Here you will find everything you need from pricing to promotional materials if you are considering booking us for your event. If there is any information you need in order to better plan your event, please do not hesitate to email us.
Thank you to all of the organizers who have brought us in, and to the dancers from across the Southeast who have been so enthusiastic, dedicated, and inspiring to work with!
Hourly workshop rate is negotiable. Travel expenses and housing must be included. Discounts for more classes may apply.
DJ Services
Michael will DJ a swing event for $20/hr. with a minimum of 3 hours. Travel expenses, housing, and an event pass must be included. For a one-time hassle fee of $150, Michael will bring a complete sound system and assist in operating sound for the event.
Private Lessons
Both teachers (Michael & Jaya) with one or two students: $60/hour Both teachers (Michael & Jaya) with three to seven students (group privates): $70/hour One Teacher (Michael or Jaya) with one student: $40/hour
Teacher Training
Hourly rate for teacher training is negotiable, and is usually less than the price of a dance class. We recommend no less than 3 hours, no more than 6. Travel expenses and housing must be included. Discounts for adding this to a workshop weekend may apply.
On many weekends throughout the year, we're on the road teaching at workshop events around the country. You don't need to have a large and thriving community to host such an event. To find out about booking us for a workshops, click here! Listed below are a few workshop classes we've taught in the last year. If you're planning a workshop, we're happy to reproduce these classes, or come up with entirely new ones to suit the needs of your event.
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The Freedom of Flying Solo
Vernacular Jazz & Solo Charleston can often become an exercise in "what patterns do I remember?" In this class, we'll learn to improvise with confidence without using patterns, but instead making effective use of "elements" such as kicks, holds, steps, etc. And even if you've got a handful of solo patterns that you love, this will help you to fill the space between with expressive spontaneity.
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Swingin' Solo
In this class we will learn and dissect classic solo patterns such as Charleston, Savoy Kicks, Half-Break, Fall off the Log, and Suzy Q, and learn how to cut them up and put them back together spontaneously within your solo improvisation. You will never look at patterns the same way again!
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Tandem 360°
Here we will cover the basics of Tandem Charleston and it's associated positions and transitions such as the S-Turn, Chase Charleston (on both sides), Chase Turns, Right and Left Sendouts, and some exit options.
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Charleston Bustin' Out
In this class we will explore the infinite world of open-position, jockey, and cross-hand Charleston. We will cover transitions such as Up the Line and pop turns, the two direction change steps, footwork substitutions and more, as well as tips on the Charlestonization of your Lindy Hop patterns.
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Seriously Jammin' with Some Charleston
This class will start with simple, intuitive partner charleston moves with an emphasis on the "how to" of leading and following them. Then we will learn some independent charleston footwork variations that fit within the structure of most charleston patterns. Then, with our knowledge of footwork possibilities, we will expand upon the original moves and start a mad jumpin' charleston party. (FYI this class includes the one charleston magic tip that *everyone* needs to know!)
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Charleston from Atlantis
In this Discovery Channel exclusive, we will uncover never-before-seen partner charleston moves recently unearthed by our eccentric team of devoted explorers. In this treasure chest we will find charleston moves and patterns that are as uncommon as they are attractive and lead-able. Glittering gems of movement that are entirely novel and yet somehow classic will dazzle you and inspire you to kick with creativity.
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Charleston Performance
Moves, Transitions, & Positions - these are the nuts and bolts of Charleston, but aren't enough to make art! Yes we will learn lots of new and exciting material, but we will also learn how to break up the steady chug of kick-holds and kick-steps with freezes, suspensions, and other dramatic moments that will change the way you think of Charleston, and get you ready for the stage!
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Intro to Peabody
It's Ballroom Dance on speed! This pre-lindy dance has been around since about 1915, and continued to be a favorite social dance at the peak of the Savoy Ballroom. In this class, we'll learn the basic eight-count step plus a few easy variations that will give you everything you need to know to hit the dance floor running.
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Essentials of Lindy Hop Parts 1 & 2
In this two-part class, we will walk through the basic rhythms and techniques of Lindy Hop, with an emphasis on its traditional eight-count pattern. Students will walk away with an understanding of the building blocks of moves, the ability to create your own moves, and a hefty set of moves from the standard repertoire, all explained through the underlying principles of the dance. (note: if it wasn't clear, this is TWO classes!)
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Essentials of Lindy Hop Part 3: Six Count Lindy Hop
In this class, we'll spice up your dance by changing up the rhythm. Many classic swing moves work best in six counts, and we'll teach you some of our favorites.
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Essentials of Lindy Hop Part 4: Flow
The purpose of this class is putting together all the bits and pieces we've learned up to this point in the weekend into a simple and smooth routine. This routine will use material from all three previous classes, and will add a few new steps that will act as punctuation-marks in your dance-sentences. This is where we look at the big picture of your dancing, and think about turning it into an art!
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Musicality: Form & Phrasing
This class is an introduction to the structure of swing music, and how you can use that structure to inform your dance (1) psychologically and (2) creatively. After studying a little bit of the theory behind swing music, we will apply that knowledge to the idea of "pacing yourself" -- finding the balance between using simple, repeatable moves and using "specialty" moves. Prerequisite: at least some exposure to the swing out, basic charleston, and basic six-count turns.
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Musicality: Rhythms, Accents, & Improvisation
This class will focus on the details of musical dancing-- hitting accents, varying (syncopating) your basic rhythm, and finding other ways to capture the spirit of the music in your dance. Prerequisites: Plenty of experience with the central material of the Lindy Hop repertoire: swing outs, basic turns, tuck turns, common social variations.
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Footworkshop: A Primer for Play
In this class we will take a fairly simple routine and see how many possible ways we can spice it up (or down!) with footwork in order to (1) create more of a "dance-conversation" with your partner, (2) modify your dance to match songs with different moods, and (3) to have more fun! Prerequisites: knowledge of basic eight-count AND six-count rhythm.
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Pre-Lindy Partner Dance Seminar
This is not a history lesson, but we will be learning a lot of steps that went into the development of Lindy Hop: Jig Walks, Black-Bottom, and a little bit of Charleston. Like Lindy Hop, these were all improvised partner dances, but because they came earlier, you'll notice that they have a more raw and wild character. We'll learn the how-to of leading a handful of movements in each style, and transitioning between each of them and your Lindy Hop.
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Master's Class: Technique & the Creative Spark
For advanced dancers, every movement should have a purpose, and every technique should yield a predictable (or at least justifiable) result. In this class, you the student will provide the source material -- your favorite swingout variations, your favorite embellishments or endings to common moves -- and we will use this material as a springboard for technical analysis, group discussion, and the sharing of creative ideas.
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Swing DJ Summit
So, you want to collect and/or DJ swing music? Michael will share all the tools he's collected throughout the last 5 years of DJ-ing for Lindy Hoppers around the globe, including: (1) Identifying usable music (2) Finding the good stuff (3) Cultivating Good Taste vs. Crowd-Pleasing, (4) Establishing a personal style, and much, much more. Bring a pen and notebook. Also, bring any questions you might have, as part of the class will be devoted to answering questions.
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