WESTIE WORKSHOP

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Featuring Kyle Fitzgerald and Melodie Paletta

Lessons, social dancing and private instruction: December 19, 20, 21, 2025 in Halifax

Have some naughty dance habits? Want to learn some nice West Coast Swing skills? Apply for our Winter workshop!

With over 15 years of combined teaching experience, Kyle and Melodie are known for their highly technical and precise instruction. They are a favourite among dancers who are serious about growth. They bring clarity, structure, and a touch of playfulness to every class.

Join us for this special winter workshop to learn from Kyle, 2022 US Open Rising Star Champion, and Melodie, 2019 US Open Young Adult Champion.

West Coast Swing Classes

BASICS

  • An introduction into dancing West Coast Swing
  • Learn foundational patterns, timing and connection
  • No dance experience or partner required
  • Next series: Early 2026, join our waitlist!
  • $40

BASICS PLUS

  • Start adding style to basic movements, learn more patterns, and polish your technique
  • Basic/beginner West Coast Swing experience required
  • Next series: Early 2026, join our waitlist!
  • $40

IMPROVER

  • Progressive, topic-focused lessons that provide variations on patterns, footwork training, and technique development
  • Pre-requisite: confident dancing all basic patterns and through a song without stopping
  • Next series: Musicality, Nov 23, 30 Dec 7 (waitlist only)
  • $55/series

Practices

IMPROVER-LEVEL

  • Support for what you’re working on from fellow dancers and our instructors.
  • Come prepared to seek help with a couple of movements, patterns or skills you want to work on.
  • Prerequisite: you’re comfortable dancing basic patterns (passes, push break, tucks and whips) continuously through a song.
  • May 25 and June 1, 5:15-6:15 PM
  • Location: 3380 Barnstead Lane, Halifax
  • No charge; drop-in

West Coast Swing Social Dances

HALLOWEEN SOCIAL: DAYS OF DARKNESS

Westies, let’s make it weird! DJ Spacebar’s prepared an extra-special (extra creepy) playlist for you to creep the floor. Come dressed in costume (or just as your spooky self) to dance. Don’t ghost on this night, it’s going to to be scary fun!

Everyone welcome, no partner or experience needed to join in. This Halloween themed social dance starts with a mini taster lesson for those who want to learn/practice their basic steps. 

📅  Friday, October 24 
⏰  7:00 PM, mini-lesson
⏰  7:30 to 9:30 PM, dancing
🎟  $5 e-Transfer at the door
📍  Kings College Dance Studio, Castine Way (Side entrance by the Library; head downstairs to the studio. Parking is free.)

Change into non-marking indoor/clean shoes before entering the studio.

MONDAYS AND FRIDAYS, ALL SUMMER LONG

We’re back with West Coast Swing on the Halifax waterfront! Join us for one of the most memorable and fun social dancing experiences in the city.

As always, everyone welcome, no partner or West Coast Swing experience needed. Westie Ambassadors are available to provide mini-lessons all evening!

📅  Fridays, June 13 to September 12 at the Gazebo
📅  Mondays, June 9 to September 15 at the Saltyard
⏰  7-9:00 PM

View all waterfront dancing dates; check our Facebook group for weather cancellations

FALL 2025 DATES

Our DJs bring the tunes and all your westie friends are in the room. Our WCS social is a night of fun, music, and danceand you’re invited! We welcome everyone from seasoned dancers to complete beginners.

📅  Fridays: Nov 14, 28 
⏰  7:30 to 9:30 PM
🎟  $5 e-Transfer at the door
📍  Kings College Dance Studio, Castine Way (Side entrance by the Library; head downstairs to the studio. Parking is free.)

Change into non-marking indoor/clean shoes before entering the studio.

practices, lessons and social events

Join our community!

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Progressive lessons

Weekly classes are offered throughout most of the year for Beginners and Improvers. We welcome people new to partner dancing and who have experience in other dance styles. Join us for a class to begin, refresh, progress, or try the other dance role! 

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Guided practices

If you have established skills in progressive levels of West Coast Swing, guided practices are for you! Reach out to us about specific topics you want to work on to elevate your dancing.

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Social dancing

We host West Coast Swing social dances throughout the year in Halifax, NS. And collaborate with DalKing Swing to offer Blues and WCS crossover dances. Everyone is welcome, no experience or partner is needed to join in.

Basic West Coast Swing Patterns

The Sugar Push

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Side Passes

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WCS Whip

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Our Instructors

Over 20 years of experience in practice and competition in various levels of dance.

Judy Corkum

Judy Grandy

INSTRUCTOR

Michael Warner

Michael Warner

INSTRUCTOR

Gabrielle Maklin

Gabrielle Maklin

INSTRUCTOR

Jill Grant

Jill Grant

INSTRUCTOR

Mark Manser

Mark Manser

INSTRUCTOR