Topic: Connection First, Movement Second
Course Description: Join us as we take a deep dive into the fundamentals of movement that make your dancing not only look good, but also FEEL good. Love that gushy feeling? We got you! Woven throughout the class will be a focus on connection and movement as we explore how leading more efficiently and following more freely can lead to partnering more effectively. Understanding of triple steps is a must for this class, as we will be working with a variety of different movements and combinations that will elicit different footwork patterns. Be ready to explore and elevate your partner dancing with us!
Prerequisites: Students taking this class should be comfortable with triple steps and have learned both the 6-ct and 8-ct basic footwork patterns.
Instructors: Karrie Willis and Rob Farmer (Aurora, IL)
Karrie Willis has been teaching and dancing since 1998 throughout the Chicagoland area. She has performed and provided instruction at numerous venues including Old Towne Pub, Esteban’s Nightclub, the Willowbrook Ballroom, Frankie’s Blue Room, The Barn of Barrington, Pheasant Run Resort, Seven Bridges Athletic Club, and more. She has worked for clients including the Chicago Bulls, Wheaton College, CDW Corporation, Big City Swing, and others.
Karrie, a shy person by nature, was drawn to the energy and spirit of the lindy hop community. Her first venture out on the dance floor had her hooked; the music and fun, lively nature of the dance itself was enough to entice her to return every week. When dancing, she feels most at home. Because it has made such a positive impact on her life, she enjoys sharing this incredible dance with others. This is what drew her into teaching dance; that is, in addition to the fact that she is quite adept at it. She has been teaching elementary children for just as long!
Karrie is not only a teacher, but a lifelong learner. When she is not on the dance floor in some capacity, she is often training with the best instructors in the world at various dance camps and weekend workshops throughout the US and abroad. She has trained under internationally renowned instructors, including Skye Humphries and Frida Segderhal, Sylvia Sykes, Anthony Chen, Laura Glaess, Remi Kuakakome and Alice Mei, Jenny Thomas, and Virgine Jensen, among others.
Rob Farmer is an expressive dancer, a dedicated student, and a compassionate teacher. He has been dancing for eight years in the western suburbs. He has been teaching for the past three years and instructing students at varied skill levels. He has also consistently made it to finals in luck-of-the-draw competitions and recently made finals in the Lindy Classic at ILHC. In the classroom, he values respect, dedication and above all passion for dance.
Rob came into dancing with an ear for music and a feel for movement. At a young age he taught himself to play the guitar and quickly began experimenting with writing his own music. He developed a love for Jazz and its history when he was introduced to Swing and feels that it’s unique sound inspires creative movement.
He believes that a full understanding of body awareness and the movement within the dance will help students continue to grow and improve their skills as dancers.
Band: The Sweet Nothings
Illini Swing introduces our MONTHLY Saturday swing mini-workshop + Live band dance, The Courtyard Caper!
Afternoon classes focused on a topic to grow your dancing and have fun before an evening of live band swing dancing! Mark your calendars!
MONTHLY Courtyard Caper Dates and Class Themes:
March 08 - Workshop Theme: Charleston
April 12 - Workshop Theme: Connection First, Movement Second
May 03 - Workshop Theme: Familiar Footwork, Rich Rhythms: Tap For Lindy Hoppers
SATURDAY SCHEDULE
1-4pm mini-workshop *Location: Workshop and Dance are at separate locations.
Campus Recreation Center East (CRCE) 1102 West Gregory Drive, Urbana, IL 61801
Evening *Location: Courtyard Illini Union
7-8pm Drop-in lesson - NO experience or partner needed!
8-10:30pm Live Band - Swing Social Dance
TICKETS
- General Ticket: $20 (includes workshop + Live band dance)
- Evening Only Ticket (General): $10 (includes drop-in lesson + Live band dance)
UIUC Current Student Ticket
Workshop Classes: $15
Evening Dance: No Cost - UIUC Students may attend live band dance at no cost due to SORF support (bring ID)
Registration: Open Click below
Evening Band Dance: SORF Supported
REGISTRATION CLOSING SOON for General Public! General Public (Non-UIUC Students) must register by tomorrow (Wed, Apr 9) at 4pm due to the class venue rules.