Class Concepts
Below are descriptions to classes, so you can have a better understanding of what level dancer you are and where you should begin taking lessons. It also tells you what level your dancing should be at before advancing to the next class.
West Coast Swing Class Concepts
Newcomer: Beginners and people who want to work on their basics.
What: 6-beat patterns (Left Side Pass, Right and Left Side Underarm Turn, Open and Closed Sugarpush, Turn-in).
When To Advance: When the men can lead the basics on time, or the women follow the basics w/o anticipation, and both can dance to the beat, with a smile, and while chewing gum.
Beginner: Beginners
What: 8-beat patterns and 6-beat spinning patterns (Left and Right Side Spinning Passes, Dallas Side Pass, Basket Whip, Basic Whip, Basic Whip with single/double Outside Spin, Inside Whip).
When To Advance: The men can lead the basics on time, or the women follow the basics without anticipation, and both can dance to the beat, with a smile, and while chewing gum.
Intermediate: Individuals who can dance the Newcomer and Beginning patterns successfully.
What: More complex patterns, more subtle leads and follows.
When To Advance: The men lead on time with subtle leads, or the women follow without anticipation.
Advanced: Individuals who can dance the Intermediate level patterns with subtlety and are ready to start listening to music for the breaks and play within the music.
What: Learn better connection so that the music becomes part of the dance.
Night club Two-Step Class Concepts
Beginning: These are taught in workshops or private lessons. Take a look at the workshops we offer.
Intermediate: Individuals who can dance the basic patterns of Night Club (I have about six basic patterns that would prepare you for this level…just be able to dance these well – bubble gum, talking and all).
What: More complex patterns as well as working on our center and connection to our partner.
When To Advance: The men lead on time with subtle leads, or the women follow without anticipation.
Advanced: These are taught in workshops or private lessons. Take a look at the workshops we offer.
TWO-STEP & POLKA Class Concepts
Beginner: Beginners
What: Basic patterns including half turns (clockwise and counter clockwise), full turns, dancing backward for the men without falling over. We also work on ladies beginning their spins.
When To Advance: The men can hold the frame in a way to lead the basics on time, or the women follow the basics without anticipation, and both can dance to the beat, with a smile, and while chewing gum.
Intermediate: Individuals who can dance the Beginning patterns successfully.
What: More complex patterns.
When To Advance: The men lead on time with subtle leads, or the women follow without anticipation.
Advanced: These are taught in workshops or private lessons. Take a look at the workshops we offer.
