The world-renowned Fred Astaire Dance Studio has a new home in Wellington. The studio opened in October 2019 and has already snagged the top spot in the 2020 Best of Palm Beach County Awards for dance studios. Part of this success stems from the fact that the new site offers a variety of dance genres for all ages, styles and abilities.
When Fred Astaire Dance Studio (FADS) Wellington owner Doreen Scheinpflug Fortman first started as a dance instructor, she never envisioned the career and opportunities that lay ahead.
“I am originally from Germany. I started dancing when I was five,” Scheinpflug said. “In 2006, I moved to the United States because they were looking for experienced European dancers to come here and teach. I actually came just to have a year or two of a fun experience before getting into the real adult world.”
Scheinpflug studied marketing and graphic design in college and was intrigued by an ad in a dance magazine that ended up bringing her to Connecticut. She was impressed by the structure and unexpected career opportunities that FADS had to offer.
“Fred Astaire Dance Studios is a big corporation. The school was developed by Fred Astaire himself, who opened the first studio in 1947 in New York City,” Scheinpflug explained. “The feel inside the studio is that we are carrying on his legend, his steps and techniques. I ended up really liking it. I enjoy working with people. I like to see how they feel when they are seeing progress.”
FADS has nearly 170 studios spread across the country, giving a unique structure to the schools and extensive resources to its clients.
“Being from Germany, I like to have structure — to have plans. Fred Astaire has a unique trophy system. There is a foundation level, bronze, silver and gold. Each level gives you a program of what steps to be learning and what the techniques are, so we can show the clients their progress.”
This trophy system also means participants can take their training to any FADS location in the country and stay on track without losing a step.
But often clients walk through the studio doors with a specific purpose in mind.
“Sometimes people come in for their wedding dance or something very specific, like they are going on a cruise. We also get lots of couples that just want to have a date night. This is one sport where people can do it together because you don’t compete,” Scheinpflug said. “You play tennis — who is going to win? Any type of game or sport is about competition, but dancing is about working with each other leading and following.”
FADS Wellington begins adults with a special introductory experience — two private lessons for a flat rate. This can be an individual or a couple and gives the instructor a chance to connect with the student before offering advice on which classes to take. Children ages five to nine receive their first group class free as well.
“Couples see it is a great way to spend time together and reconnect. For those without a significant other, they can come and meet people in a friendly, social environment and build a new group of friends,” Scheinpflug said. “Also, it’s a great exercise. Some people don’t necessarily like to go to the gym, but they want to stay fit and active.”
FADS Wellington offers regular social events, participates in local community events and even has a special showcase where students perform for the public. Scheinpflug’s studio also works with local organizations in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease.
“Not only do you have to remember steps, but you’ve got to coordinate those steps with music and movement,” she said. “We are there to enrich lives from the mental health, physical health and social life aspects, because dancing has huge benefits.”
Here in South Florida, Latin dances like the salsa and cha-cha are very popular, and FADS Wellington has experienced staff in place to bring the best instruction to its students. Studio managers Michael and Tanya Chaves, along with the rest of the team, hail from around the globe and bring with them a diverse repertoire.
“There is no college to be a dance teacher. Most of the time you have a dancer who’s decided to become a teacher, but there is so much more to be a good instructor,” Scheinpflug said. “If you are familiar with Dancing with the Stars, Tony Dovolani is the national dance director for FADS. He is in charge of making sure the dance quality is top notch. Our teachers are tested every six months to ensure the instruction remains top level.”
This depth gives FADS Wellington the ability to recommend dances for students or tailor lessons to fit their strengths and interests.
After running a successful location in West Palm Beach for 12 years, Scheinpflug is thrilled to bring the talent to Wellington, where she lives with her husband and is happily raising her baby daughter, Anya.
“The Wellington community — it has been amazing to see how supportive the community is. I ran a business in the West Palm Beach area, and it grew to one of the top studios in the country, but here I’ve really experienced support,” she said. “The goal was always to have a location in Wellington because I love the community.”
The Fred Astaire Dance Studio Wellington is located at 157 S. State Road 7, Suite 103. To make an appointment, or learn more about classes, call the studio at (561) 812-3825 or visit www.fredastaire.com/wellington. Questions can also be e-mailed to wellington@fredastaire.com.