Pre-Bronze Syllabus

The LineDanceSport Pre-Bronze Series, intended as an introductory dance training course for children, is a set of ten lessons (five lessons each in Pre-Bronze I and Pre-Bronze II) that help beginners become familiar with syllabus-based dance concepts. The Level I lessons introduce them to basic dance concepts (which foot is free, how dancers are counted in, etc.), plus gets them to recognize five rhythms (Merengue, Rumba, Foxtrot, Tango, Swing). Level II introduces more dance technique and more rhythms (Salsa, Nightclub, Swing again, Hustle, and Foxtrot again).

Each lesson introduces a set of basic step patterns, and then after they can perform those patterns, the patterns are combined into a sequence of steps, like a line dance. A typical session is 7-8 weeks, with 5 weekly lessons plus 1-2 lessons of review and exams, and then a big final show for the families and friends of the dancers.

The Pre-Bronze Syllabus is arranged as follows:

LineDanceSport Pre-Bronze Level I

Lesson #1: Merengue
Concept: No '&' counts, weight change on every beat.
Patterns: Straight & curving walks forward & back, Butterfly, Side-together, 1/4 & 1/2 walkaround turns
Dance: Hot Caribbean Attitude

Lesson #2: Rumba
Concept: Still no '&' counts, different speed steps using SQQ timing, a basic box
Patterns: Rumba box, Step-kick & Step-ronde, 1/4 & 1/2 inside turns, Hip sways
Dance: Enchanted Rumba

Lesson #3: Foxtrot
Concept: Livelier steps still using SQQ timing, a different basic box
Patterns: Step-brush, Foxtrot box
Dance: Foxee

Lesson #4: Tango
Concept: Play-acting within the dance, Promenade position, another different basic box, Moving without weight change
Patterns: Tango box, Promenade walks, Corte, Touch ending
Dance: Hideaway Tango

Lesson #5: Swing
Concept: The '&' count, a non-box basic, pivot turns
Patterns: Rock step, Single swing basic, Swing turns, Swivels
Dance: Beeswing

LineDanceSport Pre-Bronze Level II

Lesson #6: Salsa
Concept: Salsa timing, grapevine, 5 basic foot positions
Patterns: Mambo basic, Side basic, Vines with flares, 5th position break, 5th position break with turn
Dance: Caliente

Lesson #7: Nightclub
Concept: Slow dance timing, Swing & sway
Patterns: Nightclub basic, 1/4 Monterey turn, Scissors
Dance: Smooth Nightclub

Lesson #8: Swing
Concept: More advanced Swing concepts, Hearing and dancing to the offset '&' beat, Chasse
Patterns: Double swing basic, Chasse forward and back, Jazz box, Kick ball change
Dance: Mad Swing

Lesson #9: Hustle
Concept: Dancing to a simpler rhythm
Patterns: Double hustle basic, syncopated vine, Step-touch
Dance: Travolting

Lesson #10: Foxtrot
Concept: More advanced Foxtrot concepts
Patterns: 360 right and left, Toe strut turning jazz box
Dance: Foxfire

Step sheets for all dances taught in the LineDanceSport Pre-Bronze Syllabus can be downloaded here.

If you are teaching this in a school, the school system may hope to see some sort of student evaluation system, so LineDanceSport.com has "Charts Books" available in packs of 10 at the Catalog page. Each child gets their own personalized book, and the teacher checks off each pattern as they learn it and demonstrate it in exams. When the class ends, they have a great souvenir of their experience to take home.