Lessons
FALL SESSION
September 14 - November 10
(No class Wednesday, October 6 and Tuesday, October 12)
| TUESDAYS | WEDNESDAYS |
| 7pm Beginner Middle Eastern Dancing | 7pm Beginner West Coast Swing |
| 8pm Beginner Salsa | 8pm Beginner Lindy Hop |
REGISTRATION
All students must register at the door, since we do not accept pre-registrations at this time.
Registration closes after the second week of lessons for any given session. See our Frequently Asked Questions for more information
Remember: The first class is FREE! Come and try a class, and if you decide to continue, you can pay at the next class.
COST
Please note: Prices are per session, not per semester.
| Students with ID | CUA Faculty/Staff | Others | |
| One series | $30 | $30 | $40 per class |
| Two or more series | $40 | $40 |
LOCATION
All lessons are held on campus in Caldwell Ballroom. Here's a big map with an arrow pointing to Caldwell Hall.
For directions to Caldwell Hall, please click here.
CUA is Metro-accessible, located on the Red Line at Brookland-CUA.
For questions about lessons, visit our Frequently Asked Questions.
CLASS DESCRIPTIONS
No partner is required for any series!
Beginner Ballroomintroduces the basic figures of elegant and graceful dances such as Waltz, Quickstep, Foxtrot, and Tango. These classes are designed for students with no prior dance experience and will introduce fundamental concepts of technique, lead/follow, and styling. If you want to look smooth and learn a variety of steps, this series is for you.
Waltz originated as a folk dance in Austria and Bavaria during the 17th Century and was introduced to British ballrooms during the 1800s. A traveling dance, the Waltz is known for its characteristic rise and fall action, sway and 3/4 timing.
Quickstep arose when the British mixed Charleston and slow Foxtrot in the 1920s to create "Quicktime Foxtrot and Charleston." This faster foxtrot was greatly influenced by swing music during the 1920s and 30s and later incorporated the chasse figures that are characteristic of the dance today.
Foxtrot was introduced by Harry Fox in 1913 and was originally moderately fast, simple and unrefined. The versatility of the dance contributed to its popularity, and during the 1930s it gained the smoother quality we see today. Like Waltz, the Foxtrot uses rise and fall action and sway, but it is danced to music of the Swing Era.
Tango was born in the streets of Buenos Aires during the late 19th Century, and is thought to have originally represented the combat between two men. The dance was brought to France in the early 20th Century, and was quickly adopted and refined by the Parisian elite. Though popularized for the rich of Europe and America, the dance still retains its reflection of passionate emotions.
Please note: This dance is not the same as Argentine Tango, which has its own figures and styling.
Beginner Latin introduces the sexy and dynamic dances of Cha Cha, Rumba, and Salsa. These classes are perfect for new students who want to learn the basic elements of partner dancing while discovering the body motion that gives a dance its Latin character. You'll learn exciting patterns that can be lead and followed on the dance floor.
Cha Cha is a sexy and flirtatious Afro-Cuban dance that developed in the Latin dance clubs of New York City during the 1950s. It uses quick footwork and the characteristic "cha-cha-cha" timing.
Rumba is a slower, more romantic Afro-Cuban dance that has been dubbed "the dance of love." Like the other Latin dances, it utilizes Latin hip action and smooth body motion to the partners better express the feeling of the music.
Salsa is the hot Latin nightclub dance that is currently sweeping the nation! An Afro-Cuban dance, it evolved from Mambo in the nightclubs of New York City during the 1960s and 70s. This sexy dance emphasizes quick footwork and creative figures while using Latin-style hip and body motion. Each series of Salsa will offer different material.
Lindy Hop is the original form of swing dancing that developed during the Swing Era of the 1930s and '40s. Energetic and playful, this dance teaches musicality and improvisation in addition to essential partner dancing skills. The Beginner series will introduce the basic 8- and 6-count figures as well as proper technique, lead/follow, connection, and musicality.
West Coast Swing (WCS) evolved directly from Lindy Hop on the West Coast during the rise of R&B. Today, this sexy, sultry and smooth swing dance is danced around the nation to music ranging from jazz and blues to R&B, pop and hip-hop. Classes emphasize technique while introducing body motion, partner dynamics, footwork, and musicality. Students will be introduced to the 6- and 8-count basics as well as more advanced figures common to the dance.
Argentine Tango is a beautiful and sensual social dance that has developed over the last century in the city of Buenos Aires. As a social dance, it incorporates improvisation and musicality through pure lead and follow. Unlike other styles of tango, Argentine Tango uses slower music, does not travel as much, uses a lot of sharp leg and foot action, and has a more dramatic character. This series is for beginners and will introduce students to the basics as well as the fundamental elements of partner dancing.
Balboa is a partner dance that evolved around the social dance floors in Southern California to big band swing music. Pure Balboa is done in a very tight closed position with intricate footwork and a distinct "shuffling" movement. Bal-swing (originally called simply "swing dancing") is related but done in an open position with more movement and a full compliment of breaks and turns. While done to all tempos, Balboa is especially well-suited to accommodate faster music. This series is for beginners and will introduce basic figures, styling and technique
Carolina Shag developed in South Carolina from Charleston and Collegiate Shag in the 1940s. Today it is a slotted East Coast Swing with influences from West Coast Swing, and focuses on fancy footwork. Danced to R&B and Beach music, Carolina Shag is a great way to learn how to be quick on your feet while gaining a better understanding of lead and follow. This series is for beginners and will introduce basic patterns and variations.
Hip-Hop is the urban dance form seen in most music videos today. It stresses strength, flexibility and body isolations, but don't worry if you're not strong or flexible yet! Come for a great workout and a better understanding of body motion. This dance is not a partner dance, but will add a lot to styling and movement in other dances. This series is designed for beginners, and each series will be different.
Hustle is a smooth and circular dance that evolved from swing and Latin dances in the nightclubs of New York City during the 1970s. Today the dance is an elegant and invigorating dance done to club and dance music. This series is for new students and will introduce basic figures, styling and technique.
Middle Eastern Dance is perhaps the oldest form of dance, having roots in all ancient cultures from the Far East to India to the Mid-East. Belly dancing is natural to a woman's bone and muscle structure with movements emanating from the torso rather than in the legs and feet. The dance often focuses upon isolating different parts of the body, moving them independently in sensuous patterns, weaving together the entire feminine form. Belly dancing is generally performed barefoot, thought by many to emphasize the intimate physical connection between the dancer, her expression, and Mother Earth. Since the turn of the century, belly dancing has grown enormously in popularity across the U.S. and worldwide.
INSTRUCTORS
For information on our instructors, click here.
