Social and Partner Dance Class Descriptions

Here are the classes we offer — singles and couples are always welcome in any class!

GENERAL

Int/Adv Connection Theory & Practice

Instructors will cover two dance theory concepts a night found in typical social dances addressing leading, following and the connection that makes thing work and then provide plenty of time to practice with moves you likely know (they will quickly teach these if you don’t) to implement these ideas. This is where you more fully understand how things work at a higher level, get hands-on experience and move into the oh-so-lovely nitty gritty of making dance an ever more magical endeavor. When you understand how something works, it can carry into all your dance. Moves taught will be adaptable to virtually all social dance. Juicy and exciting!
Pre-requisite: Dancing at an Intermediate level of one style of dance or more. No particular dance is required.

BLUES/ ONE STEP

Blues Fusion 1: The Art of Slow Dancing

Love those slow songs but weary of the hug drape high school version? In our beginning Blues Fusion, we explore musicality as the source of our dancing! Like any artist, we'll teach you to use music like the colors on a palette and connection like the canvas to make every blues dance a unique creation between you and your partner. Starting with basic rhythms, we'll slowly work you up to listening to the tone and lyrics of many different kinds of songs. We'll also take moves from other dances, adapt them to Fusion, and practice playing with timing to hit the music!
No prerequisite needed.

Blues Fusion 2: Shapeshifting

In our level 2 Blues Fusion class, we'll take things up a notch with turning, shifting, redirecting and using our favorite pieces from other dances while changing up timing and footwork. We'll go further into creating a conversation between Lead and Follow, and use our new shapes as opportunities to surprise ourselves and our partners! We'll also be playing with musicality at a higher level—practicing picking and choosing elements of a song to pull inspiration from and predicting what might happen in songs we've never heard before. Lastly, we'll work on what you can personally bring to the dance and developing your own style.
Prerequisite: Blues Fusion 1 or comfort with intermediate level material in a closed position dance.

One-Step to Blues — Beginning/Intermediate

We'll stop briefly in time in 1915 with the Ragtime animal dances where it all began, then move on to the elegant, upright Castlewalk of the 1920s, adding pivots, swivels and grapevines, and then move into the later variations from the 1930s to today for a real down-into-your-body Blues.
Prerequisite: Any Swing 1 class

Those Other Dances: One-step, Blues and more

When those "other dances" come on, take to the floor with confidence and style! We'll explore One-step and Blues for those slower delicious tunes and take a quicker look at Polka and Schottische as well.
Prerequisite: Any Swing 1 class

Traveling One-Step

With the expanding slow oozy blues movement, we rarely see taught the one-step and yet if you look around on the dance floor, it is everywhere and often combined with slow blues. Originally a dance from the Ragtime-era, popularized by Vernon and Irene Castle, it combines grapevines, pivots and swing-type moves in a one-step pattern to zip around the dance floor in great style and play. We'll also show how you can integrate other dances, like Waltz and Latin into your One-step creating a more dynamic dance.
Prerequisite: Dancing any closed position dance at an intermediate level.

BLUES & SWING

Swing into Blues — Mix It Up!

Some of the best dancing is all about response and creativity — creatively responding to the music, your partner and available floor space. There is a sweet tempo zone where Swing, Blues, traveling, and being stationary can all come together. We will explore moving between these two and dancing well in both.
Prerequisite: Dancing Swing at an intermediate level

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FOXTROT

Foxtrot 1: Fred and Ginger Foxtrot

Originally a Ragtime pattern dance offshoot from One-Step using the novelty of slow and quick steps, Foxtrot was quickly popularized as a creative partner dance. One of the earlier versions and most commonly known today is the SSQQ (Slow, Slow, Quick, Quick) style. Fun, useful and easily combined with Swing, it allows you to gracefully and playfully travel around the dance floor. (Fred and Ginger dance SSQQ Foxtrot in their films, they also slid in and out of a number of other Foxtrot patterns, which you can learn in Waltz 2: Waltztrot.)
Prerequisite: Confidence with any closed position partner dance

Waltz 2/Foxtrot 2: Waltztrot — Just 6 Little Steps

You love Waltz, and you want Foxtrot? Well here's your chance to do both! We'll highlight and add on to your Waltz in 3/4 time and move these great moves into 4/4 Foxtrot rhythms. From this class you'll come away with a whole new appreciation for the finer points of both. As we explore the moves and the differing styles, well explore body attitude, clarity of movement and marvelous partnering interactions.
Prerequisite: Solid understanding and ease with Waltz 1 basics, other partner dance experience and ready for a little challenge

Foxtrot 3: Foxtrot Fusion (Waltztrot and other influences)

Sometimes a Swing isn't really a Swing, it's much better to Foxtrot! We'll take Waltz and other dance styles and bring them into Foxtrot not only exploring these moves, but transitions in and out of Swing. A perfect class for intermediate/advanced Waltzers who love to travel on the dance floor. "Look out, comin' through!"
Prerequisite: Solid confidence with Waltz 1 material

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LATIN

Beginning/Intermediate Cha-Cha

We will look at classic patterns so you have the basics but move onto more complex patterns. Cha-Cha is fun in it's sensuality and spicyness — come gain a solid foothold in this popular dance!
Prerequisite: Other partner dance experience

A Taste of Cha-Cha-Cha

Add a little Latin spice to your dance. Cha-Cha is a great dance that keeps popping up at most live and DJ'd dances around the city — don't feel like you have to sit out or stumble through. Learn a tasty variety of classic moves to feel hot, hot, hot! on those summer nights and beyond.
Prerequisite: Other partner dance experience

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POLKA

Polka Play

Polka may be the most rollicking good time of all the social dances — it has remained popular since the early 1800's and in this class we will explore promenade, turning and linear patterns. We dance Polka to not only Polka music but to Irish jigs, Techno and popular tunes that will make you laugh. Flat-soled shoes that slide on the floor a must.
Prerequisite: 6 months or more partner dance experience

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EAST COAST SWING

Swing 1: Beginning East Coast Swing

Starting from scratch, learn the basics of 6-Count East Coast Swing. We focus on great connection, natural movement, and technique that will have you dancing after the first class. The Six-Count moves you learn here will translate to playful fun on the dance floor in patterns that are recognizable at any Social Swing dance.
Prerequisite: None

Swing 1.5: Beyond the Basics

We'll spend time in both single-time and triple-time swing, reviewing the basics, adding flourishes and new moves to expand your repertoire.
Prerequisite: Swing 1

Intermediate

Swing 2: 6+8=Great! (Bread and Butter meets PB&J)

You've been dancing swing for awhile and see Lindy Hoppers but don't think that fast pace is for you. But still, you love the look of some of those cool patterns. This class will explore a relaxed entree into the delights of 8-count swing. 8-count patterns fit the music like peanut butter and jelly and work well with the bread and butter 6-count moves you already know. Prerequisite Swing 1 and at least one Swing 2 class or instructor permission

Swing 2: Cool Moves

Some Swing moves just attract attention — they look and feel great. Some break the rhythm, some call for styling and new footwork patterns. Move your swing up a notch, both for leading and following the unexpected.
Prerequisite: Swing 1 and at least one other Swing 2 class

Swing 2: Creative Play 1, 2 & 3

Often we think of dancing as footwork and moves. In this class we will move toward what can be done from any position in a dance and explore the possibilities. We'll look at dancing with the music (as opposed to over it) with smooth entrances and exits to varations. For each class session we explore three themes. Past themes have included, open and closed position breaks, right-to-right moves, tuck turns, and cuddle or sweetheart moves. Come explore the possibilities while tuning in a great connection with your partner!
Prerequisite: Swing 1 and at least one other Swing 2 class

Swing 2: Footwork, Styling & Charleston

More cool moves, fancy footwork (don't worry we'll take it one step at a time!) and even some Charleston. A rollicking good time!
Prerequisite: Swing 1

Swing 2: Intro to Savoy Style Lindy Hop

Lindy Hop has been well established in Seattle since the early 1990s. We will explore classic moves and partnering in this intermediate-level dance class.
Prerequisite: Two intermediate Swing 2 classes

Swing 2: Lindy Hop

Lindy Hop was the king of the swing in the 1930s and 1940s, and you can learn it in it's authentic form! Use the foundation of moves and style you learned from six-count, and put them into this exciting and playful eight-count basic. We'll teach you to feel confident with the structure of the dance, while learning to play with breaks, hops, and styling. T'aint what you do, it's the way that you do it!
Prerequisite: Swing 1: East Coast Swing A & B or instructor permission

Swing 2: Role Reversal

They say that if you want to truly understand someone, bop a mile in their shoes. Become a better dancer in your traditional role by finding out what it's like on the other side. Reverse your role, laugh a lot, swing a mile in someone else's shoes, and forever experience your dance with a deeper understanding of how it all works and what makes a partnership really swing!
Prerequisite: Confident in your traditional role at an intermediate level

Swing 2: Single-time Swing and Fred and Ginger Foxtot

When the Swing music gets fast, you want to look cool and feel comfortable. We'll review footwork, add way fun variations and show you how to move smoothly from Single-Time Swing to Foxtrot (Slow, Slow, Quick, Quick.) They are just natural together — one stationery, and one travels to smoothly respond to your creative desires and the music moods.
Prerequisite: Swing 1

Swing 2: Swing to Hop — Moving on...

You've had beginning swing and are ready to move to the next level refining and developing your skills and increasing your knowledge of the dance building on what you already know. In this class you'll learn more 6-count patterns and gently begin to learn 8-count footwork of and some beginning patterns of Lindy Hop. It's a great next step!
Prerequisite: Swing 1

Swing 2: T'aint What You Do

We'll broadening your repertoire with level 2 spins and turns, footwork, and moves for closed position and look at how listening to the music can influence whatcha do and when ya do it!!
Pre-requisite: Swing 1

Swing 2: Classic Moves Ya Gotta Know!

You have some basics, now add on with classic moves like the Tuck 'N Turn, Push Turns and more. We will also add some cool footwork and attitude into your basics to give you that awesome Swing look.
Prerequisite: Swing 1

Advanced

Swing 3: Advanced Triple-Time

Breaks, freezes and footwork are the order of the day in Advanced Triple-Time. Staying in the gentle 6-Count Triple-Time Swing variation, we'll spiff up your styling, body motion, attitude and moves.
Prerequisite: At least two Swing 2 classes or instructor permission

Swing 3: Double-time and Bandstand

You've been dancing Single-Time and Triple-Time Swing and you want to amp up the fun and the skills. This is class is for you — two alternate footwork pattern and a host of complimentary moves — all of which will translate to your other swing basic footwork patterns. Double-Time Swing is the perfect answer to the music that's a bit too fast for Triple-Time and too slow for Single-Time — it's marvelous in the middle! Bandstand is a swing variation of the 1950's with a special swing and sway all it's own. Come expand and your 6-Count repertoire while you delve deeper into those great Swing patterns.
Prerequisite: At least one Swing 2 class

Swing 3: Savoy Style Lindy Hop, “Fancy Footwork and Classy Styling”

Lindy Hop has been well established in Seattle since the early 1990s. We will explore moves that offer a distinctly classy flair along with some of those footwork patterns that will keep you just a bit challenged and ready for more!
Prerequisite: Intermediate Lindy skills or better

Swing 3: Traveling Triple-time

Take your Triple-Time Swing basic on the road and zip around the floor using adaptations of moves you likely already know. The basic is great fun with gentle pivoting and forward motion aspects. A sweet cross between one-step Blues and Swing.
Prerequisite: Beginning and at least two intermediate Swing classes

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TANGO

Tango 1: Tango for the Uncommitted

Everywhere you go they're talking Tango. You're curious, but it sounds like a big committment. Wouldn't it be fun to get a taste without the full meal deal? This class will introduce you to Tango in a relaxed "small plate" setting. Fun, flavorful—either a perfect appetizer or a satisfying treat.
Prerequisite: No prerequisite.

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WALTZ

Waltz 1: Beginning Waltz Essentials A and B

Waltz is a beautiful romantic music and dance. Some say they dance a style of dance for the dance, some say they dance for the music — Waltzers dance for both. Each class will start with the basics and then develop along two separate tracks of moves that you will see on any social Waltz floor in Seattle, while teaching fundamentals: leading, following, and doing it gracefully.

In "A" we will explore Side-to-side, Pomenade and other figures
In "B" we will explore ZigZag and other figures and beginning Turning Waltz

Prerequisite: None for either class, may be taken in any order; take both classes for a firm footing in this playful, beautiful dance.

Intermediate

Waltz 2: The Best of Richard Powers 2013

Richard Powers is coming to Seattle in Feb 2013. This class will review the best of the figures taught (in our humble opinion) as well as add a variation or two. Great for review if you came to the workshop and great if you missed it!
Prerequisite: You will need the basics of Cross-step Waltz for this class.

Waltz 2: "A Fine Romance with no Glitches..."

We'll take several new intermediate waltz moves, teach them, and then focus on lead/follow partnering and execution. We will look at the fineness of connection, the ease of turning rotation, and the points of motion control and balance. Want a fine romance like a couple of "hot tomatoes?" or dance like your "old maid aunt?" Join us for the fun and the pleasure of dancing well!
Prerequisite: Waltz 1 basics

Waltz 2: Ball Prep

You have some Waltz under your belt but want more moves and skills before The Ball. We'll review and expand on both your Slow Waltz and Turning Waltz variations as well as give you brief introductions to Polka and Foxtrot. You'll be ready to dance the night away!
Prerequisite: Beginning Waltz

Waltz 2: The Best of Richard Powers and more!

Richard Powers came to Seattle in Feb 2011. This class will review the best (in our humble opinion) of the figures as well as add a variation or two. Great for review if you came to the workshop and great if you missed it!
Prerequisite: You will need the basics of Rotary and Cross-step Waltz for this class

Waltz 2: Intro to Turning Waltz

To everything is a season (turn, turn, turn) and this is Waltz Season! Viennese, Rotary, and the Natural Turn are all names for Turning Waltz, left and right. We will expand upon the right turn adding beautiful variations, introduce the left turn and put it all together with smooth transitions so you will be ready when the Orchestra or DJ strikes up those great mid-tempo and faster Waltzes.
Prerequisite: Solid confidence with Waltz 1 material

Waltz 2: Intro to Cross-Step Waltz

We'll explore the early 20th century Waltz form called Cross-Step that is danced all up and down the West Coast. This variation is particularly beautiful for slower tunes and will add a delightful flowing, playful style to your repertoire. We will also delve into other variations that work nicely with slower tunes and combine seamlessly with cross-step.
Prerequisite: Waltz 1 and comfortable with Waltz basics

Waltz 2: Cross-Step Waltz Choreography

Learn and master both moves and a choreography with the intent to perform at dances and events. Enjoy the camaraderie of learning and working with a creative group of motivated and fun individuals! And the side benefit? Once you learn a move for a choreography, you rarely forget it!
Prerequisite: Confidence with Waltz 2: Cross-Step Waltz

Waltz 2: Festival Waltz

Get the skinny on how to Waltz happily in tight spaces. Don't want to just march around those crowded summer dance floors? Come learn comfy cool moves that adapt to dancing and sharing space well with a hundred or more of your best friends.
Prerequisite: Solid confidence with Waltz 1 material

Waltz 2: Romantic Moves

We'll explore moves that add romance, grace and style to your Waltz, while developing partnering skills needed for any dance relationship. You will further develop your Right Turning Waltz, adding spins and turns, shadow and open frame figures and gentle dips.
Prerequisite: Confidence with Waltz 1 material

Waltz 2: Playful Moves For the Social Floor

Playful moves designed to work while having a relaxed conversation. These are flexible and can be timed in different ways, lending adaptability to a variety of social dance situations and dancer abilities. A nice group of moves sifted from a variety of classes and workshops. Prerequisite: Very comfortable with Waltz 1 material in your traditional role

Waltz 2: Role Reversal Waltz

They say that if you want to truly understand someone, walk a mile in their shoes. Become a better dancer in your traditional role by finding out what it's like on the other side. Reverse your role, laugh a lot, dance a mile in someone else's shoes, and forever experience your dance with a deeper understanding of how it all works and what makes a partnership truly fabulous.
Prerequisite: Very comfortable with Waltz 1 material in your traditional role

Waltz 2: Shadow Figures and Other Variations

Shadow Waltz is tandem Waltzing! It is beautifully suited to slower and mid-tempo music and will fit with all your slow Waltz and Cross-Step moves. We will teach you the transitions in and out and a lovely set of variations you can't wait to take to the dance floor.
Prerequisite: Solid confidence with Waltz 1 material

Waltz 2: Waltztrot — Just 6 Little Steps

Advanced

Waltz 3: Intermediate/Advanced Cross-step

You've been dancing Cross-Step and know the basic variations. This class will add more challenging variations, pivots, pivaloops, transitions and combinations while refining your basic, your partner and music connections.
Prerequisite: confidence with Waltz 2: Cross-step or equivalent

Waltz 3: Advanced Rotary Waltz

This class is for dancers very comfortable with Right Turning Waltz and some experience with left turns. We'll ramp up the speed as well as adding elegant figures and styling! This class is for confident Waltzers who are ready for a challenge!
Prerequisite: Any two Waltz 2 level classes. (High-heeled dance shoes are not recommended for this class.)

Waltz 3/4: Cross-step Waltz Fusion "Stretching the Boundaries"

We fuse West Coast Swing with Cross-step Waltz, adding dynamic sweeps, dramatic pauses and whips. Exciting stuff, and you don't need to know West Coast Swing to attend.
Prerequisite: Two Waltz 2 level classes, including one Cross-step Waltz class.

Waltz 3/4: Cross-step Waltz with New Moves/Great Combos

This session we'll add some shiny new moves and build some sweet and satisfying new combos that you may not have thought of. Must be familiar with Cross-step basics. In the case of combos we will teach the adjoining pieces as well and we'll allow some time after to practice and play.
Prerequisite: At least one Waltz 2 class

Waltz 3/4: Dancing to Difficult (and Great) Music

Love stretching and increasing your flexibility? Tick it up a notch with this class and get more comfortable with dancing to Waltzes that are just wonderfully out of the norm. We'll play with Waltz oddities, listening and identifying the music and how we might interpret through our dance, the music. There is some awesome music out there to play to — explore the possibilties. Students are welcome to bring selections for exploration.
Prerequisite: At least one Waltz 2 class

Waltz 3/4: Cross-step Waltz- Make Something Up!

There has been an explosion of new Cross-step moves — be a part of it! We'll look at basic patterns and then you'll work with partners to create a fusion from Swing, Salsa or other dances. Then we'll teach it to the whole class. Get into the thick of it and make something up!
Prerequisite: At least one Waltz 2 class

Waltz 3/4: Relaxed Rotary Waltz

Waltz a little, talk a little, be social and still play while enjoying these free-flowing variations.
Prerequisite: Dancing Rotary waltz at an intermediate level or above.

Waltz 3/4: Role Reversal Rotary and Cross-step

This class will be about not just trading roles, what that means for your reversed role and how to do it, but will also explore a variety of moves in both rotary and cross-step to shift the lead to your partner. This class is a bit of a step up from the usual role reversal class.
Prerequisite: At least one Waltz 2 class

Waltz 3/4: Rotary Waltz Meets Salsa

We will explore not just Rotary Waltz variations — left and right — but infuse every class with Salsa moves. These forms go hand-in-hand. Salsa, often stationary, combines beautifully with it's traveling cousin, allowing you to infuse the passion of Latin into your Turning Waltz.
Prerequisite: At least one Waltz 2 class

Waltz 4: Musicality

Join Lilli Ann and partner for an intensive exploration of music interpretation. You'll learn how to be a composer of dance, fitting your movement to the flavor and cadence of the musical phrase. While this class is not primarily about new moves, we will be using our favorite Waltz variations, as well as some we have never taught before, as embellishments to the music, highlighting the drama contained in the best Waltz music.
Pre-requisites: high level of confidence with right Turning Waltz at a range of tempos and previous experience with left turning Waltz. Any Waltz level 3 class or instructor permission

Waltz 4: The 34th Airborne Division — The Mazurka Waltzes

You won’t need a pilot’s license to get airborne in this class as we work gently and surely into the more complex and beautiful figures available in Waltz. Among them are the Mazurka Waltzes, all of which involve light slides, hops and leaps. You will feel the euphoria that comes with these forms when put to the powerful and dynamic Waltzes that virtually lift them into being. We will combine these with other complexities suitable for Waltz 3 dancers looking for challenge. Flats or low heeled shoes a must. You even get a 3/4th Airborne patch to put on your dance bag!
Prerequisite: Comfort with clockwise (right) Turning Waltz or instructor permission

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WEST COAST SWING

Intermediate

WCS 2: Add A Little Fancy To Your Feet

This class will be about how to put some personality into your basic patterns when the music starts to speed up. We’ll take syncopations that you might have seen from different dances, and implement them into your most solid moves, and slowly turn the speed dial up. For the musically driven and musically challenged alike, you’ll start to see new possibilities in every triple!

WCS 2: Now You See Me, Now You Don't

The “Fold” is a classic back-to-back West Coast Swing move that has tons of cool variations and opportunities that come out of it. And, you guessed it, a big opening for styling variations. We’ll be working on how to get a nice, crisp fold every time, and then how to make it your own. Great for fast or slow music, we'll then add onto it with a little Rock ’N’ Go (where we don’t even anchor! Gasp!) that opens so many doors you’ll think you're in Narnia!

WCS 2: Musicality

10 ways to hit aspects in the music and look like a pro. You’ve been dancing West Coast Swing for a little while. You know a few patterns, but just don’t have a handle on how to hit those phrase changes and musical moments in the music. It’s challenging. In this class Claire and Lilli Ann will give you 10 fish-in-a-barrel ways to hear and hit those moments to feel more like a pro. Come with open ears and a attitude full of play and fun!

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ZYDECO

Zydeco Basics and Beyond

We'll begin with the basics of both open and closed position for the hot SW Louisiana two-step dance called Zydeco and then build on, adding moves and styling. The music is hard-driving and playful roots music with elements of Cajun, Blues, Rock 'n Roll and Afro-Caribbean rhythms. The dance creates beautiful connection and yet allows for inspired individual play and freedom. There's a good reason it's popular from coast to coast!
No prerequisites

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