JillyJazz At Electric Lodge

This is a great space with a wonderful, NYC-​raised, Luigi-​trained real jazz teacher: Jill Strauss. I didn’t know about Jilly Jazz or Electric Lodge until this last week and I am beyond thrilled to have a class on the Westside (i.e. not Studio City which is a major schlep from the Palisades).
There is a kids’ program taught by a lovely young dancer, Marina Munoz. She also teaches two adult classes.
I took the Tuesday night class and it was a blast: rigorous, great music, classic Luigi/​Hama warmup. The combination was fast and my brain not working perfectly but it is doable for an advanced beginner or intermediate. The across the floor Tuesday had two short combinations, both easy to pick up (one with kicks and another with turns) and both at a diagonal in pairs.
The studio is gorgeous with high, beamed wood ceilings and it was a dream to take a real jazz (not hip hop) class so close to my parents’ house, near where I studied with Hama back in the 1980s (Katnap on Venice by Walgrove).
And to make matters even better, there is a FREE parking lot! Off Abbott Kinney, this can be regarded as nothing short of a miracle.
16 a class. But 10 for 140 with no expiration date.
This is a RARE treat in any of LA but unheard of in WLA circa 2013

There are two teachers in the USA who really teach you how to dance jazz at its best.
One is Luigi in New York and the other THANKFULLY is Jill Strauss in LA.
Fun, elegant, broadway jazz, Jill’s quality teaching is electric, eduational and enriching.
Making you feel that indeed it is possible at the count of 5, 6, 7, 8 that you will strut across the floor one more time in style.
GO!

Jilly’s dance class is the BEST one in Los Angeles! I grew up here and have taken ballet & jazz since I was 10, Jilly’s is by far my favorite. She not only covers technique and style, but also those little extra touches and musicality that make dancers fabulous!
Jilly is also just an amazing person, who attracts other amazing people. The class is full of wonderful, down to earth people who love to dance… without any of that attitude that you might find at other studios.
Come try Jilly’s class! You’ll love it!

Jill is AMAZING! You have to try her class at least once and I almost guarantee that you’ll get hooked. I have about 20 years dance experience, classically trained at Pasadena Ballet Co. but danced for a fun dance group in college. Jill’s contemporary/​jazz style is the perfect balance. She does a technical ~30min warmup and then jumps into choreography for the rest of the class, which is my favorite part. :)
Jill’s class is great for dancers from every background, every age, and at every level! Jill is very encouraging, peppy, fun, and a great choreographer. It’s the perfect class for after work — you’ll sweat, you’ll be motivated by the dancers surrounding you, you’ll feel refreshed, and your body will thank you! Thanks Jill!!!

I have been taking jazz from Jill for 10 years. About 5 years ago I moved to Orange County but have been unable to find a dance class (or teacher) that I enjoy more than hers — so every week I drive up to take her class, and it is worth every minute in the car! Jill’s class is energizing yet soothing, and overall inspiring. The environment she creates is friendly, supportive, and loving. On top of it, Jill is an amazing person and role model — She really teaches and gives to her students from a place of love. Come dance with us!

Jill Strauss is a master, her class and choreography is built on a foundation that heals the body and creates integrity throughout the body system of muscle, bone and breath. I am telling you that she is hands down the best jazz dance teacher in Los Angeles, maybe even America, maybe the world! Each movement is supported and creates a continuing strength and fluidity. Dancing with Jill is incredibly healing for the body. The sensual movement and joyful choreography does something incomparable for the soul. I am totally renewed every single time I take her class. Traditional jazz and innovative choreographed strokes of genius allow for personal expression. And if that were not plenty enough, she creates a community of dancers, some of who have been dancing with her for fourteen years. Dancers from the age of eight years to seventy years avail themselves of Jill’s elixir of dance. Great for both growing bodies and those in their Autumnal years, a beautiful tapestry of generation is just part of the usual dance class.
I am the survivor of a car accident that professionals didn’t believe I would survive. I was lucky to keep my right leg. I was lucky to be able to walk. Over the years I have been in a healing process and Jill Strauss has been a very important aspect of that healing journey. And I can dance! Her classes are fun! Not only that, Jill has a true, viable and legitimate claim to jazz dance heritage as she truly upholds the tradition. She is the protégé of Luigi, of New York. Both she and Luigi were involved in car accidents and in the aftermath were told they would «never dance again.» Luigi developed a dance technique that some describe as a kind of dancing Pilates. Jill acquired this special technique from Luigi and he also passed on his wisdom as a dance instructor to Jill in the dance studios of New York. Over time, Jill has added her own unique knowledge to this wisdom and the result is extremely rewarding and exciting for her students. Take a class at The Electric Lodge or Westside Dance Academy with Jill Strauss and you will experience a new level of dance that will make you yearn for more.

I owe Jilly so much! I used to dance years ago and stopped after age 35. I am so thankful I found Jilly’s jazz dance classes. Her classes gave me the confidence to try again after many years. I now have my dancer’s body back! Her classes have the famous Luigi warm-​up and her wonderful choreography. She is a terrific teacher and so much fun! She encourages the best in her dancers regardless of dance background, age, etc. I highly recommend her classes to anyone who wants to discover or rediscover their «inner dancer»!