About
West Coast Swing
West Coast Swing originates in the 1930’s from a dance called ‘Savoy Style Lindey’ in New York. Later, this dance was enjoyed by many, widely known as ‘Rock and Roll’ or ‘Jitterbug’ at the time.
Today, you can find a number of communities dancing West Coast Swing, with a more recent emergence in the Netherlands.
The versatility and creative outlet that this dance provides is something you can’t easily find elsewhere.
The dance floor is your canvas and you and your partner are the painters, creating your small masterpiece of movement. So put on your dancing shoes and let’s bring music to life!
WCS Eindhoven & Team
Claire van Akkerveken
Claire’s dancing career began in 2015 in sunny California, USA. Dancing West Coast Swing swiftly became a solid passion of hers, so she began attending conventions and other dance events across the USA. She learned from multiple Chamion dancers at Boogie by the Bay 2018 and MADjam 2019 with Tatiana Mollmann, Robert Royston, Maxence Martin, and more!
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Claire missed that movement and creativity found in West Coast Swing. Thus began her journey to create a new community near home; Eindhoven! Having been an assistant dance teacher in California, Claire began teaching again in 2023 at WCSE!
Her dance experience is rapidly growing as she travels to conventions and dance events across Europe and partipates in Workshops and Private Lessons from multiple Champion dancers. Claire looks forward to where her dance journey will take her!
Beti Tracz
Beti's adventure with West Coast Swing started in 2014 in Cracow, Poland, where she immediately fell in love with dance; noticing how much freedom, fun and variety of music it offers. Before moving to Netherlands in 2019, she was learning from Kasia & Marcin in Cracow on regular weekly course as well as travelled across Europe, attending international events and learning from multiple Champion dancers.
She spent loads of hours on dancefloor, gaining a deep understanding of the fundamental patterns and their very technical details. This solid ground built her ability to connect and adapt her movements to fit a lot of music styles. Her love for musicality reflects in her ability to interpret music creatively, syncing her steps with the rhythm, phrase, and lyrics of the song.
For Beti, West Coast Swing is something more than just a dance — it’s about connecting with the partner, feeling the music together and having a nice conversation on the dancefloor. So don’t hesitate to talk to her on socials!
WCSE’s Level Breakdown
Level 1
Learning the Basics:
Left Side Pass
Right Side Pass
Sugar Push
Whip
Starter Step
Some Technique: Anchoring and Connection.
Level 2 & 2.5
You are confident enough in your basics and basic technique. You are now learning further variations, patterns, and technique as well as how to dance to the music. You have danced WCS for at least 20 hours.
Level 3
You have learned a bit of technique and are now trying to find your own style. You are learning musicality, as well as are able to dance to the beat and certain nuances in the music. You have danced WCS for at least 40 hours.
Level 4+
You are confident in your movement and body. You dance with ease to the music and with your partner. You are now trying to further your own style and musicality as well as tune in to precise technique and improvisational skill.