Charleston intensive
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- Start Date: 19 Jul 2025End Date: 09 Aug 2025Sat (Daytime): 11:00 - 13:00In PersonFull fee £99.00 Senior fee £99.00 Concession £69.00
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What is the course about?
Charleston became a dance craze in the 1920’s. You will gain an insight into the origin and history of this dance through learning the basic steps and patterns to feel confident on the dance floor, progressing into learning original and more challenging choreographed routine and some partner work.
What will we cover?
The course will include: Warm up and stretch, history and origin of the Charleston, Charleston as social and performing dance, musicality, Basic foot work, more challenging dance sequence, learning a choreographed performing piece, style and improvisation.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
Demonstrate learning a new dance style
Perform a Charleston dance routine
Use the Charleston and its influence on other dance styles such as Lindy hop and Hip Hop.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This is a class is for beginners; no previous experience is needed to enjoy this course. Students with experience in dance and performing arts are welcome.
A beginners' dance class isn’t just for newcomers. In any beginners' dance class there will be students from all types of backgrounds. We all have different learning techniques and paces. If your first class seems overwhelming and you can’t get it the first time, don’t worry: dance is heavily reliant on repetition so it will happen. We want you to learn and to have fun so just give it your best and keep coming back!
In order to get the most from the course you will be able to:
Follow spoken instructions.
Use numbers to recognise musical phrasing within dance.
Work within groups and pairs safely.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
There is no work outside the class. The course will be taught verbally, through demonstration and with the use of music. Some video material may be shown to the group; this will be provided by the teacher.
HEALTH CHECK
You may or may not be asked to participate in rigorous activity from time to time. Please consider whether you could do this, if you are in any doubt consult a medical practitioner.
As part of the course content, your tutor may record your image for initial and ongoing assessment purposes. You are entitled to decline to participate in the recording of your image.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Please wear clothing that does not restrict your movement and allows you to adapt to changes in your body temperature. The classes are best undertaken in jazz shoes or comfortable shoes with non-grip soles, for this reason trainers are not recommended.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Speak to the tutor about Charleston: general level and Solo Swing and Jive: general or contact the drama, dance and speech department for advice.
Rosaria di Giovanni Sativa: Charleston, swing and jive dance tutor Born in Italy and resident in London, Rosaria studied at the Laban Centre for Movement & Dance and at the London Contemporary Dance School. On completion of her training she established herself as a versatile and dedicated dancer, choreographer and teacher. Her great passion for authentic jazz and retro social dances such as swing, Lindy hop and Charleston brought her to study and work with many world famous dance artists such as Frankie Manning, Chazz Young, Chester Withmore and Norma Miller. With good practical ability in music and a variety of dance styles and techniques, Rosaria is one of the most versatile dance artists working in London today. As a dance teacher, Rosaria has experience in both community and professional settings, with the ability to teach to all ages, motivating and encouraging all students to succeed and be passionate about the many benefit of dancing. Rosaria have been teaching at City Lit since 2012, and currently teaches Charleston and Swing and Jive Solo courses.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
