Instructors | Classes | Events

Tap~ A percussive form of jazz dance that developed in the U.S. during the nineteenth century, influenced by Irish clogging and African dancing. Rhythm tap is a distinct style of tap in which the performer is not just a dancer, but also a percussive musician. Tap can be done to all styles of music, including the silent kind.

Charleston~ Made popular in 1923 by James P. Johnson's hit The Charleston, this form of Jazz dance developed in African-American communities, despite it's association with flappers of the Jazz Era. This energetic and rhythmic dance consists of kicks and twists, done with or without a partner to swing, dixieland, and hot jazz music. The charleston was one of the dances from which the lindy hop developed in the 1930's.

Lindy Hop~ is a vintage jazz dance that was developed by the underprivileged urban youth living in Harlem, one of the many roots of urban street dance. The lindy evolved out of the Harlem Renaissance during the 1930's at the famous dance club, the Savoy Ballroom. This organic fusion of many dances is based on jazz dances of the era, tap, fox-trot, charleston, and breakaway. As a partnered (lead and follow) dance, lindy hop combines improvisation and air-steps into a formal eight count structure. The Lindy is considered a swing dance and is done to swing or jazz music.

Hip-Hop~ A style of rhythmic music sometimes consisting of rhyming vocal styles over backing beats and scratching records. Originating in the 1970's in the Big Apple, the five elements of hip-hop culture include graffiti art, emceeing, DJ-ing, and breaking. Hip-hop dancing consists of footwork, improvisation, rocks, kicks, power moves, and floor work. Hip-hop is unity amongst many cultures. It is the true evolution of its predecessors, jazz dance and culture.

From Tap to Charleston to Lindy Hop to Hip-Hop,
these authentic street dances make up
JAZZ DANCE.

We need volunteer follows for our Lindy classes!!!
Email ca@guyjam.us / Follows take classes FREE