CODES OF CONDUCT
A few things we’re great at:
At all times, dancers are expected to behave in accordance with all rules and codes of conduct. We believe every dancer should feel safe and welcome at our studio.
Growth focus
Welcoming mistakes, our own and others’, as part of the learning process.
Calling on our patience, generosity and good humor to guide us in our conduct.
Understanding that everyone’s dance journey looks different and releasing expectations, choosing instead to be present with what is.
Embracing the joy of spontaneous communication, including its awkward moments.
Community
Warmly welcoming people of any background or circumstance.
Encouraging our peers toward their dance goals, without pressuring them.
Choosing to see the best in each other and ourselves.
Remaining conscious of the effect that our behavior has on the people around us.
Endeavoring to respectfully resolve issues with one another directly, knowing that support is readily available.
feedback
Freely offering kind, genuine and uplifting language to one another.
Avoiding comments that link a person’s value to their skill.
Enjoying social dance together without soliciting or offering corrections.
Embodying authentic presence, the opposite of evaluation.
Seeking to be wholeheartedly accepting of both partners as they are in this moment.
safety
Engaging with one another with care, concern, and in good faith.
Readily expressing our boundaries and limitations where relevant.
Honoring boundaries that are expressed to us.
Doing our best to pay attention to nonverbal cues and body language.
Prioritizing safety and comfort over every other consideration in a dance.
AUTONOMY
Appreciating that every dance is voluntary, so we each have the right to decline with or without explanation.
Graciously respecting each other’s choices.
Approaching personal differences with curiosity and openness.
Releasing any demand which may arise in us about the way our partner leads or follows.
ATTITUDE
Looking for reasons to be delighted with each and every dance.
Valuing people over skill.
Understanding that dancers of all levels can readily enjoy and find value in dancing together.
Appreciating the courage it takes to be a beginner in any scenario.
Adopting a beginner’s mindset no matter our level.
RESPECT
Understanding sensuality in dance in its context: completely unrelated to sex.
Encouraging others to express boundaries in the ways they find comfortable.
Celebrating the sensual nature of the human experience in a mature, grounded and unassuming way.
Keeping sexual talk, touch and interactions off of the dance floor and out of the environment entirely.
“While I dance I cannot judge, I cannot hate, I cannot separate myself from life. I can only be joyful and whole. That is why I dance.”
HANS BOS
Deanna is absolute magic. Taking dance lessons with her has been one of the most affirming, joyful, and healing experiences I’ve had in years… [She] teaches with a rare blend of precision, humor, patience, and deep emotional intelligence. Whether you’re brand new to partner dancing or returning after years away, Deanna brings such care and clarity to every step…If you’re looking for a teacher who sees the dancer and the human in you, look no further. Deanna doesn’t just teach dance—she teaches presence, connection, and the kind of joy that lingers long after class ends.
Amber
Deanna is an excellent teacher and I enjoy her attention to detail, technical skill, and ability to articulate her instruction well. I would highly recommend for anyone interested in West Coast Swing. As someone who was hesitant to take up dance, I can absolutely say her teaching has enriched my life. Do yourself a favor and take her classes!
Cody
Deanna is one of the best west coast swing instructors in the Spokane area. She invests in her dance and shares that knowledge with her students. She meets her students at the level they are at. Her personality is one of a kind. She’s very energetic and willing to really explain what she teaches so her students understand. Her musical background really helps with the musicality in west coast swing. I highly recommend joining one of her classes as she makes it really fun to learn…Deanna is a gem of a human, teacher, and a great role model.