Our Swing Dance Course is now underway â but thereâs still time to join the fun!
đđş Wednesdays, from 30 April 2025 at The Cartologist, Durham DH1 4NQ
Whether you’re brand new to Lindy Hop or looking to brush up your moves, this course is designed to help you dance with style and confidence at social events. Youâll learn fun, iconic steps â including the Swing Out â in a relaxed, friendly environment.
Hereâs Whatâs Happening Each Week: â 19:30â20:15: Swing Dance Fundamentals (perfect for all levels) â 20:15â21:00: Extra Class (for experienced dancers) â 21:00â22:00: Jazz Social (open to all â just ÂŁ4 on the door!)
Not ready to commit to the course? No problem â you can still Swing By for the Jazz Social! Enjoy a drink, dance your own dance, and soak up the uplifting vibes from 9â10pm every Wednesday. đˇ
Extra Perks for Course Members: ⨠Access to lesson recap videos online ⨠Private WhatsApp group for questions & encouragement ⨠Optional online feedback on your practice ⨠A welcoming, supportive community of dancers
Book your place now and swing into summer with style!
Exciting News â A New Twist for Our Final Class!
We have something exciting to share with you! For a while now, weâve been thinking about how to create a more sociable atmosphere for our social Lindy Hop classes. While the church hall is a great space with a lovely smooth floor, and our Week 6 meet ups at Fram Ferment are always fun, we want to offer you even more!
So for the final Wednesday of this course, on 9 April, weâre trying something new, and weâd love your thoughts! For our final class, we invite you to The Cartologist, a beautiful bar close to the station, where weâll have exclusive use of their stunning Summer Room. The staff will clear the space so we can hold our usual two classes, followed by an extended Social Dancing session from 21:00-21:45âat no extra charge!
This will be a perfect chance to dance with each other, practise your moves, or just enjoy your favourite swing tunes. If you have friends who are curious about Lindy Hop or just want to soak up the atmosphere and Andyâs fantastic playlist, theyâre welcome to join us too!
Good news for drivers: Thereâs plenty of on-street parking nearby, and itâs free after 18:00, making it even easier to join us for the evening.
Andy and I will be arriving early to have a bite to eat at 18:15, so if you fancy grabbing some food or just popping in for a chat before our classes start at 19:30, youâre more than welcome!
With the lighter evenings, we hope this will be a great opportunity for those travelling from outside Durham to stay a little longer and fully enjoy the experience. Of course, youâre free to leave at any time that suits you.
After we try this out, weâd love your feedback! Would you like this to be a special Week 6 event for future courses? Would you prefer to keep things as they are? Or could this even work as a venue for all 6 weeks of a summer course?
We want to strike the right balance between structured learning and a relaxed, social dance environmentâso your input is invaluable!
We canât wait to hear what you think and, most of all, to dance with you at The Cartologist on Week 6 – thatâs 9 April.
A summary:
This coming Wednesday 2 April is Week 5. Weâre dancing at St Aidanâs as usual
Wednesday 9 April is Week 6. Weâre dancing at The Cartologist (in a private space!) and afterwards have a chat to find out everyone thinks!
Questions & Answers – Week 6 at The Cartologist â Will this new format be permanent? âĄď¸ No, this is just a trial, mainly for the summer months.
â Do I have to book separately for Week 6? âĄď¸ No, itâs included in your course. Just turn up and enjoy!
â Can I bring a friend who doesnât dance? âĄď¸ Yes! Theyâre welcome to watch, soak up the atmosphere, and enjoy the music.
â Will there still be a structured lesson? âĄď¸ Yes! Weâll run our usual two classes before the social dancing.
â Is there parking nearby? âĄď¸ Yes, plenty of on-street parking, free after 18:00.
â Do I have to stay for the social dancing? âĄď¸ Not at allâstay as long as you like!
â Could this be a venue for future courses? âĄď¸ That depends on feedback. Nothing is fixed yet. So, let’s check it out and talk about it. Weâd love to hear your thoughts!
If youâve been dancing for a while, youâve probably been in a class where a new beginner is struggling with the steps. Your instinct might be to step in and offer some guidanceâto explain the move differently, correct their footwork, or give them extra tips. After all, you just want to help, right?
I completely understand your good intentions, but hereâs something to consider: when an experienced dancer starts âteachingâ a beginner in class, it can actually have the opposite effect. Instead of feeling supported, the beginner often feels overwhelmed, confused, or even discouraged. They might worry theyâre doing everything wrong, feel pressured to get it ârightâ immediately, or even dread coming back.
Focus on Your Own Learning Instead
Instead of focusing on the new person’s learning, shift your focus to your own. How well can you adapt to your new partner? Social dancing isnât about perfecting steps or performingâitâs about adapting. Adapting to different partners, different energy levels, different interpretations of the music.
Each time you dance with someone new, challenge yourself to adjust your movement to connect with them. Can you match their timing? Can you sense their comfort level and create a dance that feels good for both of you? Instead of trying to âfixâ their dancing, see how well you can adapt to the moment.
Why âHelpingâ Can Be Counterproductive
When you correct or explain things in your own way, youâre introducing a different perspective than what the teacher is presenting. This can contradict the lesson, disrupt the flow of the class, and leave the beginner unsure of who to listen to. It also takes them out of the natural learning processâmaking mistakes, experimenting, and gradually improving at their own pace.
The Best Support You Can Give
Instead of instructing, correcting, or âhelpingâ during class, try these instead:
â Smile warmly and encouragingly â Let them know itâs okay to stumble. Every dancer has been there!
â Allow mistakes to happen â Itâs all part of the learning process. Trust that they will improve with time, just like you did.
â Be a friendly presence â If you want to support a beginner, the best time to do so is before or after class. A simple chat, a kind word, or a shared laugh about the learning journey can make them feel truly welcome.
Dancing is All About Adapting
At the heart of social dancing is the ability to adaptânot just to different music, but to different partners and even to your own energy levels, which may change from week to week. The best dancers arenât the ones who execute perfect moves; theyâre the ones who can adjust, connect, and make every dance enjoyable for themselves and their partner.
So next time you dance with a beginner, resist the urge to teachâsimply enjoy the dance, offer a warm smile, and let them discover their own way. Your patience, encouragement, and ability to adapt will do far more to support their learning than any technical tip ever could. đ
Dancing isnât just about learning stepsâitâs about letting go and enjoying the moment. But sometimes, our minds get in the way. We compare ourselves to others, worry about making mistakes, or feel embarrassed when things donât go as planned.
Hereâs the truth: embarrassment is self-inflicted. Your mind creates fear where there is no real danger. No one is judging you, and no one remembers if you fumble a step. But if you let that fear take over, youâll miss out on the joy of dancing.
Your mind loves problem-solving. So, instead of letting it convince you that you are the problem, give it something useful to focus onâlike a dance move, the rhythm, or simply having fun. Or better yet, shift the focus away from yourself entirely. Look aroundâsee someone sitting out who looks like theyâd love to dance? Take a moment to invite them onto the dance floor. Getting past your own fears to help someone else can be just the thing to remind you that dancing is about connection, not perfection.
Often, our fears come from linking dancing with performing. But at Lindy Jazz, we are not performingâwe are social dancing. There is no audience, no pressure to impress, just a shared love for swing music and good company. Thatâs what we mean when we say we dance for fun.
Weâre all excited about our upcoming cruise this summer! Just as this holiday promises an all-inclusive experience where everything is taken care of, our 6-week Lindy Jazz courses offer a complete and rewarding learning journey. Hereâs why committing to our courses can be just as wonderful as our all-inclusive holiday!
The All-Inclusive Holiday Experience
Think about the cruise where your room, food, drinks, activities, and excursions are all included. You can choose to enjoy as much or as little as you like. Some might eat and drink more, while others might join in more activities. The best part is having the freedom to balance your experience, making sure itâs enjoyable and not overwhelming.
Remember, you don’t need to eat and drink everything on holiday or attend every class in the course or learn every move. You have choices!
Our 6-week Lindy Jazz courses are similar. When you commit to the full course, you get:
Consistent Learning and Skill Building: Just as you wouldnât want to miss any part of an all-inclusive holiday, the continuity of a 6-week course ensures you donât miss important learning moments. Each week builds on the previous one, allowing you to improve steadily.
Dedicated Community: Being part of a group that commits together enhances the learning experience. You grow and improve alongside your peers, creating a supportive and motivating environment.
Comprehensive Resources: Our courses are not just about attending weekly classes. You get access to online videos to recap moves, a private Facebook Messenger group for any questions, and optional online feedback on your practice videos. This complete approach ensures you have everything you need to succeed.
The Drawbacks of Dropping In and Out
In the past, we offered drop-in classes where dancers could come and go as they pleased. While this might seem flexible, it didnât provide the same level of improvement that our 6-week courses do. Dropping in and out disrupted the flow of learning, making it harder to build a strong foundation and progress consistently.
The Power of Commitment
Those who have committed to our 6-week courses have seen big improvements in their dance skills. Hereâs why:
Structured Learning Path: Each class is part of a well-planned curriculum that ensures you learn the basics and build on them week by week.
Reinforcement and Practice: With access to online materials, you can practise between classes, reinforcing what youâve learned and coming back stronger each week.
Personalised Feedback: Our private Facebook Messenger group and optional video feedback provide chances for personalised guidance, helping you refine your technique and overcome challenges.
What You Get in Our 6-Week Courses
To remind you of the fantastic value included in our 6-week courses, hereâs a breakdown of what you receive:
â For all levels: 19:30 – 20:15 Swing Dance Fundamentals
â For Experienced Dancers: 20:15 – 21:00 Extra Class
â Access to online videos to help you recap the moves between classes or catch up in case you couldn’t attend
â Access to a private Facebook Messenger group so you can ask about anything!
â Optional online feedback on your practice videos
Final Thoughts
Just like the cruise, our 6-week courses are designed to be an all-inclusive experience where you get the most out of your time and effort. Committing to the full duration allows you to truly immerse yourself in the learning process, ensuring you walk away with significant improvements and a deeper understanding of Lindy Jazz.
We encourage each of you to embrace this commitment. Whether you can attend every class or master every move, the journey itself will bring about amazing results.
One thing Iâve found when people are learning to partner dance is they want to do everything amazingly well straight away. Theyâve seen the performances on âStrictlyâ and the brilliant dancers on YouTube who make it look so effortless, and they want to fast forward to dancing like that.
Everyone thinks about the process of learning to dance very differently. For me, I think of the learning of dance as being exactly the same as learning language and communication skills. When youâre little, you donât go from not being able to talk to suddenly having clever conversations. You start with the basics and then you advance over time; first you have to master the alphabet, then you form words, then basic sentences, and eventually, you master the clever conversations.
Start with the building blocks-learn the alphabet
So for example when a brand new beginner comes to learn to partner dance, we would normally teach them the alphabet; those basic moves and steps like the rock step, walking, or swinging your arms. Just like when learning to talk, before we put words or sentences together and learn higher level skills, we need to learn the basic foundations.
Donât expect to run (or dance) before you can walk-form the words
When our dancers are right at the beginning of their dance journey, we encourage them to manage their expectations. Itâs important that they donât expect to be able to lead and follow or display those higher level skills just yet. Using the learning to talk analogy, when we learn the alphabet, it doesnât teach us how to have a coherent conversation or join words together. We need to practise the alphabet then eventually form words. So when learning to partner dance, you need to practise the basics on your own, whenever you get the chance. Repetition and patience is the key.
Forget the clever conversations-begin with short sentences
If youâre doing a 6-week Lindy Jazz course, by week 3 you might be at the point where a few moves are coming together. But we will always encourage you not to stray from getting the basics right and expecting to master higher level skills too soon. This is the same as expecting to go from learning a few words here and there to having a clever conversation. This puts far too much pressure on you way too soon and it can take the fun out of learning to dance. Be patient; the clever conversations will come. Focus on mastering the basics, repetition, and having fun. The clever bits will come in time.
Dance is not performance, itâs communication
Thatâs why we run the 6-week courses. Sometimes when people drop into a single class as a one-off, they expect to be able to master things straight away. Others may see dance as merely a performance, like an actor learning a new language so they can perform in a French play. This is because we see so much dance on social media and television, itâs easy to think that learning to dance is a means to an end. The end goal being a performance.
Here at Lindy Jazz, we think of dance as learning a skill and using that skill to communicate. We donât teach our dancers to memorise choreography, we teach them the alphabet, the words, the sentences, and the structure so they have the freedom to express themselves and communicate with those who are on the same wavelength and speak the same language.
Learn to speak the language of dance-the right way
You canât learn a language by reading a book or watching videos. You have to speak it and be immersed in it. That’s why we create a friendly and relaxing environment for everyone to learn a few dance steps, stumble, feel uncoordinated, and make mistakes along the way. Just like when youâre learning a language. It takes time to be fluent, and mistakes and feedback are all part of the learning process.
So book a place on our next 6-week course and learn the language of dance the right way. Join us for fun, relaxing, and enjoyable experience that will help you build some solid foundations for the next steps on your dance journey.
We’d like to thank Vivienne, one our Lindy Jazz members for her views on how it all works!
Is everyone in the class really good already? When I was a beginner, my main goal was simply to learn to swing dance to fabulous music. I wasn’t concerned about whether others were better dancers than meâI just wanted to gather the courage to go on my own. It was a personal achievement I aimed for, and thanks to Joo-Lee, Andy, and my fellow dancers, I felt incredibly welcome.
Will I be the oldest or the slowest in the class? Personally, I didn’t worry about the age of my fellow dancers. When I first attended, the class had a diverse range of ages, so I never felt uncomfortable.
How long does it take to be able to dance? There isn’t an exact timeframe for this. We learn foundational steps that serve as building blocks for more complex routines and moves. Personal attitude plays a role tooâlearning to relax, not being too critical of yourself if things don’t go perfectly, and embracing the freedom to express your own personality through dance. With Joo-Lee and Andy, there’s no pressure to get it right immediately. Dancing is an exciting, ongoing journey.
Are the Lindy Jazz courses suitable for beginners? Absolutely! Lindy Jazz courses are specifically designed for beginners. The learning pace is relaxed, breaking down everything from basic steps to counting beats, rhythm, and the unique style of Lindy Jazz. Supportive videos recap the steps, and Joo-Lee and Andy are excellent, approachable teachers who are always happy to help with any dance-related questions.
What is the Extra Class? Extra classes are suitable for anyone with extra time, extra energy ,extra dance experience, extra patience and want extra moves. At Lindy Jazz, there are no assessments, that’s why you won’t hear us talking about ‘levels’. It’s all about the amount of time, energy and patience you have on a Wednesday evening!
If I can’t attend every class in the course, will I fall behind or miss out? Not at all! We provide recap videos via an online link that you automatically gain access to when you start the course. Additionally, there’s a Messenger group where you can watch videos or share supportive messages with other dancers. You’ll also receive emails about upcoming workshops and social events, ensuring you stay connected even if you miss a class.
What is a Jazz Social? Itâs your chance to: đˇ Enjoy DJ Andy’s amazing swing playlist đş Relax, dance, or just soak up the atmosphere đ Every Wednesday 21:00-22:00 at The Cartologist 30 April-11 July 2025 Just ÂŁ4 on the door or free if you’re a course member.
Sign up here to receive occasional emails from Lindy Jazz with updates and upcoming courses.
I didn’t get the chance to Swing dance when I was young. I only learned to Swing dance in my 30âs. I know that if Iâd told myself then that I needed to be a natural born dancer or have dance experience before I turned up to my first Swing dance class, I wouldnât be having so much fun Swing dancing let alone teaching Lindy Hop today.
When you see me dance, it may look as if I have always found dancing easy. However, my âtrade secretâ is that I make time for dancing, learning, and practising.
The power of âkeep goingâ
40 years ago (yep! I feel old) I taught my first music lessons.
I’d just passed my diploma & my piano teacher gave me the opportunity to cover her lessons. This changed my life!
Suddenly, I had the opportunity to have first-hand experience of teaching, a glimpse at a career in music, and the self-belief to pursue my dream.
The best part of all of it? I am blessed to have known wonderful students from across the globe who still keep in touch with me. Iâve been part of their musical journeys and Iâve seen them blossom, what a fantastic privilege!
But music didnât always come easy to me. Although I had a genuine passion for it, I got mediocre exam grades. I wasn’t considered to be âtalentedâ and was repeatedly told how much better other students were than me. This made it so hard to believe that the hard work I’d put into hours of practice would actually come to anything.
But I kept going! Even though at times my heart and head were saying different things. My heart said “But you want this, you want to teach music” and my head said “I am not sure if I am any good at all!”
But I kept going! I kept going by taking One Small Step each day. The One Small Step could be doing 5 minutes of practice or listening to the music I was studying. That One Small Step stopped me wasting time worrying about things I had no control over.
The importance of building strong foundations
Fast forward a few decades and I now specialise in something I never expected to! I teach advanced level music students at diploma and degree level to overcome performance anxiety by teaching them to build strong technique.
How did that happen? Most super talented musicians who teach do not necessarily break down their technique as they already have a natural finesse. But as I had to work out the gaps in my own technique, I am now able to identify the gaps that I see over and over again in advanced level music students. Just like me, they were rushed through ‘the grades’ to pass exams at the expense of building solid foundations in their technique.
Whatâs your One Small Step going to be?
So how do you keep going when learning new dance skills feels hard?
Keep attending class. Show up by being present, energetic, and positive.
Ask yourself, “why do I want to learn to dance?.” Listen to your heart’s desire. Go with what you truly want and believe in and take your âOne Small Stepâ towards your dream. See what a difference it makes to your dancing and confidence.
And if you miss a class? Donât worry. Just log in to the Lindy Jazz course videos and you’ll catch up in no time!
I started Lindy Jazz classes back in 2007. A lot has changed since those early days, but when it comes to my teaching method, thereâs one big difference.
I no longer ask my class participants to practise. I simply help them to practise if they wish to.Â
Yes, you read that right. All I ask is that they arrive to class in a good mood. By that, I mean receptive and ready to try new ways of looking at their technique.
Thatâs the secret to becoming a really good dancer, and it saves so much time!
Why Being Receptive Helps Your Dancing
So often, I see people coming to class feeling stressed from a hard dayâs work or a stressful experience. Theyâve been stuck in traffic. Theyâve had an altercation with someone. Then they bring their bad mood to class and it makes it far harder for them to learn.
Itâs not easy when youâve had a bad day, but a simple shift in mindset to a receptive frame of mind makes it more likely that youâll take in what youâre being taught.
Why Adult Beginners Donât Learn as Fast as They Want To
When adult learners learn new skills, whatever they are, there are a few reasons why they might not learn as fast as they want to;
They Want to Run Before They Can Walk
We all live such busy lives and we want results fast. Learning how to dance properly, with finesse and skill, takes time. Itâs the time you invest in the learning that pays off. But if you donât take the time to learn the foundation skills, youâll have to spend more time unlearning bad habits that youâve picked up.
They Want to Be Perfect RIGHT NOW!
Youâve probably heard the saying âenjoy the process.â However, so many of us donât. We should be taking the time to enjoy each stage of learning, but we get impatient because we want to dance and we want to be perfect right now.
Get in the Mood and Be Receptive
I honestly donât mind whether someone has done their dance practice or not. What I often feel sad to see is when people who donât have the time to practice expect their new skills to fall into place immediately. When they donât, they spend time over thinking, over analysing, or getting stuck in self-doubt. What would be far better is if they were aware of their mood and shifted their mindset to âI will give this a go, Iâm willing to be patient, and Iâm not giving up.â
Believe. Be Patient. Keep Going.
In my 30 years of teaching, I have noticed that itâs the people who are able to relax and be in a receptive frame of mind that have transformed the way they learn. They have achieved skills beyond their wildest dreams by discovering the secret to learning well; relaxing, letting go of worries, and letting go of concerns about making mistakes. Try it, and youâll be amazed at how it transforms your dance practice.
Relax, Let go, and Learn to Swing Out with Lindy Jazz!
Join our new Swing Dance course and learn to dance with style & confidence.
Hereâs What You Get:
â 6 weeks of live tuition with Joo-Lee & Andy;
â For all levels 19:30 -20:15 Lindy Hop Fundamentals;
â For Experienced Dancers 20:15 -21:00 Advanced Variations;
â Access to online videos to help you recap the moves in between classes;
â Access to private Facebook Messenger group so you can ask about anything!;
â Optional online feedback on your practice video.
Ready for the step-by-step guidance you need to dance with style and confidence at social events?
I don’t normally start watching Strictly Come Dancing right from the beginning when they introduce the celebrities and their professional partners. This is because I am more interested in the dancing then the gushing, screaming, and endless talking! Listening and Letting Go However, this year I have decided to listen to what the celebrities and professionals have to say about themselves. Of course, most of them said that they were going to work very hard and that they’re excited. None of them mentioned that they were prepared to do lots of listening!
Last yearâs winner, Rose, was a great listener and I believe that this is the foundation for any student who wants to make the most of the expertise thatâs being given to them.
Another important thing you need to do when you want to learn something is to let go of the need to be in charge. This helps you be more open to receiving the learning. I listened to one of the new contestants this year who mentioned that he was used to being in charge and that heâd find it really hard to let go of being in control.
In the past, the celebrities Iâve seen struggle have been the ones who are usually in charge in their family or professional lives. Having to let go and allowing someone else to take charge was just too much of a huge shift.
The Secret Sauce to Incredible Progress I have found parallels in our Swing dance classes. People often worry that they will struggle in class because have no dance experience. In fact, itâs often the people with no experience, an open mind, and a readiness to receive the tuition who are the most likely to make incredible progress. People who may have some dance experience, particularly experience of a different dance style they are used to being successful in, can often struggle in a beginnerâs Swing dance class. This might be because they donât think of themselves as being ânewâ even though they are complete beginners in this dance style.
Let Your Teacher Be the Boss! Whether you are new to dancing, new to Swing dance, or youâve danced before and want to learn some new moves, letting go is the key to success. Releasing the need to be in charge or trying to figure things out for yourself means the pieces of the puzzle will slot into place a lot quicker. Let your teachers be in charge of the process, allow them to guide you, and youâll be amazed at how much progress you can make! Â
