Detailed Class Descriptions
The classes below are offered on a rotating schedule each year.
Please see our Weekly Classes page to decide which class you should take.
A-Level Classes
Beginning 6-Count Lindy Hop
Join us for an introduction to 6-Count Lindy Hop! We'll teach you the basic 6-count footwork and some simple, fun moves that will get you out on the dance floor. We’ll teach you how to connect with any partner, and build your confidence dancing to different styles and tempos of music. We'll break things down slowly and clearly, give you plenty of practice time, and rotate partners throughout the class so you'll have a chance to dance with everyone. For those of you brand new to swing dancing, this is a great class to start with.
Beginning Charleston
Join us for an introduction to Charleston! We'll teach you the basic 8-count footwork and some simple, fun Charleston moves that will get you out on the dance floor. We’ll show you techniques to connect with any partner, and build your confidence dancing to different styles and tempos of music. We'll break things down slowly and clearly, give you plenty of practice time, and rotate partners throughout the class so you'll have a chance to dance with everyone. For those of you brand new to swing dancing, this is a great class to get your feet wet and have some fun!
Beginning 8-Count Lindy Hop
Join us for an introduction to 8-Count Lindy Hop! In the world of "swing dance", there are a few essential dances to know: Charleston, 6-Count Lindy Hop, and 8-Count Lindy Hop, which is considered the soul of the dance. We'll teach you the basic 8-Count Lindy Hop footwork and some simple, fun moves that will get you out on the dance floor. We’ll teach you how to connect with any partner, and build your confidence dancing to different styles and tempos of music. We'll break things down slowly and clearly, give you plenty of practice time, and rotate partners throughout the class so you'll have a chance to dance with everyone. For those of you brand new to swing dancing, this is a great class to get you started.
B1-Level Classes
Note: Each B-level class has a specific focus, but you can expect to do a little 6 and 8-Count Lindy Hop and Charleston in each of these sessions. We mix these styles as often as possible to get our B-Level students comfortable with transitions.
Integrating Your 6 and 8-Counts
This class will help you smooth out transitions between the 6 and 8-count moves you learned in the A-level classes. We'll teach you a bunch of new ways to change familiar 6-count moves into 8-count moves, and most importantly, we'll practice so much that you'll be comfortable counting less and dancing more!
Lindy Stew
New moves, connecting with your partner, thinking about the music, building on solid basics... It's all part of Lindy Stew! This class is full of fun material for the intermediate dancer. We keep a running list of all the essential things we think our B-level students should learn, and if it doesn't fit into our other sessions we throw it in the Lindy Stew pot for your consumption. This is a fun session full of unexpected new material.
Swingout Funshop
The swingout is the most essential element of Lindy Hop so it makes sense to do it well! In this class, we'll refine your swingout, and add in new moves and variations that will give you all kinds of options to vary the basic swingout. You'll leave this class with a lot of new tools to make your Lindy Hop fun and varied!
Intermediate Charleston
Building on what you learned in the Beginning Charleston class, we'll start by reviewing the basics before moving into more challenging Charleston moves. You'll learn Crossover, Airplane, and Tandem Charleston, and how to make your familiar 6-Count moves into Charleston moves when the music speeds up. Get ready to move!
Spring Routine Class
In this class we'll mix elements from all of the B-level classes and put them into a fun and challenging routine. Learning a routine not only solidifies how to dance a set of moves, but it can also help improve details like timing, rhythm, and flow. In the end we'll have a routine that can be performed at our summer swing events!
B+ Level Class Descriptions Coming Soon!
C-Level Classes
Breaking the Pattern
You’ve taken all of our A and B-level classes and you’re comfortable with common patterns. But what about leading and following the unexpected? This class will work on doing things we don’t normally do: using the other hand, turning different ways, breaking muscle memory, and exploring uncommon counts. It will challenge you to become a more interesting dancer by exploring the unexpected!
Putting Solo Jazz in Your Partner Dancing
In this class we’ll explore the many ways we can incorporate solo movement into our partner dancing. We’ll look at common solo jazz movements, footwork variations, and rhythm changes that will challenge the intermediate-advanced dancer. As always, we’ll focus on clear leading and adaptive following while encouraging creativity in your partner dancing!
Advanced Charleston
If you’ve taken our A and B-level Charleston classes but you’re ready for a new challenge, this class is for you! We’ll look at advanced variations of common Charleston moves as well as a rotating selection of interesting and creative Charleston movements and transitions between moves. This class will be high energy and fun!
Slowing It Down/Speeding It Up
In this class we’ll work on adapting our dancing using tempo and momentum changes. We’ll teach you techniques to use when the music kicks up a notch, slows way down, and also how to change the texture of your dancing within a single song tempo through momentum changes. This class will challenge you to become a more versatile dancer!
Spring Routine Class
In this class we'll mix elements from all of our classes and put them into a fun and challenging routine. Learning a routine not only solidifies how to dance a set of moves, but it can also help improve details like timing, rhythm and flow. In the end we'll have a routine that can be performed at our summer swing events!
D-Level Classes
Advanced Topics w/ Stefan Durham and Bethany Powell
The D-Level class is for dancers who are interested in digging a bit deeper, and are eager to be more self-directed in their learning. The class meets twice per month: once with guest instructors Stefan and Bethany, and once on our own to work on the new material. Topics TBD.