How did you get started in West Coast Swing, and what drew you to this style of dance? 

I’ve always loved dancing, starting out with Highland dancing, ballet and tap as a child. As an adult I was persuaded by a friend to try Modern Jive (Ceroc) in 2003 and progressed fairly quickly to become a demo and taxi dancer.  Whilst I loved the energy of modern jive, after a few years the rhythms and music of Lindy Hop were emerging as more exciting and challenging. After five or so years of absorption in both lindy and jive, West Coast Swing was becoming popular in the UK. My dance partner at that time was American and kept sharing cool, impressive WCS videos from USA competitions. I was drawn to the slick movements and funky styling of WCS and loved the smoothness and upright posture. These reasons made WCS so appealing and it was great fun to learn. 

What makes West Coast Swing unique compared to other types of swing dance? 

I think that the uniqueness of West Coast Swing lies in its opportunity for and encouragement of free expression and individuality. Whilst there is a technical foundation of footwork, timing and connection, there is much freedom to express yourself through creative, interpretative musicality. Dancers are positively encouraged to be creative within the basic framework, allowing for unlimited styling and personalisation. The connection in WCS is quite unique - the stretching away from each other then moving together in one direction is quite different to the rock step motion that you might see in Lindy Hop or Boogie Woogie.  You really can add your personality to your dance, and it can feel like a conversation where one speaks and the other replies. WCS has roots in country, blues and swing, but has since become very versatile so can be danced to almost any music. The dance is continuing to change in terms of smoother styling and more eclectic music. 

What are the fundamental techniques a beginner should focus on when learning West Coast Swing? 

The fundamental techniques to focus on are footwork, basic 6 and 8-beat patterns, the anchor step, and connection/hand hold. Once you've mastered the footwork and basic patterns, the 'feel' of lead and follow can take a while to master. One of the distinguishing features of WCS is the elasticity and 'feel' of the dance. 

Can you explain the concept of "connection" in West Coast Swing and why it's important? 

Connection is vital in WCS, without good connection your ability to progress is limited. The connection is quite low and relaxed, dancers constantly move between tension and non-tension as they dance through compression and extension. You need to move as an individual without your connection affecting your partner, so it is important to practise keeping the hands still at the connection point. The lead comes from the movement of the body/the center, and not the arms.  

How can dancers improve their styling and creativity in West Coast Swing? 

Firstly, you need to master the fundamentals of rhythm, connection, movement, and lead/follow already mentioned.  Once you understand the rules of the game, you can play with the rhythms and pattern variations. The music is absolutely everything in West Coast Swing, so I would say to practice dancing to music that inspires you, you know, those tracks that you hear and just have to get up to!  Playing and interpreting are easier when you are absorbed in the music, so play it loud, get lost in it, and try to feel it. Be in the moment, feel the 'frisson', and engage in the sound vibrations that resonate through you. Perhaps practice by dancing alone, responding to the musical layers and dynamics, being expressive and tuning into the phrasing if you can.  Video yourself dancing with a partner you enjoy dancing with, whilst this can be somewhat alarming and soul-destroying (it was for me), it serves as a useful tool to improve.  

What are the benefits of private lessons? 

Private lessons offer the opportunity to have direct access to your teacher. The instruction will be personalised and in-depth. You can focus on a particular problem or area of improvement.  You can ask as many questions as you want without feeling like you're holding up a group class. This is a great way to improve, but privates are expensive, and it is my view that they are probably more useful and productive once you've mastered the fundamentals. 

What advice would you give to someone considering starting West Coast Swing for the first time? 

Go for it! Stick at it for at least a few months before you decide if it's for you or not. Book yourself on weekend events and dance holidays where you can really focus, improve and be inspired. Most of all, have fun!