Book a Private Lesson (sliding scale)
5% of all profits will be donated to the Black Lindy Hoppers Fund
Location: Hermes Gallery, 5682 North St, North End Halifax, Kjipuktuk, Nova Scotia, Canada
Any trouble booking? Contact me.
You will be redirected after booking to pay for lessons, or you can access the payment page here:
Why take private lessons?
Getting individual feedback and coaching can really help you develop skills quickly and precisely. While group classes are a wonderful way to connect to other dancers, be part of a larger community, and also get fantastic instruction, the benefit of private instruction is that it can be tailored to your pace, specific learning styles, and individual strengths.
For Beginners
Never done partner dancing before? I can show you the basics from square one, either for you or you and a dance partner. Private lessons can be great for those who might feel a bit overwhelmed by group classses or for those who want personalized pacing & feedback to help establish good dance habits right from the start. Beginner private lessons can also be a great supplement to your existing classes.
For Intermediates
Privates are a great tool for more experienced/ intermediate dancers to create new possibilities in their dance by fine tuning connection, musicality, and breaking free from certain patterns. I can help you feel more confident in doing swingouts, Charleston kicks, solo jazz steps, switching between 6 & 8-count (and 2-count!) rhythms, improvising, and switching roles. I can also help you pinpoint habits in your dancing that work well for you or maybe are holding you back.
Couples | Weddings | Events | Groups
Do you want to show off some snazzy dance moves at your wedding? I can help couples create a fun swing dance routine to perform.
Have an event and want to have everyone learn some fun partnered or solo swing dance moves? That can also be arranged for those in the Halifax/Nova Scotia area. Contact me to inquire.
Are you interested in group swing/Lindy Hop classes?
Check out DalKing Swing’s website for their latest offerings!
Styles of Dance that I Teach
I have been dancing and teaching partner dance since I fell in love with Lindy Hop in 2003. My focus is on feeling the music and rhythm in one’s body, and enjoying expressing oneself using movement that is inspired by that music and one’s partner. For me, dancing is a way to balance listening and talking, expressing and being receptive, playing and relaxing. While I enjoy so many types of dance styles (including kitchen and tinyhouse dancing), here are the styles of dance that I teach.
For a bit more about how I got into dancing, you can read my dance story.
Lindy Hop/Swing
Lindy Hop is a vibrant and energetic vernacular jazz dance style that originated in the African American communities of Harlem, New York, during the 1920s, 30s, and 40s. It emerged as a fusion of various African, European, and American dance influences as well as a reflection of the swing music that was blossoming, evolving into a dynamic partner dance characterized by joyful improvisation and rhythmic syncopation. Lindy Hop played a pivotal role in the cultural and social history of Black Americans during the segregation era, serving as a form of creative expression and a source of unity in the face of adversity.
Fusion
Fusion partner dancing is an innovative style that transcends traditional boundaries, blending various dance forms to create a dynamic and fluid experience to so many different genres of music. In fusion dancing, dancers draw inspiration from a wide range of dance styles, including blues, tango, swing, latin dances, and even contemporary street dance. The lead-follow distinction is often blurred, with both partners co-creating the dance (this is possible in all dance styles but it quite common in fusion). Fusion dancing is based on creative exploration and adaptability, allowing dancers to freely interpret music and movement.
Blues
Blues dance, rooted in African American communities during the early 20th century, is a soulful and expressive partner dance intimately connected to blues music. This dance form has a rich history as a means of personal storytelling and emotional expression. Contemporary blues dancing has evolved from its roots in swing and traditional blues dance to become a distinct and diverse dance form in its own right. While still maintaining its deep connection to blues music and the expressive storytelling that defines it, contemporary blues dancing has expanded its vocabulary and embraced influences from various other dance styles such as, hip-hop, latin dances, and even tango, resulting in a dynamic fusion of movement that continues to evolve.
Photo credit: Of Lens and Pixels
Choreography
While most of my actual dance time is spent doing improvised social/partner dancing, coming up with choreographed routines is also a great passion of mine, whether it’s for one, two, or a larger group of dancers
Lindy Hop, Jazz, and Blues Education
I will be adding much more to this section soon!
Roots of Lindy Hop (from Yehoodi’s website)
Lindy Hop was danced predominantly by Black dancers starting in the 1920s. Many of them lived in Harlem, where there were dance clubs such as the Savoy and Alhambra ballrooms. Lindy Hop emerged as a defiant, joyous response to financial hardship caused by the Great Depression, harsh living conditions, and systemic racism.
The dance evolved out of several forms of social dance that preceded it, such as the Cakewalk, the Breakaway, and partnered Charleston. A uniquely American dance, Lindy Hop brought together the African traditions of social and circle dance and European partnered ballroom dancing. Continue reading >
