The Golden State Dance Teacher’s Association (GSDTA) is the longest running Dance Teachers Organization in the United States. Over the past 50 years, much of the evolution and development of West Coast Swing, including innovative teaching techniques and terminology, has come from the direct efforts of Skippy Blair & other Professional Members of GSDTA. The GSDTA has a strong reputation for creating exceptional teachers & performers through its ongoing development, growth and certification training. According to the GSDTA, the official definition of West Coast Swing is as follows:
West Coast Swing is… an evolving dance style which requires a "50-50" partnership. It is a highly stylized form of Swing that is identifiable by two main characteristics:
(1) It is a slotted dance distinguished by its love affair with syncopations and musical interpretation
(2) The follower does a "Walk-Walk" traveling forward on counts "1" and "2" of each pattern.
Please Note: This information is sourced directly from the GSDTA/Skippy Blair website www.swingworld.com
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In other words…
West Coast Swing (WCS) is a modern style of Swing which can be danced to any modern music, including blues, pop, funk, jazz, soul, Motown, country, and R&B. It allows extensive interpretation of the music by both partners and has a distinctive look and feel of smooth elasticity. The origins of West Coast Swing are in Lindy Hop and Jitterbug, however, it has developed into a stylish and polished dance style (also known in the past as ‘Sophisticated Swing’). The look of WCS can range from soulful and funky… to smooth and sleek, depending on the dancers’ interpretation of the music. This adaptability, both in style and music, is one of the reasons West Coast Swing is rapidly gaining in popularity across Australia.