Recommendations for Class Levels
 
 

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NEW CLASSES SERIES BEGIN FIRST WEEK OF EACH NEW MONTH

Group Class Recommendations

NOTE:  BEGINNER CLASSES ARE GEARED TO THOSE WHO HAVE NEVER DANCED BEFORE: "NEWCOMERS" TO PARTNER DANCING.
Though we repeat dances like WALTZ often in our Beginner Classes throughout the year, we vary the figures we teach.  For example:  If you attend the Beginning Waltz class in January and then again in June you will learn some different dance steps in each.  Repeating classes at the beginning levels is recommended until you feel comfortable with the material.

When your Beginning group class series is over the choice is yours.  Typically students remain at a Beginning level 4-6 months, learning various dance styles.  It's best to have at least 2 months in a particular dance style prior to the Beyond Beginning Level. -- We recommend you have 1+ years dance experience or 6 months in a particular dance style for Intermediate -- and 2 years experience for Advanced Level classes.  Private lessons are also available to help you feel comfortable more quickly and accelerate your learning.  Talk to your instructor if you are wondering what classes to take next.

Our dance classes may include both American and International style patterns.  The dance steps listed below are samples of those taught in our BEGINNING CLASSES and are recommended before taking BEYOND BEGINNING classes. 

If you have not been introduced to any of these patterns please take one of our Beginner Classes or a refresher private lesson to be well prepared for Beyond Beginning CLASSES.  If you do not  understand the patterns by the names listed please phone 503-241-0460 ext.0  or email linda@dancewellballroom.com . 

Beyond Beginning  CHA CHA CHA.  Before joining this class best to know:

Timing Forward & Back Basic Side Basic Closed & Open Double Hand Hold
Open Break & Underarm Turn Underarm Spot Turn Crossover Breaks (New Yorkers)
     

Nice to know but not required:

Chase Steps with half turn Chase to Underarms CrossBody Lead                                                   
Lock Steps    
     

Beyond Beginning  COUNTRY TWO STEP  Before joining this class best to  know:

Starter Step Basic Forward Two-Step Walks Basic Backward Two-Step Walks
Rotating Right Basic Rotating Left Basic  
     

Nice to know but not required:

Inside Turn Outside Turn  
Struts (in Sweetheart or Hammerlock Position)    
     

Beyond Beginning  EAST COAST SWING-SINGLE TIME.  Before joining this class you should know:

Closed & Open Basic + transition Closed Basic turning left and right  
Outside Turn Inside Turn Leaders Turn or Waist Turn
     

Nice to know but not required:

Basic Release or 'Throwout' Dishrag Cuddle Wrap or 'Cradle'
Shoulder Catch    
     

Beyond Beginning  EAST COAST SWING-'TRIPLE TIME' OR JIVE SWING.  Before joining this class you should know:

Triple Time Chasses in directions Closed & Open Basic + transition Closed Basic turning left and right
Outside Turn Inside Turn  
     

Nice to know but not required:

Basic Release or 'Throwout' Dishrag Shoulder Catch
Leaders Hand Change or Waist Turn    
     

Beyond Beginning  FOXTROT.  Before joining this class you should know:

Progressive Basic Forward & Backward Box Basic Left Rock Turn
Zig Zags or 'QuarterTurns' Promenade Walk Basic to Chasse Steps
Basic Heel and Toe footwork    

Nice to know but not required:

Twinkle & Close Basic Run to Outside Partner   (Feather Step) Promenade Underarm Turn
Swing Basic Feather Step to Three Step  
     

Beyond Beginning  HUSTLE.  Before joining this class you should know:

Open & Closed Basic Throwout Release and Return Push Steps
Left Turn Basic (Cross Body Lead) Right Turning Basic in DHH (Double Hand Hold)  
Timing & basic footwork    

Nice to know but not required:

Grapevine Travel Underarm  
     
     

Beyond Beginning  NIGHTCLUB TWO STEP.  Before joining this class you should know:

Basic (Open & Closed with Transition) Underarm Turn Right Travel Basics Forward (side cross side)
Closed Basic Turning Left    
     

Nice to know but not required:

Travel Basics Forward & Back Flip Flops or 'Opening Outs' Man's Underarm Turn Right
     
     

Beyond Beginning  QUICKSTEP.  Before joining this class you should know:

Basic Progressive Chasse & Quarter Turns Lock Step Basic Timing and Footwork
     
     

Nice to know but not required:

Natural (Right) Turn and Hesitation Chasse Reverse (Left) Turn Back Lock
     
     

Beyond Beginning  RUMBA.  Before joining this class you should know:

Box Basic Left Turning Box Box Underarm
Shoulder to Shoulder (Outside Partner Breaks) Crossover Breaks (New Yorkers) Spot Underarm Turn
Basic Latin Ball/Flat footwork    

Nice to know but not required:

Some Knowledge of Cuban Motion & Knee Action Cucharacha Steps (Side Breaks) Open Break and Underarm Spot Turn
Rocks Steps Cross Body Lead  
     

Beyond Beginning  SALSA.  Before joining this class you should know:

Basic and Progressive Basic Cucharachas (Side Breaks) Lady's Underarm Turn
Open and Closed Basics Turning Basic Man's turn
Basic Cuban knee action Salsa Timing  

Nice to know but not required:

Cross Body Lead Cumbia Step Shoulder Check
     
     

Beyond Beginning  SAMBA.  Before joining this class you should know:

Basic Step Whisks (Side Basic Like Cumbia step) Whisks & Underarm
Promenade Walks    
Basic Timing and movement    

Nice to know but not required:

Basic Volta    
     
     

Beyond Beginning  TANGO.  Before joining this class you should know:

Basic Walks Walks to Promenade Tic Promenade Close Left
Turning Walks Progressive Rocks  
     

Nice to know but not required:

Promenade Close to Right Double Corte  
     
     

Beyond Beginning  VIENNESE WALTZ.  This is a fast form of Waltz.  Before joining this class you should take Slow Waltz know:

Balance Steps Forward & Backward Whisks & Underarm Turn Reverse (Left) 1/4 Turns
Progressive Change Steps    
Musical Timing and Footwork    

Nice to know but not required:

Full Reverse Turn    
     
     

Beyond Beginning  WALTZ (or SLOW WALTZ).  Before joining this class you should know:

Box Step Progressive Change Steps Balance Steps in 4 Directions
Left 1/4 Turns Box Underarm Turn Partner Dance Frame
Right 1/4 Turns   Knowledge of Waltz movement (Heel, toe, toe)

Nice to know but not required:

Progressive Spirals Forward & Backward Twinkle (Hover) to Promenade & Close Some Knowledge of Rise and Fall
  Turning Twinkles or (Hover and Fallaway)  
     

Beyond Beginning  WEST COAST SWING.  Before joining this class you should know:

Starter Step Sugar Push  
Underarm Pass Left Side Pass Any 8ct. 'Whip' (at least understand foot timing and count)
Lady knows to step on R forward on '1' Leader knows to move body back on '1'  

Nice to know but not required:

Basket (Locked) Whip Whip with Inside or Outside Turn Tuck Turn (any version on '4')
Sugar Push with Tuck Turn (Sugar Tuck) Any Left Side Turns (Hammerlock, wrap, spin)  
     

STRICTLY INTERNATIONAL STYLE DANCES:  Other 'Strictly' dances upon request

Beyond Beginning  INTERNATIONAL CHA CHA CHA.  Before joining this class you should know:

Basic Timing and Footwork Basic Step Open Break & Spot Underarm Turn
Transition to Fan Position New Yorkers (Crossover Breaks)  
Basic Leg Action    

Nice to know but not required:

Hockey Stick (Underarm from Fan Position)    
     
     

Beyond Beginning  INTERNATIONAL RUMBA.  Before joining this class you should know:

Basic Timing and Leg Action Basic Movement (Step) New Yorker (Crossover Breaks)
Walks Forward & Backward Open Break Spot Turn from New Yorker
     

Nice to know but not required:

Alemana Turn    
     
     

 

"The mighty oak was once a little nut who held it's ground"