Westie Kim: Swing Dance Lessons In Salt Lake City
Swing dancing fun for everyone! Learn West Coast Swing and other swing dance styles. With over 20 years experience, we teach group classes for beginners and all other levels as well as private lessons.
How You Benefit From Dancing
Physical
Get your body moving on the dance floor and improve your cardiovascular health, strength, flexibility, and balance. Boost your coordination and agility while burning off those calories.
Mental
Challenge your brain and cognitive functions learning dance moves and musical rhythms. Enhance your learning ability and boost your creativity.
Emotional
Boost your mood and confidence at a dance party sharing your dance moves with others in a fun and social community. Reduce your stress and gain self-esteem as you improve from a beginner to a dance fanatic.
How To Learn To Swing Dance
Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned dancer, we are here to help you find joy and accomplishment while learning to dance. There are different paths you can take that are uniquely suited to your learning style.
Group classes are great opportunities for beginners to dip your toes in and start learning how to dance. Bring a bunch of friends with you or make new ones in this social community as instruction is given. Learn basic moves and other steps of dance in a fun and supportive environment.
For those who want one-on-one coaching or time to focus on details, private dance lessons are for you. Go over topics in-depth with personalized coaching and get individual feedback. Learn at your own pace and get the information you need for more accelerated learning and confidence.
Why Choose Westie Kim
What we value most is inspiring others through our teachings and performances to explore the world of dance, to appreciate our differences, and to enjoy our experiences together. We offer a fun and supportive learning environment for the curious. Our over 20 years experience guides our quality instruction for beginners and dancers of all levels and styles who want to learn and understand.
What People Are Saying About Westie Kim
“My fiancée and I took lessons with Kim before our wedding.
Kim is amazing, a great teacher, he’s patient and intuitive. We were frustrated at times with ourselves, Kim can sense it and helps you work through it. He is great at coming up with different analogies for how to understand what you're doing incorrectly and help you tweak it so it is done correctly. We didn’t want to learn a choreographed dance, although he offered to help us if we wanted it. We needed help learning the basics of swing dancing and how to lead/follow - we love working with him.”
Alexandra B.
“My Fiancé and I were looking for some 1920's style dancing for our upcoming 20's themed wedding. With such short notice Kim was able to get back to us and schedule time for us so quickly. We are not dancers, but in 3 sessions Kim got us dancing Charleston and Swing!
He was patient, talented, lighthearted, and extremely knowledgable. Although we have our moves for our wedding, we can't wait to go back and get more lessons from him!”
Antonia K.
“Kim is a delightful, knowledgeable dance instructor and DJ. I've had the pleasure of taking group dance lessons from him for almost two years. He provides a safe, comfortable atmosphere in which to learn and he challenges students to grow. His music variety is just that - great variety! So much fun to dance with and to his music!”
Becky O.
FAQs
Some frequently asked questions about swing dancing:
What is swing dancing?
Swing dancing is a lively and energetic style of dancing often set to big band jazz music that originated in the 1920s and 1930s. The world of swing dancing is vast and encompasses many different styles that add their own distinct flavor including traditional styles such as Lindy Hop and Charleston, along with more contemporary styles such as East Coast Swing and West Coast Swing. Swing dancing is characterized by is rhythmic movements, upbeat energy, and playful personality. It’s about having fun with the music and your partner.
What is West Coast Swing?
West Coast Swing is a more laid-back yet dynamic style of swing dancing that evolved in the 1940s from the traditional Lindy Hop style. This smooth and stylish partner dance is known for its versatility and adaptability to a wide range of music styles and tempos, including slower jazz and blues, contemporary pop, and even rock music. Combined with a strong connection and improvisation, West Coast Swing has a unique and more relaxed feel that makes it popular among dancers of all skill levels.
How is West Coast Swing different from other styles of swing dancing?
West Coast Swing differs from other styles of swing dancing such as Lindy Hop and East Coast Swing by its smooth movements, the space the dance style uses, and its adaptability to different music genres. West Coast Swing has a smooth, gliding style of movement that contrasts the bouncy, up-and-down movements of other swing styles. It is typically danced in a “slot” that is linear while Lindy Hop and East Coast Swing tend to be more circular. The music genres used in West Coast Swing is vast and varied, and sometimes can include the “classic” swing era music that Lindy Hop and East Coast Swing uses.
Is swing dancing good for beginners?
Swing dancing is a great option for beginners to learn dance. It is a fun and accessible style of dance the is popular among dancers of all skill levels. The basic moves are common among all the styles of swing dancing and easy to pick up. And because of the joyous and social nature, swing dancing has a strong, welcoming community that is supportive and motivated to help you learn.
Is swing dancing easy to learn?
Swing dancing is relatively easy to learn. The basic moves are not overly complicated, and with the right mindset and regular practice you’ll be comfortable dancing in a short period of time. One of the keys to steady progress is consistency—attend classes regularly and practice at the socials with as many people to experience the diversity of dance styles in the community. And the best part is you’ll be having fun while learning.
