Classes & Practice

Lindy Hop & Balboa

Hit That Jive hosts classes & practice sessions throughout the year.

This page includes information on Balboa and Lindy Hop, the available class offerings, registration, and more!

Stay tuned for information on upcoming class series & practice sessions in 2026!

Location: Strathcona Community Hall (10139 87 Ave NW)

Please bring indoor shoes to help keep the venue clean.

What is Lindy Hop?

Lindy Hop is a partnered swing dance that began in the late 1920s in the dance halls of Harlem, NYC. Created by Black American dancers, the dance is rooted in the values and aesthetics of Black culture. Lindy Hop combines swinging rhythms & jazz steps, playful call-and-response, and dynamic footwork in a follow-lead partnership, danced to the incredible big band jazz music that was popular during this era.

What is Balboa?

Balboa is a partnered swing dance that was created in the late 1920s/early 1930s in the ethnically diverse communities of Southern California. The ballrooms were often crowded, with some venues enforcing strict rules of “no break-away”. As such, Balboa features intricate footwork and rhythms in a close connection, or closed-embrace, with a partner. Danced to swinging jazz and big band music which has its roots in Black American culture, Balboa is great for faster songs, but can be danced at any tempo.

We at Hit That Jive are so grateful to be guests of Black American culture that created and influenced the music and dances that we enjoy.

Your Instructors

Julie fell in love with swing dancing after attending her first Lindy Hop class in 2002. She has travelled the world to study Lindy Hop, Balboa, Charleston, and Vernacular Jazz, and has been a performer, choreographer, competitor, event producer, and teacher for over 20 years. Julie has taught classes & workshops across Canada, and has competition credits from events in Vancouver, Seattle, Montreal, Ottawa, and Edinburgh. One of the things she loves most about the swing-era dances is social dancing -  the creativity and spontaneity of an improvised conversation with another human to incredible jazz music. She is thrilled to share her knowledge and love of these dances with her students. Off the dance floor you may spot Julie saving the galaxy with her friends on Batuu, drawing creatures & robots, or on the hunt for nerdy earrings.

Kate was put into dance classes as a toddler in a feeble attempt to make her less clumsy. Now, she’s only a klutz when she’s not dancing. She grew up dancing tap and ballet and found Lindy Hop in 2013. It was love at first dance. After quickly developing a Lindy obsession, Kate started teaching in 2015. Since then, she has enjoyed learning other dances including Balboa, Blues, Charleston, Fusion, Vernacular (solo) Jazz, and West Coast Swing. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, Kate has taken a special interest in both-role and switch dancing as a way to break down gendered limitations and make the dance accessible to more people.

John started dancing Lindy Hop in 2010, and dove in immediately, taking classes, performing, and social dancing as much as he could. He found Balboa a few years later, and was captivated by the mechanics and feel of the dance. John loves to teach, especially new students, and brings extensive experience to his classes from his movement background in martial arts, and his ability to analyse and thoughtfully break down material. When he’s not dancing, you’ll find John DMing an epic adventure, on a baseball diamond, or playing video games.

Hit That Jive’s dance classes are generously supported by the Province of Alberta through Alberta Foundation for the Arts.