AWESOME organization. Excellent classes. Fun dances. Wonderful people. Come to anything organized by Valerie/Get Hep Swing and you will walk away with at least one new friend and some sweet new dance moves. Details... I was surprised to see that there aren't more reviews for Get Hep Swing (Valerie Salstrom) on Yelp. Everything that was said in the 2010 review by Jennifer R. still holds true. Get Hep Swing has dances on the 2nd Fridays (Lakewood) and last Saturdays (Collinwood) of each month, with a 1 hour beginner-oriented lesson at the start and dancing to a live band that follows. Valerie regularly holds 5-week classes in East Coast Swing/Jitterbug, Lindy Hop, Balboa throughout the year at Brecksville Center for the Arts, with the addition of miscellaneous special workshops on other dances, such as Charleston, Shim Sham or other dances by request. Class language and approach are very gender neutral, and it is not uncommon to see men learning following roles, and women learning leading roles on occasion. Partners are never required and there are discounts for retaking a 5-week session, which many people take advantage of. Other noteworthy events/programs through Get Hep Swing: Valerie organizes and promotes, All Balboa Weekend, which is a world-class weekend event here in Cleveland that draws international attendance. In addition, she runs a free after-school swing dance program in Brooklyn Centre for elementary school students. If that doesn't excite you, Valerie also brings in nationally and internationally known professional dancers/instructors to teach or assist with her workshops and regular classes, which brings new ideas and approaches to the scene. My experience: I have been attending Get Hep Swing's monthly dances sporadically for about a year and a half and took my first 5-week class in Fall 2013, so I am still relatively new to the Get Hep Swing scene. However, I have to say that Valerie and the community of dancers she has built here in Cleveland is one of a kind. Valerie is enthusiastic, energetic, funny and makes dancing fun and easy to learn. She makes an effort to get to know every dancer at her events and classes. Not only is she an amazing instructor and dancer, but she has fostered a community of dancers that are inclusive, friendly and welcoming of new people. The advanced dancers make an effort to reach out to new people and dance with beginners. As a follower, I can attest that the more experienced leaders are all very patient and willing to give gentle feedback if you are open to it. Although Valerie and her Get Hep Swing classes/events hooked me, she and the awesome people in the dance community, along with the innovative workshops, are what will keep me around for a long time. read more

I have been taking swing dance lessons with Valerie for several months now, and will continue to do so. Her group classes are usually small and personal, (8-10 people) which I really like, and allows for a lot of personal instruction, unlike other group classes that I've gone too. The one large 5-week session (~20 people) I attended was also handled very well, though with less individual attention, obviously. Valerie and her instructors are knowledgeable about swing dancing, and either compete or judge competitions often. They are enthusiastic, and it's readily apparent that they enjoy swing dancing. They can be seen around town at the various dances, which gives me the feeling that it's more than just a job for them. Her instruction is relaxed, jovial, and interactive, which makes for a very fun experience! I don't get the feeling that I'm being taught, like in school, but rather discovering something new along with the rest of the class. She freely allows her male instructors to add their input to the class, and encourages students to ask questions or make observations. I've taken one personal lesson so far, which was worth every penny. Valerie pointed out areas which needed improvement, gave me a few suggestions on how to be a better lead, including taking a "cheat-sheet" of moves to dances, and began talking about the "musicality" of a song, which helps tie the musical rhythm and beat of the song to the physical dance movements. I intend to take more private lessons in the future. If you want to learn a fun way to spend a Friday or Saturday night out, take swing dance lessons at Get Hep Swing. read more

Dancing is fun to watch and fun to do, and yet it can feel intimidating for beginners- until that first lesson with Get Hep Swing. Valerie (the owner) is encouraging, nurturing, patient and friendly- despite being among the finest swing dance instructors in the world. Would you spend a few bucks for a basketball lesson from the head coach of the NBA champions? How about for a cooking lesson with a celebrity chef? That is akin to what you can treat yourself to through Valerie- who draws hundreds of enthusiastic participants to workshops nationally and abroad. Thousands of great dancers through the years have enjoyed performing flashy moves at regularly scheduled events, and yet they began with zero ability and zero confidence. They all have one thing in common- they got the ball rolling and attended a dance event or lesson. Many events she offers feature live bands and start with an hour-long lesson for beginners at no extra charge. Get Hep Swing can take your current dance ability (even if you have none) and take it wherever you wish it to go- and have you thoroughly enjoying the process! Do yourself a favor. Let Get Hep Swing introduce you to the lifetime of fun that can await you. For years, I've been enjoying the fun that was made possible by a few lessons (and I had no dance ability when I started). read more

Get Hep Swing offers a great dance experience! I have been attending GHS events and lessons for a year and they continue to impress. I support the monthly dances (with lesson prior) in Lakewood on the 2nd Friday as well as in Collinwood/Cleveland on the last Saturday of each month. The lesson is great for saying Hi to everyone since we rotate often, and is basic enough for new and beginner dancers as well as interesting for seasoned dancers. Everyone is friendly and it is common to dance with MANY different people during the evening. Guys AND Girls, don't hesitate to ask others to dance! Most people are ready to hop on the floor with new and old friends alike! I like continually taking the 5 week lesson sessions at Brecksville Center for the Arts. It's a great way to practice your dancing, learn new moves, and get to know others that attend the monthly dances. The sessions always offer something new and different. The dance and lesson schedules and band info can be found on the GetHepSwing website. read more

I'm so thankful that Cleveland has Get Hep Swing! Valerie is a wonderful and accomplished dancer whose love for swing comes shining through when she teaches. Whether you're brand new or have been dancing for years, she's going to make sure that you'll have fun. She always has different kinds of lessons going on, so make sure you check the website to see what's happening. Get Hep Swing has two monthly dances that draw hundreds of people. There are always new people to dance with and I think it's a good mix of skill levels. Besides that, Valerie chooses great bands to play each time! If you're thinking about getting into swing dancing, I can't recommend Get Hep Swing enough. read more

I've taken many dance classes with Valerie throughout the years. I started off with my first class as a beginner about ten years ago. Valerie and the other teachers are energetic and friendly. They love what they do, and it shows. The environment is very welcoming for beginners. She and her team also have the knowledge and skill to take you from a beginner to an advanced dancer. You can learn just enough to have a fun dance at a wedding or try out one of the monthly swing dances that Valerie coordinates. These dances have a free lesson beforehand and feature a live band. It's a fun night out and also a great workout! read more