The Beginner classes is where it all starts. We start with our basic hand hold and connection followed by getting on a learning a move.
Main points:
- Safe and fun learning environment.
- Start any week as there's no course or term.
- Achievable - you'll be able to use what you learn after just one class.
- You learn 3 - 4 moves from our core list of beginner moves.
- Review session afterwards with the taxi dancers to go over what you've just learnt.
The beginner classes are also popular with experienced dancers refining their basic skills and helping the newer dancers just by being there.
Beginner Move Sets
We have a set number of moves that arranged in sets so you can monitor your progress each week.
- There are 14 sets of moves.
- Each week the set changes to the next one.
- If you're new, it doesn't matter which set you start with.
- You can view movies of the moves being taught this week.
Beginner Review
Included in the evening is a review class taken by our Taxi dancers who are here to help look after the beginners.
The review is 30 minutes long and is often split into two groups:
- Beginners - recently started
- Improvers - looking to move up to the next level
It's a great opportunity to ask questions and get one to one assistance.
Moving Up to Intermediate
We want everyone to have fun and be safe at our dance classes. To help with this we have a Dance WoF (Warrant of Fitness) that we ask everyone to pass before joining an intermediate class.
Intermediate Classes
Modern Jive is a social partner dance where the emphasis is on being able to dance with a different people rather than with a fixed partner. The moves taught in intermediate classes are designed to be freestyleable rather than for competitions or performances.
Once you are confident dancing all the beginner moves then you may be interested in moving up to intermediate level where we present more challenging moves to spice up your repertoire.
To avoid injury to you or your partner, you need to pass your Dance WoF (Warrant of Fitness) before attending an intermediate class.
Main Points
Once you have passed your Dance WoF you can attend any intermediate class on any night of the week, you can skip a week or go more than once a week, it doesn't matter. Advanced dancers use these classes to support new intermediates and to work on their own timing, posture and technique.
- 30 minutes long followed by a 15 minute review.
- Safe learning environment with trained and talented teachers.
- Review session afterwards with the teacher and demo.
Class Content
Our main focus for intermediate is to teach moves that are freestyleable with anyone who has good lead / follow skills and to teach higher level technique.
- We teach 2-3 moves, one of which may be repeated from the previous week.
- We'll include extra technique points to help with safety and style.
- The last move is usually more difficult than the first ones and may include a dip.
- Moves are repeated several times throughout the year.
Base Moves and Technique Points
We have 20 base moves and technique points that are often included each class. Each base move can have many variations that can be developed from it.
| Base Move | Technique / Skill |
|---|
| 1. | Accordion spins | Balance |
| 2. | Aerial yoyo variation | Closeness |
| 3. | Archie | Compression |
| 4. | Backhander | Connection |
| 5. | Basic Dip | Direction changes |
| 6. | Basic Duck Turn | Floorcraft |
| 7. | Basic Seducer | Footwork |
| 8. | Basic Sit | Frame |
| 9. | Eskimo Manhattan | Height changes |
| 10. | Ginger | Listening |
| 11. | Half Nelson (lead & follow) | Mirroring |
| 12. | Hip Catch | Momentum |
| 13. | I go, you go | Repeating |
| 14. | Lunge | Rondes |
| 15. | Mambo | Safety |
| 16. | Pivots | Smoothness |
| 17. | Pretzel | Speed changes |
| 18. | Shoulder Block | Spinning |
| 19. | Sway | Styling |
| 20. | Telemark | Tension |
Intermediate Review
The intermediate review happens immediately after the class and is taken by the class teacher assisted by their demo.
The review is approximately 15 minutes long and is a great opportunity to ask questions and get one to one assistance with any aspect of the intermediate class.
Intermediate Plus Classes
Once you are confident dancing standard intermediate moves with good timing, connection and style, you may be interested in our Intermediate Plus Classes or Workshops.
You will learn more complex moves that require good knowledge and awareness of your partner's balance as well as your own.
It is important that people have a solid grasp of the fundamentals before moving up to higher levels. Dancers who are not up to the required level hold up the class for everyone else. Please make sure you pass the required assessment before attending a higher level class.
For some workshops, you will only be able to book and attend if you have passes the assessment. This is to ensure that dancers can expect everyone attending a higher level workshop to have the appropriate skill level.
Intermediate Plus Assessment
An intermediate plus dancer is someone who can dance intermediate moves well, i.e. with good timing, posture, balance and lead and follow technique.
To ensure your safety and that of other dancers, all attendees must have been assessed as ready for intermediate plus by one of our teachers.
Technique
- Dance in time for at least 90% of a song with a speed of 100 BPM (Beats per minute) or less.
- Able to dance in a slot which shows control and understanding of direction.
- Body awareness: muscle control, appropriate posture/core strength, holds 100% of own balance.
- Partnership skills: appropriate connection and good communication.
- Floorcraft: spatial awareness, keeping partner safe.
Moves
Able to lead or follow well
- Able to apply the skills covered in the Intermediate Foundations and Essential Dips & Drops workshops.
- Sway: hand position, amount of turn, smooth exit.
- Sit: clear body position, well balanced.
- Seducer: correct posture and maintain balance.
- Duck Turn: maintain connection and balance throughout the move.