The most efficient mode of learning
Like a personal trainer or a tutor, private lessons are highly recommended for dancers of all levels (even beginners and instructors) who are serious about improving their dancing and want the most value for their money. This one-on-one personal feedback is by far the most effective and efficient method of learning. We give you access to technique and strategies not readily available from most instructors, and help you create new possibilities in your dancing, at your own pace, your own level, and in your own style.
About our teaching style
Our Swing Literacy Development Method is different from the traditional method of teaching dance. It uses a skill development approach, which is common in sport, that we have tailored to WCS. Prepare to hear a whole new perspective. Regardless of the purpose of the lesson, we build skills from the ground up, correcting any foundational issues along the way. The advice, corrections, and drills we offer are based on years of experimenting to find the most effective methods to teach body mechanics and efficient movement, not based on our opinions.
We often use a Socratic method: rather than spoon-feeding instructions, we use questioning techniques to guide students to develop skills organically, which makes them learn faster and “feel” better. These techniques tend to be more interactive and require more engagement from the student. We put the student at ease by offering encouragement and solutions without artificial ego-stroking: we prefer to get right to the source of the issue so you get full value for your time.
As master teachers with over 40+ years of combined training and experience,
we can assure you – our methods get results.
Teacher Coaching
Coaching for teachers, about teaching WCS.
Purchase your 45-min Teaching Impact Strategy Session:
Private Lesson FAQ’s
Do you work with Beginners?
Do you offer ProAm privates?
Does it matter which of you I work with?
What about parking (Vancouver)?
Do I need a dance dummy?
My partner and I would like coaching on lifts. Who should we work with?
Oops! My package expired, and I still have a bunch of lessons left!
I'm visiting Vancouver for a week. Can I set up a bank of lessons in a row?
Hear from our students:
Tailored for building success
Though we have different learning styles — one of us is a kinesthetic learner and the other an analytic learner who translates words into motion — Myles and Tessa have effectively taught us both in joint lessons. We developed not only our technique and ability to execute moves, but also our ability to further build dancing skills on our own.
Becoming more responsive partners
Every lesson is packed with generously supplied information which is put into practice before proceeding to other topics and leaves us with material to work on long after the lesson is over. From our first lesson on, Myles and Tessa figured out a learning progression that suited us and helped us become more responsive dance partners.
Support in transition
“I have taken lessons and workshops with both Myles and Tessa and have been impressed with their professional approach to teaching. Having come from a long history of “other” dance forms it was refreshing to be welcomed and encouraged to explore the script of West Coast Swing and then to be enthusiastically encouraged to incorporate my knowledge from my previous career in ballet, tap, contemporary, flamenco, jazz..SOOOO much fun! Their honesty and support in growing up in WCS is valuable to all and certainly appreciated by me.”
Mind blown
“I absolutely love Myles and Tessa’s approach to teaching. In just the first hour I spent with them, so many light bulbs were set off that I had to stop so I could start trying to keep track. They have a sincerity about them that I really appreciate. They’re really intent on helping me not just become a better dancer, but to understand what makes me a better dancer. It’s some of the best stuff you could hope to get from a teacher.”
More comfortable and confident now
I started WCS in 2014 and had quite a few patterns but they were not well organized and hardly any of them worked comfortably or consistently. Tessa helped organize my patterns so they made more sense and were easier for me to remember and follow. We worked on improving my adaptability and helping me be a better partner which made my social dancing more confident, comfortable and fun. Lessons with Tessa have been a huge benefit for my WCS.
