Frequently Asked Questions
Please reach us at providenceswings@gmail.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.
Yes! We offer multiple beginner sessions throughout the year so that new dancers can learn the basics and experienced dancers can strengthen their foundation in the fundamentals. Each class series will list the skill level and outline what we plan to cover during the session.
No, you do not need a partner to join our classes! If you do have a partner, that’s great — but we ask everyone to rotate and dance with different partners throughout the class. In this style of dance, you'll be interacting with many people, which helps you build adaptability and connection skills.
We recommend wearing athletic/comfortable clothes that you can move around in! There are bathrooms, so if you need to change before class starts, that is completely fine. You may want to bring layers so you can adjust to the temperature of the studio.
Policy: Shoes that have been worn outside are not permitted on the dance floor. Students are required to bring a different pair of shoes, used only for this purpose, to change into for class.
Except shoes specifically designed for dance, shoes worn on the dance floor should have dark soles. For example, regular sneakers with dark soles (provided that they have never been worn outside) are appropriate; regular sneakers with white soles are not.
We will be asking students who do not bring appropriate footwear to remove their shoes and participate in class in their socks (absolutely no bare feet).
Please don’t hesitate to reach out via email or WhatsApp with questions or if you would like advice on finding appropriate shoes! Below are some links to shoes that would work for this class.
Most affordable option:
Middle-end option:
High-end option:
Our dance classes typically run for 90 minutes, with the last half hour being an instructor-guided practice session where you can work on what we learned in class or social dance.
As a partner dance, Lindy Hop has a leader role and a follower role that are unrelated to gender.
We recommend you pick whichever role sounds best to you, as each offers a unique dance experience!
- Leaders create the structure and direction of each dance. They decide which moves to lead and when, providing the "bones" or foundation of the dance.
- Followers respond to those cues in real time, adding their own flair and interpretation that can change the initial plan of the leader in unexpected and creative ways.
- Think of it like this: the leader writes the thesis, and the follower edits nd enriches it.
We recommend choosing one role to start and sticking with it for all classes in our four month class schedule — it’ll help you build confidence and comfort in the dance.
Go to social dances! We’ll be hosting social dances, and there are also plenty of events throughout the Northeast — in places like Boston, Connecticut, New Hampshire, and more. Social dancing is where everything you learn in class really comes to life. We also recommend practicing your steps at home. Even just a few minutes helps you feel more confident and allows us to cover more material during class.
Another hugely important tip: listen to swing music! Lindy Hop is deeply connected to the music it was created alongside. The more you listen to swing, the more familiar you’ll become with its rhythms, phrasing, and energy — all of which directly influence how we dance. It’s one of the best (and most fun) ways to grow as a dancer, even outside of class.
We understand that classes and events can pose as a financial challenge, and we want to make dancing accessible.
We do offer volunteer opportunities that can help offset the cost of classes. If you're interested, feel free to reach out — we'd love to find a way to get you dancing with us!
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