Music Theory Basics

We will help you  gain an understanding of some very basic music theory, to better help you 
understand what your feet are doing in terms of responding to the beat, and the basic rhythm in 
the music.

We want you to have a solid awareness of  how your dance movements relate to what's happening 
in the music and vice versa, that is, how what's happening in the music is reflected in your dance 
movements.

Requirements: basic ability to count to two; ability to distinguish "one left foot" from the other “left  
foot”; and an ability to maintain a sense of humor under conditions of “extreme duress”, aka "Having
Fun with Your Dancing".  (Seriously, we are very patient with beginners).

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Swing Dance Basics+1

Swing Dance Basics+1-A introduces 4-Beat Swing
(a simplified form "Jitterbug" aka "East Coast Swing").

Topics covered include: hearing & following (counting) basic rhythm patterns in the with simple
footwork patterns and easy moves and turns;  beginner level leading and following; and having
fun with your dancing.

Requirements: basic understanding and competence with Dance Movement Basics skills

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Intro to Triple Steps w/Intense Triples Practice

Triple steps are an important fundamental step in swing dancing. This segment is designed to
help the beginning dancer (and the experienced dancer who may have had difficulty learning
triple stepping in the past) learn and master this important foundation skill. Not only is triple
stepping an important part of Swing Dancing, it is a "gateway skill" found in virtually all forms
of American social dance and probably most forms of folk dancing world wide.

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Swing Dance Basics+2

In Track #2- our focus is on second tier footwork with advanced beginner moves and sequences to
increase fluidity and mastery of your basic dance, including 8-beat patterns; Charleston; and beginner
level lindy hop fundamentals. In Track #2- we increase the emphasis placed on partner connection
(lead-follow) and on your hearing and following the mood, tempo, and rhythmic patterns within the music,
including “hitting the breaks” and an increased awareness re: how your dance changes with the mood and
tempo of the music.

Requirements: basic understanding and competence with Dance Movement Basics & Swing
Basics+1 level skills

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Lindy Hop+1
       
Introduces 8-Beat footwork, swing out, Lindy Circle & Lindy Charleston.

Requirements: fluid Triple Swing footwork; it generally takes 2-3 months of
Swing+1 level of experience to get a solid grasp of  the required footwork .

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Swing Dance Basics+3

The primary goals of “Swing+3” are: 1)-solidify your basic Swing/Lindy Hop foundation
skills; 2)–elevate your level of dancing by introducing more advanced, more complex,
footwork and lead-follow variations. The central focus is Lindy Hop, including
patterns from ECS, WCS, Cha, and Balboa, with a strong emphasis on lead–follow
skills and musicality.  

Requirements: Fluid Triple Swing footwork; it generally takes 2-3 months of
Swing+1 level of experience to get a solid grasp of  the required footwork .

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Lindy Hop+2
       
Reviews Lindy fundamentals and includes more advanced Charleston variations;
increased focus on musical awareness; partner connection and more challenging
routines than "Novice/Beginner". Lindy circle; basic
Lindy Charleston and simple Lindy routines. 

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~ Full Catalogue ~

Swing Dance Basics+1

This class introduces the basics of 6-Beat Swing (aka "Jitterbug" or East Coast Swing). Topics
covered include: basic footwork w/variations; basics of leading and following with easy moves
and turns; "hearing" the music; and having fun with your dancing.

Requirements: basic understanding and competence with Dance Movement Basics skills

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Swing Dance Basics+2

Second tier beginner footwork with advanced beginner moves and sequences
to increase fluidity and mastery of basic 6-Beat Swing. Increased emphasis
and practice re: partner connection (lead-follow) and musicality.

Requirements: basic understanding and competence with Dance Movement Basics & Swing
Basics+1 level skills

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Swing Dance Basics+3

The primary goals of “Swing+3” are: 1)-solidify your basic Swing/Lindy Hop foundation
skills; 2)–elevate your level of dancing by introducing more advanced, more complex,
footwork and lead-follow variations. The central focus is Lindy Hop, including
patterns from ECS, WCS, Cha, and Balboa, with a strong emphasis on lead–follow
skills and musicality.  

Requirements: Fluid Triple Swing footwork; it generally takes 2-3 months of
Swing+1 level of experience to get a solid grasp of  the required footwork .

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Swing Dance Basics+4 Integration (intermediate/advanced)
        
Our "Integration" class is about connecting all the dots.  It's about melding swing dance
technique, enhanced lead & follow abilities and a heightened sense of musicality, into a
more fluid/fluent, unified whole, to help you create a dance that becomes more reflective
of the moods, rhythms and emotions expressed in the music.

This challenging class will help you combine & integrate more advanced level moves,
sequences and routines (including elements from Lindy Hop, East Coast Swing, West
Coast Swing, Cha, and others) into your Swing Dancing, while helping you to "not lose"
your strong positive connection to your partner, to the music, and (increasingly)  to the
other dancers in the room.

Requirements:  1-2 Years Swing dance experience including  at least a full year of
Lindy Hop experience.  Dancers need to be able to demonstrate proficiency in a variety
of advanced beginner/intermediate level Swing/Lindy Hop 6 & 8 Beat patterns and
sequences,  including fluency with Swingout, Lindy Circle & Lindy Charleston. Advanced
Beginner/Intermediate level  lead/follow and musicality abilities are also required.

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Lindy Hop+1 (Beginner/Advanced Beginner)
       
Introduces 8-Beat footwork, swing out, Lindy Circle & Lindy Charleston.

Requirements: fluid Triple Swing footwork; it generally takes 2-3 months of
Swing+1 level of experience to get a solid grasp of  the required footwork .

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Lindy Hop+2 (Advanced Beginner/Intermediate)
       
Reviews Lindy fundamentals and includes more advanced Charleston variations;
increased focus on musical awareness; partner connection and more challenging
routines than "Novice/Beginner". Lindy circle; basic
Lindy Charleston and simple Lindy routines. 

Requirements: to qualify for this class, you must be able to demonstrate fluid Lindy
Hop Basics (Swingout, Circle & Charleston w/variations) as well as mastery of Triple
Swing Footwork; you will need moderate to strong, lead–follow skills; and
familiarity with a range of 6 and 8 beat moves and sequences at an advanced beginner
level. Generally it takes about one full year of Swing/Lindy Hop Dance classes, practice
and social dancing to reach this level.

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Participants need to be very comfortable with basic 6-Beat Swing.      

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Jazz Line Dancing for Lindy Hoppers (adv beg/int)

We will continue to develop the Shim Sham—Charleston Choreography and introduce
new footwork variations and additional basic jazz routines in order to develop at least
one piece for public performance by the end of the 6 weeks.

Requirements: it would be helpful for you  to know Shim Sham, and some basic Lindy
Charleston. All sequences and steps will be reviewed on a weekly basis, but not
necessarily taught.        

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Senior Citizen Swing Dance Classes
Available as interest arises. Contact us for information for your group.

We teach a little about basic music structure and then a variety of basic
movement patterns and "entry level" Swing Dance Steps that are fun
and easy to do.

The big "hit" with this group is the music---music from your era, the 20's, 30's
and 40's. You know you're going to love this class.

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 Introduction to Swing Music (beginner/advanced beginner)

“Music Appreciation”  for aspiring swing & lindy hop dancers.  We will teach you about
basic music structure, focusing in particular on the underlying basic forms and rhythmic patterns.
You will also get a chance to practice some simple patterns of movement to help you begin
responding to the wonderfully compelling music of swing.

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