Stevenson Jive Dance Classes
Are you interested in learning the lively dance known as Jive? Sign up for one of our Stevenson jive dance classes at Baltimore Dance Studio today!
Jive is known as one of the top five Latin dances in the world, even though it has African-American origins. It is also compared to East Coast swing and jitterbug because of how it is danced and the music used for the dance. However, jive is livelier than the other two dances, and the step sequence is more free, making it the best dance to master for any type of party. For competitions, it is one of the most challenging because of the beats used for the music.
Our Stevenson, MD dance studio has a wide array of jive dance classes that anyone can sign up for. Whether you are a beginner or a pro dancer, we have a class for you, and our studio even plays host to dance events where you can show your moves. We can even help you create jive choreographies for your events, as well as use the dance as part of your fitness routine. Simply let us know what you are looking for; we will be here to share our expertise!
Call Baltimore Dance Studio at (410) 705-7161 for your Free Consultation with a Stevenson Jive Dance Class instructor!
Jive’s Origins and Notable Characteristics
Jive was first introduced in 1934 by American singer, songwriter, dancer, actor, bandleader, and conductor Cab Calloway. The dance is said to have been influenced by various dances and music such as rock and roll, African/American swing, boogie, and Lindypop. It slowly became popular in the United States and the United Kingdom in the 1940s, and in the UK, Jive is considered the country’s version of swing.
Jive shares a lot of similarities with East Coast swing, from its figures, music style to tempo. However, what makes jive special is the fact that dancers should have a lot of energy while performing the dance. Their legs are also very active all throughout the dance and act like it is pumping more energy into the dancer. Jive also uses two triple steps and a rock step in its routine, with the rock step being the starting step for the first two beats. Triple steps will follow for the next four beats.
During competitions, jive is danced even faster with 176 beats per minute. Normally, it is danced with 42 beats per minute.
How Do You Dance Jive?
Jive is a very energetic dance that often involves a lot of bending, hip movements, and knee-lifting. There are also kicks, twirls, and flicks, requiring dancers to be very precise with their movements and know how to do it at the right beat. Jive uses Western music as the background music of the dance, but it can be danced with other types of music with a high beat.
Jive has several dance steps incorporated into the main dance, such as jive basic, American spin, jig walks, and comb. Jive basic uses a 6-beat pattern, and it involves the following:
- The pair are facing each other while their arms are in a closed position. The man will lead the dance.
- For the first two counts, rock steps are used. This step will start by stepping one foot behind the other and lifting the front foot up. The man would then step back with his left foot while the woman would step backward with their right foot.
- For the next two counts, counts 3 and 4, the pair will chasse to the left. The man will go to the left while the woman will go to the right.
- Counts 5 and 6 will be a chasse to the right where the man will go to the right while the woman goes to the left.
Our Stevenson jive dance classes will be thorough in teaching you jive and its many dance steps so you can choreograph your own jive dance for any event you may use it for. We also have advanced classes that you can take up once you master the basics or if you want to master the dance even further.
Experience Jive and Learn It at Baltimore Dance Studio
When it comes to learning jive and other ballroom dances, it is best to learn them in a group. At Baltimore Dance Studio, our Stevenson jive dance classes are often done in groups to allow students to enjoy its energetic beat and movements. This also opens opportunities for students to get to know their fellow students who are learning jive with you. If this is not your preferred way to learn dancing or you need a more focused lesson for your events or competitions, we do offer private lessons which can be set up with your preferences in mind.
Our lessons are open to all types of dancers, from beginners to competitive dancers, both young and old. We can review your dance level and goals to help you sign up for the right class that would suit your targets. We even set up dance events to help you share your love for dance with others in the community who also love dance but are not a part of our small community. If you are looking for jive fitness classes, we have regular schedules for these classes!
Want to ask our dance instructors to help you with the choreography for your events? No problem! Let our team know what the event is about, and we will help you create the dance that will make the event memorable for all.
Interested in Jive Dancing? Call Us Today!
Once you get the Jive bug, you definitely need to learn its steps and enjoy it with your fellow dance lovers. At Baltimore Dance Studio, you can join our lively community of dance enthusiasts and experts who share the same dance bug as you and learn any type of dance with everyone. We invite anyone who loves dancing to sign up regardless of your dance level, and our instructors are ready to help you achieve your target dance level in the right classroom format that matches you.
Want to learn more about our dance lessons and our events? Sign up for our newsletter or contact us through our hotline. We look forward to hearing from you and making your dance experience extra special once you sign up for our dance studio.
Call Baltimore Dance Studio at (410) 705-7161 for your Free Consultation with a Stevenson Jive Dance Class instructor!