Curriculum
Each series within a level do not have to be taken in order. For example, you can start with Level 1: Charleston, then move to Level 1: 6-count. However, *all* Level 1 courses need to be completed before moving on to Level 2, unless you have prior instructor approval (otherwise, you get lost really fast and it's no fun). These classes rotate each month, so if you miss a month, figure out on your own when that class comes back around! Or email anthony@saltcityswing.org, and he'll tell you.
Very often, taking a class just once will not be enough for all of the information to stick. Therefore, we highly encourage everyone to retake classes as many times as you need to before you feel comfortable with the material. Lucky for you, we have a "Retake" rate! If you have taken a particular series before, e.g. Level 1 Charleston, and you want a refresher, choose the "Retake" option to take it again for less than half of the price! Many students do this and learn a lot the second or third time through. Our goal is to give students the incentive to retake classes and stay for the dance, so they can retain class material and improve faster. Please note, the "Retake" option does not include the dance pass.
Lindy Hop
Level 1
6-count & 8-count Lindy Hop
Level 1 Lindy Hop starts from the very beginning, focusing on partner connection and 6-count 8-count patterns that are essential for any Lindy Hopper. This is a longer 8-week course because there are some basics in here that can be fairly challenging. If you have to miss a week or two, let us know and come early the next week so we can catch you up. Lets get you out on the dance floor! No experience or partner required.
Charleston
Charleston will get you moving on the dance floor, and here we're focusing on the dance that started it all. This dance is often interspersed within any social swing dance, or can be danced standalone. Charleston is the jelly to the Lindy Hop peanut butter. This basic also helps you dance to faster music, without feeling like you're working too hard--but you'll never feel like you're getting this much exercise when you're having so much fun! Topics for this class include, but are not limited to Charleston basic and connection, broken records, breakaway flip-flops, inside-out kicks, traveling basics, cross-hand inside-out kicks, skip ups, and more!
Level 2
The Swingout
This is the Lindy Hop basic, and yet one of the most complicated moves to master. We could spend a year (or more) working on the swingout, but we're going to condense it down to the most important parts for this month. We'll work on technique of the swingout, stylizations, and moves based on the swingout. No partner required. You must have either taken both beginner series classes to register for this class, or have experience dancing Lindy Hop and have some familiarity with the swing out already.
Connection and Musicality
This class will take a deep dive into the lead/follow aspects of swing and mix up some of the different rhythmic structures that make up Lindy Hop! We'll work on getting your dancing dialed into the music AND with your connection to your partner.
Charleston
In this class we will be starting from the connection and aesthetics of the basic, and moving quickly on to build on the technique and connection of other patterns in hand to hand and tandem Charleston as well. We cover Charleston patterns and connection in 6-count and 8-count (and more) in this series.
Level 3
Balboa
Level 1
Level 1A
In this new 2-part class we will work on the foundation of Balboa and some classic moves! Balboa is a close embrace swing dance from Newport Beach in the 1940s, characterized by smooth shuffling footwork, kicks, and turns. This is a great elegant dance to know especially for those faster tunes! Keep an eye out for part 2 of this series titled \"Level 1B Balboa.\" No partner or experience required.
Level 1B
This is part 2 in our new 2-part class where we will work on the foundation of Balboa and some classic moves! Balboa is a close embrace swing dance from Newport Beach in the 1940s, characterized by smooth shuffling footwork, kicks, and turns. This is a great elegant dance to know especially for those faster tunes! We highly recommend more experienced dancers take this class as a way to brush up on your basics. Prerequisites: must have some comfortability in up hold basics, down hold basics, come arounds, out and ins, lolly kicks, and toss outs.
Level 2
Level 2A Bal-Swing
In this class, we will continue to build on the foundations of Balboa, learn some more classic moves, and work on the flow between sequences! Prerequisites: must have taken Balboa Level 1A and 1B; should have decent proficiency with pure-bal basics, come arounds, toss outs, out and ins, lollies, and promenades
Level 2B Bal-Swing
In this class, we will continue to build on the foundations of Balboa, learn some more classic moves, and work on the flow between sequences! Prerequisites: must have taken Balboa Level 1A, 1B, and 2A; should have decent proficiency with pure-bal basics, come arounds, toss outs, out and ins, lollies, and promenades.
Pure Bal
This class will have a focus on building vocabulary and comfortability in Pure Balboa, as well as flow between moves. Prerequisites: must have taken Balboa Level 1A and 1B; should be comfortable with up hold basics, down hold basics, come-arounds, progressives/ ad-libs, and paddles.
Level 3
Toss Out Variations
Description coming soon
Classic Moves
Description coming soon
Pure Bal
Description coming soon