Dance Center Chicago
West Coast
Swing
Social Partner Dance · Levels 1 & 2 · Chicago, IL
About West Coast Swing
One of the Most Musical
Partnered Dances
West Coast Swing is a uniquely American partner dance known for its versatility, musicality, and improvisational character. Unlike most partner dances, WCS can be danced to almost any genre of music — from blues and R&B to pop, funk, and even hip hop — making it one of the most adaptable and beloved social dances on the planet.
Danced in a slot rather than rotating around the floor, West Coast Swing is a conversation between two people — playful, expressive, and endlessly creative. It rewards those who invest in technique while remaining genuinely accessible to beginners.
At Dance Center Chicago, our two-level program gives you a structured path from your first steps to confidently expanding your vocabulary on the social dance floor.
Deeply Musical
Danced to virtually any genre — blues, R&B, pop, funk, and more. The dance responds to the music, not the other way around.
Slot-Based Movement
Partners dance in a linear slot rather than rotating — making it ideal for crowded social floors and allowing for greater visual clarity and expression.
Improvisational
WCS thrives on in-the-moment creativity between partners. Every dance is unique — a spontaneous conversation told through movement.
Social & Competitive
One of the most vibrant social dance communities in the world, with events, workshops, and competitions held across the country every weekend.
Curriculum
Two Levels of West Coast Swing
A clear path from your very first steps to expanding your social dance vocabulary.
West Coast Swing Level 1
Level 1 is designed for those who are brand new to West Coast Swing or partner dancing in general. This class builds the essential foundation that everything else in WCS is built upon — the patterns, the timing, and the connection that makes this dance so unique.
You'll learn the fundamental patterns of WCS — the starter step, sugar push, side passes, and side passes with underarm turns — along with the core principles of lead and follow in the slot. Special attention is given to footwork, timing relative to the music, and the elastic stretch-and-compress connection that defines the dance's signature feel.
- No prior experience required
- No partner needed — we rotate throughout class
- Starter step, sugar push, side passes & side passes with underarm turns
- Slot mechanics & footwork fundamentals
- Lead and follow technique & partner connection
- Timing to music — counting and feeling the beat
West Coast Swing Level 2
Level 2 picks up directly where Level 1 leaves off. With the foundational patterns and slot mechanics established, this class focuses on expanding your vocabulary, sharpening your technique, and beginning to develop the musicality and spontaneous creativity that makes WCS so compelling.
Students revisit the core patterns from Level 1 with a deeper technical lens, then layer on new figures including the whip, tuck turn, variations, and stylistic elements. Lead-and-follow sensitivity is refined, and students begin to develop their own personal expression within the dance.
- Prerequisite: West Coast Swing Level 1
- Review & refinement of all Level 1 patterns
- New figures including the whip, tuck turn, variations & combinations
- Deeper lead-and-follow sensitivity
- Introduction to musicality & personal styling
- Preparation for social dancing & beyond
Get Started Today
Join a West Coast Swing Class
No partner needed. No experience required for Level 1. Just show up and swing.
Book a Class