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:
Diagnosis with solutions
We just wanted to send you a quick thank you note for our private lessons. Personally, I have been a huge fan of your teaching and it was amazing to have a private lesson with you finally. I love that you teach concepts and give plenty of examples while properly diagnosing issues and providing effective solutions. I hope we will be able to work with you again in the future. Until then, it’s practice time!
Tackle your goals
Dynamic and deeply knowledgeable instructors, Myles and Tessa deliver private lessons that are productive and fun. Whether you want to learn a specific move or figure out how to improve your general dancing, they will assess your dancing and teach you specific ways to improve your movement and partnership skills based on clearly explained body mechanics and useful exercises, drills and one-on-one feedback.
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.
Guided independence
“What I love about lessons with Tessa is her really interesting way of teaching. She never says : “Stop thinking, just do this shape like that because I told you to”. Instead, she takes the time to ask you the right questions to guide you to think for YOURSELF about your dance. This self-analysis makes me understand my own body mechanics, and learn even faster! Now every time I leave the ballroom, it’s always with a big smile because I had a lot of fun and also because I discovered something new about my way of dancing. It’s always like a revelation.”
A clear and specific prescription
“Myles and Tessa have a wealth of experience and understanding of human kinetics to draw from, and it’s really apparent in their teaching. Working with Myles made me aware of presentation and finishing in a way I’d never really considered before. Tessa is able to take concepts that other teachers might only describe vaguely or by feel, and break them down into discrete, specific pieces that pinpoint trouble spots – and, more importantly, how to fix them. I leave knowing exactly what needs to be worked on and how, and that’s incredibly empowering.”
