Lindy Hop Dance Classes in Atwater Village, Los Angeles
Join a welcoming, creative community and learn from top instructors in an intimate, structured setting.
We offer Lindy Hop dance classes for brand-new beginners and advanced dancers every week.
We also have practice sessions, socials, and live music events every month.
Mondays:
7:00 - 8:00 pm | Level 2 | Nick Williams & Sarah Jensen
10:00 - 11:00 pm | Open Practice FREE with any class!
Tuesdays:
8:00 - 9:00 pm | Level 1 | Nick Williams
Level 1 | Beginner
No partner or experience needed to join!
Level 1 dance classes are designed to help you grow your Lindy Hop basics and fundamentals. You’ll learn fundamental figures including Swingout, Lindy Circle, Send Out, Side Pass, and Tandem/side-by-side Charleston, as well as 6 & 8 count patterns. Classes each month focus on a specific Lindy Hop dance topic.
👉 If you’re brand new to Lindy Hop, please sign up for class on the 1st Tuesday of the month to get an introduction to the basics!
Level 2 | Intermediate
Level 2 is designed to help you push into more challenging territory and tackle more advanced concepts. Before joining Level 2, you should be comfortable mixing 6 & 8 counts as well as the basic patterns: Swingout, Circle, Send Out, Side Pass and tandem/side-by-side Charleston.
Choose your drop-in price in checkout 👇
Meet Your Instructor
Nick Williams | Lindy Hop, Balboa, Collegiate Shag
Nick Williams has been living and breathing swing dance since his very first class in 1998. From Lindy Hop to Balboa to Collegiate Shag, he’s had the rare privilege of studying directly with some of the original dancers—giving his dancing a deep connection to the roots of the art form. What makes Nick stand out is how he blends that authenticity with a fresh, evolving style full of precision, lightness, musicality, and energy that inspires both on and off the dance floor.
A decorated champion many times over—including titles like World Lindy Hop Champion, National Jitterbug Champion, and American Classic Balboa Champion—Nick has also choreographed for stages and screens, even appearing on So You Think You Can Dance.
But what students love most about him is his teaching. Nick has a gift for breaking down complex movements into simple, actionable steps, making learning both approachable and fun. His classes are full of laughter, clarity, and “aha” moments that stick. Fueled by his love of music and movement, Nick is always growing as a dancer and teacher—and he can’t wait to pass that inspiration on to you.
Sign up for Nick’s Lindy Hop classes at Motivo Dance LA on Monday and Tuesday nights!
About Lindy Hop Dance
Lindy Hop is an exuberant and joyful social dance that originated in the African American communities of Harlem, New York City, during the late 1920s and 1930s. Often performed to the lively rhythms of jazz music, Lindy Hop combines elements of both partnered and solo dancing and is known for its improvisational nature and syncopated footwork.
Historically, the dance emerged alongside the swing jazz music of the era, with its name coined as a nod to Charles Lindbergh's "hop" across the Atlantic Ocean. Lindy Hop gained widespread popularity during the Swing Era of the 1930s and 1940s, becoming a staple in dance halls around the United States and broke racial barriers, with integrated dance floors where people from diverse backgrounds could come together to share in the joy of dance.
Today, it is experiencing a revival and is celebrated in dance communities worldwide, epitomizing the joy, creativity, and unity found in music and movement.
Frequently Asked Questions
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No partner required! In class we rotate frequently so everyone gets a chance to dance and practice with different people. If you do come with a partner and prefer to stay together, that’s totally fine too. Just let the instructor know at the beginning of class.
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Wear shoes that are comfortable that you can move in. Dance shoes with suede soles are great, but not required — sneakers or flats with a smooth sole work just fine. Avoid shoes with a sticky, rubbery bottom, heavy boots, flip flops, or anything that sticks to the floor.
We also have shoes available for purchase at the studio when you’re ready to invest in a good pair of dance shoes!
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You can reserve your spot directly through Motivo LA’s app for iPhone or Android.
We recommend signing up in advance to guarantee your place and to make checking in before class quick and easy, but walk-ins are welcome!
We offer single drop-in class packages, 8-class packages, and 16-class packages. All classes expire one year from purchase, so you have plenty of time to use your credits!
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Yes! Motivo Dance LA offers weekly social practice sessions where you can apply what you’re learning in class in a fun, relaxed environment. It’s the perfect way to get more comfortable dancing with different partners and to enjoy the community.
Open practice sessions are included when you take any class that evening at the studio!