West Coast Swing
What is West Coast Swing?
West Coast Swing is a smooth, stylish, and versatile partner dance that blends musicality, creativity, and connection. Danced in a slot, it adapts to a variety of music genres—from blues and jazz to pop and R&B—making it one of the most dynamic and engaging social dances. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned dancer, WCS is fun, expressive, and perfect for any dance floor. Join us at Starlight Dance Studio and experience the excitement of West Coast Swing!
Class Levels at Starlight Dance Studio
We offer a progressive class structure to support every dancer’s journey:
WCS Basics:
The WCS Basics class is a repeating monthly class that introduces the fundamental elements of West Coast Swing. If you’ve previously taken the WCS Basics class, you’re welcome to drop-in any week of the month. If it’s your first time, we recommend taking the series from the very beginning. If you’re just beginning to explore dancing a second role, we recommend you start here as well.
Since this class is introductory, there are no requirements to attend.
From Basics to Level 1:
We recommend taking the WCS Basics class for a minimum of 1-2 months before joining Level 1. If you can comfortably dance your basics to a whole song, you are ready to move up.
We encourage you to take both WCS Basics and Level 1 concurrently for several months before joining Level 2, though this can vary depending on your previous dance experience, how frequently you social dance, or if you supplement group classes with private lessons.
From Level 1 to Level 2:
We recommend taking both Level 1 and Level 2 as you expand your knowledge and get comfortable with the faster-paced Level 2 classes.
Students will be in Level 2 for years and perhaps never move to Level 3. After dancing in the Level 2 class and developing confidence in that material, you are welcome to ask the instructors about attending Level 3.
From Level 2 to Level 3:
We prefer that students request to join the Level 3 class before attending and participation is subject to instructor approval.
This class will be fast-paced and cover the wide variety of techniques and concepts that we use in WCS. It is intended for more experienced dancers who have been dancing for many years.
The Level 3 class will move quickly and not be compromised for a student who isn’t ready, as that isn’t fair to those dancers who come to class in order to be challenged with level-appropriate material.
Due to the potential physical risk to partners as the class explores high level concepts,
All-Level Classes:
Open to dancers of all levels.
Each class offers core content with optional variations and challenges to meet every dancer where they are.
Social Dance + All-Level Workshop
Kick off the night with a fun, all-level workshop followed by our lively social dance.
A great chance to practice, connect, and enjoy the West Coast Swing community!