Beginner : Let the Music Groove You
Rhythm is a key part of what makes Lindy Hop the dance that it is! After all, one way to describe swing dancing is just dancing plus swing music. In this class you'll learn the skills you need for identifying, matching, syncopating, and playing around with the beat of the music. All while learning new moves to take on to the dance floor! No partner and no experience necessary.
Beginner Teachers: Samantha Nguyen & Steven Bach
Intermediate: Dancing Without Moves: Groove Walking 101
The Groove Walk isn't just one move, it's a whole vibe. It's deceptively simple to start with but, similar to Charleston, you can build on the basic step and start to change the footwork, the shapes, add turns, add stylings, etc. and explore the limitless possibilities that come from stepping and bouncing. Learning to groove walk is also important for working on your lead + follow basics, as well as your movement fundamentals. So join us and get ready to groove!
Intermediate Teachers: Justin Lebar & Emily Morgan
Advanced Topics: Training Sessions: Quality of Movement
What IS quality of movement? If you've ever watched a really great dancer do the exact same move you learned in class, and even though it's all the same steps and timing, for some reason they just look SO GOOD, then you were probably noticing their quality of movement! It comes in a lot of different forms: smooth, bouncy, sharp, etc. but "good" quality of movement are the best, most refined versions of them. And it's not just for looks, there are practical lead/follow benefits to dancing with good quality of movement. It's a huge topic, but join Calvin in this class to drill, practice, and discuss it so that you can start your own personal journey with quality of movement.
We recommend having completed at least 6 months of Intermediate before taking this class.
Elective Topics Teacher: Calvin Lu
Advanced Topics: Mini-Routine with Helen & Max
This series is 3 weeks long: Feb 6th, 13th, and 20th
LBN on Feb 27th included!
Join Helen and Max, choreographers for the Breakaway summer team The Oaktown Hella Hoppers, for a fun, challenging, fast-paced three-week choreography class ending in a performance at Swingin’ at the Savoy!
From Helen and Max:
Because we only have three weeks, we’ll be focusing on skills like learning through observation, memorization techniques, and perseverance. This is an exciting challenge even if you’ve been on teams in the past.
We STRONGLY PREFER that you be available for all three weeks of this class. If you really want to join and know you’re going to miss one week, message us privately before you register. Students must attend the Sunday night dance at SATS to participate.
Let’s put on a show!
Advanced Topics Teachers: Max Ramirez & Helen Garfinkle
Practice sESSION
Intermediate/Advanced Practice Session is held on the last Thursday of each month at 7-8pm, right before the dance.
These practices are meant for dancers who are very comfortable with Intermediate content, have danced and taken classes regularly for at least a year, and are willing to be more collaborative and self-directed than a typical class setting. Ideas will be given for inspiration, but you are encouraged to bring your own ideas to work on. Coming with a dance partner is not required but is allowed and recommended. Expect to workshop moves and ideas with other dancers, give and receive constructive feedback, and build connections in the Lindy Hop community!