Beginner Swing, Lindy Hop & Balboa Classes

Hop to the Beat Dance Studio regularly holds Beginner Swing, Lindy Hop, Balboa and other classes taught by Tony & Aurelie Tye for the Boston, Massachusetts area in Newton. Periodically we also have classes in other locations in New England and at local colleges. Private lessons are also available. Get on our mailing list to receive information on these and future classes.

Check the separate Hip Hop Classes page for information on Hip Hop classes.

We teach regular classes in 6 week sessions throughout the year. Each class consists of a 1 hour lesson per week for 6 weeks. Our Newton location is easily accessible by car and T. It is possible to join a class in its second week. No partner required, singles and couples welcome. These are adult classes, but teens are welcome to attend. In general, partners are rotated during classes, which is helpful in learning, plus a fun way to meet classmates. For couples who would prefer not to switch partners, that is fine as well. Classes emphasize lead/follow, rhythm, musicality, technique and styling, and are taught in a fun, relaxed atmosphere. Our currently announced class schedules are above and an on-line registration form is available. To get notified about these or future classes, please ask to be added to our mailing list.

Regular Sessions: On Sunday evenings we offer a full line-up of Lindy Hop style Swing classes for all levels, including beginners, plus various other classes that change each session and usualy include Balboa, at the Lower Falls Community Center in Newton Lower Falls. See the Lindy Hop Class Levels section for a description on the various levels available.

July-August 2008 Session:

Session currently in progress. (Click here to see current class schedule)

 

September-October 2008 Session:

Classes include Beginner Swing/Intro to Lindy Hop Level 1, Lindy Hop Level 2 and Lindy Hop Level 3. Also there is a Beginner Balboa class. Balboa continues to grow in popularity and can easily be incorporated into Lindy Hop dancing. Open to those new to Balboa and anyone interested in reviewing and refining basics. All classes are on Sunday evenings at Lower Falls Community Center in Newton Lower Falls, MA.

 

November-December 2008 Session:

Get on our mailing list to be notified when the schedule is available.

Registration: Please pre-register to ensure a spot (Registration Form). Registration is not complete and a place is not secured until payment is received. If pre-registered, please arrive 10 minutes before class time on the first day to allow time to check-in. If not pre-registered, please arrive 15 minutes early to allow time to register and pay. If you are not able to pre-register, please still submit an on-line registration form to help speed your registration on the first day. No partner required unless mentioned otherwise. It is possible to join the session at the second week. If you are new to our studio and would like to try out a class, you may register and if you decide not to take the session, contact us before the start of the second lesson for a refund (less $13). We are always happy to help in deciding which Lindy Hop Class Level is the best fit, and adjustments can be made in the second week of the session. Check the directions for parking information and note that the classes are held at different locations on different days.

SHOES: Please be sure to bring clean dry sneakers (smoother soles have less traction and are better, allowing for easy turning) or soft-soled flat dance shoes. (Please, no hard soled, or black rubber soled shoes that leave marks.) Please change shoes on the entrance mat to help prevent outside wet, salt and grit from getting on the wooden floor.

What Is Lindy Hop?

Lindy Hop is the original form of Swing or Jitterbug partner dancing. It is danced to all tempos of Swing music, starting with 1920's hot Jazz and smokin' Blues, Big Band Swing and Jazz Combos of the 1940s to today, the infectious energy of Jump Blues and Boogie Woogie, '50s Rock 'n' Roll, and also includes Rhythm & Blues and many of today's popular contemporary tunes.

Lindy Hop has experienced a resurgence across the U.S. and Europe. Originating in the late 1920s, evolving out of the Charleston, Lindy Hop quickly became an exuberant Swing style which developed with the hot Big Band Jazz sounds of the times. Its exciting presence is seen in the movies A League of Their Own, Malcolm X and Swing Kids. Lindy Hop has continued to evolve over the years, influenced by other dance styles and changes in popular music. It has become an incredibly fun, creative partner dance mixing the classic with the new. With a character all its own, Lindy Hop is hard to resist!

Class Levels

Our classes are organized into different levels, with each level having multiple classes (signified by the letter after the level number). These classes can be taken in any order, and are cycled each session. This allows you to become proficient at a particular level while expanding vocabulary each session before moving up to the next level. We are always happy to answer questions on which level to take.

Beginner Swing/Intro to Lindy Hop Level 1

This is the place for beginners with no (or little) experience to start. Each session covers new material in addition to the 6 count basics. There are seven sessions of Level 1 and classes may be taken in any order, no partner required. There is a discount price for those that have previously taken two full sessions of Level 1, and you may choose to start with the new steps by joining in the 2nd week.

 

Lindy Hop Level 2

For those who can comfortably social dance any style of triple-step Swing. There are seven Level 2 classes that cycle each session. They may be taken in any order and cover different material in addition to the 8 and 6 count basics. These classes allow students to concentrate on all aspects of Lindy basics including technique and partner connection. This level is also attended by more experienced dancers who want to continue to refine basics. No partner required. There is a discount price for those that have previously taken two full sessions of Level 2.

 

Lindy Hop Level 3

For those who are comfortable social dancing the material taught in the Level 2 sessions. Each session is new and different material is covered. In these classes we work on more advanced partnering concepts and footwork variations, emphasizing lead-follow connection. A mix of classic and more contemporary material is included suitable for a variety of tempos. No partner required.

Periodically we also offer other classes which focus on particular aspects such as technique and partnering, footwork and syncopation, dancing fast, dancing slow and performance.

Besides Beginner Swing and Lindy Hop, each year we also offer classes in Balboa and the popular Swing line dances including Shim Sham, Jitterbug Stroll and Swing Stroll. There is also a regular schedule of Hip Hop Classes.

What Is Balboa?

Balboa is a closed position dance originally developed in the early 1930s in California. Later open position moves were added and the name Bal-Swing was coined. These days Balboa includes both pure Bal and Bal-Swing moves and continues to grow in popularity among dancers across the U.S. and beyond. A real plus is that since it easily mixes in with Lindy, you can add it to what you already know. Balboa emphasizes footwork, has great partner connection and goes especially well with medium to very fast tempos.

Private Lessons

Private lessons for individuals, couples and groups are available by arrangement, just contact us.

Other Locations

We periodically scheduled sessions at other locations. To get notified about future classes, workshops, camp and other events, please ask to be added to our mailing list, indicating in what area you live.

Mainiac Swing Dance Society Workshops

We will be teaching an afternoon of Lindy Hop workshops in Brunswick, Maine on Saturday, October 11, sponsored by the Mainiac Swing Dance Society. Following the workshops will be an evening Swing dance. It has been quite awhile since we last taught classes up in Maine and we are really looking forward to returning. Please come join us! You can find more information below. Hope to see you there!