Levels

When choosing your class track, please evaluate your current dance level—even if you’ve danced balboa for years. A good indicator is how comfortably you dance at different tempos.

There will be no auditions.

Honest self-assessment helps create a great learning environment. If you’re unsure of your level, email us at oslobalboaweekend@bardarswingclub.no and we will try to help!

Balboa tracks

The balboa tracks have 3 hours of balboa lessons per day, 6 in total during the weekend

A: Intermediate

You have been dancing balboa regularly for some time, both taking classes and dancing socially. You have a good grasp of the basic steps and patterns like up hold, down hold, out and in, toss out, lollies and swivels, and know a few variations. You have a fair understanding of the balboa rhythms, and can switch between dancing in closed and open positions. At this level you will learn several variations and figures, and work on improving the flow in your dance.

B: Intermediate/Advanced

You have been dancing for more than 3 years, or have been compressing a comparable amount of activity in a shorter time. You take classes regularly, dance balboa socially weekly and have participated in several workshops. You are confident in your basics and have begun styling and taking more chances on the dance floor. You would like to be better on fast tempos, learn more complicated shapes and rhythms. You are eager to learn more and improve your dance! At this level the teaching pace will be faster and you will be digging deeper into lead and following skills, playfulness and more challenging moves, rhythm variations and fine tuning your basics. At this level, dancers will be expected to be able to dance comfortably to tempi up to 220 bpm.

C: Advanced

You are a very experienced social dancer and may be a teacher in your local scene, and you have attended a number of  international workshops. You can adapt your style to the different partners you meet and you like to inspire and be inspired by your dance partners. You are still eager to learn more and improve your dance! This level will span from focusing on minute details in the basics and connection to challenging rhythms and moves. At this level, dancers will be expected to dance to fast tempi up to 250 bpm.

D: Everyone Leads, Everyone Follows (ELEF)

In this track you will explore technique and shapes from both the lead and follow roles, switching between the roles throughout every class. You can expect to be even more engaged during class as every instruction will be aimed at you, and you will have the bonus of double the number of dance partners, and possibly double the fun!

ELEF is not a beginners level. You must be at least at an intermediate level in both roles. You have been actively social dancing both roles for a while and you want to learn more! Progress in class will be at an accelerated pace.

Slow Balboa and Fast/Slow track

The slow balboa and the fast/slow mix track have 2 classes per day, 4 in total during the weekend. The classes are grouped together either before or after lunch so you have 1/2 day free to explore Oslo.

E: Slow balboa

The slow balboa track have 4 slow balboa classes during the weekend.

You are not a beginner to slow balboa and you are already comfortable social dancing to slow music. We will work on expanding your slow bal repertoire and help you become more playful with the music.

F: Mix Fast/Slow

The Mix track have 2 slow balboa and 2 balboa classes during the weekend.

You are at least at an intermediate/advanced level in both balboa and slow balboa, and you are comfortable dancing at all tempos. Progress in class will be at an accelerated pace.