First Timers Club: What happens when you finally say 'yes' to a swing dance class
Nobody is born knowing what they are doing. We usually begin by failing—and that's part of the thrill. As a lifelong "bubble dweller," stepping into the unknown usually fills me with nerves and doubt. Yet, despite being an introvert, I’ve realized I actually love new experiences and meeting people.
This year, I committed to a series of "side quests"—low-stakes adventures like gym memberships and dance classes—to get out of my comfort zone and live a better story.
This time, it was Lindy Hop—a fast, playful swing dance. In Manila, the scene is led by Lindy Hop PH, a growing community of dancers who welcome beginners and veterans alike.
A new experience
Joycee Mejia, founder of Lindy Hop PH, leads Manila’s growing Lindy Hop community. Though the group has only been around for about two years, it already feels like a warm, welcoming community of people who simply love to dance.
For those unfamiliar, Lindy Hop is a partner dance that originated in Harlem, New York, in the late 1920s and 1930s. It grew alongside jazz music, borrowing its rhythm, improvisation, and playful spirit. There are steps to learn, yes, but there is also room to interpret, to joke, to respond to your partner and the music in your own way.
First steps and footwork fumbles
After introducing ourselves, we did some warm-ups. I suddenly felt painfully aware of my limbs; my arms did not know where to go, my feet felt permanently one beat behind—I thought I was going to be ‘swung’ everywhere.
Joining me for the second episode of PhilSTAR L!fe's First Timers Club was content creator Raco Ruiz, whose dance background—by his own admission—included PE class in college and musical theater in high school.
We were then divided into Leads and Follows. In Lindy Hop, Leads guide the dance and signal the moves, while Follows respond and interpret their partner’s cues. I picked Follow and gradually got the hang of the 8-count step, when suddenly we were asked to form a huge circle with a Lead, with Raco as my initial partner.
“Rotate!” Ms. Joycee shouted. At first, we were confused whether to rotate in place, only to realize the social part of the dance had begun. Follows rotated to a new Lead every few counts. This, I discovered, was the most fun part because you got to meet people, even if only briefly.
Just when you thought you had the steps down, it was time to rotate again. Over the course of the session, I was paired with nearly half the class. Some partners moved quickly and confidently, while others were hesitant like me, forcing me to stay present and improvise on the spot.
It was awkward, funny, and exhilarating all at once. Towards the end of the session, we reached the social dancing portion, where everyone shared the floor. This is what Lindy Hop is all about: connection, play, and improvisation.
“It was a fun experience,” Raco said. “I thought it would be complicated and hard to follow, but it was not as hard as I expected. But of course, kailangan ko pa mag practice, for sure. Like one session pa kailangan."
By the end of the night, I realized that stepping into Lindy Hop wasn’t just about learning dance steps. It was about embracing the unfamiliar, trusting others, and finding joy in a community that welcomes you—even if you’re a total beginner.
Watch the second episode of First Timer's Club below.