Pre-Dance Lessons
Before most of our weekend dances, we offer a 6:00pm intermediate lesson followed by a 7:00pm beginning lesson before the general social dance starts at 8:00pm. You can see what the lesson will be for any particular weekend on our dance schedule page. Even though the pre-dance lessons are for a single genre each week, we always play a mix of all different dance genres at the social dance starting at 8:00.
Intermediate Lesson Expectations
American SwingFor the intermediate American Swing lesson, you should already:
1. Know the basic, underarm turns, and American spin
2. Can dance on time to the music
3. Have been dancing American swing for 3 months minimum
4. Have been ballroom dancing for 6 months minimum
Samba:
For the intermediate samba lesson, you should already:
1. Know the basic samba steps (basic, whisk, bota fogos, voltas).
2. Know underarm turn using the volta action.
3. Can dance on time to the music.
4. Have been dancing Samba as a partner dance for at least 3 months.
5. Have been dancing ballroom for at least 6 months.
Salsa/Mambo:
For the intermediate mambo or salsa lesson, you should already:
1. Know cuddles, hammerlocks, under-arm turns, and cross-body leads
2. Be comfortable with salsa-on-1 timing and basic salsa motion
3. Have a basic understanding of cuban motion
4. Have been dancing ballroom for at least 6 months
American Tango:
For the intermediate American Tango lesson, you should already:
1. Have a fairly good foundation and understanding in regards to your frame for different positions (closed position, promenade, etc.)
2. Be ready for more challenging positions like outside partner, shadow position, etc.
3. Understand most footwork as to how they should step and place their weight (heel, toe, ball of foot, etc.)
4. Know the basic, promenade, corte, and promenade to fan
5. Be ready for more variations in timing for the steps/patterns.
6. Have been dancing American Tango for at least 3 months
7. Have been dancing ballroom for at least 6 months.
American Rumba:
For the intermediate American Rumba lesson, you should already:
1. Be familiar with the basic Rumba steps, (box, walks, & breaks).
2. Have a good idea of Rumba dance hold and how it differs from ballroom hold.
3. Have a passing knowledge of the personality of Rumba or cuban action.
4. Have been dancing American Rumba for at least 3 months.
5. Have been dancing ballroom for at least 6 months
Quickstep:
For the intermediate Quickstep lesson, you should already:
1. Know fundamental steps of the dance (quarter turn to right, progressive chasse, forward lock, natural turn or natural spin turn).
2. Can dance on time to the music.
3. Have been dancing Quickstep for at least 3 months.
4. Have been dancing ballroom for at least 6 months.
Bolero:
For the intermediate Bolero lesson, you should already:
1. Know the basic and bolero timing.
2. Cross-over breaks.
3. Opening break/under-arm turn.
3. Have been dancing Bolero for at least 3 months.
4. Have been dancing ballroom for at least 6 months.
American Cha Cha:
For the intermediate Cha Cha lesson, you should already know the pre-bronze steps, namely:
1. Cha Cha Basic
2. Forward and Back Basic
3. Cross Over Breaks and Switch Turn
4. Right Underarm Turn
5. Right Left Right Underarm Turns
6. Three Cha Chas Forward and Back
7. Have been dancing Cha Cha for 3 months
8. Have been dancing ballroom for 6 months
Viennese Waltz:
For the intermediate Viennese Waltz lesson, you should already:
1. Natural turn
2. Reverse turn
3. Closed change
3. Have been dancing Viennese Waltz for at least 3 months.
4. Have been dancing ballroom for at least 6 months.
