Balboa Workshop: Flip the Role

An 8-hour intensive workshop to explore Balboa from the other side

Balboa followers, have you ever wondered what it feels like to lead: to offer clear support, share your ideas, and invite your partner into musical expression?

Balboa leaders, are you curious about what it feels like to follow: to quiet the noise, connect, listen, and respond in your own way?

Or simply, do you want the freedom to dance with anyone in the community, in whichever role you feel like, without having to wait for the “right” opportunity? This workshop is for all of you.

Dates: Saturdays, March 21 & March 28, 2026

Schedule (both days): 

12:00-14:00 Class

14:00-15:00 Fika

15:00-17:00 Class

Price: 900 SEK for SSS members, 1100 SEK for non-members.

Note: Registration and pricing are for the full two-day workshop. If you can only attend one day, you're welcome to join on the first day, but the second day cannot be attended on its own.

This workshop is for you if you

• Have been dancing Balboa in one role for a while (your usual role) and want to try the other role (your new role).

• Want to learn the new role faster than in regular beginner classes, since you already have some Balboa knowledge.

• Are familiar with Pure-Bal Basics, Lollies, Basic Turn, Out & In, and Come Around in your usual role, or you consider yourself no longer a “Balboa baby”.
 

What we’ll work on

• Learning the new role, from fundamentals to an intermediate level. We also play with switching between roles to add fun and challenge.

• Breaking Balboa down into core elements, such as rhythms, connections, and movement patterns, so you can recombine the elements and play, rather than just learn fixed moves.

• Encouraging initiative, listening, and feedback from both roles, highlighting how each role contributes to a comfortable and enjoyable dance.
 

Workshop structure: 4 sessions, 2 hours each

Topics will include:

• Pure-Bal fundamentals

• Bal-Swing fundamentals

• Mixing Pure-Bal and Bal-Swing

• Switching between roles (leading and following)

What you’ll gain

• Freedom to dance with more people in the community

• Confidence to register as either role for classes and events

• Fresh understanding of your usual role by experiencing the other side

• Simply more fun, spontaneity, and creativity in your dancing

Meet the teachers

Academic researchers by day, and swing dance nerds by night, Xiao, Qingyun, and JC share a deep love for Balboa and for dancing in both roles. They are regulars at international events and workshops, bringing a diverse perspective shaped by learning from many inspiring international teachers.          They have taught Balboa, Lindy Hop, and Shag, and have also hosted the popular Bal Talk series at SSS.

Their teaching focuses on helping dancers understand how Balboa works and feels, rather than relying only on memorized patterns. They support confidence, comfort, and playfulness in both roles. Feel free to talk to any of them if you have questions about the workshop!
 

About choosing your role at registration

Register in the new role (the role you will spend more time learning during the workshop). For example, if you usually follow and want to learn leading, sign up as a leader. Role balance will not be an issue. Our teaching design accommodates uneven numbers, ensuring that everyone will be admitted and will almost always be dancing. 
 

Cancelation policy: 
If you are unable or choose not to attend a course you have registered for, you must cancel by email to kurser@swedishswing.se.
If you: 
- cancel more than 3 days before the course starts, a cancellation fee of SEK 100 will be charged.
- cancel less than 3 days before the course starts, the full course fee will be charged.