Current Classes

Beginner Social Ballroom

Instructors:	Caltech's Jay Daigle
When:	8 Sundays, 2:30-4:30pm, starting Jun. 20. There will be no class on July 4.
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
Description:	Learn to dance like the stars! This class series is an introduction to a variety of social dance styles, suitable for those with little or no experience with social dancing. We'll cover the basics of American-style Foxtrot, Cha-Cha, Tango, Triple Swing, Waltz, and Rumba, with a focus on leading and following in social situations. Classes will cover moves in all six dances, techniques for better leading and following, and free social dancing time.

Prerequisites:	No special attire, previous experience, or partner needed! Wear comfortable clothes and shoes that won't fall off while dancing. However, leather or suede soled shoes make dancing easier.
About the Instructors:	Jay is an alumnus of the Claremont Ballroom Dance Company, the Cambridge University Dancesport Team, and the XS Latin Formation Team. He is now a graduate student at Caltech and the team coach.
More info:	Hosted by the Ballroom Team. To find out more, subscribe to the 'Ballroom Team Announcements' email list (note: email lists will be reorganized soon. When that happens, be sure to subscribe to 'cbdc-ballroom' and, if you are interested in the team and/or competitions, 'cbdc-team') and visit the Ballroom Team page.

Beginner West Coast Swing

Instructor:	Professional instructor Doug Silton
When:	8 Mondays, starting June 21, 8:30-9:30pm
Where:	In Winnett Lounge (2nd floor).
Price:	FREE for Caltech students $5 per class or $35/series (8 weeks) for other full-time students and Caltech/JPL affiliates (with ID) $10 per class or $70/series (8 weeks) for all others
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:

No special attire, previous experience, or partner needed!

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 and the co-founder of LindyGroove, the country's largest weekly dance venue right around the corner from Caltech (Thursdays at www.LindyGroove.com), is excited about bringing Lindy Hop to Caltech.
Doug teaches private lessons daily in Pasadena and has a full line of instructional videos ... see http://DougSilton.com for details.

Intermediate Lindy Hop

Instructor:	Professional instructor Doug Silton
When:	4 Mondays, starting June 21, 9:30-10:30pm
Where:	In Winnett Lounge (2nd floor).
Price:	$5 per class or $35/series for Caltech students, Caltech affiliates and alumni, and for students of other universities (with ID) $10 per class or $70/series for all others
Description:	Lindy Hop is a partner dance that originated in 1920's and 30's Harlem, New York, and consists of both 8 and 6 count steps, including footwork borrowed from the Charleston and Tap. The Lindy Hop is considered a cultural phenomenon that broke through the race barrier when segregation was still the norm; it was born from the blending of African rhythms and movements with European structured dance.

Prerequisites:

Prior knowledge of the Lindy Hop basics is assumed.

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 and the co-founder of LindyGroove, the country's largest weekly dance venue right around the corner from Caltech (Thursdays at www.LindyGroove.com), is excited about bringing Lindy Hop to Caltech.
Doug teaches private lessons daily in Pasadena and has a full line of instructional videos ... see http://DougSilton.com for details.

Argentine Tango: Intermediate II Tango

Instructors:	Professional instructor Alexis White, assisted by Barbara Salas
When:	6 Thursdays, starting June 17 to July 22 Class: 7:00-8:30 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/class or $25/series for Caltech affiliates & other full time students (with ID) $8/class or $40/series regular
Description:	This series will further explore intermediate level elements focusing on proper technique for leaders & followers, and introducing embellishments and variations. We will concentrate heavily on technique and proper execution for each element, rather than focusing on steps (the steps are a tool to teach people to better understand the mechanics of the dance, so they can gain more confidence more quickly). Then at the end we will work on combinations and sequences with these elements.
Prerequisites:	Basics of tango -- embrace, walking in parallel & alternate systems, cross, forward & back ochos, giros (molinete/turns) -- covered in the Beginner I and II series. This is the third series in the year-long Tango program at Caltech taught at Beginner I (Intro Beginner) & Beginner II (Adv Beginner), and Intermediate I & II levels.

About the Instructor:	Alexis' creative, powerful and eye-catching approach can be seen on display throughout the milongas of the greater LA area. His sharp eye for detail and formidable technique will help make your tango more confident and expressive. He brings a wealth of experience and a clear teaching methodology to his dynamic lessons, in the intricate and intimate art of Tango.
More Info:	Hosted by Caltech Tangueros: http://www.tango.caltech.edu/

BEGINNER I ARGENTINE TANGO - MILONGA LISA

Instructors:	Professional instructors Edmundo and Elizabeth Thomas
When:	5 Thursdays, starting July 29 to August 26 Class: 7:00-8:30 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/class or $20/series ** for Caltech affiliates & other full time students (with ID) * $8/class or $32/series ** regular * Discounts apply for full-time students from any college/university/institution. Please bring a current student ID. ** Series price paid in whole on the first day of class.

Description:	Milonga along with Vals and Tango make up the triad of music and dance forms of Argentine Tango. Set to a lively 2/4 tempo music, Milonga uses the same basic elements as tango, though the movement is more grounded, accented and upbeat. This series will start with the basic concepts and foundations of Milonga, and develop an understanding of the Milonga rhythm. In Milonga Lisa (Simple Milonga), the dancer steps on each beat of the music.
Requirements:	No prior dance experience necessary. This class is open to complete beginners and those with a Tango background who want to learn the basics of Milonga.
More Info:	Hosted by Caltech Tangueros: http://www.tango.caltech.edu/

BEGINNER II ARGENTINE TANGO - MILONGA TRASPIE

Instructors:	Professional instructors Edmundo and Elizabeth Thomas
When:	4 Thursdays, starting September 2 to September 23 Class: 7:00-8:30 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/class or $20/series ** for Caltech affiliates & other full time students (with ID) * $8/class or $32/series ** regular * Discounts apply for full-time students from any college/university/institution. Please bring a current student ID. ** Series price paid in whole on the first day of class.

Description:	This series follows the Milonga Lisa series, and will introduce the concept of traspies. In Milonga Traspie, the dancer uses traspies or contrapasos, transfers of weight from one foot to another and back, in double time to the music to create three steps in two beats which accent the rhythm.
Requirements:	Students should have taken basics in Milonga Lisa and must understand the Milonga rhythm.
More Info:	Hosted by Caltech Tangueros: http://www.tango.caltech.edu/