Strictly Westie SOLID GOLD Technique Intensive!

If the quality of a class can be measured, then these workshops are worth their weight in 18k gold. Jen Czarkowski and Michael Diener are such a revelation. They have what no one else possesses: the magic key to the west coast swing kingdom.

During the worst winter of our lifetime at least 25 of the 30+ people who registered - actually managed to brave their way through the bitter cold
streets of NYC every week to come to
Connolly's in Times Square. 

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They know so much about the dance and surprised me – a seasoned veteran of lessons – with their ability to teach. Hey all you dance teachers and schools out there - check it out! There's always someone with great new ideas and right now, its Michael and Jen!

Together, this dynamic duo designed this series to focus on a distinct theme each week. Goals and challenges were clearly defined. They focused on basics with a combination of personal attention and practice.

During the first session, everyone was asked to write down what it is they most wanted to learn. Every effort was made to cover that particular issue. Also, each person was taken aside and shown their Achilles Heel. While some were receiving individual attention, the group practiced together. At the end of the hour, people were paired and video taped.

In week two, the theme was to clean up the push and underarm turn. Lots of misconceptions develop from our early lessons. The time has come for better ideas. Everyone rotated and practiced as Michael and Jen assisted each person.

Week three saw Michael and Jen focus on achieving smoothness through the use of the “rolling count.” This goes: 1 and ah 2 and ah 3 ... Also, the class explored the concept of connection in a variety of ways. As always, there was individual attention.


The first order of business in week four was to clean up the tuck turn. Michael took the guys aside helped then comprehend the tuck connection.

Jen explained the follower footwork to make the tuck travel and also showed a stylized version which was very helpful. Her technique is so clear that one can emulate her directly.

Wonder Woman Czarkowski is a natural born teacher! WW is direct. She sees - she says - and it is suddenly so simple. (Well, at least intellectually!)

At the end of the series, Jen talked about dancing with confidence; how to be sexy without looking silly; and gave some suggestions for arm styling.




So much really great information was clearly offered, but there was NOT nearly enough time to absorb it all!

I finally understood some of what other teachers had been trying to tell me.

Here’s what SOME of the students had to say:.

Michael and Jen's intensive class focuses on fundamentals and proper technique. Cornerstones of the proper look and feel of west coast swing which make this dance so exciting and beautiful. What sets them apart from other teachers is individualized attention. They've created a group class with a feel of a private. Not an easy fit but they managed to pull it off nicely. Video taping of the students in the class is a great teaching tool they have in their bag of tricks..." Yulia Falkovich

"Michael and Jen's intensive provides a lot of individual attention. They use topics like basic patterns, connection and movement to identify areas of individual improvement and work with each dancer to show them what they need to work on ... and how." Tom Clancy

"Taking these workshops was a delight. Michael and Jen were able to communicate technique in a way that was simple and memorable. I left each class excited about practicing --- it was simultaneously challenging and encouraging." Hannah Officer

"I had been away from WCS for about 8 months for personal family reasons. The Dance Intensive was an awesome way to return. Not only did I get the basics back under my feet, but Jen and Michael bumped us up several notches to understand how the really great dancers look and move so smoothly."

Steve Boyer

"The group was really wonderful to work with. Everyone was very eager to learn and they worked really hard. Over the course of four weeks they made a lot of improvements and I'm very proud of them. :) " Jen Czarkowski 

Give Michael and Jen a try. What do you have to loose? They understand our frustration and listen to us.
     Its swing technique + a little therapy!


Michael and Jen will be repeating the Intensive workshops in March.  They plan to film each student, talk about spins and turns, connection and additional ideas and concepts that are dependent on the individual attendees. http://www.strictlywestie.com/