Dance Classes
Authentic jazz dances emerged on the dance floors in the early twentieth century and evolved in response to the innovations of jazz itself, from Ragtime through the Jazz Age and into the Swing Era. I specialise in Solo Jazz and Balboa, a partnered swing-era style from California
Spring 2024
Schedule
Regular classes & courses
Questions? Contact nikki@hotjazzrag.com
Tuesdays: 12 Nov, 26 Nov & 3 Dec
London Bridge /Online
7.15pm (1 hour)
SWING STEPS
Solo footwork of partnered dancing.
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Wednesdays:
Hargrave Hall, Archway
NOW BOOKING:
13 Nov – 4 Dec (4 weeks)
7.30pm Level 1 More Pure Balboa (improvers)
8.30pm Level 1.5 First Steps in Bal-Swing (improvers)
8 Jan 2025 – Introduction to Balboa Workshop
15 Jan 2025 – Beginners Balboa (4 weeks)
Thursdays: 12 Sept – 21 Oct, 7.15pn (1 hour)
In studio / Online
14, 21 & 28 November
The ABC of Jazz Steps
The Bridge, SE1 0NQ
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Saturdays: Balboa, Wimbledon
NOW BOOKING:
9 – 30 November (4 weeks)
11am Level 1 Pure Balboa (improvers)
12.15pm Level 2 Bal-Swing (intermediates)
11 Jan 2025 – Introduction to Balboa Workshop
18 Jan 2025 Beginners Balboa (4 weeks)
Saturdays: Charleston to Swing Dance
Morley College London,
Waterloo campus
21 Sept – 11 weeks
3pm Level 1
3.45pm Level 2
Details & Booking via Morley College website
Sundays:
17 Nov, 8 Dec.
The Shim Sham in tap & Swing!
4pm- 6pm Dance workshop & practice time.
No experience required!
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Programme:
15 Sept – Swing Shim Sham
20 Oct – Tap Shim Sham
17 Nov – The Break & revision
8 Dec – All of the above and how to play with jazz & tap steps
Balboa
What is Balboa?
A partner dance that uses various shuffling rhythms to connect the lead and follow to the music – typically, gypsy jazz or fast swing music.
What is Pure Balboa?
When lead/follow disappears and both dancers respond to the music and each other in a closed hold embrace. Any speed of music, but particularly useful for fast tempos!
More information
A guide to levels & venues.
If you are unsure, please email me: nikki@hotjazzrag.com
All Levels – a class that does not require previous experience but which may rise in level over the course of the session
Beginners – designed for learning the dance from scratch
Improver – you can lead or follow the Uphold & Downhold basics.
Intermediate – you can dance both Uphold and Downhold rhythms and the classic Bal-Swing figures: a Comearound, Throwout, Lollies, Out & Ins.
Venues:
“WIMBLEDON” (Saturdays): South London Irish Association, 138-140 Hartfield Road, Wimbledon SW19 3TG
Travel: Walking distance from Wimbledon station (overground/underground) and South Wimbledon (tube)
“ARCHWAY” (Wednesdays & Sundays): Paper Moon, Hargrave Hall, Hargrave Road London N19 5SP. Travel: Archway (northern line – High Barnet/Mill Hill branch); Upper Holloway (overground).
“LONDON BRIDGE” (Tuesdays & Thursdays): Dance studio (5th floor) The Bridge, 73-81 Southwark Bridge Rd, London SE1 0NQ. Travel: London Bridge (mainline) / Borough (northern line)
Live streamed via Zoom. Link will be provided.
Authentic Jazz Dance
Rhythm / Solo Jazz
BEGINNERS: short courses Book a place in the studio or join via livestream
Rhythm, technique, musicality work. Classic routines and original pieces choreographed by Nikki Santilli.
Book your place in the studio or online.
NEW ADVANCED CLASS
Tuesdays 7.15pm at The Bridge, London Bridge
Tranky Do (course full)
Solo Jazz: Sometimes referred to as Jazz Roots or Authentic Jazz Dance. Learning the rhythms, steps and history of solo jazz unquestionably makes you a better dancer and enriches all your partnered swing dancing too.
This is a regular class that works on rhythm, authentic jazz steps, routines by original early jazz dancers and original material.
Venue: Dance studio (5th floor) The Bridge, 73-81 Southwark Bridge Rd, London SE1 0NQ. Live streamed via Zoom. Link will be provided.
Questions? Contact me: nikki @ hotjazzrag.com
I’m happy to help.
Reviews
"A massive cheer up in these lockdown weeks"
"Haven't laughed so much in ages!"
Charleston to Swing
Morley College London
Saturdays: 3.15pm – 4pm
Saturdays: 4pm – 5pm
Dance Studio, Waterloo/Lambeth North
Term 1 (Sept 2023) Authentic Jazz Dances
Term 2 (Jan 2024) Authentic Jazz Dances
Term 3 (May 2024) Performance Courses (levels 1 & 2) with optional performance at Morley College
- Facilities: Large studio.
Full details and booking through Morley College London website