In Conversation with Maya Moves: Wedding Dance Expert

I recently went live on Instagram with Maya Sank, founder of Maya Moves–a full service personalized dance company! She offers group and private lessons for students of all ages, and works with couples to prepare for their first dances at their weddings.

Maya’s goal is to make people wonder if a couple had assistance or not, and just make them look really natural.

Maya’s business has really taken off in the past few years. What makes her so great is that she not only works with couples in the city in-person, she also does lessons on Zoom. She often doesn’t need to be in-person with a couple because she’s just teaching some basic moves.

“…what I’m doing is just molding them to look like themselves for that minute of dancing instead of putting a choreographed dance on them.”

I also asked Maya about the “sweet spot” for the length of a wedding dance. She says a minute or a minute-and-a-half is perfect… and beyond two minutes, it often starts to feel long (for you and your guests). 

In terms of first dance music, Maya encourages her clients to come to her with a song picked out… or at least a genre or vibe.

“They have to love what they’re doing up there with the song… so that’s what I start with.”

Maya does help couples decide what parts of a song to use. Sometimes the song will play just through the first chorus, and sometimes she helps them splice a part of the song they really like to happen sooner, or tell the band to play certain parts of the song. 

“What I really like (and this is what my sister, Ariel, and her husband Max did) is when a couple dances up until about the first chorus and then they use the rest of the song to be like, ‘Everyone come out and join us!’”

I asked Maya what advice she has for couples that are nervous about being the center of attention during their first dance, and she said that taking a moment at the beginning of the song to talk to each other is a good way to calm nerves.

Talking while dancing keeps you in the present, so you won’t panic if you miss something.

“Even if you’re someone who hates this and doesn’t want to be up there, saying that to your partner during this is honestly fine! Say, ‘I’m so uncomfortable right now,’ to your partner, because then you’re giggling… that looks better than when you can tell a couple wants it to be over.”

I work with a lot of former dancers, so I asked Maya if she approaches her work differently when someone in a couple has dance training.

“I always find it so fun to work with dancers because this is a chance for them to bring back their skills. I say, ‘We have to show that you have a beautiful arch,’ and they say ‘Wait! I don’t dance anymore.’ I’m like, ‘Yeah, but your fiance can hold you as you arch a little bit.’ And it’s pretty, without it looking like you’re showing off your dance skills.”

Maya also asked me about my process for photographing first dances, and I shared that I usually start center stage, and then move depending on the couple. I also try to make photos of audience members that are particularly excited, like parents or grandparents. 

Maya let me know she actually choreographs first dances with photos in mind… i.e. holding certain poses, the entrance, etc. 

Finally, I asked Maya how much couples should practice for their first dances.

“If you’re engaged, get in touch! Usually within two months of your wedding is the sweet spot to get started, because I want it to be fresh! You’ll have an hour with me and then 4-6 weeks to have a run through. You will always walk away from your lesson with a video, and you don’t really need more than one lesson.” 

“I want it to be like you!”

For more information about Maya’s work, head to her website: mayamovesofficial.com

Thanks so much for chatting with me, Maya = )