I'm Erin!
"It all started with the desire to learn the Running Man…”.
It was 2020, we were stuck at home and I needed a way to blow off steam. Shuffle gave me an outlet for my energy, a creative task to focus on and unexpectedly, on a much deeper level, a connection to the shuffle community. I fell in love, hit the ground running (man) and haven’t stopped since!
In Australia, Erin trained in Modern Ballroom and Latin for 6+ years achieving bronze, silver and gold level accreditation under the Australian Dancing Society. Over the years she has enjoyed various other styles including Irish Dancing, Jazz, Heels and Musical Theatre.
Erin is a shuffle dance teacher and community builder who helps dancers gain confidence, master shuffle fundamentals and develop their own creative flow.
Since 2021, she has been teaching both in-person and online, creating resources for all skill levels and bringing people together through classes, performances and events.
She is excited to be a part of growing this emerging dance style across the lower mainland (and globally!). She looks forward to sharing her knowledge with experienced shufflers and welcoming beginner shufflers to this unique and FUN form of movement.
Let go of the reigns of perfectionism and get ready to sweat! Move. Create. Express. and Connect with Erin.
Shuffle is about movement. You can change the way you feel by changing the way you move your body. Shuffle tests and grows our physical capabilities. We persist, we sweat and we celebrate movement together, joyfully.
At its foundation, shuffle is a street style of dance with its roots in freestyle. This pushes us to listen, feel and create in real-time. Less emphasis placed on "am I doing it 'right' " and more on "does this feel good". Shuffle encourages us to let go of the reigns of perfectionism demanded by other dance styles and lets us find our creative flow.
Shuffle helps us express what we hear in the music, how we feel and who we are as creative beings. Whatever we face in our internal and external world, often expresses itself in our dance craft. We can use this to guide ourselves and inspire others.
This means different things to different people. Shuffle helps us connect with others, connect to the music, connect to source energy/the universe/God, connect with our bodies, our minds. Shuffle provides a universal language of joy that unites
Originating from Australia, Melbourne Shuffle is a freestyle dance characterized by "rocking" back and forth across the dance floor to vibrant (often electronic) dance music. Many sub-styles developed across the globe introducing different steps and energy but generally speaking, we contrast powerful stomping movement with smooth traveling steps to create a high-voltage floating aesthetic.
Shuffle dance is designed to be freestyle and expressive, allowing dancers to connect with the beat and rhythm of the music in an immersive almost trance-like way.
Shuffle dance primarily consists of five foundational movements: The 'Running Man', the 'T-step', Kicks, Slides & Glides and Spins. These elements can be combined and elaborated upon to create a vast array of shapes and sequences, making every shuffle dance unique to the dancer.
Shuffle dancing is not only about the physical movements but also about self-expression and creativity. Dancers are encouraged to add their own style and flair to their movements, making each dance a unique representation of their personality. The dance style fosters a sense of freedom and liberation, allowing dancers to lose themselves in the music and the movement.
Shuffle dancing has a strong communal aspect and it's often performed in social settings like clubs, music festivals, and dance gatherings, fostering a sense of community and connection among dancers.
The shared love for the music and the dance creates a strong bond among shuffle dancers, leading to the formation of local and global shuffle dance communities.
It's a dance form that allows individuals to connect with the music, express themselves, and be part of a global community, making it a truly unique and exhilarating form of dance.
Melbourne Shuffle Foundations Originating from Australia, Melbourne Shuffle is a freestyle dance characterized by "rocking" back and forth across the dance floor to vibrant (often electronic) dance music. We contrast powerful stomping movement with smooth traveling steps to create a high-voltage floating aesthetic. Beginners will learn the signature moves that define Melbourne Shuffle including the Running Man, T-Steps, Gallops & Glides. Experienced students will be encouraged to work on new variations and create their own unique flows. This dance style is perfect to bust out at home, social events, dance circles, clubs and music festivals!
Shaping Foundations Originating from the U.K., Shapes or Shaping is a freestyle dance characterized by intricate footwork and body positioning to create visually appealing lines to vibrant (often electronic) dance music. We use precision and control to create dynamic and visually impactful "shapes" with our bodies with heavy emphasis on footwork, legs and core. Beginners will learn the signature moves that define Shaping movement including the Diagonal Heels Running Man (Polly Pocket), Scissors, Criss-Cross and variations. Experienced students will be encouraged to work on new variations and create their own unique flows. This dance style is perfect to bust out at home, social events, dance circles, clubs and music festivals!
It all started in 2020 when Erin was looking for a way to blow off steam while being stuck at home. Shuffle dancing became an outlet for her energy, a creative focus, and a deep connection to the shuffle community.
Move: Shuffle focuses on movement and celebrating physical capabilities joyfully.
Create: Emphasizes freestyle and real-time creation, letting go of perfectionism.
Express: Helps express emotions, feelings, and identity through dance.
Connect: Connects with others, the music, and oneself, providing a universal language of joy.
Beginners can expect a welcoming environment where they can learn the fundamentals of shuffle dancing. The classes focus on movement, creativity, expression, and connection, encouraging students to let go of perfectionism and enjoy the dance.
You can sign up for in-person or online classes through the provided schedule and packages. For specific class dates and pricing, refer to the class details listed above.
Wear comfortable clothing that allows for free movement and a pair of supportive sneakers. It's also a good idea to bring a water bottle to stay hydrated.
The online shuffle packages provide access to pre-recorded lessons that you can follow at your own pace. Each package is designed to cater to different skill levels, from beginner to advanced.
You can stay updated on future classes and events by following Erin's social media channels, subscribing to newsletters, or regularly checking the website for announcements.
TESTIMONIALS
After 6 months of shuffling, I wanted to take my dancing to the next level and
Erin has been the best choice for that.
From a thorough consultation to adapting lessons on the fly,
she has already provided me with the confidence and
techniques to up my game on the dance floor
Erin does a great job of accommodating all skill levels. I always find myself optimally challenged during her classes. What I appreciate most is that the support doesn't stop after it's over. She does a great job outlining what was learned in her emails. She also sends us dope playlists and other resources to keep us busy. As someone new to shuffling I can't think of a better ambassador to the culture in the lower mainland. She's going above and beyond to build this community and I wholeheartedly recommend her classes.