West Coast Swing Canada

This is where most people start. Group Classes are advertised in the Classifieds section of the newspaper, on directory websites like this one, and on posters around the city. Dance studios are the most likely place to find them, but bars/clubs frequently offer drop-in lessons early in the evening before the DJ takes over. They're usually weekly, 1-1.5 hours per session. The vast majority of studios offer class series which last for 4-10 weeks in a row. The cost varies $5-20 per class, with the average being $10 per hour. Sometimes a studio will offer a full day of group classes on one theme, taught by one instructor. This is called a workshop, and is discussed on the Events page.

Advantages of learning in a Group Class:

Social - you meet lots of people
Learn to adapt to different leads/follows.
Get lots of patterns to try on the floor
You're more anonymous - you can hide in the masses
Learn with your friends
Regular practice
Cheapest way to learn

Disavantages of learning in a Group Class:

Little personal attention - you're more anonymous
You don't get the feedback you need to make sure you're doing it correctly
The class might move to slow or to fast for you
The instructor might teach a different style than what you need/ are looking for

Recommendations:

Balance group classes with Private Lessons
Shop around

Private lessons are one-on-one instruction with just you and the instructor. This is your chance to get personal attention and the feedback you need to progress exponentially faster. Many instructors offer private lessons in addition to their group classes. The value of the instruction will vary depending on the level and expereince of the instructor, the instructor's education and training, their teaching ability, their currency in the dance, and the teacher-student chemistry you have with them.

It is always a good idea to "shop around" before you choose an instructor. It is also a good idea to take private lessons from a variety of people, so you can find the right teaching method for your learning style. You are also able to get a broader perpective of the dance. Private lesson rates vary depending on the instructor, $30-100.

Advantages of learning in a Private Lesson:

Personal attention & encouragement
Feedback & correction of bad habits
You can FEEL the correct technique from the instructor
Learn at your own speed, according you your own learning style
Best value for your dollar

Disavantages of learning in a Private Lesson:

Expensive

Recommendations:

Take private lessons with a friend to split the cost and gain a dance practice partner.
Go social dancing between lessons to practice.
Shop around.

These are a great tool to supplement one of the above learning methods. Some top dancers/instructors produce instructional videos and sell them at events, studios, or on their websites. This allows their students to learn from home, or review what was taught in a class. It also allows the instructor to pass on new ideas and technology quickly, and to reach remote areas which don't get frequent training opportunities. There are few "bad" videos - there are only "old" videos. Because WCS is a contantly evolving dance, the technology and trends are changing yearly. Like encyclopedias, videos that were excellent learning resources years ago are now out of date and have been replaced. Be sure to invest in current productions (within the last 4 years)

Advantages of learning from an Instructional Video:

Learning in the private comfort of your home
Watch it again and again if you forget the material
Pause, slow-mo and rewind to catch details of the movement
Get technique tips from the Pros without having to travel
Permanent addition to your reference library

Disavantages of learning from an Instructional Video:

Hard to ask questions to clarify
No feedback to confirm if you are doing it right
Trying to learn patterns without learning the technique first to pull them off.

Recommendations:

When you take a workshop from an instructor who impresses you, buy their video (as long as it's current). Ask them to recommend one for you.
Keep the website/contact info of that instructor so you can ask questions after watching the video.
Take private lessons to clarify things you learned from the video.
Be aware that videos do not replace personal instruction.
Be aware that most videos teach patterns assumingyou already know the technique.

Group Classes

Private Lessons

Instructional Videos

Choosing your trainer

As you would with any other service provider, DO YOUR RESEARCH:

It's like shopping. Don't know who to learn from? Ask around. Ask your instructors where they go for coaching. Go to conventions and shop around - take the workshops of a number of instructors. See who appeals to you and who would fit your personality and learning style.

When you get an idea of instructors you are interested in, try them on (just like going to he fitting room). Do your research - check out their website, credentials, resume, videos.

Much of your success and enjoyment of dance lessons will depend on the relationship you have with your instructor. BUT, in order to get the best value, and the most appropriate advice to meet your goals, consider these factors when choosing an instructor: