After intensive study on the ‘Swing Shift” idea, I’ve now designed a new Teaching System I believe will be the best way forward to learn this great Dance form in a group lesson or workshop format.

I’m hoping and expecting that as this method proceeds it will accelera’e the WCS learning process. I had used my previous system for the past 14 years with great success, constantly upgrading as new elements and theories were added over the years. THIS new concept however, I think will be an upgrade over anything currently being used in group lessons or workshops for the following reasons, and I probably haven’t thought of them all :

• All steps and patterns are good to use as partners without using as a mixer
• Helps dancers remember steps better thru levels by number and/or ‘theme’ recognition
• Shorter sessions to ‘target’ needs’
• Each Levels elements won’t have so much information crammed together
• Clearer understanding
• Allows more changing of partners in class without stopping
• Solidifies better execution thru more repetition during practice
• Promotes slot control and distancing
• Step pattern transitions get practiced more
• Leaders get accustomed to using basics between moves
• Reduces cramming moves into the dance
• Followers can concentrate more on their own ‘look’
• If short on leaders, followers will have a partner only 32 beats later
• Adds more FUN to learning
• Allows partners to integrate ‘styles’ independently without disrupting the pattern or phrasing
• Will help tremendously in learning ‘musicality’ as all elements are naturally ‘phrased’
• Still allows for and requires proper teaching technique so as not to detract from the essence of WCS
• Will help followers more quickly recognize ‘play’ opportunities and use them
• I will get to take the followers role more often to feel the leads

The Basic ‘Break-Out’ is fun…learning through the Swing Shift Method will be fun AND quickly rewarding.