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Read about all things Charleston
Free Taster: Stretch & Flex Class this Thursday & Friday
Join us for a free Stretch & Flex class on either:
12 Nov 8:15-8:45am or 13 Nov 8:15-8:45am
Join us for a free Stretch & Flex class on either:
12 Nov 8:15-8:45am
13 Nov 8:15-8:45am
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87869858651...
Meeting ID: 878 6985 8651
Passcode: FLEX2020
These short daily warm-ups are designed as full body workout where we work on increasing your heart rate to get you energised for the day ahead and at the same time get you feeling supple by improving your flexibilty. Each sessions is 30 mins and includes:
-Cardio
-Stretch and Flexibility
-Core
-Restorative work
Important MyCharleston Course Updates
New Course Updates for November 2020 Term.
Course update for anyone booked onto our Winter term running from 2nd - 10 Dec:
Published 1 Nov
I'm sure you will have heard the news that the UK is going back into lockdown for at least four weeks, so we are getting in touch to let you know how we are going to deliver this term's courses in light of the news.
We will move all our classes to teaching on Zoom from Tuesday 3rd November. We feel this is the safest and simplest way to continue dancing and hopefully brightening up your week.
We had so much great feedback on our Zoom classes during the last lockdown and we hope to make them even better this time by teaching from a proper dance studio with mirrors.
Our new timetable starting from 3 Nov- 10 Dec is:
Tuesday 6pm - Charleston - Elena
Tuesday 7pm - Musicals ‘All That Jazz’ - Elena
Wednesday 7pm - Charleston - Fiona
Thursday 6pm - Street Jazz - Elena
Thursday 7pm - Intermediate Solo Jazz and Charleston - Fiona
To help with online learning we would love to offer you access to our video tutorials which give step by step instructions so you can learn and practice the routines in your own time too. We had great feedback on these tutorials before so we are sure you will find them fun and useful. They won't cost any extra and we hope they will make up for the fact that we can no longer be in class together.
We will automatically transfer you over and send all the login details by tomorrow afternoon so you are ready to go this week. However if you are unable to join us online and would like to request a refund, please email me by midday 2nd November prior to the start of the new term.
This isn't what any of us wanted but for all of our wellbeing we will keep dancing through this second lockdown and we really hope you can join us. At the very least it will help us remember what day of the week it is!
Your support throughout all of this has been heartwarming, and we hope in some way we can give something back to you by just keeping going. The community of people within MyCharleston are kind beyond words and very smiley! Here's to keeping the smile going. We will miss you seeing you in person very much, but we're looking forward to seeing you online!
Best wishes and heartfelt thanks,
Elena and Fiona
Videos: What's on this November
Our winter courses are back from 2nd Nov in the studio and online. Take a look at our new routines for the final term of the year!
Our winter courses are back from 2nd Nov in the studio and online. Take a look at our new routines for the final term of the year in Charleston, Musicals, Solo Jazz and Street Jazz . Spaces are very limited due to smaller class sizes under new guidelines (10-15 per group depending on the studio). Our Lewes and Worthing courses are already sold out!
Charleston Courses
Book Your Charleston Course
Our brand new 'Walkin' Blues' routine is available in Brighton & Hove, Eastbourne and online with Fiona via our Zoom course. Courses in Lewes and Worthing are sold out!
2nd Nov, Marina Studios, Brighton 6:40pm - 3 Spaces left
3rd Nov, Open Space Studios, Hove 6pm - 3 Spaces left
4th Nov, Online via Zoom 6pm - Spaces available
4th Nov, Leaf Hall, Eastbourne 7pm - Spaces available
5th Nov, Open Space Studios, Hove 10:30am - 3 Spaces left
Musicals Course: All That Jazz - Chicago
We are teaching the iconic opening routine from Chicago. The course is sold out in Brighton but we have spaces on our 6 week courses in Eastbourne starting 4th Nov and a All That Jazz Masterclass on 14 Nov at Uni of Brighton, Falmer Campus.
3rd Nov, Open Space Studios, Hove 7pm - Sold out
4th Nov, Leaf Hall, Eastbourne 6pm - Spaces available
14th Nov All That Jazz Masterclass 2-4pm, Falmer Campus
Solo Jazz & Charleston - Intermediate
This upbeat routine packed full of authentic jazz moves is at Open Space Studios in Hove at 7pm with Elena from 5th Nov. BOOK HERE
Street Jazz with Elena
Elena has been devising a brand new Street Jazz course starting from 5th Nov at 6pm, Open Space Studios. BOOK NOW
Courses start the week of 2nd Nov. Just head to our website to book online and for our Government guidelines for safe and fun classes.
www.mycharlestondance.com/classes
We are Recruiting: Join our Teaching Team
MyCharleston are recruiting! We are looking to train a new dance teacher to run classes in Portsmouth. If you are passionate about dance, teaching and would like the opportunity to train in the Charleston, we would love to hear from you.
MyCharleston runs dance classes, workshops and events all based on 1920s Charleston. This iconic and playful dance is so popular that we have expanded our teaching team to deliver classes in cities across the South Coast.
We are now looking to train a new teacher to run classes in Portsmouth. This class was set-up in 2017 and has an established group of attendees. The Portsmouth group are very lively, fun and welcoming.
By training and teaching with us, you will learn a new dance genre and be part of a team who will support you by providing all the content for your classes. We will manage bookings and marketing so you can focus on delivering a great class.
TRAIN WITH US
This is a robust training programme delivered over 5 weeks commencing 9th November. The course includes weekly tuition with assignments to complete. It’s delivered via online tuition, video tutorials, teaching manuals and live sessions. The training programme costs £200 and you will soon see a return on your investment when you begin delivering classes. As part of your training you will learn:
The MyCharleston syllabus: Learn classic moves, how to stylise them, swivel technique, terminology and the history of early jazz dance.
Teaching skills; Lesson planning, vocal instructions, imaginative teaching, classroom management and health and safety.
Discover choreographed dance routines, warm-ups, exercises and drills all set to music from the early jazz era.
Learn The Benesh dance notation system so you can read the patterning laid out within the choreography.
FREELANCE TEACHER
MyCharleston will contract you as a freelance teacher once training is complete. You will then run weekly classes in Southsea, these run in blocks of six weeks and follow the academic year. Portsmouth classes have often sold out (we limit numbers to 25) so there is potential to expand classes in this area. Additionally we will occasionally offer you work teaching hen parties and Charleston in a Day workshops. In signing the contract with MyCharleston you will agree not to set-up a rival business. The terms of your contract are:
Salary is £30 an hour. The money invested in the training day will be made back within the first 7 hours you teach for us.
You will be contracted as a rolling freelance basis
Lessons plans will be prepared for you and we will take away the stress of studio hire, marketing and sales.
You are responsible for being available to deliver your classes, therefore holidays should be planned around the course timetable. If you cannot teach due to extenuating circumstances you must raise this with the team as soon as possible so we can do our best to provide cover
TEACHING QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
Charleston is a vernacular dance style therefore there is no formal path from which to recruit teachers. We would certainly want you to have a strong background in dance but it is not a pre-request that you have learnt this style or related genres such as Lindy Hop or Solo Jazz. Teaching is a skill and ideally a passion, a great teacher enjoys presenting to a group, nurturing their skills and can read and respond to the energy in the room. In order to apply you must be:
An experienced dancer.
Have some experience of teaching or presenting to the public.
Have a passion for this genre of dance and jazz music.
Have an energy which will inspire others.
Please send your CV and a short statement on why you would like to work for us to hello@mycharlestondance.com by 9pm on 30th October.
MyCharleston has been successful because we offer so much more than your average dance class. The courses are designed to get people talking and more often laughing. It’s a dance class for people to have fun, gain skills and to get fit without noticing.
“I absolutely LOVE these classes! Fiona and Elena are so friendly and supportive it really doesn’t matter what level dancer you are. I was a complete beginner and they made me feel so welcome and at ease. I do not stop smiling throughout and as well as loads of fun it’s a good workout too’”
Halloween Special: Learn the Thriller Routine
Celebrate Halloween in style at our upcoming dance workshop where we will teaching you the iconic moves from one of best known music videos.
Halloween Special: Learn the Thriller Routine, 31 Oct 2-4pm, Marina Studios, Brighton
Celebrate Halloween in style at our upcoming dance workshop where we will teaching you the iconic moves from one of best known music videos.
The most iconic moves from Thriller come together in this fun and thrilling dance workshop where you can unleash your inner Zombie. Under 18s are welcome if accompanied by a participating adult.
£25 per person
£40 - Book two spaces and save £10
31 Oct 2-4pm, Marina Studios, Brighton
Routine Inspiration
Videos: New Autumn Routines 👀👯
There is just one week left until we are back in the studio and online with our new 6 week courses starting from 7th Sept. Here is a little look at what we have got in store this term in our Charleston, Musicals, Solo Jazz and Bollywood classes.
There is just one week left until we are back in the studio and online with our new 6 week courses starting from 7th Sept. Here is a little look at what we have got in store this term in our Charleston, Musicals, Solo Jazz and Bollywood classes. Spaces are very limited due to smaller class sizes under new guidelines (10-15 per group depending on the studio) so please book early to avoid disappointed!
Charleston Courses
Book Your Charleston Course
Our brand new 'Walkin' Blues' routine is available in Brighton & Hove, Eastbourne, Lewes, Worthing and online with Elena via our Zoom course
Musicals Course - Singin' in the Rain
Book Singin' in the Rain Course.
We are teaching the classic Charleston routine from Singin' in the Rain 'All I do is dream of you' in Brighton & Hove, Eastbourne and Lewes.
Solo Jazz & Charleston - Intermediate
This upbeat routine packed full of authentic jazz moves is at Open Space Studios in Hove at 7pm with Fiona from 10th Sept. BOOK HERE
Bollywood with Fiona
Fiona has been devising a brand new Bollywood course starting from 10th September at 6pm, Open Space Studios. BOOK NOW
Charleston Masterclass with Sharon Davis
Our 2020 Masterclasses are back! Take the fast footwork of Charleston and learn how to execute it with performance quality with the help of award winning international dancer and teacher Sharon Davis at her Charleston Masterclass on 12th Sept.
Sharon is a specialist in authentic Swing and Jazz Age dances. Her wealth of knowledge is infectious, she is a teacher who keeps the room alive with a wealth of content which she delivers with pure passion. Take a look at her teaching in action (you will also spot Elena and Fiona in there too!)
BOOK NOW
Courses start the week of 7th Sept. Just head to our website to book online and for our Government guidelines for safe and fun classes.
www.mycharlestondance.com/classes
If you can't wait until then, you can also join us this Thursday 3rd Sept for Charleston in the Park, Queen Park, Brighton at 6:30pm.
Can't wait to see you all!
Watch and Listen - Recommendations this week
There has been some great podcasts and films on the BBC in the past few weeks. Here are some of our favourite pieces to listen to and watch if you on the look out for new podcasts and classic films.
There has been some great podcasts and films on the BBC in the past few weeks. Here are some of our favourite pieces to listen to and watch if you on the look out for new podcasts and classic films.
Podcast: Evil Genius - Charlie Chaplin
Evil Genius with Russell Kane is about changing the way we see heroes and villains in history. Jon Richardson, Catherine Bohart & Shappi Khorsandi look at the film star Charlie Chaplin in close-up revealing some astounding insights into his life as the first ever international celebrity.
Podcast: You’re Dead to me - Josephine Baker
BBC Radio 4's podcast 'You're Dead to Me' has a great episode on 1920s Charleston Superstar Josephine Baker.
Described as the history podcast for people who don't like history... and those who do. Greg Jenne rand his guests Dr Michell Chresfield and comedian Desiree Burch travel to 1920s Paris to meet the phenomenal Josephine Baker. A great listen if you want to find out more about the most iconic Charleston dancer that ever lived!
Film: Top Hat
In the quintessential Astaire and Rogers musical, an American dancer staying at a hotel in London falls in love with the guest staying in the room below. However, she gets her wires crossed, convinces herself that the dancer is already hitched and hotfoots it off to Venice. Classic numbers include Cheek to Cheek and Top Hat. This is Fred and Ginger's fourth pairing, but the first with a screenplay written specifically for them
New Timetable - We are back in the Studio and Online!
We are chuffed to announce that our first set of confirmed courses in Brighton & Hove, Lewes and Worthing we be reopening from 7th Sept. We have new sets of 6 week courses in Charleston, Musicals, Solo Jazz and Bollywood, as well as new online courses too.
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Kids Charleston Classes in Queens Park this August.
Join Fiona and Jess every Monday for Kids Charleston Classes in Queens Park this August.
Join Fiona and Jess every Monday for Kids Charleston Classes in Queens Park this August.
Learn the moves and rhythms of this playful dance style. The lessons are designed to develop children’s musicality, confidence and teamwork. With imaginative themes and music to match this is an upbeat class where children will develop their dance skills in fun and sociable setting. Every Monday, weather permitting.
Timetable
4-4:45pm: 5-7yrs
5-5:45pm: 8-11yrs
£5 drop-in session. Payment on arrival. Cash or card accepted.
New Videos Releases: June Course Routines
Our videos of our completed routines from our June term are now ready to view!
Thank you so much to everyone who joined us our June term for another great set of online courses.
It’s the highlight of our week teaching these sessions so we wanted to say a huge THANK YOU for supporting our small business during these strange times and continuing to dance with us. We have now edited the end of course videos together as a little keepsake from the courses.
Level 2: Everybody Loves My Baby
Level 3: Thrift Shop
If you would like to get involved in any of our classes with us just click here: https://mycharlestondance.com/online