More About Our Classes

New Class Structure

As of September 2024, we are transitioning from block-based teaching to continuous classes to enhance the learning experience for our students. In the block system, there was often a rush to cover all the material, which sometimes left students feeling overwhelmed or underprepared to move on. The continuous format allows us to better tailor the classes to the needs of our students, which ensures a comfortable pace to build confidence and skills without feeling pressured. This approach also improves retention (no more gaps in between blocks!) and creates a smoother progression from one level to the next, allowing students to move more seamlessly through their learning journey and ensuring they are well-prepared for the challenges of higher levels.

Beginner Courses

Our Beginner courses have expanded to 15-week sessions instead of just 10 weeks. This extended timeframe allows us to focus more on technique and provides more time for practice and fine-tuning. That way our beginner students can comfortably transition to the next level, feeling more prepared and confident in their abilities, leading to a more fulfilling experience.

We believe in creating dancers who are both skilled and adaptable, which is why our Beginner courses start with three ELEF (Everybody Leads, Everybody Follows) classes. By exploring both leading and following, students gain a better understanding of each role, empowering them to make an informed choice about their preferred role. This inclusive method breaks down traditional gender roles, fosters flexibility, and enhances the ability to connect with different partners, resulting in a richer and more well-rounded dance experience for everyone.

Besides switching roles in the first few classes, we also practice partner rotation in all our classes. More on this below.

Never danced Swing before? No worries! You don't even need a partner, just come ready to dance! Wear comfortable clothes and flat shoes, and bring a water bottle to stay hydrated.

How We Teach At Key Town Swing

The dances we teach are 'social dances'. In our classes we rotate partners throughout, to help everyone build adaptability and confidence on the dance floor. This practice is essential for learning to connect with different leaders and followers, enhancing your ability to communicate through the dance. Changing partners ensures that everyone improves together and creates a welcoming environment, refelcting the social and inclusive spirit of these dances. It also mirrors the dance's tradition of engaging with different people in a fun, community-driven way, something we find very improtant.

All our classes are based on a layered teaching style. This approach breaks things down into manageable elements, beginning with fundamental movements and steps, and gradually layering on more intricate techniques. This helps students to fully grasp each concept before moving on, making learning more intuitive and less overwhelming.

Founder Ron Smits brings a wealth of experience and passion to his teaching. With over 20 years as a trained educator in Drama, Music, and Arts, Ron’s diverse background enriches his dance instruction, offering students a unique blend of technical skill, musicality, and stage presence. Since even before founding Key Town Swing in 2016, Ron has taught Lindy Hop, Shag, Boogie, and Blues across Europe, infusing his classes with a deep understanding of rhythm, expression, and performance. His dynamic approach, mixed with a passion for the music and the history of the dances, helps dancers to look beyond simply learning the steps, and develop a deeper connection to the dance.

CLICK HERE to find out more about our teachers.