dance school :
master classes

Swing-weekend with Andrew Sutton
(Andrew Sutton)

On 25-29th of September 2006 master classes held by Andrew Sutton will take place in Moscow.

Who is Andrew Sutton?

As we can guess, you already know that he teaches dancing - otherwise, why inviting him to hold a workshop, hmm?. And you possibly understand that Andrew lives in USE (Sacramento, California). But, he managed to range almost the whole world with workshops - USA, naturally, then Europe, including Great Britain, France, Germany, Spain, Denmark, Finland, Slovenia - and even Australia! He has already come in Russia last year (Moscow only) and we're happy to invite him now. This year, he's going to hold classes in three cities in a row - Saint Petersburg (September 23-24), Moscow (September 25-29), and Nizhnyi Novgorod (September 30 and October 01).

He is no doubt a unique teacher. Do you want to know why? There are not so many teachers who are eager to discuss the technicality of movements. Everyone can show a dozen of entertaining variations but when it comes to taking a move to pieces and even to the very atoms: there are few of teachers to meet the challenge. For Andrew, that's the only way of working. He considers moves from every point and in every detail, down to tiniest components. As a result, you suddenly realize that a minute workpiece changes everything and - woo! - after Andrew's class you can easily do things you never succeeded before. Just the same detailed one is his style about musicality, creativity, improvising and so on. It can possibly be a result of his engineering background ;)

However, traveling and teaching aren't the only things Andrew does in his life. Sometimes, he takes part in the contests. We have to say, he's quite successful at it. For example:

• American Lindy Hop Championships (USA, October 2005): second prize in Jack n' Jill;
• American Lindy Hop Championships (USA, October 2003): first prize in Jack n' Jill;
• Harlem Jazz Dance Festival (New York, June 2003): semi-finals participant (as a follower);
• World Lindy Hop Championships (Stockholm, August 2002): second prize;
• American Lindy Hop Championships (USA , October 2001): first prize for Cabaret contest (he also did the choreography and staging).

Find a video featuring Andrew Sutton here or here.

What is Andrew's workshop in Moscow going to be like?

Andrew will hold 10 classes in Moscow. Like the year before, the classes are not graded by level; only the subject of the class will be announced together with approximate difficulty level of the class.

Some classes - American blues for instance - are okay with any level but some of them - e.g., Improvising with a partner - are designed only for the dancers of indicated level or more experienced ones.

What shall I do if I'm more experienced than required for the class? Do come! You will surely learn something interesting.

What shall I do if I'm less experienced than required for the class but you're dying to come? Just take a partner of your level and come together! You will be able to learn but won't be in the rotation.

Do I need to register?

Yes, required. Registration form was available here as announced before since 19 till 24 of September.

Where, when, which level?

Program details:

Monday:
1.Dips & Tricks
(All levels, you don't need any dance background)
This class will stress the actual lead and follow for some basic lifts, drops or tricks. љYou'll leave with a better understanding of how to create moves displacing your partners' weight. љYou'll also increase the connection between you and your partner on the regular social dance floor. This is a rotating class, so you don't need a partner.
2. American Blues
(all levels)
There are many different styles of blues dancing today but for me the resurgence of blues dancing in America came from wanting to be able to lead everything. љFrom isolating and leading any single part of the body to combining those leads to dance to multiple parts of the music at the same time. љIn this class, you will learn the subtleties that only the partner you are dancing with will notice. љThis will help your Lindy Hop and other dances too!

Tuesday:
3. Rhythm Musicality
(BI+Int, usually Adv dancers are interested also)
This class focuses on Rhythm variations and Choreographic ideas taken from Tappers, Percussionists, and Body Drummers. When it comes to being rhythmical, this is one of the most helpful things Andrew has learned. This class will not apply the rhythms to your dancing, however, it WILL be hard for you NOT to start applying things on your own after taking this class.
4. Improvising with a partner
(Int+Adv. anyone with a confident swing out will do just fine as well)
Learn how to use jazz steps to improvise on the social dance floor. This class will also include information on how to learn new moves/movements faster than the average dancer. If you are a shy, timid, or conservative dancer, this class will start to break you out of your shell so smoothly you won't even notice it.

Wednesday:
5. Fundamentals in Counterbalance
((Int/Adv; but easy enough for a beginner to understand and attempt)
In this class we will really look at the details of creating great counterbalance. Leads will learn how to lead in and out of counterbalance in some fun and easy moves and follows will learn how to react more precisely, stay in balance, and still feel light.
6. The Balance Forum
(All levels but usually more interesting for Int & Adv)
We all have areas in our dancing where we lose our balance and it is not always easy to know where or how we started to go wrong. This class will give you some techniques to keep your balance during all your movements.

Thursday:
7. Charleston and Rhythm Variations
(Int material, but the Adv dancer will enjoy it too)
This class will give you some new ideas on how to make your charleston more interesting by adding both Rhythm and Lead changes in some old and new variations.
8. Musicality Clinic
(Adv material, Int may join too)
Get your musicality check-up this year! This class focuses on 3 different levels of musicality (phrasing, tension, and the details), and gives you some ideas as well as lots of practice in making your dancing interpret the music within each of the 3 levels. Well, there will certainly be a couple of special tricks that are always nice to learn...

Friday:
9. 101 Styles of Connection
(Adv. Though, Int/Adv may be rather interested also)
This class will provide you with some of the most important techniques that Andrew uses in his dancing. All of the other classes during this week will use these techniques in some way or another. Those of you that have already danced a lot with partners from other dance scenes will know that there are many ways to lead and follow. This class is interesting above all for people who want to dance flexibly enough to be able to adapt to different partners. But even beginners that are happy to have mastered one style will find many ideas and inputs in this class to lead and follow with more awareness.
10. Aerial Fundamentals
(all levels)
This class covers some basic aerials and fundamental techniques to use in all of your aerials. Don't worry, there are no dangerous moves in this class.

What about prices?

You can either pay before the classes - there will be a special person with 'Money' badge - or you can pay in advance to Olga Moisseeva or any of the MSDS teachers.

Any questions?
Feel free to contact Olga Moisseeva at +7 926 231 9198 or olga@ msds.ru.