Inspiring people to learn and dance more
Dance is a life-changing art form. Is has all the benefits of training for a sport, but with
the added element of self-expression, which is so desperately neglected these days.
Challenging ignorance about authentic
West Coast Swing
Dispelling myths about the dance, both within and outside the dance community. Differentiating it from its predecesor,
Lindy Hop, and the homonym, "Western". The website, www.westcoastswing.ca, is dedicated to this commitment.
Being humble, approachable,
compassionate and full of integrity
We try to live up to our Canadian reputation. We are committed to remembering our roots
and not submitting to vices of celebrity, and to setting an example for future professional dancers.
Teaching beginners
correctly from scratch
We do not believe that technique should be reserved for the advanced dancer. Technique is not scary: it is the
key to WCS, and the sooner a novice dancer is exposed to it, the easier the dance will be to learn, and the more fun they
will have.
Making dancers feel great
In all arenas: Physical, Emotional, Mental, and Spiritual. We focus on the complete dancer
and teach him as a whole. Dance is an activity that is very personal and intimate. We are sensitive to dancers' needs for comfort,
recognition, understanding, safety, enthusiasm, humour, freedom, power, and confidence.
Progressing the dance as an art
form.
We are known for our outside-the-box choreography and cutting edge techniques. Our routines are a prime example. Our understanding
of human movement allows us to take the dance in new directions, to a new depth few have reached. We are proponents
of divergent thinking: diverging from the known or accepted to access new ideas.
Practicing student-centered teaching methods
based in sound scientific principles
We refuse to teach anything simply because that's the way we were taught. We analyze the scientific
integrity of skills before passing them on to students. We stand for efficient ergonomic movement training in our workshops, videos,
and private lessons. We also teach to the needs of the individual student and their learning style.
Professional Development
"Once
you stop learning, you stop being good." It is the responsibility of every instructor to keep current in their skills and get coaching
or extra training in the dance so that they can pass on the highest quality instruction possible.
