Ricci-Lee Hotz
Owner & Instructor at Hotz Dance
Ricci-Lee Hotz began her dance career in 2008 at the age of 16 after her 11-year competitive gymnastics career in Arizona. Ricci immediately fell in love with dancing & began training competitively as a pro-am & collegiate dancer, while also running the University of Arizona’s ballroom club. Ricci was a top finalist in both collegiate (rhythm and smooth) and open pro-am in American rhythm.
In 2017, after Ricci received her master's degree in nutrition & became a Registered Dietitian, she moved to Colorado to pursue her competitive professional dance career in American Rhythm. During this time, she also began teaching social, wedding dance, & competitive students, competing with students in multiple styles while simultaneously running her private practice.
In 2023, Ricci relocated to Minneapolis & began commuting to Boston to continue her professional competitive ventures. Additionally, she began teaching students in both Minneapolis & Boston.
In the past 7 years of her professional career, she has been a Professional American Rhythm Rising Star and Open finalist at multiple competitions across the country.
Beginning in 2024, Ricci has transitioned to an exciting new Professional American Rhythm partnership allowing her to spend more time teaching in Minneapolis. This allows her to focus on sharing her love of dance with students of all skill levels, ages, & goals. Ricci also continues to run her private practice as a registered dietitian & loves combining her passion for health & dancing to provide the best experience to her students.
Dances We Teach:
American Rhythm: Cha Cha, Rumba, East Coast Swing, Bolero & Mambo
Smooth: Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, Viennese Waltz
Internation Latin: International Cha Cha, Samba, International Rumba, Jive
Nightclub: Hustle, West Coast Swing, Nightclub Two-Step, Salsa, Bachata, Merengue
Country Dances: Country Two Step, Country Swing, Country Waltz
Dances by Special Request Only: Paso Doble, International Waltz, International Tango, International Viennese Waltz, International Foxtrot, Quickstep, Special Event Choreography
Services We Offer:
Our Professional Dance Instructor Ricci-Lee offers Private Lessons for both Singles & Couples (all genders & LGBTQ+ are welcome) of all ages with a wide range of dance goals in Minneapolis. Ricci is also available to teach ballroom master classes at youth dance studios & group classes by request. Coaching outside of Minneapolis is also available.
Social Dance Lessons:
Are you looking to learn some dance moves to burn up the floor at a social event, looking to add a new physical activity/hobby to your routine, or are you looking for a fun date night activity? Social Dance Lessons are for you!
Competition Dance Lessons:
Have you been taking dance lessons for awhile & looking to bring your skills to the next level on the competition floor? Are you brand new to ballroom dancing, but have a competitive nature? Are you looking to find a hobby that will give you the opportunity to travel & be a part of a bigger dance community? Are you Looking for some higher level technique or styling lessons? Competition Dance Lessons are for you!
Performance/Solo Lessons:
Are you looking to build your confidence? Are you a natural performer & looking for an opportunity to utilize your skills? Performance/Solo Lessons are great to develop an individualized routine that highlights you as a dancer & helps you express yourself through dance in a focused & fun way!
Wedding Dance Lessons:
Are you looking to make your first dance extra memorable? We can design a routine to help you create anything from a natural feeling first dance that decreases the stress of going out on the dance floor & allows you to enjoy the moment to to an intricate, choreographed first. We will ensure your first dance is everything you want it to be. We also are happy to work with parent dances (for example: “mother-son” & “father-daughter)
Master Classes:
In the past few years, ballroom has become more prevalent at dance conventions. Are you looking to bring ballroom master classes to your “non ballroom” dance studio? We can work with your dancers on developing ballroom technique as well as develop & work through combinations to strengthen your studio’s performance in ballroom at conventions. Note: we are also able to offer private lessons for dancers from your studio who want to continue to grow their solo ballroom work)
Group Classes:
Are you looking for an instructor to teach your ballroom group class before a social dance? Are you looking to host a private group class for an event? We can offer these services when scheduled in advance.
Coaching:
Are you looking for an extra pair of eyes for you or your student’s dancing? Are you an amateur couple looking for a coach to support your growth in your dancing? Are you a student looking for extra styling or solo work to improve your dancing with your primary instructor? We are able to offer coaching services to individuals in Minneapolis & studios throughout Minnesota & the country.
Contact Us:
We look forward to supporting you through your dance journey!
Please feel free to reach out to us with any questions you may have or to get on our schedule for your first lesson with Hotz Dance!
Pricing:
Please Contact Us for our standard 45-minute lesson rates.
**If you are new to dancing, we offer a 45-minute discounted introductory lesson for $50.
Location:
Our Primary teaching location is Soul Ballroom in Plymouth, MN.
If you would like to take lessons at another location please reach out to us & we can discuss options.
Scheduling:
We are available for lessons Monday-Friday.
*Hours available by request.
*Weekends available for limited, advanced scheduling events.
