Special Class: Dj Training
DJs play a vital role in our dance community, they play the music that keeps our weekly dances running. If you’ve ever been intrigued by what goes into DJing or even trying it for yourself, this is the class to get you started!
In this class, you will learn about swing music and how to pair it to styles of swing dance, as well as about how to use DJ software to categorize your library and be ready to put the perfect song on at the dance. All class participants will have the opportunity to play a mini set at The Breakaway the first week of October with their newfound music libraries and DJ skills!
This class recommends all students have a way to play music (laptop preferable) from files on their device.
Special Class Teacher: Anton Ochs
Beginner: Kick-steppin' to the Beat
It's time to learn some Charleston! If you've seen people kicking their way across the dance floor, you're probably familiar with some of these energetic moves! Aside from learning Charleston moves, you'll also focus on good footwork, so that you know how to stay balanced while moving confidently across the floor. Then learn some fancy steps that will help you express your own personal shine when you're dancing with others! No partner and no experience necessary.
Beginner Teachers: Justin Lebar & Serena Calcagno
Intermediate: Variations And How To Use Them
In this class we’ll introduce different ways to vary our basic swingout footwork. We’ll give you some cool options for how to switch things up, and we’ll learn how to use them to play around with the music and build rapport with your partner.
Intermediate Teachers: Max Ramirez & Mark Hasier
Intermediate Elective: Open House Performance
Breakaway's annual Open House is at the end of September! Lots of folks will be coming to the Breakaway for the first time, and what better way to show them what we're all about than with an awesome performance by all of you?! Come learn a fun little routine choreographed by Helen and Calvin, and then perform it at the end of the month!
Elective Topics Teacher: Helen Garfinkle & Calvin Lu
Advanced Topics: Reacting And Responding
This series is 3 weeks long: September 3rd, 10th, & 17th.
LBN and Practice Session on September 24th included!
Requires prior approval for advanced topics see here.
You've learned that the dance comes 2 counts at a time, but how can we use that framework to help us react and respond to the music and our partner? When we keep our dancing flexible, it's way easier to dance to new music that we don't already know, and more creatively to music we do recognize. It also makes it easier for you and your partner to communicate, trade ideas, and equally influence the dance!
Advanced Topics Teachers: Bryan Lopez & Cat Patton
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!