Performance Teams
Sugar Swing has groups that meet weekly to develop their dancing and performance skills.
Mad Cat Swing
Mad Cat Swing consists of our highest level dancers and instructors. We have been performing around Edmonton & area for a variety of both minor and major events. We have won numerous competitions and have performed for clients such as the Winspear, Alberta Legislature, Fort Edmonton Park, PCL, and many more!
Mad Kittens
Mad Kittens consists of up-and-comers who are at a intermediate-advanced to advanced level. We regularly host tryouts every 4 months to admit new people into the group, typically in January, May, and September.
Tryouts Information
TRYOUT DATES: January 23 & 30, 2025
TERM: January 23 to April 24
FEE: Monthly $84+gst
SCHEDULE: Thursdays, 7:00pm to 9:00pm
NEW PRE-REQS: We require dancers to have equivalent experience as having completed both our Swing 3 and Jazz 1&2. We are willing to consider students who have recently enrolled but not completed those courses, or have equivalent learning experience dancing elsewhere. Contact us if unsure.
DESCRIPTION: This is a tryout to our introductory partner dance team! This is a great chance to grow and challenge yourself as a dancer in a supportive team environment. You will have opportunities to share your love for Lindy Hop and Jazz Dance through performance and presentation, learn advanced technique and routines, and geek out over swing dancing. If you have some Lindy Hop experience, a good attitude, and are looking to learn, this team is you!
Please contact us if you would like to audition. Also, if you cannot attend the dates, we may be able to arrange alternate dates.
What We Are Looking For
- Intermediate-advanced Lindy Hop level
- Good technique, rhythm, and quality body movement
- Swing out comfortably
- Solo Jazz experience
What to Expect
At Tryouts: Attend one (1) of the tryout practices. You will be assessed alongside the current members of the team with learning, executing, and performing both solo jazz and partner dance material. As well, you’ll be asked to social dance with current teammates and the instructors. After the tryouts, you are welcome to ask the coaches present for feedback on your dancing!
At Practices: As a member, you will learn what it takes to be part of a dance performance team, within a coached setting. You’ll learn new material and technique, and receive both group and personal feedback from our coaches.
You will learn traditional choreography such as the Big Apple Contest, Al & Leon’s Shim Sham, Tranky Doo, and the California Routine, as well as Mad Cat Swing standards such as the First Stops. You will also get the opportunity to learn original choreography created by your coaches, and your own! Finally, you’ll have the chance to become a member of our advanced performance team, Mad Cat Swing.
Member Requirements
- Attend all practices
- Communicate with us, have an earnest attitude and team spirit
- Be willing to perform and improve as a dancer
Faculty
Director: Birkley Wisniewski
Coaches: Turlough Myers, Czarina Ramos, Arta Seify, Paige Grant, Luke Dion, Sydney Alessandrini
Members of Mad Cat Swing and the weekly instructors of Sugar Swing may assist and instruct from time to time.
Final Notes
Within five (5) days of trying out, you should receive notice if you will be invited back; we may ask for a second assessment, invite you to join, or decline. If invited to join, there are further terms & conditions we will send you.
We audition every few months, so if spots fill up or you don’t make it on the team, there is always opportunity to try again.
We look forward to dancing with you!