Groove Juice Swing: Swing Dancing in Rochester, NY

Classes (OLD)

Groove Juice Swing offers classes on a broad range of Jazz Age and Swing Era dances: swing dance, Lindy Hop, Charleston, Balboa, Collegiate Shag, vernacular jazz dance, and more. Not sure where to start out? Check out our  How It Works or  FAQ pages! 

Preregistration for classes online (here!) closes at 1am the morning of the first class of the series. Preregister to get a discount, or sign up at the door the first day of class! If a 4 week series isn't for you, we encourage you to drop-in for our free beginner swing dance lesson, held every Wednesday at 8:45pm during  Lindy Jam, our weekly social dance.

 

Classes starting soon!

Garbage Plate Blues Register Online Garbage Plate Blues

Wednesday, December 17, 2025
  • Instructors: Sylvia & Rob
  • Dates: Wednesday December 17
  • Time: 7:15pm - 8:30pm
  • Location: 295 Gregory Street [map]
  • Cost: $15 preregistered. At-door registration price is $20 if space is available.

Come join us for an All-levels Blues dance lesson focusing on Blues idioms for both fast and slow Blues! This class will give you plentiful ideas on how to groove your body to various tempos of Blues music (or any music!), for either solo or partner dance. This class is suitable for all experiences! No partner required!

Improver Package Register Online Improver Package (24 weeks / Improver)

Begins Wednesday, January 7, 2026
  • Dates: Wednesdays
  • Time: 7:15pm - 8:30pm
  • Location: 295 Gregory Street [map]
  • Cost: $300 preregistered. At-door registration price is $300 if space is available.
  • Prerequisite: Beginner series

Sign up for all six of our improver series! This package deal gets you 30% off - that’s 7 weeks free! Classes can be taken at any time in any order, just let us know that you signed up for the package deal when you arrive.

Improver Mini Package Register Online Improver Mini Package (12 weeks / Improver)

Begins Wednesday, January 7, 2026
  • Dates: Wednesdays
  • Time: 7:15pm - 8:30pm
  • Location: 295 Gregory Street [map]
  • Cost: $160 preregistered. At-door registration price is $160 if space is available.
  • Prerequisite: Beginner series

Sign up for three of our improver series! This package deal gets you one 4-week series for free - that's 25% off! Classes can be taken at any time in any order, just let us know that you signed up for the package deal when you arrive.

Intro to Swing: Beginner Package Register Online Intro to Swing: Beginner Package (16 weeks / Beginner)

Begins Wednesday, January 7, 2026
  • Dates: Wednesdays
  • Time: 7:15pm - 8:30pm
  • Location: 295 Gregory Street [map]
  • Cost: $210 preregistered. At-door registration price is $210 if space is available.
  • Prerequisite: None

Sign up for all four of our beginner series! This package deal gets you one 4-week series for free - that's 25% off! Classes can be taken at any time in any order, just let us know that you signed up for the package deal when you arrive.

Intro to Swing: Swingout! Register Online Intro to Swing: Swingout! (4 weeks / Beginner)

Begins Wednesday, January 7, 2026
  • Dates: Wednesdays on January 7, 14, 21, and 28
  • Time: 7:15pm - 8:30pm
  • Location: 295 Gregory Street [map]
  • Cost: $70 preregistered. At-door registration price is $80 if space is available.
  • Prerequisite: None

This series will focus on Lindy Hop’s most iconic move - the swingout! Watch any video of Lindy Hoppers and you’re sure to see at least a few swingouts - some have even called it the true basic of the dance! You’ll start out by learning basic footwork and some simple partnered moves that lay the foundation for a successful swingout. By the end of the series you’ll be swinging out with ease!

Improver: Swingout Variations Register Online Improver: Swingout Variations (4 weeks / Improver)

Begins Wednesday, January 7, 2026
  • Dates: Wednesdays on January 7, 14, 21, and 28
  • Time: 7:15pm - 8:30pm
  • Location: 295 Gregory Street [map]
  • Cost: $70 preregistered. At-door registration price is $80 if space is available.
  • Prerequisite: Beginner series

The swingout is one of the most versatile moves in all of Lindy Hop. In this series we’ll continue to refine your technique and help you swingout comfortably at faster tempos. You’ll also learn fun moves that build off the swingout, as well as stylings to add in some spice and variety.

Balboa 1: Intro to Balboa Register Online Balboa 1: Intro to Balboa (4 weeks / Beginner)

Begins Monday, January 12, 2026
  • Dates: Mondays on January 12, 19, 26, and February 2
  • Time: 7:15pm - 8:30pm
  • Location: 295 Gregory Street [map]
  • Cost: $70 preregistered. At-door registration price is $80 if space is available.

This four week series is your chance to get up to speed in Balboa & Bal-Swing even if you have never danced before. Balboa originated in Southern California during the 20's and increased in popularity until World War II, and is named for the Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach, California where the dance was invented. The close embrace makes it perfect for fast tempos and crowded spaces, and the intricate footwork makes this dance exciting and seriously addictive! This class is open to dancers of all levels (beginner to advanced) who are looking to learn Balboa or brush up on the fundamentals.

Balboa: Introductory Package Register Online Balboa: Introductory Package (16 weeks / Improver)

Begins Monday, January 12, 2026
  • Dates: Mondays continuously from January 12 to April 27
  • Time: 7:15pm - 8:30pm
  • Location: 295 Gregory Street [map]
  • Cost: $210 preregistered. At-door registration price is $210 if space is available.

If you're wanting to delve into the wonderful dance of Balboa, this four-month package deal is for you! You'll join us for four classes, encompassing Balboa 1-4: Intro to Balboa, Continuing Balboa, Toss Out & Turn Variations, and Social Balboa. Whether you're brand new to the dance or revisiting your basics, you'll get great material and build a great skill set for a 25% discount

Intro to Swing: Movin’ in 6 Register Online Intro to Swing: Movin’ in 6 (4 weeks / Beginner)

Begins Wednesday, February 4, 2026
  • Dates: Wednesdays on February 4th, 11th, 18th, and 25th
  • Time: 7:15pm - 8:30pm
  • Location: 295 Gregory Street [map]
  • Cost: $70 preregistered. At-door registration price is $80 if space is available.
  • Prerequisite: None

This series will focus on foundational 6-count footwork and expanding your repertoire of partnered moves. You’ll learn to dance fun and easy 6-count moves with a partner such as the sendout, tuck turn, change places turn, and more! After this series, you’ll be eager to get out on the dance floor and show off your new skills!

Solo Jazz Fundamentals Register Online Solo Jazz Fundamentals (4 weeks / Improver)

Begins Wednesday, February 4, 2026
  • Dates: Wednesdays on February 4th, 11th, 18th, and 25th
  • Time: 7:15pm - 8:30pm
  • Location: 295 Gregory Street [map]
  • Cost: $70 preregistered. At-door registration price is $80 if space is available.
  • Prerequisite: Beginner Series

Solo jazz dancing grew out of tap dancing and Lindy Hop, alongside jazz music of the 20s and 30s. Now it's a popular way for Lindy Hoppers all over the world to explore creativity and musicality! In this class, we'll learn the foundations of basic solo jazz vocabulary and aesthetics, all while developing our own solo jazz style.

Balboa 2: Continuing Balboa Register Online Balboa 2: Continuing Balboa (4 weeks / Improver)

Begins Monday, February 9, 2026
  • Dates: Mondays on February 9, 16, 23, and March 2
  • Time: 7:15pm - 8:30pm
  • Location: 295 Gregory Street [map]
  • Cost: $70 preregistered. At-door registration price is $80 if space is available.
  • Prerequisite: Intro to Balboa

This four week series is a continuation of our popular Intro to Balboa Class. In it, we will solidify your understanding of the basics, delve into variations that can make your Balboa more interesting, and go into a number of fancy Balboa moves that will make you look great on the dance floor.

Intro to Swing: Checkin’ out Charleston Register Online Intro to Swing: Checkin’ out Charleston (4 weeks / Beginner)

Begins Wednesday, March 4, 2026
  • Dates: Wednesdays on March 4th, 11th, 18th, and 25th
  • Time: 7:15pm - 8:30pm
  • Location: 295 Gregory Street [map]
  • Cost: $70 preregistered. At-door registration price is $80 if space is available.
  • Prerequisite: None

Come learn the dance that kick-started the Jazz Era! Originating in the early 1920s, Charleston is an energetic and exciting dance that can be done comfortably to fast music. In this series, you’ll learn basic solo Charleston footwork and how to dance Charleston with a partner in several positions, such as side by side, hand to hand, and more!

Improver: Musicality Register Online Improver: Musicality (4 weeks / Improver)

Begins Wednesday, March 4, 2026
  • Dates: Wednesdays on March 4th, 11th, 18th, and 25th
  • Time: 7:15pm - 8:30pm
  • Location: 295 Gregory Street [map]
  • Cost: $70 preregistered. At-door registration price is $80 if space is available.
  • Prerequisite: Beginner Series

In this four week musicality series, students will learn to dance with jazz music’s rhythm, melody, and mood. This is a key characteristic of improvised swing dancing, not commonly found in other partnered dances. Students will expand their skills by taking inspiration from the music and learning to become co-instruments with the band. We'll teach how to predict the music and how to accentuate breaks, as well as give ideas on how to play with rhythm and expression when dancing.

Balboa 3: Toss Out & Turn Variations Register Online Balboa 3: Toss Out & Turn Variations (4 weeks / Intermediate)

Begins Monday, March 9, 2026
  • Dates: Mondays on March 9, 16, 23, and 30
  • Time: 7:15pm - 8:30pm
  • Location: 295 Gregory Street [map]
  • Cost: $70 preregistered. At-door registration price is $80 if space is available.
  • Prerequisite: Balboa 1 & 2

In this class you'll learn how to add variety to your toss outs and get comfortable with thinking outside the box. We'll also work on turns and styling within your leading and following.

Intro to Swing: Groovin’ in 8 Register Online Intro to Swing: Groovin’ in 8 (4 weeks / Beginner)

Begins Wednesday, April 1, 2026
  • Dates: Wednesdays on April 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd
  • Time: 7:15pm - 8:30pm
  • Location: 295 Gregory Street [map]
  • Cost: $70 preregistered. At-door registration price is $80 if space is available.
  • Prerequisite: None

This series will focus on foundational 8-count footwork and on connecting with the music. You’ll learn to dance 8-count moves with a partner such as the promenade, flip flop, and lindy circle. You’ll also learn how to break out of patterns, groove to the music, and truly make this dance your own!

Improver: Classic Moves and Stylings Register Online Improver: Classic Moves and Stylings (4 weeks / Improver)

Begins Wednesday, April 1, 2026
  • Dates: Wednesdays on April 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd
  • Time: 7:15pm - 8:30pm
  • Location: 295 Gregory Street [map]
  • Cost: $70 preregistered. At-door registration price is $80 if space is available.
  • Prerequisite: Beginner Series

In this series we will dive into the moves and stylings of the original Lindy Hop dancers! We will explore the history and techniques of some of the most iconic moves in Lindy Hop and try out the stylings that gave these dancers their signature looks.

Slow Balboa Register Online Slow Balboa (4 weeks / Improver)

Begins Monday, April 6, 2026
  • Dates: Mondays on April 6, 13, 20, and 27
  • Time: 7:15pm - 8:30pm
  • Location: 295 Gregory Street [map]
  • Cost: $70 preregistered. At-door registration price is $80 if space is available.
  • Prerequisite: Any previous Balboa Class

Slow Balboa is a general term used for dancing in styles inspired by the original Balboa swing dancers from California who liked to dance to slow music. We'll cover the historic dance called Laminu, as well as contemporary Slow Balboa steps and techniques to get you dancing to wonderful slow Jazz music!

Shim Sham Register Online Shim Sham

Wednesday, April 29, 2026
  • Dates: Wednesday April 29
  • Time: 7:15pm - 8:30pm
  • Location: 295 Gregory Street [map]
  • Cost: $18 preregistered. At-door registration price is $20 if space is available.

The most popular and well-known solo jazz choreography out there, Frankie Manning's Shim Sham is danced all over the world. This Lindy Hop line dance can be seen regularly at events and we'd love to have you join in! It is based on the original tap dance Shim Sham which was choreographed by Leonard Reed and Willie Bryant. It features classic jazz steps such as the Tackie Annie, the Half-Break, the Boogie Back, and the Shorty George. This class is a great intro to solo jazz dancing, and is open to everyone from first-timers to experienced Lindy Hop dancers!

 

Future Classes

Generally, class sessions are 4 weeks long and begin the first week of each month. Each class session generally consists of 1 class night per week. They become open for registration when they are posted on this page, at least 2 weeks before their start date. If you have special requests or would like more information about classes, send us an email at info@groovejuiceswing.com.

About Us

Groove Juice Swing, established in 2004, is based in Rochester, NY and specializes in Lindy Hop, the original form of swing dance from the 1920s and 1930s. Groove Juice Swing offers dance classes, weekly social dances, live band dance events, performances, and dance workshops throughout the year. Staff members and instructors are passionate about all things Lindy Hop, traveling all over the world to compete against and learn from the very best Lindy Hoppers. They bring that same commitment and enthusiasm to the dance community in Rochester.

Groove Juice Swing is a grateful recipient of the Monroe County JumpstARTS Grant Program.

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