Directions to our home studio

Driving west on 240 from downtown, cross the Smoky Park Bridge and stay left to get on Patton Ave. Stay on Patton Ave. for another 3 miles. You will see a Goodwill and the DMV on the left, followed by signs for The Asheville School. Take your first left after the DMV onto Asheville School Rd. Then take your first left onto School Rd. Drive 0.3 miles and take your first right onto Hillside Terrace, and keep turning right (very sharp) onto Woodland Rd. At the dead end, park at either the upper or lower driveway. The studio entrance is around back, on the ground level. If you have any trouble finding us, call (828) 275.3693.

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Swing 101-A

An introduction to the "6-count" basic step used in Jitterbug, East Coast Swing, and Lindy Hop. We will learn a series of simple moves and the techniques that make them work. No experience or partner required. Part one of three. You can jump into any "101" session provided that you begin on the first week of that session. The basic step we learn will be the same as in part B and C, but the other moves will be different.
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Swing 101-B

An introduction to the "6-count" basic step used in Jitterbug, East Coast Swing, and Lindy Hop. We will learn a series of simple moves and the techniques that make them work. No experience or partner required. Part two of three. You can jump into any "101" session provided that you begin on the first week of that session. The basic step we learn will be the same as in part A and C, but the other moves will be different.
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Swing 101-C

An introduction to the "6-count" basic step used in Jitterbug, East Coast Swing, and Lindy Hop. We will learn a series of simple moves and the techniques that make them work. No experience or partner required. Part three of three. You can jump into any "101" session provided that you begin on the first week of that session. The basic step we learn will be the same as in part A and B, but the other moves will be different.
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Lindy Hop & Charleston 201-A

An introduction to the "8-count" basic step used primarily in Lindy Hop and a little Charleston. Somewhat more challenging than the "101" series, but might be a great place to start for those with Ballroom-style swing experience, those who have significant experience with other dances, or very ambitious beginners. We will learn a series of moves and the techniques that make them work. No partner required. Part one of three. The basic step we learn will be the same as in part B and C, but the other moves will be different.
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Lindy Hop & Charleston 201-B

An introduction to the "8-count" basic step used primarily in Lindy Hop and a little Charleston. Somewhat more challenging than the "101" series, but might be a great place to start for those with Ballroom-style swing experience, those who have significant experience with other dances, or very ambitious beginners. We will learn a series of moves and the techniques that make them work. No partner required. Part one of three. The basic step we learn will be the same as in part A and C, but the other moves will be different.
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Lindy Hop & Charleston 201-C

An introduction to the "8-count" basic step used primarily in Lindy Hop and a little Charleston. Somewhat more challenging than the "101" series, but might be a great place to start for those with Ballroom-style swing experience, those who have significant experience with other dances, or very ambitious beginners. We will learn a series of moves and the techniques that make them work. No partner required. Part one of three. The basic step we learn will be the same as in part A and B, but the other moves will be different.
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Lindy Hop & Charleston Moves & Concepts 301

Pre-requisites: Swing 101-A, Swing 101-B, Swing 101-C, Lindy Hop & Charleston 201-A, Lindy Hop & Charleston 201-B, Lindy Hop & Charleston 201-C or equivalent experience. The exact material from this class is subject to constant change and revision, at the discretion of the instructors. The purpose of this class is to provide ongoing social dance tools for active dancers to continue to expand their repertoire and technique. No partner required.
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Lindy Hop & Charleston Moves & Concepts 351

Pre-requisites: Swing 101-A, Swing 101-B, Swing 101-C, Lindy Hop & Charleston 201-A, Lindy Hop & Charleston 201-B, Lindy Hop & Charleston 201-C, Lindy Hop & Charleston Moves & Concepts 301 or equivalent experience. The exact material from this class is subject to constant change and revision, at the discretion of the instructors. The purpose of this class is to provide ongoing social dance tools for active dancers to continue to expand their repertoire and technique. No partner required.
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Performance Lindy Hop & Charleston 301 (Specialty Class)

Pre-requisites: Swing 101-A, Swing 101-B, Swing 101-C, Lindy Hop & Charleston 201-A, Lindy Hop & Charleston 201-B, Lindy Hop & Charleston 201-C or equivalent experience demonstrated by audition. In this class we will learn a simple but classic style routine that incorporates much of the material from earlier sessions, to be performed as a group with an emphasis on classic repertoire, looking good, and performance skills. Partner required but can be arranged through us.
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Performance Lindy Hop & Charleston 351 (Specialty Class)

Pre-requisites: Swing 101-A, Swing 101-B, Swing 101-C, Lindy Hop & Charleston 201-A, Lindy Hop & Charleston 201-B, Lindy Hop & Charleston 201-C And Performance Lindy Hop & Charleston 301. In this class we will learn a challenging and up-tempo routine to be performed as a group with an emphasis on classic repertoire, looking good, and performance skills. Partner required but can be arranged through us.
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Balboa 201 (Specialty Class)

An introduction to the "8-count" basic step of Balboa, it's simple variations, and a little bit of Bal-Swing. Somewhat more challenging than the "Swing 101" series. No explicit prerequisites, but we find that dancers with a background in our 101 and 201 material do much better learning this dance. No partner required.
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Balboa 301 (Specialty Class)

Pre-requisite: Balboa 201 or equivalent experience with Balboa. In this class we will go deeper into Bal-Swing, with an emphasis on transitions and social dancing. No partner required.
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Blues Dance 201 (Specialty Class)

An introduction to the non-pattern-oriented slow dance style known as Blues. We will learn the basic steps, stylings, and techniques to get you through a slow dance without feeling bored or self-concious. No experience required, but people tend to feel more comfortable learning blues if they have some social dance experience. Signing up with a partner is allowed but not required.
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Blues Dance 201-B (Specialty Class)

A continuation of Blues 201-A. New people are welcome to join us, as we'll be doing a whole new set of material. No experience required, but people tend to feel more comfortable learning blues if they have some social dance experience. Signing up with a partner is allowed but not required.
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Blues Dance 301 (Specialty Class)

Pre-requisite: Blues Dance 201 or equivalent experience with Blues. In this class we will explore some of the more stylized and intricate possibilities of this dance with an emphasis on partner connection and creativity. Signing up with a partner is allowed but not required.
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Jazz Dance 101-A

In this class, we will break you into the idea of dancing without a partner in the vernacular style of the swing era by learning the classic line dance known as the "Shim Sham". This is often done at social dances, and is a great opportunity to work on your own movement quality, performance skills, and understanding of footwork. Part one of two. You can jump into any "101" session provided that you begin on the first week of that session. No experience necessary. No partner required - this class is all solo dancing!
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Jazz Dance 101-B

In this class, we will break you into the idea of dancing without a partner in the vernacular style of the swing era by learning the basic steps of solo Charleston and its many variations. Solo Charleston circles often break out at social dances, and this class is a great opportunity to work on your own movement quality, performance skills, and understanding of footwork. Part two of two. You can jump into any "101" session provided that you begin on the first week of that session. No experience necessary. No partner required - this class is all solo dancing!
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Jazz Dance 201 Transitions & Vocabulary

The exact material from this class is subject to constant change and revision, at the discretion of the instructors. The purpose of this class is to provide tools for active solo dancers to continue to expand their repertoire and technique. No partner required - this class is all solo dancing!
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Swing Rueda

Pre-requisites: Lindy Hop & Charleston 201-A, Lindy Hop & Charleston 201-B, Lindy Hop & Charleston 201-C or equivalent experience. In this class you will learn everything you need in order to participate in a Swing Rueda including the basic partner-changes and the most common variations.
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Basic Swing

This style uses mostly the "6-count" footwork pattern of "Rock-Step, Step, Step" or the variation "Rock-Step, Triple-Step, Triple-Step". Though it is often taught first due to its faster learning curve, these steps are an integral part of swing dance at all levels, and are a vital building block in one's understanding of the dance. Historically, these steps were interspersed with "8-count" steps and other styles. Movements in the latter half of the 20th century tried to unfairly categorize these steps as part of a separate dance -- "Jitterbug" or "East Coast Swing", for instance -- but socially they have always been part of Lindy Hop, and the modern swing dance movement reflects this.
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Lindy Hop & Charleston

Though this style is strongly associated with its "8-count" basic step, often called the Swingout, true Lindy Hop includes "6-count" steps, Charleston steps (adapted from the 1920's dance style), and the integration of vernacular Jazz Dance steps. Lindy Hop is a traditional name now given to the full panorama of swing dance styles. The Swingout is considered to be one of the most interesting and challenging basic steps in all forms of dance, in part because of its unique use of momentum, and the improvisatory freedom it invites.
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Balboa

This style is rumored to have developed in response to crowded dance floors, and thusly uses a very close embrace, and features intricate and subtle footwork. Historically, it began earlier than Lindy Hop but lasted long enough for the two dances to be contemporaries. A variant, Bal-Swing, makes use of a wider embrace, and various "open" positions more familiar to swing dances. Though this dance is often associated with fast music (dancing Balboa faster is generally considered easier than fast Lindy Hop because the movement is less athletically demanding) it is an elegant and mature social dance at any speed.
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Blues Dance

Not widely acknowledged until recently as a swing dance style, Blues Dance is more typical of clubs and late night parties than your average swing dance. This is a highly artful, expressive, and intimate dance that is most often done to slower music. There are many evolving sub-styles, and very little of this dance has been codified. It makes use of all dance positions though it has a strong emphasis on a close-embrace, and borrows movements from Lindy Hop, Tango, and latin dances as well as having its own set of traditional vocabulary.
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Jazz Dance

This is not so much a specific dance as an umbrella term for all solo dances styles that came into fashion from the early 1900's to the early 1950's, including but not limited to: Cakewalk, Black Bottom, Turkey Trot, and Charleston. Associated with these styles are various line dances such as the Shim Sham (of which there are many versions), Trankey Doo, and others which are less historically documented. These days, solo Jazz Dance is considered a vital part of a swing dance education, and solo dance skills are showcased both in social dance contexts as well as performances and competitions.
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Peabody

This is an upright, ballroom-style swing dance that is typically danced to extremely fast vintage jazz music. Also called the one-step, this dance mixes up "half-time" and "single time" which in part makes it easier to dance at scorching tempos. Historically, Peabody combined elements of Fox Trot and Charleston, and is thought to have been the predecessor to the Quick Step. It was a favorite social dance among Lindy Hoppers, and it's traveling, ballroom-on-speed action is rumored to be the source of the Savoy Ballroom's nickname: The Track.
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If you are new to dancing, you should take Swing 101. If you are experienced in other forms of dance, we still strongly recommend Swing 101, though if you are simply interested in learning the "8 count" rhythm, and are very quick with footwork, you may jump into Lindy Hop 201. If you are an experienced and seasoned Lindy Hopper, comfortable with both "6 count" rhythms, "8 count" rhythms, and some Charleston, you may still have plenty to learn from a Lindy Hop 201 class, or you might be ready for a 301 class, a specialty class, or a Jazz Dance class. If you're still unsure, you can email us with your question or to sign up for a private lesson/evaluation by clicking here.
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