House 1

House Dance is a dance style that emerged in the 1980s alongside the rise of house music in the United States. Dancers developed it by blending various dance styles to house beats — think influences from tap, African dance, Latin styles, martial arts, hip-hop, breaking, and original jazz dance.

New to House Dance? In this class, we revisit the basics and give you time to get comfortable with the foundations and groove. Perfect if you’re just starting out or have never taken a dance class before and want a low-pressure way to begin.

House Dance is built on so-called “foundations” — basic steps borrowed from diverse dance traditions. At its core, however, House is less about form and more about feeling. It’s a freestyle dance style known for quick footwork and a constant groove.

In class, we’ll cover the basic steps, practice them, and help you develop your own flavour. There’s plenty of room for personal interpretation, experimentation, and improvisation. You’ll also dance a lot with others — because House was born as a social activity, a moment of connection, a chance to break free from daily routines. Away from your desk, and into your body, soul, and community — to celebrate life!

What you’ll learn

• The foundational steps of House Dance

• Rhythm, groove, and musicality

• Self-expression and freestyle techniques

• Dancing together and connecting with others

• Recognizing influences from styles like hip-hop, jazz, and Latin

• Gaining confidence and creativity on the dance floor