Current Classes

Beginner Ballroom I

Instructors:	Robert and Megan Nissen
When:	8 Sundays, Oct 4 - Nov 22, 12:00-2:00 pm
Practice:	After class from 2:00 - 2:30pm
Where:	In Winnett Lounge (2nd floor)
Price:	FREE for Caltech students (with ID) $8 per class or $60/series (8 weeks) in advance** for Caltech affiliates and alumni and for students of other universities (with ID)* $12 per class or $90/series (8 weeks)** in advance for all others * Discounts apply for full-time students from any college/ university/institution. Please bring a current student ID. ** Series price paid in whole on first day of class.
Description:	Four weeks of International Waltz & Cha Cha Cha and four weeks of International Quickstep & Rumba. If you're just beginning or looking to polish your basic ballroom technique this is the class for you! We will cover the fundamentals of ballroom dancing, spending four weeks on each dance and outlining the steps and lead-follow techniques necessary to have you moving with style and grace ASAP.
Prerequisites:	No special attire, previous experience, or partner needed! However, leather or suede soled shoes make dancing easier.

About the Instructors:

Megan danced ballet, tap, and jazz for 18 years and taught for 2 years before she began ballroom dancing in 2004. Robert came to the Caltech Ballroom Team from MIT, where he began dancing in 2004. Robert and Megan have been dancing together since 2006. They compete in both Standard and Latin and placed first in Open Pre-Novice Standard two years in a row at the UCSD Dance by the Shores and first in Novice Standard and Pre-Novice Latin at the 2008 Caltech Dance of the Roses

More info:

Hosted by the Ballroom Team. Find out about Team events, subscribe to the 'ballroom-team' list or visit the Ballroom Team page.

Intermediate Ballroom I

Instructors:	Professional Instructor Jerry More
When:	8 Sundays, Oct 4 - Nov 22, 2:30-4:30pm
Where:	In Winnett Lounge (2nd floor)
Price:	$4 per class or $30/series (8 weeks) for Caltech students (with ID) $8 per class or $60/series (8 weeks) in advance** for Caltech affiliates and alumni and for students of other universities (with ID)* $12 per class or $90/series (8 weeks)** in advance for all others * Discounts apply for full-time students from any college/ university/institution. Please bring a current student ID. ** Series price paid in whole on first day of class.
Description:	The first half of the series will be International Waltz and Cha Cha (1st hour Waltz, 2nd Hour Cha Cha) and four weeks of International Quickstep and Rumba (1st hour Quickstep, 2nd hour Rumba). The class will cover mostly Silver and a few Gold patterns in each dance (time permitting), body techniques for each, some open patterns at this level (time permitting), lead and follow and presentation (for show/comp or just showing off!).
Prerequisites:	Dancers should be able to do the basic bronze figures in all four dances. There will be a brief tryout at the beginning of the first class. If you cannot come to this tryout, please contact the team captain about trying out at another time.

About the Instructor:

Jerry's achievements and credentials include:
- 1985 and 1987 America's Amateur Dance Champion
- 1989 Arthur Murray 9 Dance Rising Star Champion, 1990, 1991 and 1995 National and International Dance Finalist
- A 19 year full-time Professional Teacher of both the American and International Styles of Ballroom and Latin Dancing
- An accredited member of the NDCA, Terpsichore Dance Association, the U.S.I.S.T.D. and the I.S.T.D. in both the American and International Styles
- Currently registered with the NDCA as an adjudicator of both International and American style Ballroom dances

More info:

Hosted by the Ballroom Team. Find out about Team events, subscribe to the 'ballroom-team' list or visit the Ballroom Team page.

West Coast Swing

Instructor:	Professional instructor Doug Silton
When:	8 Mondays, Oct 5 - Nov 23 Beginner class: 8:30-9:30pm Intermediate class: 9:30-10:30pm
Where:	In Winnett Lounge (2nd floor).
Price:	Note that, if you plan to take both classes, you must pay for them separately! Beginner class: FREE for Caltech Students (with ID) $5 per class or $35/series (8 weeks)** for Caltech affiliates and alumni and for students of other universities (with ID)* $10 per class or $70/series (8 weeks) for all others Intermediate class: $5 per class or $35/series (8 weeks) for Caltech students, other full-time students, and Caltech/JPL affiliates $10 per class or $70/series (8 weeks)** for all others * Discounts apply for full-time students from any college/ university/institution. Please bring a current student ID. ** Series price paid in whole on first day of class.

Description:	The official state dance of California, West Coast Swing has evolved from its roots as an offshoot of Lindy Hop into a versatile dance able to be performed to a wide variety of music including blues, rock and roll, pop and R&B. Danced traditionally in a slot where the leader dances in place while the follower travels back and forth, WCS allows for a full array of moves from other social dances, including East Coast Swing, Salsa and Hustle, to be adapted to its own unique style.
Prerequisites:	Beginner: No special attire, previous experience, or partner needed! However, leather or suede soled shoes make dancing easier. Intermediate: Prior experience with WCS is required.
About the Instructor:	Doug Silton, a San Gabriel Valley Native, has traveled the world for the last decade teaching, competing, and performing. He's appeared in movies and on television and choreographed sections of Bette Midler's tour. But he's more known for his dancing (West Coast Swing & Lindy Hop), dance techniques, detailed yet fun instruction style, and his entertainment value. A top-ranked competitor in the swing-dancing worlds, Doug recently moved back to Pasadena and is excited about teaching West Coast Swing at Caltech - since his GPA wasn't quite good enough to get in there in 1996. Doug teaches private lessons daily in Pasadena and has a full line of instructional videos ... see http://DougSilton.com for details.

Beginner I Argentine Tango

Instructors:	Professional instructor Fabienne Bongard-Mose Assisted by Rosalyn Sayaman
When:	8 Thursdays, October 8 to December 3 NO class Thanksgiving, November 26 Class: 7-8:30 pm Practica: 8:30-9:00 pm Please arrive 10-15 mins before for registration!
Where:	In Winnett Lounge (2nd floor).
Price:	FREE for Caltech Students (with ID) $5 per class or $35/series (8 weeks)** for Caltech affiliates and other full time students (with ID)* $8 per class or $56/series (8 weeks)** regular * Discounts apply for full-time students from any college/ university/institution. Please bring a current student ID. ** Series price paid in whole on first day of class.

Description:

Tango is a social dance originating from Argentina which emphasizes improvisation and a strong connection between leader & follower. This series will teach students the basic elements of tango: the embrace, walking, ochos (crosses) & giros (turns), and introduce the endless possibilities that come about from combining these elements and interpreting the music.

The curriculum is designed to nurture the beginning dancer and inspire creativity and harmony on the social dance floor. Some of the material that will be covered will include: salidas, forward and backward ochos, simple alterations, classic and not so classic paradas, parallel and cross-foot walks, and different ways of switching systems. Throughout the course special emphasis will be put on improvisation, floor craft, musicality, balance and keeping a light heart.

Notes:

NO dance experience or partner necessary. Dress casually and comfortably for class.

Suede or smooth leather soles are recommended, smooth rubber is ok. Ladies can wear comfortable heels or flats, but the heel should not be loose. Casual wear sneakers with smoother soles are also fine, but bulkier athletic sneakers with high traction are NOT recommended.