Frequently Asked Questions
There are three rules in social dance:
Smile at your partner.
Laugh at yourself.
If you and your partner are having fun, you're doing great.
...that being said, here are some things you might also want to know:
Do I need a partner?
Nope! We rotate partners in class - this really speeds up learning for everyone and puts the "social" in "social dancing." You have the option to enroll with a partner who you can start and end the class with, but it is perfectly normal not to have one.
Really really want to dance with the partner you came with? Talk to your instructor when you arrive. It's not absolutely required to rotate partners (especially if you have health concerns about rotating), but you will learn faster if you dance with many people.
What do I wear?
Clothes: Wear comfortable clothes that you can move around in. In many cases, this can be whatever you were wearing earlier that day.
Note: some dance moves involve spins. If you arrive in a skirt, you may be more comfortable with shorts underneath.
"Shoes:" For beginner classes, most shoes will be serviceable, and many students will even wear socks to class. Don't let a lack of perfect shoes keep you from dancing. If you have some options, opt for comfortable shoes with somewhat slippy bottoms (cloth or leather soles work well). Sneakers can have too much traction.
Masks: Masks are required! Surgical or N95 (or equivalent) preferred.
What is your COVID-19 policy?
We request that all students are vaccinated against COVID-19.
Students are expected to wear masks in class (KN-95 or equivalent preferred).
What if I have no dance experience?
No problem! One thing that makes social dance special is that most social dancers begin dancing as adults. You will not be alone.
Of the classes this fall, Intro to Waltz and Intro Swing are specifically designed for beginners as fun introductions to multiple styles. Consider taking both for a strong foundation in two major families of dance!
Foundations of West Coast Swing (WCS) also assumes no dance experience, but WCS is more technique-focused than most dances. Many people find that learning WCS elevates their dance foundations across dance styles, but it is less "instantly rewarding" because it takes more technical work to get to the "flashy stuff."
What if I have to miss a class?
Missing a class or two is not a problem, as long as you find ways to keep up with the material. It's especially helpful to have a friend or partner in the class who can catch you up on what you missed while you were gone.
Make sure you don't fall too far behind! Not only will you get less out of the series, but your partners won't learn as much if they have to catch you up on what you missed instead of practicing new material with you.
Note that the pricing is a flat rate for all 6 classes, so if you miss classes you will not get a refund for the classes you missed.
Should I pre-register as a lead or follow?
That's up to you!
In most partner dancing, "lead" partner suggests which dance moves to do, and the "follow" partner interprets cues from the lead. In the Old Days, the "men" lead and "ladies" followed. But lots of things were different in the Old Days. Nowadays, many dancers eventually learn both roles (although many do have a favorite too!)
We do ask that you pick one role and stick with it for the whole six week class so you don't fall behind.
The Enrollment Game: We will role-balance enrollment. If you are willing to dance either role, you may have an easier time getting into classes. If you write that on your registration, please be genuine about it!
How do I sign up? / What's my registration status?
Click below to get to the registration form! Filling out the form does not mean you are in the classes (yet). If space is open in the class, we'll send you an email with a link to pay for the course, thereby confirming your enrollment.
Can I take more than one class?
Yep!
What's the difference between "Swing" and "West Coast Swing"
Great question! "Swing" is a term used to refer to a lot of different dances:
Intro to Swing will teach you just the essentials of three subtypes of swing that are fun and easy: Bugg (video), 6-count, and triple step swing. Beginners will get a lot of mileage out of these.
Foundations of West Coast Swing will teach you West Coast Swing (video), which is a different type of swing from what you would learn in the Intro Swing. West Coast Swing is a newer dance, and it's wildly popular. People who learn the basics of West Coast Swing may keep returning to the dance and mastering new skills for years.
There's more detail on the class descriptions.
Other questions? Contact us!
More questions? Email rockyaikens [at] gmail [dot] com.