Dance classes | Cat's Corner dance school in Montreal

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"We believe the best teachers are more than just great dancers. Great teachers inspire and encourage. They involve and empower their students to grow and blossom as dancers."

- Sylwia Bielec

At Cat's Corner, we have more than just great dancers, we have great teachers.

Class progression

Class descriptions

1. Intro to Swing [details]

If you've never been introduced to swing dancing, or any social partner dancing, this is the class for you! In this six week series, we'll focus on simple moves and rhythms that are common to all forms of swing dancing, with the goal of preparing you for Lindy Hop and Charleston!

Intro au swing chez Cat's Corner

2. Lindy Hop and Charleston Fundamentals [details]

Once you've learned the basic 6-count triple swing, it's time to Lindy! Lindy Hop is the original swing dance from Harlem, New York - the grandfather of all swing dances, really. It allows great improvisation on swinging jazz music, and just feels so good. In this six week class, you'll also be introduced to partnered Charleston, the wild leg kicking father of Lindy Hop originating from the roaring 1920’s. (prerequisite: Intro to Swing)

Intro au swing chez Cat's Corner

3. Lindy Hop & Charleston Liberation [details]

A six-week series focusing on partnering technique. This is the class to refine what you've learned in previous classes, and to really work on technique. You'll discover the reason why Lindy Hoppers can dance with their eyes closed! Topics covered include how to dance to different types of music, how to improve connection and flow in your dancing, and how to create your own moves. This is the stuff you need to bring your dancing to the next level. While concepts are revisited in each class, material in this class changes from one session to another. We strongly suggest that you take Liberation more than once. (prerequisite: Lindy Hop Fundamentals)

Watch a Lindy Hop clip from the film Hellzapoppin' (1941)

4. Lindy Hop Inspiration [details]

A course in which different styles of swing dances will be integrated into your Lindy Hop. In this block of six weeks, you will learn concepts and moves inspired from Blues, Bal-Swing and 20's Charleston. This course will help you adapt your dancing to a variety of musical genres and to different speeds. It's time to be inspired!! (prerequisite: Lindy Hop & Charleston Liberation)

x. À la Carte: Vintage Jazz Routines [details]

With solo dancing getting more popular, learn the Tranky Doo and the Savoy Shim Sham, traditional line routines from the 20s, 30s, and 40s. You will gain more solo vocabulary as well as improve your overall quality of movement. (prerequisite: completed or currently taking Lindy Hop Fundamentals)

x. À La Carte Charleston [details]

For the total Charleston addict! 6 weeks of Charleston. You've seen basic partnered Charleston, now learn 20's Charleston, Flying Charleston, Dropkick Charleston and more Charleston madness. (prerequisite: Lindy Hop Fundamentals)

Watch a clip of Al Minns and Leon James dancing the Charleston

x. À la Carte: Mmmmmoves [details]

Tired of doing the same old moves? Learn how to use what you know to create infinite variations. And learn new dips and tricks while you're at it. (prerequisite: completed or currently taking Lindy Hop Liberation)

x. À La Carte: Musicality [details]

Learn about the structure of jazz music and how it relates to dancers. How to it the "breaks" in the music, how to interpret the melody and the different instruments in a recording, how to adapt your dancing to the "mood" of a song. (prerequisite: Lindy Hop Liberation)

x. À La Carte Connection and Movement [details]

It ain’t WHAT you do, it’s the WAY that you do it! Learn how you and your partner work together to create energy and bring dynamism into the dance. This class will cover the lead-follow connection and the concept of center and body leading/following that occurs within lindy hop and swing dance in general. By the end of this 3-week class, students will truly feel the dance and understand the lead/follow concept associated with it. (prerequisite: Lindy Hop Liberation)

x. À La Carte: Blues [details]

A three week class on Blues dancing. Learning to blues dance is useful to acquire concepts such as simplicity, clarity, and creativity. Its sensual appearance may overshadow the basis and structure of the dance. (prerequisite: Intro to Swing)

x. À La Carte: Competition 101 [details]

Competition 101 is catered for people who want to compete at the Canadian Swing Championships, more specifically in improvisational divisions, and want to learn what will give them the edge. Learn why we call them "Jack and Jills" and how you can dance well with any stranger you meet on the dance floor.

x. "Showtime" Lindy Revue [details]

A performance class for the hardcore students. You will learn a challenging routine, and be expected to practice outside of class hours. At the end of the six weeks, the group will perform at our Friday Downtown Stomp. (prerequisite: Lindy Hop Fundamentals)

Watch the performance by the Lindy Revue students on October 19 2007

Prices for our dance classes

We accept cash, checks and Paypal. The taxes (GST and PST) are included in the prices.

6 week classes
Regular	$140
Full time student	$100

Save Money on Classes

Cat’s Corner Community: Volunteering Program. By joining the Cat's Corner Community, and by putting in time to help us during the week, you can save on your course fees. Help out at the Friday Downtown Stomp dance, or let us know about your talents. For more information, give us a call or send us an e-mail at ccc@catscorner.ca

Volunteer to be a lead and save 30$ off the next course of your choice. Applies to Intro to Swing and Lindy Hop & Charleston Fundamentals only. Open to men and women who have completed those courses before.

Retake a class at 50% off. Applies to all classes, for lead and follow positions.

Take a first class at full price, and obtain 50% off the second class. Applies to all courses, for lead and follow positions. Both courses must be identical and occur during the same session.

Unfortunately, we cannot give any refunds after the beginning of the class. If you need to cancel your class during the session, it would be our pleasure to give you a credit towards another class or workshop.

Can't afford the classes? We understand

Volunteer and save! Can't afford to take a class? No worries. By joining the Cat's Corner Community, and putting in time to help us during the week, you can save on your course fees.

Refer a friend and save!

Refer a friend and save on your registration fee.

The "Refer a friend" policy gives you access to a refund of 10$ for each person who registered after you in the same session and who gives your name as a reference. This only applies to new students of Cat's Corner, not returning students.