Here’s a little more about the dance class options. We’ve moved away from splitting people by dance ability this year and instead are offering dance themes. The question for you is what do you think you most need to help your dancing?
If you’re less experienced, consider the art of the social dance with Robyn & Moritz. If you’re solid with the basics want to know how to choreograph and perform, then 9 hours with Ben & Michaela is the one for you. If you want to get a solid grounding in the technique of Fast Lindy with Elle & Marti is the class you should take. If you have a partner that you can train with before, during and after the festival then go for Savoy with Cat & Cam. And finally there is Solo Jazz with Lana Williams, you will only ever be as good a partner dancer as you are a solo dancer so if this is where you need to improve you know what you need to do.
There will be some fluidity in the dance ability in each class. But we don’t think that it will be any different from the range of ability you get when people self-select their dance level. What we’re trying to encourage is the feeling that everyone in each class is there because they want to get better, they want to be taught by that teacher and they want to help and support everyone else in the class to achieve the same thing.
- Savoy stream – Musicality and Rhythm – Cat & Cam
- Choreography and Performance – Ben & Mich
- Art of the Social Dance – Robyn & Moritz
- Fast Dancing – Elle & Marti
- Solo Movement, Jazz & Technique – Lana Williams
Savoy stream – Musicality and Rhythm – Cat & Cam
The Savoy Stream is a Bristol Swing Festival intensive track; Smaller class, higher work ethic, more individual feedback, concentration on technique. This year, Cat and Cam will be taking the classes with a focus on Musicality and Rhythm. You’ll be expected to do some video work before and after the festival. You need to be confident in your basics and you’ll need to sign up with a partner, but there is rotation in class. You should have solid fundamentals and feel confident on the social floor.
Choreography and Performance – Ben & Mich
Michaela and Ben have many years of experience working with award winning performance groups, and want to share their passion with you. You’ll work on performance skills, learning original choreography, and even tips and exercises for how to create your own pieces. They also hope you’ll join them in presenting a short routine at the end of the festival. Aimed at higher level dancers, you need to be comfortable working at a fast pace and be happy to work hard.
Art of the Social Dance – Robyn & Moritz
Robyn and Moritz will be bringing it back to what it’s all about: The joy we all find in social dancing. They’ll take you through building a dance together with your partner on the social floor, incorporating things like open/closed leading and following techniques, call and response, and even making floor craft fun and interesting! As long as you can comfortably social dance, Robyn and Moritz will find elements for dancers of all levels to improve their skills.
If you’re less experienced, consider the art of the social dance with Robyn & Moritz. If you’re solid with the basics want to know how to choreograph and perform, then 9 hours with Ben & Michaela is the one for you. If you want to get a solid grounding in the technique of Fast Lindy with Elle & Marti is the class you should take. If you have a partner that you can train with before, during and after the festival then go for Savoy with Cat & Cam. And finally there is Solo Jazz with Lana Williams, you will only ever be as good a partner dancer as you are a solo dancer so if this is where you need to improve you know what you need to do.
Fast Dancing – Elle & Marti
Honouring the tradition of dancing Lindy Hop at the fast tempos is a personal favourite of Elle and Marti. They are putting the focus on fast social dances: how to survive them, truly enjoy them and find the dynamics of a great fast dance. You’ll be taken through a variety of techniques and exercises to improve your fast dancing ability and to find success and fun at the higher speeds.
Solo Movement, Jazz & Technique – Lana Williams
Lana Williams brings 15 years of professional dance experience to the festival. Trained in classical ballet, modern, tap, latin as well as swing dances she offers a unique viewpoint on how to train people to become better dancers. Expect a whirlwind of technical drills, exercises and choreography that train you to move and respond better to the rhythm of the music we all love.