- What we teachWe teach a class before every dance; the class begins at 6:30 pm, the dance at 7:30. Friday classes are easygoing and beginner-friendly, so that's the place to start with us if you're not an intermediate-level dancer. Monday classes are intermediate level and are generally in 6-week series (except during the summer). We mostly teach waltz, especially cross-step waltz.
Friday night classes
We offer ongoing drop-in classes on Fridays (note that's not every Friday;
check the schedule) that are easygoing and move at
a slower pace than our Monday night classes. Each Friday night class will cover
some of the important basics of a dance (usually cross-step waltz or turning
waltz), and give you a couple of cool moves to do in that dance. Friday night
classes are a great place to start.
Monday night classes
We start with more basic (but still intermediate level) classes in the fall,
then build on that to teach more challenging classes in the spring. In the summer,
we teach intermediate-level drop-in classes on Mondays: one-shot stand-alone
classes or "doubleshots" - two weeks in a row exploring the same dance.
You can drop in for just half of a doubleshot if you like.
Where do I fit in?
If you're a beginning dancer, or haven't danced in a while, come to some of
our Friday night classes to start with (note that's not every Friday;
check the schedule). If you're an intermediate-level
dancer, start in with our Monday night classes in the fall. If you're not sure,
ask to dance with Zachariah (I can dance either part with you) and we'll figure
it out.
First read about our general approach to waltz. Cross-step waltz is our favorite dance, and the core for most of what we teach; it's a swooping, playful step for slower waltzes (105-120 bpm). Cross-step makes it easy to create playful, inventive variations and special moves. Cross-step begins on the other foot than most partner dances: leads' right and follows' left. Versions of cross-step that don't embrace this other-footedness make the dance conflict with the music, which is kinda stupid. Other-footedness is important in cross-step; in turning waltz, you can start on either foot and make it work and fit with the music just fine.
We teach several class series on cross-step waltz every year; there's a lot to learn. We also teach other classes that adapt the structure and moves of cross-step waltz for other kinds of music, like blues and sweet ballads. We mix other dances into cross-step, like salsa and tango. It's a great dance; you'll be happy you learned it.
The basic idea of turning waltz is that you turn (revolve) continuously as a couple except when you're doing something else. Turning is what you always come back to. Turning waltz is mostly for medium speeds on up (anything above 120 bpm). In Vienna they like to turn very fast, but we're not so much into that; we like more playful, easygoing kinda dancing that you can do without having to dress up in a monkey suit.
If a dance teacher says to you, "just take lessons/classes from me," get out of there and don't look back. Dancers benefit from exposure to a variety of teachers and styles. Anyone who says different is a reprehensible toad who's just trying to get your dough; steer clear. Take classes from a variety of teachers and organizations so you don't get stuck in a rut. Don't just take classes from us! Other local teachers and groups that we like are listed on our Links page
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