WHICH CLASS SHOULD I TAKE?
If you are new to Swing Out, South Florida progressive classes, we ask that you start your journey with us in Foundations. Foundations is an all-level class - it's perfect for: brand new beginners, folks still perfecting 6 count and Charleston footwork patterns, more experienced dancers looking to re-establish a strong foundation or simply shake off some rust, or anyone who wants to start learning their non-primary role. Foundations is a two-class series and Foundations 1 and 2 can be taken in any order. No partner or experience needed.
CAN I TRY IT BEFORE COMMITTING TO 6 WEEKS?
Absolutely! We welcome Drop In students for the first two weeks of each session only.* The material and concepts in these classes builds throughout the six weeks, so regular attendance is key both to you and your classmates getting the most out of class.
*Exceptions may be made for advanced or out-of-town traveling dancers - please email if this applies to you.
WHAT IF I HAVE PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE?
We regularly have folks join us who have learned from a lot of different places and instructors. The style and fundamentals we're teaching doesn't always align with what other organizations teach. We need everyone in class to share the same foundations for the sake of student safety and group progress. Students joining us with previous training are required to be evaluated by an instructor before being placed in a class. Please email or reach out to us if this applies to you.
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FOUNDATIONS CLASSES AND CORE CLASS?
Core classes work on more advanced technique including musicality, partnership, body and movement mechanics, refining techniques, and expanding your skill set. Additional vernacular jazz styles are regularly covered. The topic of this class will change every session, responsive to the students' progress and needs. It is important that students joining Core share the same foundational skills and technique, so that the class's ability to move through the material is not slowed or halted by a single student.
MOVING FROM FOUNDATIONS CLASSES TO CORE CLASS
To move into Core Class, you must: complete both Foundations 1 and Foundations 2 and/or pass an instructor level evaluation.
*There is not a standard timeline for this - everyone is on their own dance journey! The idea is not that you've checked all the boxes, but that everyone in Core class is both comfortable and confident with the material and concepts covered in the Foudnations courses
We use an instructor-leveling policy to ensure that each student is properly placed. This allows you to get the most out of your class, for the best learning environment for each class collectively, and allows students to have a clear idea of the expectations of the different courses.
Evaluations take place at the special workshops we offer between class sessions, during the 9:30-10:00 PM social dancing. You do not have to attend the workshop to join us for the level evaluation.
We will be evaluating your ability to lead or follow the material covered in the Foundations class as well as your comfort with the technique. A full list of what we’ll be looking for can be found below. Following the evaluation, you will be given specific feedback on what you can focus on at this point in your dance journey and which class you’ve been approved to take the following session. If this does not include approval to move to Core, it will include recommendations for how you can get there.
We don’t want level evaluations to be high-pressure or intimidating - it’s just a way for us to get more organized and for you to get more personalized guidance and attention! If you forget to demonstrate something during the social dancing, we’ll make sure you show us. And if you can’t make it to the evaluation or the way we’re doing it sounds too stressful for you, talk to us and we can work out an alternative!
Reach out to us before July 13th if you’re eligible and interested in being evaluated for the next class session (starting July 20th).
You will be expected to have learned and be able to demonstrate the following:
8-Count Steps
Basic
Frankie Promenade
Send Out
Open to Closed Transition
Lindy Circle
Swingout - Closed to Open, Open to Closed, Open to Open
Washing Machine/Clock
6-Count Steps
Basic
Tuck Turn
Inside Turn to Closed
Side Passes - Inside Turn, Leader Window, Sweetheart Curl, Releasing Hands
Charleston Steps
Side-by-Side Kick Charleston Basic
Tuck Turn, Replacing Triples with Kick-steps
Side Pass, Replacing Triples with Kick-steps
Kick-Aways
Hand-to-Hand
These lists are not meant to be intimidating! If you feel unsure of following or leading any of these moves (or if you're not sure what some of them are), we recommend coming to a Tuesday practice or getting together with a classmate to brush up!
If you can not consistently demonstrate these moves comfortably, confidently, on time, and with good rhythm, we highly recommend that you retake the Foundations course that covers the material challenging you, bring that material to a Tuesday practice session, or work with one of our instructors in a private lesson.
If you are new to Swing Out, South Florida progressive classes, we ask that you start your journey with us in Foundations. Foundations is an all-level class - it's perfect for: brand new beginners, folks still perfecting 6 count and Charleston footwork patterns, more experienced dancers looking to re-establish a strong foundation or simply shake off some rust, or anyone who wants to start learning their non-primary role. Foundations is a two-class series and Foundations 1 and 2 can be taken in any order. No partner or experience needed.
CAN I TRY IT BEFORE COMMITTING TO 6 WEEKS?
Absolutely! We welcome Drop In students for the first two weeks of each session only.* The material and concepts in these classes builds throughout the six weeks, so regular attendance is key both to you and your classmates getting the most out of class.
*Exceptions may be made for advanced or out-of-town traveling dancers - please email if this applies to you.
WHAT IF I HAVE PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE?
We regularly have folks join us who have learned from a lot of different places and instructors. The style and fundamentals we're teaching doesn't always align with what other organizations teach. We need everyone in class to share the same foundations for the sake of student safety and group progress. Students joining us with previous training are required to be evaluated by an instructor before being placed in a class. Please email or reach out to us if this applies to you.
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FOUNDATIONS CLASSES AND CORE CLASS?
Core classes work on more advanced technique including musicality, partnership, body and movement mechanics, refining techniques, and expanding your skill set. Additional vernacular jazz styles are regularly covered. The topic of this class will change every session, responsive to the students' progress and needs. It is important that students joining Core share the same foundational skills and technique, so that the class's ability to move through the material is not slowed or halted by a single student.
MOVING FROM FOUNDATIONS CLASSES TO CORE CLASS
To move into Core Class, you must: complete both Foundations 1 and Foundations 2 and/or pass an instructor level evaluation.
*There is not a standard timeline for this - everyone is on their own dance journey! The idea is not that you've checked all the boxes, but that everyone in Core class is both comfortable and confident with the material and concepts covered in the Foudnations courses
We use an instructor-leveling policy to ensure that each student is properly placed. This allows you to get the most out of your class, for the best learning environment for each class collectively, and allows students to have a clear idea of the expectations of the different courses.
Evaluations take place at the special workshops we offer between class sessions, during the 9:30-10:00 PM social dancing. You do not have to attend the workshop to join us for the level evaluation.
We will be evaluating your ability to lead or follow the material covered in the Foundations class as well as your comfort with the technique. A full list of what we’ll be looking for can be found below. Following the evaluation, you will be given specific feedback on what you can focus on at this point in your dance journey and which class you’ve been approved to take the following session. If this does not include approval to move to Core, it will include recommendations for how you can get there.
We don’t want level evaluations to be high-pressure or intimidating - it’s just a way for us to get more organized and for you to get more personalized guidance and attention! If you forget to demonstrate something during the social dancing, we’ll make sure you show us. And if you can’t make it to the evaluation or the way we’re doing it sounds too stressful for you, talk to us and we can work out an alternative!
Reach out to us before July 13th if you’re eligible and interested in being evaluated for the next class session (starting July 20th).
You will be expected to have learned and be able to demonstrate the following:
8-Count Steps
Basic
Frankie Promenade
Send Out
Open to Closed Transition
Lindy Circle
Swingout - Closed to Open, Open to Closed, Open to Open
Washing Machine/Clock
6-Count Steps
Basic
Tuck Turn
Inside Turn to Closed
Side Passes - Inside Turn, Leader Window, Sweetheart Curl, Releasing Hands
Charleston Steps
Side-by-Side Kick Charleston Basic
Tuck Turn, Replacing Triples with Kick-steps
Side Pass, Replacing Triples with Kick-steps
Kick-Aways
Hand-to-Hand
These lists are not meant to be intimidating! If you feel unsure of following or leading any of these moves (or if you're not sure what some of them are), we recommend coming to a Tuesday practice or getting together with a classmate to brush up!
If you can not consistently demonstrate these moves comfortably, confidently, on time, and with good rhythm, we highly recommend that you retake the Foundations course that covers the material challenging you, bring that material to a Tuesday practice session, or work with one of our instructors in a private lesson.