What material do Tom and Debra teach?

In the Tom and Debra dictionary of dance, "swing" refers to a type of music, and there are many different dances that can be done to swing music. We teach primarily 6- and 8-count patterns, Jitterbug and Lindy Hop, which many people consider to be the same dance. We emphasize lead and follow skills and socially-leadable steps rather than choreographed routines.

The first night of the beginner class covers some basic 6-count to get everyone started on the dance floor. After that, we cover approximately one new move each week, using 8-count patterns. We cover what we consider to be the basic moves necessary to a Lindy repertoire: a basic Lindy whip, Lindy circle, side-by-side Charleston, a 4-count turn to transition into Back Charleston, Back Charleston, and the exit from Back Charleston into dance position. We move relatively slowly and spend a lot of time reviewing, as we feel it's more important to have a solid basis than to know a lot of moves.

In our intermediate class, we spend the first 20 minutes reviewing the previous week's material and then move on to teach two to four new moves. We presume everyone is familiar with and comfortable dancing the material we cover in the beginner class and do not stop to review the basics.

The beginner series always follows the same curriculum, while the intermediate class always varies. Since the material always changes, students are invited to take as many intermediate series' as they wish; most students seem to stay with us for about a year.

Potential students frequently ask us for advice on which level they should register for. The answer is simple: register for whichever level you think you qualify for, but come to class the first night knowing that we'll take the opportunity to evaluate your skill level. To be absolutely safe, come to both the beginner and intermediate classes; you may be bored in one or in over your head in another, but this way you don't miss a night of class. We may recommend you move into the intermediate level, or that you'd benefit from taking our beginner class.