Sam Kesler
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Sam Kesler is a professional ballroom dance instructor, musician, and performer with over sixteen years of dance experience. With a career that includes competitive partner dancing, multiple certifications, and countless performances, his unique approach to modern social dancing has helped students to reach their goals and beyond. Sam also travels full-time as a performer and musician and vendor on the Renaissance faire circuit.
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Cha Cha - Mondays Oct 16th & 23rd
6:30 PM Partner (In-Person Only) | 7:30 PM Technique (Hybrid)
The sharpest, flirtiest of the Latin dances, Cha-Cha also has the added advantage of being one of the most musically diverse dances - Great for modern social dancing!
During the two week group class, you can expect to learn starting patterns and styling for both lead and follow.
In the follow up hour, we will expand on latin arm styling, connecting the points of the body to the core, exploring the practice of expanding and vacating space, and how all of these things apply to other latin dances! Including… (see salsa below)
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Salsa - Mondays Oct 30th & Nov 6th
6:30 PM Partner (In-Person Only) | 7:30 PM Technique (Hybrid)
Ahhh, Salsa. Here lies my heart. Salsa is so incredibly dynamic - Sharp & Smooth all at once.
During the two week group class, you can expect a clearly broken down method designed to teach you a handful of starting patterns for lead and follow, and how to easily turn them into other moves - My FAVORITE dance short cut, and a proven method. You will also learn how to utilize your ‘Super Powers’ to maximize your partner role as lead or follow.
In the follow up hour, we will talk about timing, and how it can drastically change your own style and range as a dancer. We will learn the difference between turns and spins - and how mastery over a basic turn can drastically improve your style in any dance.
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Fox Trot - Mondays Nov 13th & 20th
6:30 PM Partner (In-Person Only) | 7:30 PM Technique (Hybrid)
Get ready for Two-step in a Tuxedo! Fox Trot is the smoothest and silkiest of all partner dances.
During the two week group class you can expect to learn several beginning patterns that teach you to navigate around the entire dance floor. For those with two step experience, I will teach you how to apply what you already know to Fox Trot, and how to apply your newfound Fox Trot skills back to two step. You will learn the basics of dance frame and connection, and how those apply to both lead and follow.
In the the follow up hour, we will delve more deeply into dance frame and foot work, including the five points of connection, utilizing the floor for power, and how to roll through the feet to create smooth movements. We will apply principles from The Laban Theory of Movement to help solidify these skills across multiple partner dances, as well as in your own dance journey.
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Tango - Mondays Nov 27th & Dec 4th
6:30 PM Partner (In-Person Only) | 7:30 PM Technique (Hybrid)
The sharpest and most powerful of all dances, American Tango is an incredibly fun way to learn how to move across the dance floor with power and precision. In the two week group class, you can expect to learn starting patterns that allow you to navigate the entire floor. You will also learn how footwork and styling designed to help move you through the dance and around the floor.
In the follow up hour, we will be diving deeper into Tango technique, and how it differs from the other “Smooth” dances. You will learn how to utilize the timing in Tango music to create sharp, clean, quick movements. We will apply these principles directly to your own personal dance journey.
6:30 PM Partner (In-Person Only) | 7:30 PM Technique (Hybrid)
The sharpest, flirtiest of the Latin dances, Cha-Cha also has the added advantage of being one of the most musically diverse dances - Great for modern social dancing!
During the two week group class, you can expect to learn starting patterns and styling for both lead and follow.
In the follow up hour, we will expand on latin arm styling, connecting the points of the body to the core, exploring the practice of expanding and vacating space, and how all of these things apply to other latin dances! Including… (see salsa below)
-------------------------------------------------------------
Salsa - Mondays Oct 30th & Nov 6th
6:30 PM Partner (In-Person Only) | 7:30 PM Technique (Hybrid)
Ahhh, Salsa. Here lies my heart. Salsa is so incredibly dynamic - Sharp & Smooth all at once.
During the two week group class, you can expect a clearly broken down method designed to teach you a handful of starting patterns for lead and follow, and how to easily turn them into other moves - My FAVORITE dance short cut, and a proven method. You will also learn how to utilize your ‘Super Powers’ to maximize your partner role as lead or follow.
In the follow up hour, we will talk about timing, and how it can drastically change your own style and range as a dancer. We will learn the difference between turns and spins - and how mastery over a basic turn can drastically improve your style in any dance.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Fox Trot - Mondays Nov 13th & 20th
6:30 PM Partner (In-Person Only) | 7:30 PM Technique (Hybrid)
Get ready for Two-step in a Tuxedo! Fox Trot is the smoothest and silkiest of all partner dances.
During the two week group class you can expect to learn several beginning patterns that teach you to navigate around the entire dance floor. For those with two step experience, I will teach you how to apply what you already know to Fox Trot, and how to apply your newfound Fox Trot skills back to two step. You will learn the basics of dance frame and connection, and how those apply to both lead and follow.
In the the follow up hour, we will delve more deeply into dance frame and foot work, including the five points of connection, utilizing the floor for power, and how to roll through the feet to create smooth movements. We will apply principles from The Laban Theory of Movement to help solidify these skills across multiple partner dances, as well as in your own dance journey.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Tango - Mondays Nov 27th & Dec 4th
6:30 PM Partner (In-Person Only) | 7:30 PM Technique (Hybrid)
The sharpest and most powerful of all dances, American Tango is an incredibly fun way to learn how to move across the dance floor with power and precision. In the two week group class, you can expect to learn starting patterns that allow you to navigate the entire floor. You will also learn how footwork and styling designed to help move you through the dance and around the floor.
In the follow up hour, we will be diving deeper into Tango technique, and how it differs from the other “Smooth” dances. You will learn how to utilize the timing in Tango music to create sharp, clean, quick movements. We will apply these principles directly to your own personal dance journey.