Jive Dance Classes In Ottawa
Jive With Joy
Jive dance classes at DQ Ballroom & Fitness Ottawa teach the fastest of the five International Latin dances, with rock-and-roll-rooted kicks, flicks, and a bouncing basic. It is the most physically demanding Latin dance, taught at beginner and intermediate level, and the most-requested dance at our Friday Night Party.
Jive Dance Classes For Beginners
Kick And Flick
Beginner Jive teaches the basic in place, the Walks, the Rocks, the chassé, and the Change of Place from right to left. We focus on the bounce and the timing of the kick-ball-change before adding more figures.
- checkBasic in place and chassé
- checkWalks and Rocks
- checkChange of Place left and right
- checkKick-ball-change timing
Jive Classes For Intermediate Dancers
Speed Up The Footwork
Intermediate Jive expands to the Whips, Spins, the Stop and Go, the Miami Special, and the Toe Heel Swivels. We work on the speed and precision of the kicks, the partnership timing on lead changes, and the floor craft that lets Jive travel without crashing on a busy floor.
- checkWhips and Spins
- checkStop and Go and Miami Special
- checkWalks and Toe Heel Swivels
- checkSpeed and precision
Your First Class
A quick look at how a class actually flows from start to finish.
- 015 min early
Arrive and sign in
Sign in at reception, change shoes, and meet your instructor.
- 02~5 min
Warm-up
A short warm-up to set posture and alignment. The figures we build later all sit on top of this.
- 03~30 min
Learn the figures
Your instructor breaks down each step in small pieces, demonstrates with a partner, then walks you through it slowly with the music.
- 04~15 min
Practice
Run through the figures with your partner. Your instructor circulates to give individual feedback and corrections.
Find Your Spot In A Jive Class
Jive is one of the most energetic dances on the floor — fast, physical, and impossible not to enjoy. Browse the schedule and pick a class that fits your week.
Jive is taught at DQ Ballroom & Fitness as part of our International Latin program. If Jive catches your interest, you might also enjoy our other International Latin dances. You can also browse all of our dance classes to see the full lineup.
Real Reviews From Real Dancers
Pulled from our Google profile.
50+ Google reviews
“The best dance studio in Ottawa. It has a huge dance floor, perfect for International Ballroom. They offer classes for all ages, all levels and various styles, with world-class instructors.”
Karen Lo
a year ago
“Melanie helped us create the perfect choreo for our wedding dance. She was amazing, always nice and patient, extremely professional and experienced. She made us feel comfortable and we made a lot of progress.”
Rebecca Scano
10 months ago
“Melanie & Lionel are excellent instructors, very knowledgeable and fun to work with. The studio has a beautiful dance floor, one of the most spacious in Ottawa. The Friday dance parties and special events are my favourite, not to be missed!”
Mirka Strmiskova
a year ago
“I am very satisfied to dance at DQ where I have learned to dance with precision, style and control. Instructors are highly skilled, teach with a sense of humour, and adapt to your learning objectives.”
Yvan Beaulieu
a year ago
“A welcoming dance studio for all ages and dance experience. The instructors are knowledgeable and patient. Lots of styles to choose from on the schedule and the prices are fair. Having a really nice time in the group classes as well as the social dances.”
Catherine H
a year ago
“If you're looking for a dance studio in Ottawa, whether you have zero experience or you're a seasoned dancer, this is your sign to stop looking and try DQ Ballroom & Fitness.”
Clara Miller
a year ago
Common Questions
The questions we hear most from new students.
Is Jive the same as Swing or Lindy Hop?expand_more
Related but different. International Jive shares 1930s swing-era roots with American Jitterbug and East Coast Swing, but it has been refined into the International Latin syllabus with a stricter figure structure and competitive timing. Lindy Hop is a separate American social dance.
Is Jive a good cardio workout?expand_more
Yes. Jive and Samba are the two most cardio-intensive Latin dances. Most students notice their stamina improving in the first few weeks of consistent Jive classes.
What music is Jive danced to?expand_more
Rock-and-roll, jive, and faster swing tracks at roughly 44 beats per minute. Many Latin pop tracks with a strong four-on-the-floor pulse work for Jive practice.
Is Jive a good dance to start with?expand_more
Yes. Jive is an excellent starting point if you want energy from day one. Beginner classes focus on the bounce, the basic timing, and getting the kick-ball-change to feel natural — no prior Latin experience needed.
Stay In The Loop
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Class openings, social party announcements, and the occasional welcome offer for new students.
Sign Up For A Jive Class
Browse the schedule, pick a class that fits your week, and reserve your spot.