Please refer to these level descriptions and any pre-requisites on the individual class pages when choosing classes. RVA Swing instructors reserve the right to change a student's class placement to best suit the student's level.
Level 1 - Beginner/Intro
Classes designated as "Beginner" or "Intro" assume that you either know nothing about that specific topic, haven't studied it extensively, are a returning student who wants to work on fundamentals, or that it has been a long while since you have taken a class on the subject. These classes will start from the ground up, with basic concepts. Even if you are an experienced dancer in another kind of dance (ballroom, ballet, tango, belly dance, etc), always start with the Intro series of any topic that is new to you.
This is also true for different/new swing dance topics! Even advanced lindy hoppers should start with beginner-level Balboa or Solo Jazz, and vice versa, because they use different skill sets.
Everyone's learning curve is different, and not everyone is ready to progress to the next level after one series. A repeat of an Intro series is often a good idea before moving into Level 2 classes.
If you have missed more than one week of an Intro series, you will need to repeat the Intro series before attempting a Level 2 class.
Level 2 - Building on Fundamentals
Important: If you are still struggling with beginner-level material, you will need to repeat the Intro level before attempting a Level 2 class.
After you've completed the Intro unit in a topic, and can dance that material socially, you might consider moving into the Level 2 class of that topic.
Level 2 classes will work on refining what you’ve learned in the Beginner/Intro level, while expanding your vocabulary and delving deeper into the concepts of that particular topic.
Lindy 2A will cover concepts like swingouts and tuck-turns
Lindy 2B will focus on integrating Charleston into your Lindy Hop (plus more swingout practice!)
Lindy 2C will focus on putting it all together and getting you ready to progress to Level 3
You can take the Level 2A & 2B units in any order, but must wait to take 2C until you have completed both 2A & 2B.
If you have missed more than one week of a Level 2 series, you must repeat that series before moving to the next level.
Level 3 - Improver Topics
Important: If you are still struggling with Level 2 material, don't sign up for Level 3
If you have missed more than one week of a Level 2 series, you must repeat that series before moving to the next level.
Important: If you are still struggling with Level 2 material, don't sign up for Level 3
Before attempting a Level 3 Lindy Hop class, all students must have completed both Lindy 2A (Swingouts and Turns) and Lindy 2B (Charleston) as well as Lindy 2C (Putting it All Together)
Level 3 is our Transitional Intermediate level and is intended as a bridge from the Level 2 classes into a true Intermediate class. Level 3 is to be taken regularly for at least 6 months to keep you inpractice and broaden your horizons! At this level, instructors have total discretion as to material, and the topic will differ from month to month, to keep you learning & growing.
Level 4 - Topics for Experienced Dancers
Level 4 is our Experienced Intermediate level for dancers who have been dancing Lindy Hop for a year or more and who have attended a minimum of 6 months of Level classes. It is intended to be taken regularly to keep you learning new moves and refining your dancing. The class material will be completely different from month to month, and students will have the opportunity to work with different sets of studio instructors throughout the year.
Dancers taking Level 4 classes should also be attending social dances regularly and ideally traveling to events outside of Richmond. They must be able to use the material they have learned in classes under real-world conditions on the social floor at a variety of speeds.
Stuff will get really challenging and/or technical in Level 4.
Stuff will get really challenging and/or technical in Level 4.
