Classes, Dances, & Levels

For schedule, pricing, and locations, please go here.

Jitterbug Swing 1

For singles and partners who don't mind switching

Have a truly great night out and learn to swing dance! Over this 3-part, 12-week course, you will learn the fundamentals of swing dancing. We cover Lindy Hop (The original partnered swing dance), Charleston, and what people call Jive (we just call it 6-count Lindy). You can take just 1 part at a time, or complete the program with all three parts for more savings and more fun!

Part A

We start you off with Jive (6-count Lindy) and proceed into 8-count Lindy for the next two classes. It's a perfect start to our Jitterbug Swing program. Learn to be a great lead and superb follow!

Note: Parts B and C are interchangeable, and C can be taken before B. Pre-requisites are either Part A or prior dance experience.

Part B

We cover both 8-count Lindy and 6-count Lindy (Jive) fairly equally in part B. We show you great 6-count moves you can take ANYWHERE, but also how to integrate both 8c and 6c into one complete dance!

Part C

We start off again with more 8-count Lindy and then... Charleston! Charleston is the root of Lindy and have so much in common. It's lively, fast, and way cool.

Now you're ready for Lindy Hop 2...

Sweetheart Swing

...partner required!

Looking for some fun with your friend, hubby, or girlfriend? Join Sweetheart Swing. It's a 6-week course where you get to learn some sweet moves, and how to be a solid lead and nice follow! We cover 2-3 classes on 6-count Lindy (what people call Jive) and 3-4 classes on Lindy Hop - the cool swing dance you see in all the movies, and shows like "So You Think You Can Dance". Sure to be a blast!

Solo Jazz 1

There a so many dance moves that were created in the 20's through 40's that are really fun and unique, but have been all but forgotten! Maybe you're hip-hop dancer looking for inspiration, or a mom wanting to get out of the house, or a stiff guy wanting to loosen up - this series will empower, excite, and inspire. No experience needed, all ages, no partner!

Tap 1

Get your rhythm on with tap! Tap will inspire you, as it combines dancing and playing music. It is a versatile dance that can be used to create music, show off jazz movements, learn rhythm and syncapation, do acrobatic moves, or even spice up your swing dancing.

Lindy Hop 2

We've got a lot of FUN in store for you with Lindy Hop 2! This is intermediate swing dancing at its finest. Learn smooth moves, pretty styling, and sweet connection over these courses. Although we have a standard 3 parts, Lindy Hop is such a diverse dance that we're sure to add-or-modify more parts as time goes on.

All parts are interchangeable. Three parts typically required before entering level 3.

Part A

Look forward to learning how to make your body move beautifully! Over four weeks, we'll be teaching different swingouts, spinning technique, momentum, swivels, footwork variations, musicality, and so much more! We'll be teaching a bit of Jazz dancing to help you learn more Lindy Hop. P.S. .

Part B

Nice connection feels oh-so-good. We'll be helping you connect better to your partner, teach some spins, turns, combos, and also, some Balboa! In this part of level 2, we cover 1-2 classes of Balboa so that you can dance to those extreme tempos.

Part C

It feels great to get the hang of dancing, especially Lindy! We'll be covering concepts of rhythm, breaks, slides, tricks, dips in Lindy Hop. Also, we'll spend a class or two on more Charleston moves and how to transition seamlessly from Charleston to Lindy.

Part X

This is where you come in! Have a great class idea? Wanna learn more Jig Steps, Drags, Jazz, Slow Lindy, Blues? Let us know and we can provide quality instruction in a variety of areas in swing, and add to our curriculum!

Lindy Hop 3

Level 3 is where it's at! For a full meal of Lindy Hop, Birkley and Julie will be teaching Lindy Hop technique, moves, and concepts to help make your Lindy Hop easier and more pleasant. We will be releasing class descriptions shortly. Pre-requisits: Prior JS3, or 3 classes of JS2 or workshops, plus lots of current social dancing. We encourage all to register. We also may ask for an audition!

Dance Descriptions

Lindy Hop

This is the original swing dance and the dance of choice among swing dancers. It is spirited and playful, done slow and fast - you can shape it into whatever you want.

Lindy Hop is best described as this awesomeness:

Don't worry about it being too crazy! Lindy is commonly danced at half the speed and without all the performance aerials.

Jive

Jive is well-known throughout the country, and is taught in grade-school and dance studios. We teach the basics but add more flair than what you'd normally see!

Jitterbug

Jitterbug is a slang term that originally meant "inexperienced/beginner dancer". Coined by musicians and established dancers after seeing excited people dancing with no dance background dance wildly because of the exciting music back in the 30's. The term later developed to simply generally mean "swing dancing".

Charleston

The ol' folks will tell you that the Charleston is a crazy, flashy, kicking dance. If you want to Swing, you've got to learn Charleston!

Partnered Charleston has many similarities to Lindy Hop, though it's way cool!

Balboa

The dance is smooth, dignified, and relaxed. Balboa is danced close, which is great for fast tempos and tight ballrooms.

Blues

You know the music - stories of hard times with the idea it'll probably get better. The music carries a groove and rhythm that commands "dance", and the emotion of the music inspires you to feel it.

Levels

Flexibility is important. Some classes repeat every 4 weeks, so you only have to wait 4 weeks for the next series. If want to advance quickly, you can take more than 1 class at a time!

Level 1

Everyone who's new to the dance form; Jive, Lindy Hop, Charleston, Balboa, Blues, Tap, Jazz, etc. If you already have a solid dance background, upon request you may skip "part 1A" and take "part 1B" or "part 1C" if offered. (Beginner and Beginner-Intermediate)

Level 2

For patnered dances, you can execute the dance form to an entire song. For solo dancers, you can transition well between moves, and perform combinations in the particular art form. (Intermediate)

Level 3

You can do basic improvisations and are reacting well to the music; however, this is backed up by solid technique where you've broken down moves and apply all concepts you've learned. You dance with ease with every person you dance with. As a lead when dancing with your peers, you can pull out intricate moves on the fly. As a follow when dancing with your peers, you can pull out sensational variations without your partner even feeling it, and you can react to even the most suble movements. (Intermediate-Advanced)

Level 4

You have very strong technique, improvisation skills, knowledge of the dance form, and connection skills. Doing swing-outs at fast tempos are easy, and you can dance with anyone and make them look sensational. You know all about Charleston, Solo Jazz, Balboa, footwork variations, and practice each regularily. You know what levels and timing are, and every time you perform a basic move, it's distinctly unique each time. As a lead, you lead clearly with your entire body such that your partner is never confused by what you do (Advanced). As a follow, you respond to subtle variations and move with fluidity, style, and grace.

Level 5

You're an instructor, performer, or geek of the dance form. People cheer when you dance socially, and you can hold your own when dancing with the best in Vancouver or Toronto. You invent new moves in your spare time and break down video clips of dancers (Invitational).

Example progression: Jitterbug Swing 1A -> Jitterbug Swing 1B -> Jitterbug Swing 1C -> Jitterbug Swing 2