to see the latest classes in Paris.
Write personally without putting pressure on them
Yes, like this
- Mention a dance interest they actually named
- State the language of instruction as your own preference
- Share only a general area where you live
- Give them the option to respond openly to your suggestion
Not like this
- Sending the same impersonal message to everyone
- Inferring language skills from someone's name or appearance
- Sharing your address and exact daily routes without being asked
- Demanding a yes or an immediate reply
Quickly review your message
Before You Write
Selection
Before sending
Draft
After sending
Wrap-up
Frequently Asked Questions
A short paragraph with a few complete sentences is enough for an initial contact. Each sentence should serve a purpose: a personal reason for reaching out, what you’re looking for, the language of instruction, your area, or a closing question. If you need long subordinate clauses, start by cutting your detailed dance biography. A concise message can still be friendly and end with a greeting.
You can reuse the structure, but the personal opening needs to suit each contact. Don’t just swap out the name. Refer to an interest they actually mentioned and check that what you’re looking for fits. A template is a writing aid, not a reason to invent common ground where none exists.
Say directly that you’re a beginner and would like to start lessons with someone. “I haven’t taken a class yet and would like to learn the basics” is enough context. You don’t need to apologize for feeling unsure. But avoid “I’m sure I’ll learn very quickly,” because that promises something you don’t know yet.
No, your job usually isn’t necessary for a first dance inquiry. What matters is what kind of dance lessons you’re looking for and the information needed to make an initial reply possible. Your employer, place of study, or private phone number don’t need to be included by default either. Leave out personal details that have no clear relevance to the proposed lessons.
Say that you’re open to different styles and refer to a preference the contact has explicitly mentioned. For example: “I’m looking for my first partner dance class and your suggestion sounds like a good fit.” That’s more honest than pretending you’ve been interested in this style for a long time. Saying “I’ll dance anything,” on the other hand, doesn’t do much to help you find common ground.
A course link isn’t necessary in your first message. Start by describing the kind of lessons you’re looking for instead of presenting your contact with a finished selection. If you’re looking for the same thing, you can browse suitable courses on udansa later. That way, your initial inquiry doesn’t require a booking decision or a review of several offers.
