Solo Jazz
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Solo Jazz ~
Sundays
Schedule:
9:00 - 10:00am Breathing & Mobility 8-week series
Instructor: Matt Nichols
level 1
Ready to groove, shimmy, and slide?
Join us for an 8-week journey into the fundamentals of Solo Jazz, a vibrant dance style rooted in the swing era and packed with personality, rhythm, and improvisation.
In this beginner-friendly series, you'll learn classic jazz steps like the Shim Sham, Suzie Q, and Charleston, while building coordination, musicality, and confidence on the dance floor. Each week builds progressively, giving you the tools to express yourself with style —no partner needed!
Book your spot!
What to expect:
Step-by-step breakdowns of foundational jazz moves
Fun, dynamic warm-ups and rhythm drills
Mini choreographies to bring it all together
A welcoming, supportive environment
Whether you’re brand new to dance or looking to expand your solo movement, this series is the perfect starting point!
Pricing
$25.00 Drop-in or save 20-30% with a punch card.
$180.00/month Unlimited Membership (all dance styles included)
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Solo Jazz, also known as Vernacular Jazz Dance, is a Black American art form deeply rooted in the cultural and musical traditions of the African American community. Like jazz music, it is inherently social and improvisational—qualities that reflect its rich heritage.
This dance style includes some of the most recognizable dances in American history, such as the Cakewalk, the Charleston, and the Lindy Hop.
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Every class will focus on a new jazz step, then put it into a progressive choreography.
Week 1: Basic Vernacular Jazz Steps: Stomps and the TOBA Break
Week 2: Basic Vernacular Jazz Steps: Charleston: John Bubbles Charleston
Week 3: Basic Vernacular Jazz Steps: Tackie Annies
Week 4: Basic Vernacular Jazz Steps: Breaking it down — how to hit the Breaks
Week 5: Basic Vernacular Jazz Steps: Learning the Shim Sham
Week 6: Basic Vernacular Jazz Steps: Charleston: Mabel Lee Charleston
Week 7: Basic Vernacular Jazz Steps: Slides and Spins - getting tricky with it
Week 8: Putting it all Together
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Isabella (Izy) Robledo is a dancer based in Orange County who has been passionately immersed in Solo Jazz, Balboa, and Lindy Hop since 2017. A seasoned competitor, she has earned recognition at events such as Camp Hollywood (Los Angeles, CA), Hot Rhythm Holiday (Austin, TX), Snowball (Stockholm), Lindyfest (Houston, TX), Minor Swing (Irvine, CA), Lindy Hopper’s Delight (Barcelona, Spain), All Lithuanian Weekend (Vilnius, Lithuania), Lindy Focus (Asheville, NC), and many more.
Izy’s dancing is rooted in conversational following, presence, musicality, rhythm, and expressive movement. Her love for swing music began at the age of ten, and her dance journey started even earlier—with classical ballet training from the age of three. Though she began swing dancing in partnered dances: Balboa and Lindy Hop, it was through her deep dive into Solo Jazz in 2020 that she discovered new layers of expression, which transformed her experience of connecting with a dance partner.
With a strong foundation in classical dance, a deep appreciation for jazz, and a passion for solo movement; Izy brings a unique perspective to her teaching and community work. She believes in helping students build a personal connection to their own dancing and to the music—prioritizing that relationship before focusing on partnered connection.