Dance for Joy logoDance for Joy!

Partner Dance Instruction in Waltz, Swing, and Blues in Seattle and Around the U.S.

instructor/owner Lilli Ann Carey

It is our joy to teach partner dancing creatively and playfully

...so our students come to know the sheer joy, laughter and fun of dancing together. (Besides, dancing makes you smarter.)

Dance for Joy! gives dance lessons in Swing, West Coast Swing, Waltz and more in Seattle. We are committed to bringing the delight of holding hands and dancing the night away to you through group dance classes, private dance lessons, dance workshops and dance events. Come play with us!

Classes

2024–2025 DFJ Wednesday Night Classes

5 week session, 1 hour classes
Classes are 6:30-7:30pm and 7:40-8:40pm

Each class includes 10 minutes of practice

All classes held at:
Om Culture in Wallingford
2210 N Pacific Street

We teach to both Traditional & Eclectic/Alternative music so you can dance to anything! Each class will introduce ways to play and be creative! Taught by Lilli Ann and Claire Carey, mother and daughter national and international instructors for over 15 years.

$115/class
To register for classes see our registration page.

Session 5 — Early Spring

  • March 26–April 23 (5 weeks)
  • 6:30-7:30pm — Jazz Age 1930’s, ’40’s Foxtrot
    Last Fall I decided to do a Vintage Foxtrot in January, but due to circumstances we had to change our schedule.But after seeing Richard Powers’s video on the first Foxtrot, I’m am re-inspired – so here we go!
     This is a closer, super sweet body-to-body Foxtrot (a little like Tango and Blues) that was done for two generations and was one the most popular dances ever. It uses easy, comfortable foot patterns that can be changed up to fit the music. A few important pointers to make it work will get you going. It turns, it side-saddles, it walks, it trots and its perfect for the social dance floor — and it’s brilliant in crowded conditions. Join us for a brand new vintage dance that you’ll use over and over. Because it’s sweet and joyfully connected and playfully modern!
  • 7:40–8:40 — Int/Adv Cross-step Waltz- Lilli Ann and Claire’s favorites
    Lilli Ann and Claire have some moves that they just love to dance because they feel so great and so handy. These are a little higher level moves and oh-so-sweet. They can effectively be led and followed on the social floor and are dynamically fun. Join us for Cross-step Waltz at it’s finest!

There will be no dance after the lesson this session.

Instructional Videos

Lilli Ann and Claire Carey, mother and daughter review the concepts and moves just taught in their 2-hour intro to Cross-step Waltz sponsored by nwdance.net. To have Lilli Ann and Claire travel to teach for your group, go to www.danceforjoy.biz. You can subscribe to Lilli Ann's YouTube channel and receive all of our new videos in your inbox!

Other videos:

Donate to Lilli Ann and Claire to support Dance for Joy and production of more great dance videos:

Have an idea for a video? Send Lilli Ann and Claire a note!

Testimonials

“Lilli Ann...our waltz class has been more than I expected. You are ingenious in teaching how to lead and follow. Have attended a few classes over the years, and never received such good info. That really is just what I needed, after dancing for so many years with one partner. Looking forward to the next series and plan to go for the Swing class, also. Kay is having a fabulous time, too. Thanks so much.” —B Johnson

“Lilli Ann, one of the dancers here… Francine, was singing your praises the other day after having attended the Richard Powers workshop in Seattle...she went on at length about your skill as a teacher and dancer, and was amazed and very grateful at/for all she had learned from you....very appreciative...just heaping truckloads of praise on you... she was impressed with Richard Powers, but went on and on about you... of course, I already know how wonderful you are, so just sat there smiling and nodding as she gave you the highest compliments... atta girl! Hope you and yours are well… ” —Ron

“Lilli Ann and Claire are an enthusiastic and professional team. Their workshops have something for everybody — a clear introduction to the basics for the beginners, while at the same time challenging the more advanced dancers. Cross-step Waltz is a gorgeous dance, and they do a fabulous job of teaching it.” —Marion Newvelant, Random Waltz, Portland, OR

About the Christmas Ball...

“The Ball was wonderful last night... beautiful dancers, great music, dear friends, scrumptious desserts, and a delightful hostess. Thank you, Lilli Ann Carey for creating this event. xo ” —Marlene

“Lilli Ann (and Paul, who generously helped finance the event), thank you so much for all the time, work and love that went into creating the Ball last night. It was such a beautiful evening, I’m glad I took lots of photos to remember the event. There were so many special moments to the evening and I especially liked the send off with the little bells of joy! Nicely done! ~Thanks again, ” —Wendy

More testimonials... | DFJ reviews on Yelp