Kyle Fitzgerald and Melodie Paletta Workshops
Kyle, a Canadian, and Melodie, from France, discovered West Coast Swing at 17 and 14, respectively. They both fell in love with the dance and each other on the dance floor. Now, with their backgrounds shaping their unique approach, they travel the world, sharing their knowledge and passion. Through their teaching, they make West Coast Swing accessible to all, fostering a vibrant global community. Join them on the dance floor to experience the magic for yourself!
May 24, 2025 & May 25, 2025
These workshops are for all levels. You must know your foundational patterns: left and right side passes, sugar push, sugar tuck, basic whip, free spin, left side spinning pass.
Schedule
Saturday May 24 Styling Workshops
Leader Styling with Kyle – 10:00-11:30am
Follower Styling with Melodie – 11:45am – 1:15pm
Sunday May 25 All-Levels Workshops
Workshop 1 – Technique: Quality of Movement – 10:15-11:45am
Workshop 2 – Musicality: From Basic to WOW! – 12:00-1:30pm
Intro class with Jess – 1:30-2:00pm
Social dance – 2:00-4:00pm
Cost
Saturday May 24 Styling Workshops (Solo)
Before April 20th: $30 for one; $50 for both
After April 20th: $40 for one; $70 for both
Sunday May 25 All-Levels Workshops (includes social dance)
Before April 20th: $45 for one; $80 for both
After April 20th: $55 for one; $100 for both
Weekend Pass (includes one or both Saturday styling workshops, both Sunday workshops, and social dance)
Before April 20th: $100 with one styling workshop; $120 with both styling workshops
After April 20th: $120 with one styling workshop; $140 with both styling workshops
Social Dance Only: The cost of the social dance is $15 (or $10 if travelling more than 40 km). It’s free if this is your first time at one of our dances! Includes intro lesson and no registration is needed.
Workshop Descriptions
Workshop 1: Technique – Quality of Movement
This workshop will focus on technical elements to help you improve your quality of movement and the look and feel of your dance.
Workshop 2: Musicality – from Basic to Wow!
This workshop will help you move more musically within your foundational patterns and will inspire a sense of play and creativity.
Kyle Fitzgerald Workshops (All levels)
June 9, 2024
Schedule
Workshop 1 – 10:15-11:45am – How to Look and Feel Smooth and Grounded
Workshop 2 – 12:00-1:30pm – Creating Elasticity through Connection in Partnership
Intro class with Jess – 1:30-2:15pm
Social dance – 2:15-4:30pm
Cost
Each workshop is $35 before May 29 ($45 after May 29). Both workshops is $60 before May 29 ($80 after May 29). Registering for the workshops includes the social dance. The cost of the social dance is $15 (or $10 if travelling more than 40 km).
Workshop Descriptions
These all-levels workshops will help you understand and develop your skills in the technical aspects of what makes West Coast Swing dancing so smooth and stretchy. The information and drills in these workshops are essential for all dancers, whether you have just completed one of our Foundations courses or have been dancing for many years!!
Participants must have experience leading and/or following pushes, passes, and whips. If you have just completed one of our Foundations series and want to improve the quality of your individual movement and connection skills, these workshops are perfect timing for you!
Workshop 1 – How to Look and Feel Smooth and Grounded: This workshop will focus on the different kinds of weight transfer used in West Coast Swing and how to control weight transfer in individual movement.
Workshop 2 – Creating Elasticity through Connection in Partnership: This workshop will focus on how to create stretch and compression with resistance and elasticity and how to use arcs to create momentum and redirection.
“My favourite thing about this dance is the journey — the rabbit holes of improvisational possibility and the diversity of music and style”
Kyle Fitzgerald is a luminary in the world of dance whose passion for movement began at the tender age of 9 years old. Born and raised in the vibrant city of Toronto, Kyle’s childhood was spent in the lively environment of a dance studio where he first encountered the elegant world of ballroom and Latin dance styles. In 2010, Kyle’s dance journey took a pivotal turn when he discovered the dynamic and captivating dance form known as West Coast Swing, which propelled him into the spotlight of competitive dance. Kyle’s dedication to his craft and innate talent led him to become a two-time US Open Champion and a top All-Star competitor with triumphs in Jack and Jill competitions at numerous events in seven countries.
As a dedicated teacher of West Coast Swing, Kyle is well known for his expertise and thoughtful instruction in the technical aspects of the dance and for helping his students understand and master the intricate relationship between connection, communication, and creativity. On the social floor, Kyle is regarded as one of the most friendly and generous professional dancers on the West Coast Swing circuit who thrives in leading and following partners at all levels and from diverse dance backgrounds.
Kyle has trained extensively with West Coast Swing Champion Robert Royston and more recently with Champions from the Schwimmer School, Thibault and Nicole Ramirez.