From Beginner to Caller: Square Dance Classes Shaping Biscayne Park
How a timeless tradition is weaving new connections and creating community leaders, one do-si-do at a time.
In the heart of Biscayne Park, something is stirring that’s more than just music and movement. It’s the sound of shuffling feet, friendly laughter, and the rhythmic call of figures—a community square dance revival that’s turning novices into neighbors, and neighbors into callers.
The Unexpected Beat in a Suburban Heart
It didn’t start with a grand plan. It started with a handful of curious residents and a retired caller, Martha, who missed the sound of a hall full of dancers. She posted a simple flyer at the community center: “Square Dance? Let’s try.” The response wasn’t a flood, but a steady trickle—a retired teacher, a software engineer working from home, a young parent, a high school student looking for something “analog.”
That first class was a tangle of left and right hands, confused promenades, and joyful apologies. But within that friendly chaos, something clicked. It wasn’t just about learning the steps; it was about the eight-person puzzle that only worked with cooperation, the eye contact, the shared focus required to complete a simple allemande left.
The Curriculum: More Than Just Steps
The classes, now running in six-week cycles, have evolved into a structured yet social ladder:
The Pathway of the Modern Dancer
- Level 1: The Social Square – Basic calls, circle etiquette, and the philosophy of “wrong is just a new figure.” Focus is on fun and familiarity.
- Level 2: The Thinking Dancer – Mainstream calls, quicker sequencing, and spatial awareness. Dancers start to feel the music in the calls.
- Level 3: The Community Caller (Elective) – This is where the magic deepens. Interested dancers learn the art of calling: timing, cueing, voice control, and the psychology of guiding a square.
“The calling class was the game-changer,” says Ben, 42, a graphic designer and now a trainee caller. “It flipped the script. I went from just listening to the call to understanding how to create the experience for others. It’s like learning to conduct an orchestra where the instruments are people.”
The Ripple Effect in the Park
The impact has spilled out of the community center. You see it in subtle ways:
- Neighborhood Connections: The “square” has become a metaphor. People who met in class now organize block parties, check on each other, and share tools. The dance required trust, and that trust migrated home.
- Intergenerational Bridges: It’s one of the few activities where teens and seniors are literal partners, solving the same problem. The shared laughter over a missed turn is a powerful social leveler.
- Local Business Involvement: The hardware store sponsors the beginner’s badges. The local bakery provides snacks for “graduation” nights. It’s become a point of civic pride.
The Callers of Tomorrow
The most ambitious outcome is the nascent “Caller’s Guild” of Biscayne Park. Three graduates from the program now run the beginner classes, mentored by Martha. They’re developing a local, sustainable ecosystem for the art form.
“A caller isn’t just a voice on a microphone,” explains Martha. “A caller is a community leader, an encourager, a facilitator of joy. Seeing shy individuals find their voice—both literally and figuratively—to lead a square is the most rewarding part.”
Your Square is Waiting
So, what’s the draw in 2026? In a world of fragmented attention and digital interaction, square dance offers a tangible, collective accomplishment. It’s collaborative, not competitive. It requires presence—you can’t scroll while do-si-do-ing your corner.
The next beginner cycle starts next month. No partner needed, no fancy clothes required. Just a willingness to step into the square, offer your hand, and maybe, just maybe, find yourself one day holding the mic, shaping the joy for the next wave of beginners.
