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We’re thrilled to announce that Bal Haus is bringing Jennifer Barnett and Dan Repsch to the Bay Area for a special Balboa workshop!Jen and Dan are dynamic teachers and performers with deep roots in the global Balboa community. Jen discovered Balboa after college and quickly became a driving force in the Philadelphia scene before bringing her talents to New York; she has taught and competed internationally with standout performances at Lincoln Center and the Museum of Natural History, and is known for pairing technical clarity with humor and creativity. Dan is a veteran instructor, DJ, and organizer who has worked across four continents, from local dances to major international events, with a teaching style that emphasizes connection, innovation, and musicality, inspiring dancers to push boundaries and find freedom in their movement. Together, they bring a wealth of experience, artistry, and inspiration to every class—and they can’t wait to share some exciting topics with you, so don’t miss this chance to level up your Balboa!
***THE WORKSHOP***
Saturday Workshop (all levels)
Open to dancers of all levels with a foundation in Balboa or swing dance fundamentals. This track is best suited for those who are comfortable dancing all the basic Balboa figures at tempos of 180+ BPM and are ready to refine their skills.
Topics:
- Full Send Connection
Break your Balboa away from patterns by focusing on how you communicate movements. We'll work on precision lead-follow dynamics by exploring connection to the floor, our partner, and our own axis of balance.
- Slow Dancing
What happens when Slow Bal and Blues come together and create something unique that still honors the music we all love? Come find out!
Sunday Workshop (Int-Adv+)
Designed for experienced Balboa dancers with a solid repertoire of moves and styling that can be danced with a wide range of partners, including less experienced ones. Participants should be able to maintain flow and musicality at both high tempos (220+ BPM) and slow tempos (around 80 BPM for Slow Bal).
Please note that the Sunday workshop is by invitation only. If you don’t get an invite by September 10 but feel ready, please send us an audition video of you partner dancing balboa to a song of your choice at 220+ BPM. ([email protected])
Topics:
- Musicality Through Rhythm
Dig deep into complex rhythms that will enrich how you express musicality both within your own body and as a partnership.
- How to Be an Influencer
Explore ways to increase the clarity and richness within the flow of ideas between partners.
***SCHEDULE***
Saturday: 4 hours (1–5 PM)
Sunday: 3 hours (1–4 PM)
Hours include breaks to rest, ask questions, get feedback, and practice with fellow attendees.
***PRICE***
Register early to secure your spot and avoid missing out!
(Price includes FREE admission to the evening Bal Haus dance party)
$70 Early Bird: until September 21 (11:59 PM)
$80 Regular: September 22 – October 3 (11:59 PM)
$90 Walk-in: Cash or Venmo only (if space allows; walk-ins may not be accepted if full or if there’s a lead/follow imbalance).
👉 Register here: https://square.link/u/7rwY5gJ6
(Sunday workshop registration link will be included in the invitation emails.)
🎥 Want a preview of Jen and Dan’s dancing?
Jen: (CalBal 2024)
Dan: (ABW 2019)
***PRIVATE LESSONS***
Jen and Dan are available for private lessons while they are in town (October 3–7). If you’re interested, email [email protected] to book a slot. Please provide your availability when emailing.
***PUBLIC SAFETY and LAST-MINUTE CANCELLATIONS***
If you cannot attend due to health concerns, you may request a refund or credit up to four hours before the workshop begins. You can also transfer your pass directly to another dancer to help us avoid transaction fees. Please note that we cannot accommodate cancellations for other reasons. For assistance, email [email protected] or message us on Facebook.
***ABOUT THE INSTRUCTORS***
Jennifer Barnett
Jen started with tap in preschool, later discovering Balboa after college. She quickly became active in the scene, co-running beloved Philly events like Jazz Attack and Bal Jam ’08, and now calls New York home. She has taught across North America, Asia, and Europe, regularly competes (famously once placing both first and second in the same Mix & Match), and has performed everywhere from Lincoln Center to the Museum of Natural History.
As a teacher, Jen tries to balance her straight-forward manner and high expectations with lots of love, humor, and support for her students. She’s known for being able to teach truly multi-level classes where everyone is challenged to push their best a little farther. Never forgetting to address both follows and leads, Jen blends a clear, technical presentation of practical advice with the creativity and improvisational spirit that make swing dancing so enjoyable.
Dan Repsch
Dan is immersed in the music and the movement. As a teacher, his enthusiastic approach brings a focus on innovation, connection, and attention to your partner. As a veteran instructor and DJ, he's worked for events across 4 continents, for everything from international events to local dances. He’s also organized both locally and for international events, including a Head DJ role in BluesSHOUT! and The Balboa/Blues Experiment. In the end, Dan is most excited to work hard at improving the dance and to see people break through their boundaries.
📷: Jen by Steve C. Wong); Dan by A&C Photographie
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
136 Missouri St, San Francisco, CA 94107-2425, United States
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