Our 55-minute Group Classes give students a chance to learn new dance moves in a supportive environment where you can learn new moves and practice your steps before hitting the social dance floor.
NO PARTNER NECESSARY - We rotate our students frequently during class so each student gets an opportunity to dance with follow classmates. It's the most successful way of creating good social dancers and a great way to make new friends.
PROGRESSIVE CLASSES - Our classes are progressive in structure. Each week we build on the prior week material. That means we will review the prior week material during the first half of class then we present new material the second half of the class hour. For most students progressive classes are the most effective way of learning and retaining the techniques and material necessary to becoming a good social dancer. Need more tailored instruction, try Private Lessons.
CLASS SIZES - Class size vary, but the average is 16 to 40 people. Each Course consists of six classes over a six-week period. Students register for a specific class that will be held the same time each week with the same instructor. You may join a Group Course during the first two weeks of classes only. Group classes are identified by Levels. Group Classes must be completed during the six week cycle and may not be carried over from one month to another. However, make-up classes are available. See Policies
Which style of dance should I choose? That often depends on what type of music you enjoy listening to, also if you are preparing for an upcoming special dance/social event. East Coast Swing and Salsa are two of the most popular styles of social dancing in the USA right now. Dance Style Choices: Not sure which dance style is for you? Check out video clips.
PRINTABLE REGISTRATION FORM ON LINE REGISTRATION
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Level I Beginner |
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Level II Intermediate |
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Level III Intermediate/Advanced |
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Swing Dances
- East Coast Swing - "Jitterbug"
- Lindy
- West Coast Swing
- Carolina Shag
- Balboa
- Collegiate Shag
EAST COAST SWING "JITTERBUG" : During the Big Band era of the 1940's Swing dancing evolved and was commonly called the "Jitterbug". Lindy Hop and Jitterbug are both danced in a circular fashion to music tempos of 140 -220 BPM (beats per minute). The Jitterbug style is considered the easier of the two styles to learn because it concentrates on 6 count patterns. Typically Jazz, 50's Rock & Roll and Big Band Swing are the preferred music. Because of it's universal popularity and ease to learn, Jitterbug is a great way to begin your swing dancing. More History
East Coast Swing"Jitterbug"Level 1 |
This is for beginning swing dancers. The most universal and easiest of the swing styles to learn. We recommend starting here if you want to get out on the dance floor quickly. NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY  |
 6 Count Patterns in Single Time Step Rhythmn.6 Count Basic, Two Hand Open Basic, Followers Arch Turn, Followers Underarm Turn, Leaders Belt Turn, Starter Step, Closed Position Basic, Arch Turn From Closed Position, Cuddle, Exit From Cuddle, Shoulder Slide. |
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East Coast Swing"Jitterbug" Level 2 |
We recommend taking the Level 1 class twice before proceeding to level 2 jitterbug. At this next level we introduce you to a new dance rhythmn (Triple Time). This is a more challenging rhythmn to dance. At this level we add more leader/follower styling, advanced partnering technique, fancy footwork, some dips and tricks so you can go out and wow other dancers, friends and the family. Special Note: This series varies the course material each new session. Prerequisite - Jitterbug Level 1
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East Coast Swing"Jitterbug" Level 3 Choreography Class |
This is for the more advanced, experienced Jitterbug dancer. You will develop advanced skills while learning a choreographed step routine to a set peice of swing music. This is a 12 week special series offered at intervals throuout the year. Prerequisite - Jitterbug Level 1 & 2 | 6 & 8 Count Patterns in Triple Time Step Rhythmn. Step list determined by instructor. |
LINDY HOP: Dating back to the 1930's this was one of the earliest forms of Swing. The Lindy Hop was named after the pilot Charles Lindbergh's solo "Hop" across the Atlantic. The Lindy Hop borrowed steps from the Charleston dance of the 1920's with various side-by-side kicking patterns danced in predominately 8 count circular patterns. This is an energetic, often times fast paced dance style. More Swing History
Lindy Level 1 |
Lindy is the grand daddy of swing dances. We recommend starting off with Jitterbug, BUT if you have your heart set on beginning with Lindy, here is the class series for you. Become one of millions of Lindy Lovers. NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY |
6 & 8 Count Patterns in Triple Time Step Rhythmn. 6 & 8 Count Basic, Swing Outs, Whip, Lindy Circle, Turning Basic, Sugar Push, Tuck Turn, Charleston Patterns. |
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Lindy Level 2 |
In level II we progress to more complicated Swing Outs, Whips and Charleston variations. Musicality and leader/follower styling is also stress. Prerequisite - Lindy Level 1 |
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Lindy Level 3 Performance Class |
This is for the more advanced, experienced Lindy dancer. You will develop advanced skills while learning a choreographed step routine to a set peice of swing music. This is a 12 week special series offered at intervals throuout the year. Prerequisite - Lindy Level 1 & 2 | 6 & 8 Count Patterns in Triple Time Step Rhythmn. Step list determined by instructor. |
WEST COAST SWING: Shortly after World War II, when movie studios began cranking out Hollywood musicals, the West Coast Swing was born when choreographers replaced the circular movement of the Jitterbug with movement along a straight line or "slot" so they could place more couples on the floor without losing their faces to the camera. West Coast Swing is considered the "Cadillac of Swing". There is a lot of freedom to improvise in this dance. Greater emphasis is placed on footwork and music syncopation. WCS is danced to Blues, R&B, Funk, Latin Rhythms and Beach Music. Tempos are slower than ECS and Lindy Hop, generally 82-130 BPM. Slow and Sexy is what this dance form is all about. More Swing History
West Coast Swing Level 1 |
A sexy and smooth swing style that can be danced to todays Top 40, R&B, Blues and Contemporary Hip-Hop music sounds. NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY |
6 & 8 Count Patterns in Triple Time Step Rhythmn. 6 Count Basic, Left Side Pass, Underarm Turn, Push Break, Basket Whip, Push Break Tuck Turn, Sling Shot Throwout, Starter, Ladies Inside Turn, Side Pass Tuck Turn, Cutoff Turn. |
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West Coast Swing Level 2 |
After buidling your foundation with the basics, we move up to more complicated and fun steps that incorporate more 8 count patterns. body and foot styling for leaders/followers. Prerequisite - West Coast Level 1
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Side Pass Tuck Turn, Basket Whips w/Alternating Exits, Side Whips, Reverse Whips, Basic Cut Off, Leaders/Ladies Footwork, Continous Side Pass, Alternate Starter Step, Ladies Doulbe Turns. |
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West Coast Swing Level 3 |
This is an on-going class where the material varies each session. We cover musicality, hitting the breaks, leveraged moves, syncopations and extended patterns. Prerequisite - West Coast Level 1 & 2 | 6 & 8 Count Patterns in Triple Time Step Rhythmn. This is an ongoing materials level. Each Session we cover a variety of different patterns. Some of the core patterns and variations you will learn are: Hitting Breaks, Paddle Turns, Whip Variations, Extended Patterns, Advanced Leaders/Ladies Footwork, & Styling, Side Whips, Reverse Whips, Pattern Extensions. |
CAROLINA SHAG: The Swing dance style of the Carolinas. Shag evolved from the Jitterbug. Greater emphasis is placed on the Male (leader) with intricate footwork and "mirroring patterns". Shag is danced generally in a "slot" to much of the same music WCS dancers enjoy - Blues, Beach and Motown. More History
Carolina Shag Level 1 |
This is for beginning shag dancers. A very popular dance style here in North & South Carolina. A must dance if you want to socialize and have fun at shag beach clubs. NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY |
6 & 8 Count Patterns in Triple Time Step Rhythmn. Shag Basic, Female Turn, Male Turn, Starter Step, Pivot Turn, Belly Roll, Closed Basic, Female-Male Turn and Footwork Variations. |
Balboa: Balboa is a form of swing dance that started as early as 1915 and gained in popularity in the 1930s and 1940s. It is danced primarily in close embrace, and is led with a full body connection. The art of Balboa is the subtle communication between the lead and follow, like weight shifts, that most viewers cannot see. As a result, Balboa is considered more of a "dancer's dance" than a "spectator's dance. "More History
Balboa Level 1 |
This is for beginning Balboa dancers. A very popular dance style originating in southern California. Balboa is danced to a wide variety of music tempos (100-300 bpm) and is danced primarily in a close embrace, and is led with a full body connection.! Many Balboa steps can be integrated into your jitterbug and lindy dancing. NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY |
8 Count Patterns Balboa Closed Basic, Body Positioning, Crossovers, Break Turns, Send Out, Lollies, Return ,Side Scoots, Paddle Turns. |
Latin Dances
- Salsa
- Bachata & Merengue
Ballroom Dances
- Cha Cha
- Hustle
- Samba
- Viennese Waltz
- Rumba
- NC-2Step
- Waltz
- Foxtrot
- American Tango
Hustle Level 1 |
This is for beginninghustle dancers. NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY |
8 Count Patterns. Hustle Basic, Rotating Basic, Two Hand Open Basic, Cut Off, Starter Step, |
Samba Level 1 |
This is for beginning samba dancers. NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY |
8 Count Patterns To Be Updated |
Viennese Waltz Level 1 |
This is for beginning V. Waltz dancers. NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY |
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