7 skills you will learn at our Partner Charleston workshop

On 26th October, Fiona will be teaching our Partner Charleston workshop where you will learn all the key moves that make up this style. Whether you’re coming on your own or with a friend you’ll walk away having learnt the following seven new skills:

1. The fundamentals - During the workshop there will be some key steps that you will master. These will include Charleston in hold with two types of frame, turns and spins for both Leads and Follows and how to travel together. We will teach you Call and Response moves as well as a short routine to bust out next time you hit the dancefloor.

2. How to lead and follow - Partner dancing requires awareness and clear communication; this is essential for the overall success of the dance. We will guide you through some simple techniques for the Lead and Follow including how to be ready for cues both visually and physically. 

3. How to use your frame - Frame is vital when you dance together. It’s how the dancers are connected and move as one. We will work on how to use it to signal to each other and the importance of your arms within your steps.

4. Picking and choosing your next step - If you are the Lead and commit to a turn, a walk or change of direction, you must be clear in your move so the Follow understands your decision. We will teach which steps connect well together and help you remember simple patterns for social dancing.

5. Dancing to various tempos - Finding your groove with the song and dancing to the beat of the track can be tricky when Charlestoning together. We will practice the footwork to different tempos and BPMs so you know what tempos suit your style. 

6. Improving your confidence on the dancefloor - Making an error, misreading a cue or improving your frame are as crucial as the steps themselves. We’ll cover how to make decisive steps so you feel confident in both a social setting and in a choreographed routine.

7. Using your Face - If you watch any duet on Strictly Come Dancing, the couples are always using their faces to communicate their next steps, even if it’s as subtle as just using their eyes. In the workshop, you will learn how to use expressions when moving across the dance floor. The Charleston is a playful dance so being able to pull silly faces at your partner is equally as important to what your feet are doing.

If you want to learn a new skill, master a fun dance or just fancy a different type of exercise you can book onto the workshop for 26th October, 2:30-5:30pm at Open Space Studios here. Best of all if you book as a pair you save 15%. £30 per person or £50 per pair.

We look forward to seeing you there!

5 and half tips on how to Charleston Partner Dance

When I first started to learn how to partner dance I thought it wasn’t for me. I found it very hard to adjust to being led, where traditionally the male dancer leads his female partner around the floor and he dictates the steps that the pair will do. Having danced my whole life by myself, it felt quite alien to have to hold onto to someone, let know being told what to do! However, over time I have fallen in love with this style and now regularly teach private partner Charleston lessons.

Over the past few months, I have been working with a few different couples. Some have focused on traditional 1920s Charleston where we cover each week different steps and techniques. With another couple, I have been working on their first dance for their wedding. A romantic ballad with simple partner steps.

Having worked with many couples, you begin to spot common things that people find tricky. If you are wanting to start to partner dance or you have just started, here are my 5 (and a half) tips which you can add to your personal practice.

1. Have a strong frame - Frame is vital, not only in partner Charleston dancing but, in any genre. It’s how the dancers are connected and move as one. If you have a weak frame it becomes impossible for the two dancers to know what is coming next as partner dancing is all about responding to each other’s signals.

2. Keep eye contact - Eye contact is everything in partner dancing, if you can’t look your partner in the face how are you going to be able to read what is going to be next. Sometimes it does feel a bit weird staring at someone you have just met in a social situation but don’t let it put you off and enjoy being in the moment. 

3. Take decisive steps - If you are the lead and commit to a turn, a walk or change of direction, you must be clear in your move so the follow understands your decision. If you are too timid the follow cannot guess what move you are trying to do. Equally, the follow must respond with a decisive move too. 

4. Practicing switching roles - If you have a regular dance partner, try switching roles to see what it is like for other dancer. This technique will also help you work on your frame and the signals you give to each other for each move.

5. Listen to the music - Find your groove with the song and try your best to dance to the beat of the track. When you lock in with the music, the dance becomes a lot easier and more enjoyable for the both of you.

Oh and my final piece of advice, is to remember to laugh and embrace mistakes! Learning to partner dance is all about the enjoyment of learning to dance with someone special, so if things go wrong it doesn’t matter as practice makes perfect.

If you would like to find out more about booking private lessons or need help with your first dance just fill in the enquiry form below.

Elena :)

Private Lesson Enquiry Form