Upcoming WorkshopsIntermediate Ballroom WorkshopsJay Daigle![]() Wanwan YangKelly Hewitt Andre Fortin Jerry More Nadia Eftedal Mike &
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| When: | On Sundays from 12 - 2:00 PM unless otherwise noted |
| Where: | In Winnett Lounge (2nd floor) unless otherwise noted |
| Price for professionally-taught workshops: |
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| Prices for amateur-taught workshops: |
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| Descriptions: | 06/20/10 International Standard/Latin Technique Instructor: Jay Daigle The first hour will focus on the posture and connection needed for International Standard. We'll work on proper posture and standing position, engaging the core, and establishing a stable frame that allows leading and following. The second hour will be a workshop on grounding in the context of the Latin dances. We'll work on tracking the feet and using the force of our feet against the floor to provide a stable base that allows the precision and sharpness of good Latin dance. 06/27/10 International Waltz and Foxtrot Technique Instructor: Wanwan Yang This is a technique workshop focusing on posture, balance and body movements for International Waltz and Foxtrot. Pre-requisite: Dancers should be able to do the basic Bronze figures in these two dances. 07/06/10 Ladies Latin Styling Workshop NOTE: different time and location: When: Tuesday July 6 from 8:30 pm to 10:30pm. Where: Caltech, Dabney Hall (Campus map: http://www.caltech.edu/map/Caltech-map-20100617CO.pdf) Instructor: Kelly Hewitt Description: Since we won't have class that Sunday on July 4, we have a workshop Tuesday night. Ladies' styling class with a focus on arms, styling to the character of dances such as cha-cha, rumba, and paso doble, and how to use a skirt. Dancers of all levels are welcome. (Leaders, you're welcome to come, but the focus is on the follower's part). 07/11/10 Paso Doble Workshop Instructor: André Fortin Description: Paso Doble is a dramatic French-Spanish flamenco-style march danced in 2/4 time, with man portraying the matador in a bullfight, the lady as his cape. In this 2 hours workshop, you will learn some of the basic figures of Paso Doble including Huit, Sixteen, Grand Circle, and Promenade Link. No previous experience is required. Dancers of all levels are welcome to attend. 07/18/10 International Tango Workshop Instructor: Jerry More Description: Highly recommended to those who have taken the beginner or intermediate level International Tango classes. This workshop will review some of the Bronze/Silver figures with a focus on footwork, frame, lead and follow connection. If you want to polish your International Tango techniques, do not miss this workshop. 07/25/10 International Samba Workshop Instructor: Nadia Eftedal Description: A 1.5 hours workshop focusing on body techniques that are essential for the rhythmical bouncing motion of Samba. This workshop will also address on musicality. Some previous experience in Samba is recommended, but all levels of dancers are welcomed. 08/01/10 International Standard Technique Workshop Instructor: Michael Cho Description: Top-level competitive amateur dancer Michael Cho is returning to teach an International Standard Technique workshop. In this workshop, Michael will discuss the various techniques in partner connection, posture, footwork, timing, and floorcraft. Leaders and followers will also learn how to present on the dance floor with grace and elegance. 08/08/10 Jive Workshop Instructors: Sebastian Costa and Amanda Garner Description: A 2-hour jive workshop, which will include a warm-up exercise, technique, then patterns. The focus is on Bronze/Silver syllabus moves. 08/08/15 Latin Workshop Instructor: Vanessa Adelman Description: Cha Cha technique 08/22/10 International Rumba Workshop - Partner Connection Instructor: Can Aksoy Description: This workshop will focus on building a dynamic, performative, and more emotive connection between partners in International Latin. It will study how to utilize three types of connection (physical, visual, and energy) in mutually supportive ways. Although this lesson’s techniques will be demonstrated with rumba figures during class, its content can be easily deployed in other Latin dances. |
| About the Instructors: | Jay Daigle 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. Wanwan Yang is a former captain of the Caltech Ballroom Dance Team and a recent Caltech alum. She competes at a high level in International standard at competitions around the state and the country. Kelly Hewitt is a former president of the Claremont Colleges Ballroom Dance Company and danced in two national championship formation groups with that team. In addtion to International Latin, Kelly dances several nighclub styles including lindy, Argentine tango, and salsa. Born and raised in Montreal Canada, professional instructor André Fortin started ballroom dancing at the age of 7. After a successful competitive career in his home country, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue a teaching career. André quickly started working in movies and TV shows as a featured dancer, choreographer and assistant choreographer. He danced on the 65th Annual Academy Awards and has worked with the late Jack Lemmon, Madonna, Keri Russell and Patrick Dempsey just to name a few. Professional instructor Jerry More'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 Professional instructor Nadia Eftedal is a former Open British Professional Latin Champion, the only female dancer from the USA who ever accomplished this feat. She is also twice a European Latin Champion, a five times Silver Medalist in World Championships, and a past winner of the United Kingdom, US Open, German Open, French Masters, Super Japan Cup and Moscow Invitational Championships. Professional instructors Sebastian Costa and Amanda Garner are currently instructors at Nadia Eftedal's dance studio and we are pleased to invite them to come to Caltech to teach a Jive techique workshop. Sebastian and Amanda are an Australian based couple and have danced together for 3 years. They have won many competition titles and are currently the Australian Professional Latin American finalists. Sebastian and Amanda have trained with various former and current world champions which include Johan and Nadia Eftedal, Franco Formica, Juuka Haapalainen and Sirpa Sutari, just to name a few. Vanessa Adelman is a former captain of the Caltech Ballroom Dance Team and competes in Championship-level Latin. Can Aksoy is an English graduate student at UC Santa Barbara, where he is in the fourth year of his PhD program and acts as a student coach and DJ for UCSB’s Cotillion Ballroom Dance Club. He has been dancing International Latin Ballroom competitively for eight years, has studied Salsa and Argentine Tango for nine, and Blues for two. Can hails from the Claremont Colleges Ballroom Dance Company, where he was a Tour Team member, student coach, DJ, and a member of he national collegiate championship winning James Bond Medley. As both an avid social and competitive dancer, Can’s primary interests in dance focus on bridging gaps between the two styles. |
| Notes: | These workshops are not a series and can be taken on a drop-in basis. |
| 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. |
Previous Workshops
Intermediate Ballroom Preparation Workshop
| Instructors: | Robert and Megan Nissen |
| When: | Sunday, April 11th, 3:30 - 5:30 PM |
| Where: | In Winnett Lounge (2nd floor). |
| Price: |
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| Description: | This workshop will cover International Waltz and Rumba. It will help Beginner II level dancers tran sition to Intermediate-level classes as well as serve as a refresher for current Intermediate dancers. |
| About the Instructors: | Megan danced ballet, tap, and jazz for 18 years and taught for 2 years before she began ballroom da ncing in 2004. Robert came to the Caltech Ballroom Team from MIT, where he began dancing in 2004. Robert and Me gan have been dancing together since 2006. They have competed and placed in both Standard and Latin at the open , multi-dance level. |
| 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. |
Viennese Waltz Workshop
| Instructor: | Professional instructor Andre Fortin |
| When: | Saturday, Feb 6, 2010 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm |
| Where: | In Dabney Hall, with beautiful hardwood floors |
| Cost: | $0 for caltech students $7 for team members $8 for other students/Affiliates $12 for regular |
| Description: | Viennese Waltz Night at Caltech is coming up on 02/13! Are you worried that you don't know how to do Viennese Waltz, or that your basics are rusty? Don't worry! This workshop will go over the basics of American-style Viennese Waltz. |
| About the Instructor: | Born and raised in Montreal Canada, André started ballroom dancing at the age of 7. After a successful competitive career in his home country, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue a teaching career. André quickly started working in movies and TV shows as a featured dancer, choreographer and assistant choreographer. He danced on the 65th Annual Academy Awards and has worked with the late Jack Lemmon, Madonna, Keri Russell and Patrick Dempsey just to name a few. |
Latin Technique Workshop
| Instructor: | Vanessa Adelman |
| When: | Sunday, September 20th, at 3:00pm. The workshop will last 1.5 to 2 hours. |
| Where: | In Winnett Lounge (2nd floor) |
| Cost: | Free for Caltech students, team members, and orgs members; $5 for everyone else |
| Description: | The topic of the workshop will most likely be rumba and cha cha technique. More details coming! |
| Prerequisites: | More details coming! |
| About the Instructor: | Vanessa is a former captain of the Caltech Ballroom Dance Team and competes in Championship-level Latin. |
International Tango/Quickstep Technique Workshop, all levels
| Instructors: | Scott Schnee and Gwyneth Card |
| When: | Saturday, August 1, from 4 to 6pm |
| Where: | Braun MPR. Please wear suede-soled dance shoes with heel protectors for ladies inside the Multi-Purpose Room. The Caltech gym charges a $5 entry fee for non-Caltech affiliates. This fee does not go to the team. The team separately charges non-Caltech affiliates to support future classes and workshops. |
| Cost: | Free for Caltech students with ID and for team members; $5 general |
| Description: | Scott and Gwyneth are back for another workshop on International Standard technique. Last time they focused on waltz and foxtrot. This time, they will focus on tango and quickstep technique and will also discuss how to troubleshoot your own dancing during practice. Their last workshop was excellent, so if you've done tango and quickstep before, we highly encourage you to take this one. |
| Prerequisites: | Basic knowledge of tango and quickstep. |
| About the Instructor: | Scott and Gwyneth placed 2nd in Championship-level Standard at the 2007 Caltech Dance of the Roses. Previously, Scott was gold smooth and rhythm collegiate champion at the YCN portion of the Ohio Star Ball, and Gwyneth won Championship Standard and Pre-Champ Latin at the Caltech Dance of the Roses. Scott and Gwyneth regularly teach the winter term beginner ballroom classes at Caltech. |
International Standard Technique Workshop, all levels
| Instructors: | Scott Schnee and Gwyneth Card |
| When: | Saturday, June 27, from 4 to 6pm |
| Where: | Braun MPR. There is a $5 entry fee for non-Caltech affiliates. Please wear suede-soled dance shoes with heel protectors for ladies inside the Multi-Purpose Room. |
| Cost: | Free for Caltech students with ID and for team members; $5 general |
| Description: | Scott and Gwyneth will will focus on technique to improve frame and connection in International Standard. |
| Prerequisites: | Basic knowledge of any of the Standard dances (Waltz, Quickstep, Foxtrot, Tango, Viennese Waltz) |
| About the Instructor: | Scott and Gwyneth placed 2nd in Championship-level Standard at the 2007 Caltech Dance of the Roses. Previously, Scott was gold smooth and rhythm collegiate champion at the YCN portion of the Ohio Star Ball, and Gwyneth won Championship Standard and Pre-Champ Latin at the Caltech Dance of the Roses. Scott and Gwyneth regularly teach the winter term beginner ballroom classes at Caltech. |
Intermediate West Coast Swing Workshop Series
| Instructor: | All-Star dancer (and Caltech alumnus) Alfred Lee |
| When: | 8-9pm workshop, 9-10pm guided practice Feb. 11, 18, March 4, 18 |
| Where: | Dabney Lounge |
| Cost: | TBA, but probably FREE for Caltech students; $5 for other students and Caltech affiliates and alumni; $8 regular |
| Description: | The purpose of this series of workshops is to build upon the skills
already learned in the beginning WCS series, add a few new skills to
allow for a more pleasant dance experience, and glimpse what is to
come should WCS become a regular hobby. Each of the five workshops
will have an instructional hour and followed by an hour of
practice/more personalized instruction. The student can drop in for
as many classes as desired since each class is self contained. Class 1: Technique. Taking the patterns already learned in the beginner series and sharpening them up. This includes an emphasis on proper connection and movement around and through the slot. Class 2: Defensive Dancing. We focus on dance etiquette - how to ask for a dance, how to refuse a dance, how to dance in a social situation. Class 3: Changing it up We build upon the beginning patterns of WCS, showing variations such as spins and hand changes. Class 4: Musicality How music modulates movement. How to listen to music. What a break is. What an accent is. |
| Prerequisites: | Beginning WCS including standard patterns (underarm turn, left side pass, whip, sugar push) |
| About the Instructor: | Alfred Lee first encountered West Coast Swing while a student at Caltech many, many years ago. Since then he has done nothing else with his life other than sharing his love for the dance in teaching, going to conventions, and competing. While competing, his philosophy is always to have a good time with his partner, win or lose. In his classes, Alfred attempts to address the underlying principles of technique, timing and teamwork in West Coast Swing without losing sight of most important part of dancing: enjoyment. He welcomes you to his classes and encourages everyone to not take him too seriously; for after all, dancing is fun. |
Smooth-style Lindy Hop Workshop
| Instructor: | Instructors Laurence Yeung and Lisl |
| When: | 8 - 10:00 pm on Wednesday, February 4th, 2009 |
| Where: | Dabney Lounge |
| Cost: | FREE! |
| Description: | Smooth-Style ('Dean Collins') Lindy Hop Workshop, covering: Basic step and swing-out Basic and advanced partner connection Turns and free-spins How to look good without knowing a lot of moves Bomb-ass dips |
Viennese Waltz Workshop
| Instructor: | Professional instructor Andre Fortin |
| When: | 4 - 5:30pm on Saturday, January 24, 2009 |
| Where: | Braun Gym Multi-Purpose Room. There is a $5 entry for non-Caltech affiliates. Please wear suede-soled dance shoes with heel protectors for ladies inside the Multi-Purpose Room |
| Cost: | FREE for Caltech students; $6 for other students and Caltech affiliates and alumni; $10 regular |
| Description: | Viennese Waltz Night at Caltech is coming up on 02/13! Are you worried that you don't know how to do Viennese Waltz, or that your basics are rusty? Don't worry! This workshop will go over the basics of International-style Viennese Waltz. More details about Viennese Waltz Night are forthcoming. |
| About the Instructor: | Born and raised in Montreal Canada, Andre started dancing at the age of 7. After a successful competitive career in his home country, Andre moved to Los Angeles to pursue a teaching career. He's been featured in several movies and TV shows as a dancer, choreographer and assistant choreographer and recently worked with Patrick Dempsey, Amy Adams and James Marsden for the Disney movie Enchanted. |
| More Info: | Hosted by the Ballroom Team. Find out about Team events, subscribe to the 'ballroom-team' list or visit the Ballroom Team page. |

