Registration for spring 2026 courses opens 20 december, 2025 at 12:00 and ends 4 january, 2026 at 21:00

Should you have a query on SwingO’s courses, please contact us: swingviini(at)gmail.com

NB! In addition to the weekly courses we organize theme courses.

Come and dance Lindy Hop, Balboa and solo jazz with us! See more information about the courses below.  Membership fee will be added to the course fee unless you have already paid it for the ongoing season. You can also register just as a member, which gives you access to our ‘members only’ events and practice hours.

There are following discounts available:

• 10 € discount for students, unemployed and seniors with an applicable certification. The discount applies to full-season courses.

• If participating in more than one course, the additional course costs 40 € (instead of the full price). The discount is applied to the course with a lower price.

We aim to have even pairs on our weekly courses. You can register alone but by registering with a partner you will have a much better chance of getting in. The courses can fill up quickly so make sure to register early.

Please make sure to read our terms and conditions before registering.

LINDY HOP DANCE COURSES IN OULU spring 2026

Lindy Hop is a partner dance that has its roots in 1930's New York, Harlem. Lindy Hop is often called “the mother of swing dances” as many other swing dances are based on Lindy Hop. Improvisation is a big part of this dance, and it is mostly danced to swing music. Lindy Hop is a fun and laid-back dance that is getting more and more popular all over the world. It is easy to get into Lindy Hop as you can get by with just the basic steps and a few basic moves on the dance floor.

Levels

• Beginners/Improvers

• Intermediate

• Intermediate Advanced

• SwingO Aces’ Special (Intermediate / Intermediate Advanced)

Please note that you can participate in the same level for several years in a row since it is important to know the contents required in your level before moving on to the next one. The curriculum of each course also varies every year.

beginners/improvers, LINDY HOP

Time: Tuesdays at 18.00–19.15 (12 classes in total, 75 min per class)
Place: Kulttuuritalo Valve, dance hall 3 (Hallituskatu 7, 90100 Oulu)
Teacher: Ilpo Sjöman & Irene Räty
Classes: January 20 – April 14, 2026 (No classes on March 3, 2026)
Price: 10 € discount for autumn course participants who register by 19 December 2025 at 18:00! 145 € regular price / 135 € for students, unemployed, and pensioners (+ 17 € membership fee if you haven't paid it for the 2025–2026 season). The course fee can be paid in two installments upon request.

DESCRIPTION

The spring Beginners/Improvers course continues from where the autumn beginner course left off. Sign up for this course if you attended the beginner course in autumn 2025.

The goal is to learn the basic skills needed for social dancing. The focus is on finding connection with your partner in both open and closed positions. At the Beginners/Improvers level, we will practice fundamental Lindy Hop steps and figures. The spring course will review the material from autumn, and we will continue working on the Shim Sham solo routine. New content will include, among other things, Charleston variations and kick-step footwork. We will also try incorporating simple jazz movements into partner dancing (for example, steps familiar from the Shim Sham).

Participation in the Beginners/Improvers course requires completion of the autumn beginner course or equivalent skills. The course provides an excellent foundation for continuing your dance journey.

The language of instruction is Finnish.

INTERMEDIATE, LINDY HOP

Time: Thursdays at 18.30–20.00 (12 classes in total, 90 min per class)
Place: Kisakentän päiväkoti (Kisakenttä daycare center) (Koskitie 9, 90500 Oulu)
Teachers: Ilpo Sjöman & Outi Atkin
Classes: January 22 – April 23, 2026 (No classes on March 5 and April 2, 2026)
Price: 10 € discount for autumn course participants who register by 19 December 2025 at 18:00! 155 € regular price / 145 € for students, unemployed, and pensioners (+ 17 € membership fee if you haven't paid it for the 2025–2026 season). The course fee can be paid in two installments upon request.

DESCRIPTION

The spring Intermediate Beginners course continues from where the autumn course left off. Sign up for this course if you attended the Intermediate course in autumn 2025.

Participants at the Intermediate Beginners level already know the basics of Lindy Hop and have been dancing Lindy Hop weekly for about 1.5 years. You are familiar with the fundamental steps and figures such as the swing out, lindy circle, and side-by-side Charleston. In addition to triple steps and groove steps, you also know kick steps. You can dance together with a partner and feel confident attending Lindy Hop socials and events.

At the Intermediate Beginners level, we will work on dancing key Lindy Hop figures with solid technique while developing your individual style. We will also practice listening and dancing to the structure, dynamics, and changes in swing music. You will get to know jazz movements characteristic of Lindy Hop and learn to use them to diversify your dancing. The international English vocabulary commonly used in Lindy Hop will also become familiar during the course.

The language of instruction is Finnish, but Outi can help you out in English if needed.

INTERMEDIATE ADVANCED, LINDY HOP

Time: Wednesdays at 17.15–18.45 (6 classes in total, 90 min per class)
Place: Koskelan päiväkoti (Koskela daycare center) (Tuulaakitie 3, 90560 Oulu)
Teacher: Anni Heikkinen & Vili Kellokumpu
Classes: March 11 – April 15, 2026
Price: 10 € discount for autumn course participants who register by 19 December 2025 at 18:00! 90 € (+ 17 € membership fee if you haven't paid it for the 2025–2026 season). No discounts on this course.

DESCRIPTION

Participants in the Intermediate course are already well along in their Lindy Hop dancing. You have attended intermediate/upper beginner weekly classes or have been dancing Lindy Hop weekly for several years. You actively take part in Lindy Hop socials and may already have attended domestic or international dance camps. You are able to vary your dancing through rhythm and have a fairly extensive dance vocabulary.

The language of instruction is Finnish.

SwingO Aces’ Special (Intermediate / Intermediate Advanced)

Time: Wednesdays at 17.30–18.45 (7 classes in total, 75 min per class)
Place: Koskelan päiväkoti (Koskela daycare center) (Tuulaakitie 3, 90560 Oulu)
Teacher: Rotating teachers
Classes: January 14 – February 25, 2026
Price: 10 € discount for autumn course participants who register by 19 December 2025 at 18:00! 70 € (+ 17 € membership fee if you haven't paid it for the 2025–2026 season).No discounts on this course.

DESCRIPTION

In this course, long-time Lindy Hoppers from Oulu will share/teach their favourite moves and variations, including Shim Sham variations, Lindy Charleston, fast Lindy Hop, and Lindy Hop with acrobatic flair. A taster class in Collegiate Shag is also included! (The course content will be specified later.)

Participants are expected to have at least one year of dance experience at the Intermediate level.

Teachers: Miia Perälä & Jarmo Riihijärvi, Mari & Vili Kellokumpu, Outi Atkin & Ilpo Sjöman, Heidi Granlund & Ilpo Sjöman, Satu Hiltunen & Heikki Haikola, Tiina Kumpumäki & Uoti Huotari and Marianna Manninen & Asmo Aro-Heinilä

BALBOA DANCE COURSES IN OULU spring 2026

Balboa is a swing dance originating from 1920s California, now widely danced around the world. Balboa can be danced in a close embrace (Pure Bal) or in a more open and visually expressive style (Bal-Swing). Its characteristics include a quick, precise rhythm, an upright posture, and a good connection between partners. Balboa is usually danced to fast swing music, making it perfect for the quicker songs of a dance evening and, as a dance that requires little space, particularly well-suited for crowded dance floors.

INTERMEDIATE /intermediate advanced LEVEL, BALBOA 

Time: Wednesdays at 19.00–20.30 (7 classes in total, 90 min per class)
Place: Koskelan päiväkoti (Koskela daycare center) (Tuulaakitie 3, 90560 Oulu)
Teacher: Vesa Ojala
Classes: January 14 – February 25, 2026
Price: 10 € discount for autumn course participants who register by 19 December 2025 at 18:00! 105 € regular price / 95 € for students, unemployed, and pensioners (+ 17 € membership fee if you haven't paid it for the 2025–2026 season). The course fee can be paid in two installments upon request.

DESCRIPTION

The course is designed for those who already have a basic understanding of Balboa. It aims to improve fundamental Balboa techniques both in closed position (Pure Bal) and open position (Bal-Swing). Learning smooth and versatile leading and following skills, which are essential for this style, is a key focus of the course. Additionally, the course will cover new moves and variations as well as musical interpretation to enrich the dance experience. The course aims to progress at a reasonably brisk pace, taking into account the skill level of the group. By the end of the course, the goal is to be able to dance with good basic technique, enjoying smooth and varied dances with a partner. After completing the course, you will be able to dance Balboa stylishly even to the fastest swing songs, such as those played at Lindy Hop parties.

solo jazz dance course in oulu spring 2026

Time: Tuesdays at 19.30–20.45 (12 classes in total, 75 min per class)
Place: Kulttuuritalo Valve, dance hall 3 (Hallituskatu 7, 90100 Oulu)
Teacher: Irene Räty
Classes: January 20 – April 14, 2026 (No classes on March 3, 2026)
Price: 10 € discount for autumn course participants who register by 19 December 2025 at 18:00! 135 € regular price / 125 € for students, unemployed, and pensioners (+ 17 € membership fee if you haven't paid it for the 2025–2026 season). The course fee can be paid in two installments upon request.

DESCRIPTION

Solo jazz classes are solo dance lessons where you will learn movements and choreographies typical of jazz and swing music. These movements are also beneficial for Lindy Hop partner dancing. Rhythm and rhythmic play are central elements of this class, and the dancing can range from free and improvised to set choreographies. Irene bases her teaching on the fundamentals of jazz dance, authentic jazz steps from the 1920s to 1940s, body control, and improvisation.

Solo jazz is an excellent choice for those looking to improve body awareness, choreography memory, personal expression, and improvisation—all of which are valuable skills for partner dancing as well. The spring 2026 course will introduce a faster Charleston style. We will add jumps, kicks, and speed. You are welcome to join the course even if you haven’t danced Charleston before, as long as you have some previous experience in dance.

PARTICIPATE IN SEVERAL COURSES

If you participate in more than one course, the additional course costs only 40 €. The discount is applied to the course with a lower price.

SwingO reserves the rights to make changes in the course schedule.