We're lucky to have the opportunity to bring in Ramona Staffeld for two special classes. She has taught and inspired dancers all over the world, and this workshop is a special opportunity to learn from an amazing instructor in a small class setting. Since Ramona won't be visiting this part of the country as frequently in the future, we won't have many more opportunities to collaborate with her on workshops.
Bio:
A young teaching veteran of 14 years, Ramona's dancing reflects the beauty and rawness that make Lindy Hop the best dance in the world. Ramona is known internationally for her wildly graceful style and spontaneity on the dance floor.
Her talent was spotted early, for she was only 14 when the late great Frankie Manning asked her to teach with him at the Mid-Summer Night Swing series at Lincoln Center.
At all times, Ramona values the lead and follow. Her goal is to help students find clarity in their movement, to speak clearly with their bodies, so that they may have more fun and expression on the dance floor. Enjoy!
Location: Big Red Barn Tuesday 7-8:30PM
Date
Topic
Nov 17
Fundamentals of lead and follow. Perfect for students who took this semester's class series, to take what they learned to new heights. You must know the Swing Out, Lindy Circle and Charleston.
Nov 24
No class
Dec 1
Leader and follower styling. Although not required, it is recommended you take the Nov 17 class before taking this one.
Prices
Cornell students
$13 / 25
Non-Cornell students
$16 / 32
General
$18 / 35
Prices are for one / two 1.5 hour classes
Tuesday Night Group Classes
This fall, we're offering a class format designed to take your Lindy Hop swing skills from zero to awesome in 8 weeks! Classes and professional one-on-one coaching are included with semester dues, $40 for Cornell students, $60 for everyone else. Drop-in is $8 students/$9 non-students. Free practice and informal coaching run for 2 hours after class. No partner necessary.
With 20+ years experience, Ithaca instructor Cindy Overstreet will teach classes in East Coast Swing and Lindy Hop, with members of the Cornell Swing Dance Club assisting. This is a progressive series, with each class building on skills taught in the previous. We encourage all participants to stay and review their new skills right after each class in the free practice/dance that lasts till 10pm. Experienced dancers are available for informal free coaching. Even just 15 minutes of practice will help put the knowledge into your long term memory! No partner necessary.
Part 1: East Coast Swing (@7PM unless otherwise noted) Location: Big Red Barn
9/1 FREE intro class 9/8 7:30-8:30PM 9/15 8-9PM 9/22 7-8PM
Part 2: Lindy Hop (@7PM) Location: Big Red Barn
9/29 10/6 10/13 No class, Fall Break 10/20 10/27 11/3
East Coast Swingis a playful and fun style of swing that is danced to Big Band jazz and early Rock-n-Roll. Cindy teaches 6 count, triple step swing.
Lindy Hop was invented by African American dance innovators (notably Frankie Manning) in Harlem, NYC. They blended together the vernacular jazz dances of the 1920s and 30s to create a versatile social dance form to match the Big Band music of the time. Lindy Hop is based on 8-count swing out moves, with Charleston patterns for dancing to fast music and includes 6-count east coast swing patterns.
If you love classic swing music and blues, or want to learn how to express and improvise with a dance partner, this is the dance style for you. Here is Andy Reid, one of Ithaca’s own Minnie’s Moochers, dancing lindy!
Tuesday Night One-on-One Coaching
Optional professional one-on-one coaching, covered under the class price, gives you individual attention not possible in a large group class. Coaching sessions run from 8:30-9:30PM, and are run as 10 minute private lessons (6 lessons, with 2 students per lesson).
Private lessons are two way streets. The instructors can give feedback on your biodynamics, quality of movement, move vocabulary, etc. You can ask for help in whatever area you'd like.
Location: Big Red Barn
9/8
Cindy Overstreet
9/22
Cindy Overstreet
10/6
Ben Oaks-Lee
Past Classes
Read about all the classes that we've offered in the past! Past classes.
