January Bal-Swing Crash Course! with Katy Spray and Eric Chen

Name: January Bal-Swing Crash Course! with Katy Spray and Eric Chen
Start: 2026-01-31T13:00:00-08:00
End: 2026-01-31T16:00:00-08:00
Location: Dance with Joy Studios

Schedule

Sat Jan 31 2026 at 01:00 pm to 04:00 pm

UTC-08:00

Location

Dance with Joy Studios | Portland, OR

Only know the pure-bal basics and come-arounds?
Already enjoy the balboa connection?
Want to dance more balboa at social dances?
If you answered yes to any of the above, then this class is for you!
This month only, Katy Spray and Eric Chen will teach a 3 hour bal-swing workshop on Saturday, January 31st, from 1-4pm at Dance with Joy Studios!
For $45, you will receive three hours of instruction, as well as $10 off the February Friday Balboa Series full-month pass (sign up for the February series at or after the workshop to receive the discount)!
Sign up for the workshop here: https://dancewithjoystudios.com/balswing
Please feel free to reach out if in need of financial assistance.
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Class Description:
Experience the unique connection and rhythm of Bal-Swing! This session focuses on the quintessential movements that define the dance: come-arounds, toss-outs, and out-and-ins.
For Experienced Dancers: Dive deep into the nuanced technique and connection that make these classic figures feel smooth, effortless, and musical.
For New Learners: We will teach each movement from the ground up. This class moves at a faster pace than a standard introductory session, making it perfect for those ready for a challenge.
Prerequisite: Participants should be comfortable with basic Pure Balboa (closed position) and fundamental footwork.
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About Our Instructors:
Katy Spray started swing dancing in 1998 in Southern California during the height of the swing revival. She has always been passionate about developing new dancers and introducing people to the joy of swing dance. While she dances many other dances, her focus is swing dances of the 20s, 30s, and 40s including Lindy Hop and Balboa. Her instruction style is joyful, inclusive, and prioritizes expression and creativity over perfection. She has two children and is an accountant in her alternate life.
Eric Chen has been dancing lindy hop, charleston, and blues since 2013, with special focus on balboa since 2021. He began DJing and teaching at PLS weekly dances in 2023, from foundational classes to ELEF (everybody leads, everybody follows) to intermediate classes focused on musicality and rhythmic variations. As of 2025, he has joined Katy Spray in teaching Fridays at Dance with Joy Studios covering beginning charleston, balboa, and lindy hop.
Both Katy Spray and Eric Chen are available to teach private lessons!