Group Classes
Where and when do classes happen?
Our group classes are taught in 6-week sessions on Monday nights at the Polish Hall, 554 Hill St., in London, Ontario. Classes are 1 hour and include drills for technique and repetition of patterns to build muscle memory and recall. We run 2 classes every week at 6:30pm and 7:30 pm. From 8:30-9:00pm, the floor is open for practice and social dancing.
Do I need a partner?
No, you do not require a partner to register. We encourage rotation of partners during classes to enhance and quicken your learning as you adjust and adapt to other dancers. Rotation also promotes the social aspect of the dance.
What classes are offered?
We offer 4 classes. Foundations, Foundations II, and Level Up are structured to guide students through fundamental patterns, principles, and techniques. In our Repertoire classes the content changes and evolves in keeping with current trends and student needs. See below for detailed descriptions and to register. From time to time, we offer all levels workshops and classes to bring our dancers together and focus on specific topics.
How do I progress my learning?
Our classes are designed to guide and support your learning along this path: Foundations > Foundations II > Level Up > Repertoire. Many of our students repeat Foundations and/or Foundations II to solidify their basics before progressing to the next level. This is because learning complex activities rarely happens in a straight line, with the path of learning unfolding more like a spiral. To facilitate this path, with the exception of Repertoire, all of our courses can be repeated at a significantly reduced cost in the same or opposite dance role.
Cost for Classes
- $85 per person for each 6-week session.
- $55 per session for students (valid student ID required)
- $45 for those repeating Foundations or Foundations II or Level Up (in the same or opposite role)
- $15 drop-in (Repertoire only)
- $5 off when you pay in advance (before the day of the first class) via eTransfer (swinglondon.wcs@gmail.com)
Foundations (6 Weeks)
Next Session Starting September 2025
In this introductory course, students will learn the basic principles and techniques that provide the foundation for West Coast Swing. Students will gain skill and confidence in leading/following 6-and 8-beat patterns (pushes, passes, basket whip) that provide the backbone of social dancing and more complex variations. This class is suitable for those who are learning the dance for the first time, who would like to brush up on their basics and solidify their skills, and for those who would like to learn the opposite role.
Requirements: No previous dance experience is needed. A partner is not required. No drop-ins
“What class should I take first?”Mondays 7:30pm-8:30pm
$85 per person,
$55 for students (with valid student ID)
$45 if repeating
Foundations II (6 Weeks)
Next Session Starting October 2025
This course builds on Foundations to solidify and extend students’ knowledge of the principles and techniques of West Coast Swing. Students will continue to build confidence and skill in foundational patterns and will expand their repertoire to include patterns that involve rotational leads and turning. Patterns learned in this course include: basic whip, whips with inside and outside turns, spinning passes, passing tuck, and cuddle.
Requirements: Completion of Foundations or permission of the instructor. A partner is not required. No drop-ins.
“What class should I take first?”Mondays 7:30pm-8:30pm
With Jessica Polzer
$85 per person,
$55 for students (with valid student ID)
$45 if repeating
Level Up (6 Weeks)
Next Session Starting April 21, 2025
Take your dance to the next level! This course will help dancers add variety to their dance by focusing on pattern extensions and redirections. This course will solidify your competence in leading/following foundational patterns and introduce concepts and techniques that are essential for elevating your dance beyond a beginner level. It will also help you build confidence leading/following on the social floor and prepare you for the Repertoire course. Patterns learned in this course include: anchor variations, rock-and-go, hip catch, cut-off whip, sling shot.
Requirements: Completion of Foundations II or permission of the instructor. A partner is not required. This course may be taken at the same time as Musicality. This course is also recommended for those who have completed Repertoire. Drop-ins not recommended (email us).
“What class should I take first?”Mondays 7:30pm-8:30pm
April 21, 28,
May 5, 12, 26,
June 2
(no class May 19, Victoria Day)
With Jessica Polzer
$85 per person,
$55 for students (with valid student ID)
$45 if repeating
Repertoire (6 Weeks)
Next Session Starting September 2025
This course will expand on the technical knowledge and skills cultivated in Level Up and previous courses to focus on advanced connection techniques, communication and conversation, and adding variation to foundational rhythms, movements, and pattern development. Content will vary to reflect current trends. This course is suitable for those who are competent and confident in leading/following foundational patterns and rotational patterns and who have a strong understanding of the basic connection techniques of West Coast Swing. If you want a good challenge, this is the course for you!
Requirements: Completion of Level Up or permission of the instructor. A partner is not required. Drop-ins welcome ($15/class)
Mondays 6:30pm-7:30pm
With Jessica Polzer
$85 per person,
$55 for students (with valid student ID)
$15 drop-in
Musicality (6 Weeks)
Next Session Starting April 21, 2025
This course will help students interpret the music and become more creative and conversational in their dancing while applying the basic principles and skills learned in previous courses. Classes will focus on both micro-musicality (individual movement) and macro-musicality (recognizing music structure) and emphasis will be placed on how followers and leaders can equally inspire musical interpretation. Topics include: movement dynamics, moving with intention, pattern phrasing, energy levels, tempo variation, adding groove to your swing.
Requirements: Completion of Foundations II or permission of the instructor. A partner is not required. This course may be taken at the same time as Level Up. Drop-ins not recommended (email us).
“What class should I take first?”Mondays 6:30pm-7:30pm
April 21, 28,
May 5, 12, 26,
June 2
(no class May 19, Victoria Day)
With Jessica Polzer
$85 per person,
$55 for students (with valid student ID)
$45 if repeating