Class Leveling
This year Blues Muse is adjusting its auditions and class leveling. You can expect to see leveled classes, themed class tracks, and unleveled electives throughout the weekend.
Our level descriptions are below. We encourage you to look through them and self-select your desired level before registering. If you self-identify with levels 1 or 2, you do not have to audition and can choose between our Social Floor Fundamentals or Digging Into Technique tracks. If you self-identify as level 3, 4 or 5 AND want to take levelled classes you must attend auditions first thing on Saturday morning. If you choose not to audition, you can choose between the Social Floor Fundamentals and Digging Into Technique tracks during levelled class periods.
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TRACKS
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Social Floor Fundamentals
This track is for dancers who want to put the "fun" in fundamentals. These classes will be geared toward using blues basics to build comfortable partnerships within a short time frame, like you would on the social dance floor.
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Digging Into Technique
This track is for dancers looking to expand their vocabulary and refine their skills. These classes will often focus on rigorous drills and physical specificity in building partnership and connection.
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LEVELS
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Level 1
This level is great for dancers who are new to blues (think one year or less experience). Maybe you are still working on getting comfortable dancing within blues aesthetic. You may also need more blues vocabulary (solo and partnered) to start making your own movement choices, or want introductions to different blues idioms. This track will help you find your dancing voice, as well as hear and respond to your partner. This is a great track if you are looking to practice expressing yourself while leading/following clearly at the same time.
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Level 2
This level is designed for people who are getting the hang of blues, but who need more ideas on how to dance creatively. This level is great if you need some help distinguishing between your ballroomin' and jukin' movement, if you would like to learn more about idiom dances, and if you do not feel comfortable dancing solo for an entire song. This track will help you find your dancing voice, as well as hear and respond to your partner.
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Level 3 (by audition only)
This level is targeted for people who are experienced blues dancers. A solid leader and/or follower, you are probably a pretty good solo dancer- you're definitely able to dance solo for a song without running out of steam. You are often in high-level classes, and confidently dance differently to jukin' and ballroomin'. Often, you may get feedback about needing to really solidify your voice, push your blues aesthetic to be stronger, or improve your composition. Students who audition should plan to attend most or all classes during the weekend.
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Level 4 (by audition only)
This is a high-level track, for people who take learning very seriously. This level is designed for people who are scene leaders, who are (or were pre-pandemic) constantly taking workshops (and very possibly teaching them), and who have a very strong practice ethic. If you have a strong sense of yourself as a dancer, and have excellent technique, Level 4 may be for you. You understand jukin' and ballroomin', and have an excellent grasp of solo vocabulary and movement. This track will be limited to roughly 15 leaders and 15 followers, by audition. Students who audition should plan to attend most or all classes during the weekend.
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Level 5 (by audition only)
This level is for high level dancers who take learning very seriously. This level is geared to dancers who not only have many years of dancing under their belts, but who also regularly place in the top track of other auditioned events. This track will be limited to roughly the top 12 leaders and 12 followers at the event, by audition. Students who audition should plan to attend all of the classes during the weekend.