Dance classes in Balboa and Collegiate Shag are available throughout the weekend. We also offer a limited number of Lindy Hop classes. Focus on one style or explore multiple dance styles. It's your choice!
Please see our Policies page for our rules on filming class content.
- Balboa classes may be composed of Pure Balboa, Bal-Swing, or both.
- Collegiate Shag classes are primarily double-rhythm (slow-slow-quick-quick), although other styles may be presented during the weekend.
- Lindy Hop classes primarily focus on the technique necessary to dance to faster music.
- Electives may include Heel Shag, St. Louis Shag, Smooth-style Lindy, and Solo Jazz.
- Learn the Killer Boogie line dance and be part of the performance that night!
- Note: Listed electives may not be taught in a given year.
Please see our Policies page for our rules on filming class content.
Course Catalog
Balboa and Collegiate Shag Prep Course Syllabus
The Prep Courses are for students who are just starting their Balboa or Collegiate Shag education, students who want to revisit the fundamentals of the dance, and for those who want to learn the opposite role from the ground up. No prior experience is required to participate in a Prep Course. Our Prep Courses will give you the foundation you need to be successful!
Prep courses include 6 hours of classes and admission to Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evening dances and late nights. Admission to Friday's elective classes is not included.
Core moves: (include, but not limited to):
Prerequisite: None
Comfortable social tempo range: N/A
Our class levels are defined as follows:
Prep courses include 6 hours of classes and admission to Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evening dances and late nights. Admission to Friday's elective classes is not included.
Core moves: (include, but not limited to):
- Balboa: basic rhythms (uphold, downhold), progressives, repeaters, Pure Balboa variations, paddles, come-arounds, lollies, out & ins, toss outs
- Collegiate Shag: basic rhythm, heels-up basic, LA-style basic, turns, pumps, breaks, Side-by-Side position, run-around and variation, cross kicks, collegiate kicks
Prerequisite: None
Comfortable social tempo range: N/A
Our class levels are defined as follows:
Freshman Syllabus
This track is for students who have taken series classes or attended workshops, and feel comfortable social dancing Balboa or Collegiate Shag. You should be able to execute most of the core moves listed in the Prep Course at moderate tempos. This track is for you if you want to refine your fundamentals, learn more core moves, and work on transitions.
Prerequisite: You should be able to execute most of the core moves listed in the Prep Course syllabus.
Comfortable social tempo range: N/A
Prerequisite: You should be able to execute most of the core moves listed in the Prep Course syllabus.
Comfortable social tempo range: N/A
Sophomore Syllabus
This track is for students who have been dancing Balboa or Collegiate Shag for a while and can comfortably dance for an entire evening. You may take regular lessons or attend Balboa or Collegiate Shag workshops. You should be comfortable social dancing at tempos between 170 and 190 bpm or above. This track is for you if you want to finesse your current repertoire of moves, learn more variations, continue to work on transitions and flow between moves, and dive deeper into partner communication and musicality.
Prerequisite: You can do everything mentioned in the previous levels and dance an entire evening within the tempo range below.
Comfortable social tempo range: Up to 190 bpm
Example: Ball of Fire by Gene Krupa
Prerequisite: You can do everything mentioned in the previous levels and dance an entire evening within the tempo range below.
Comfortable social tempo range: Up to 190 bpm
Example: Ball of Fire by Gene Krupa
Junior Syllabus
This track is for students who dance Balboa or Collegiate Shag regularly. You are among the most experienced Balboa/Collegiate Shag dancers in your scene – though this qualifier is relative, depending on your scene. You should be comfortable social dancing at tempos between 190 and 215 bpm. This track is for you if you want to add your own styling to a mix of core move variations, timing changes, separations, and breaks. You wish to add more complicated footwork and eye-catching move variations to your repertoire or hone competition or performance skills. You may also be starting to teach in your home scene and interested in strengthening your teaching skills.
Prerequisite: You can do everything mentioned in the previous levels and dance an entire evening within the tempo range below. Admittance to the Junior level requires passing a level check class.
Comfortable social tempo range: Up to 215 bpm
Example: Rag Mop by Jimmy Dorsey
Prerequisite: You can do everything mentioned in the previous levels and dance an entire evening within the tempo range below. Admittance to the Junior level requires passing a level check class.
Comfortable social tempo range: Up to 215 bpm
Example: Rag Mop by Jimmy Dorsey
Senior Syllabus
This track is for accomplished Balboa and Collegiate Shag dancers who have developed their own voice in the dance. Dancers should be adept in a variety of classic and newer moves, footwork variations, timing changes, separations and breaks. You attend events regularly and often test into the most advanced levels. You can dance to a wide range of tempos, including tempos up to 240 bpm. This track is for you if you spend a lot of time fine-tuning your dance, teaching, performing, or competing.
Prerequisite: You can do everything mentioned in the previous levels, and dance an entire evening within the tempo range below. Admittance to the Senior level requires passing a level check class.
Comfortable social tempo range: Up to 240 bpm
Example: Swingtime in the Rockies by Benny Goodman
Prerequisite: You can do everything mentioned in the previous levels, and dance an entire evening within the tempo range below. Admittance to the Senior level requires passing a level check class.
Comfortable social tempo range: Up to 240 bpm
Example: Swingtime in the Rockies by Benny Goodman
Graduate School Syllabus (Application Only)
Graduate school classes are for seasoned Balboa and Collegiate Shag dancers who know who they are as a dancer and continue to explore what they want to bring to floor, regularly geek out on Balboa or Collegiate Shag, study the history and "old-timers", teach in their scene or at regional events, make practice part of their daily or weekly routine, travel nationally or internationally for dance, are often invited to the highest level or invitational tracks at other events...you get the idea. Graduate School is for the serious dancer who wants to spend their time exploring the nitty-gritty details of what makes these dances so great. You can do all the things and dance to all the tempos. Masters-level social dancers, teachers, competitors, and performers may choose to apply to HRH Graduate School. Disclaimer: Depending on interest in this level, Graduate school may range from a few focused class sessions for our most experienced dancers, to an entire track.
Note: When submitting your Graduate School video application, make sure the permissions enable us to view it.
Prerequisite: Students interested in these special classes must submit two videos of their dancing to info@hotrhymholiday.com. If approved, you do not have to participate in level check, so, practice up, folks! It is possible for Graduate students to be identified during level check classes, but don't count on it as a second chance or nonexistent application!
Comfortable social tempo range: All tempos!
Example: Casa Loma Stomp by Glen Gray and the Casa Loma Orchestra
Note: When submitting your Graduate School video application, make sure the permissions enable us to view it.
Prerequisite: Students interested in these special classes must submit two videos of their dancing to info@hotrhymholiday.com. If approved, you do not have to participate in level check, so, practice up, folks! It is possible for Graduate students to be identified during level check classes, but don't count on it as a second chance or nonexistent application!
Comfortable social tempo range: All tempos!
Example: Casa Loma Stomp by Glen Gray and the Casa Loma Orchestra