Private Lesson Training Pathway Policy:
At District Dance Academy we believe great dancers are developed through a team of instructors.
Every instructor at DDA has been personally trained by Hugo & Stacy in the DDA methodology and syllabus. Each teacher brings unique strengths and perspectives that help students grow faster and build a deeper understanding of dance.
Because Hugo & Stacy’s schedule is intentionally limited, their private lessons are reserved for advanced coaching and students who have progressed through the DDA training pathway.
This allows:
• More students to receive high-quality instruction
• Our instructors to build strong student relationships
• Hugo & Stacy to focus on advanced coaching and instructor development
Hugo & Stacy’s coaching schedule is intentionally limited so they can focus on developing instructors and supporting the growth of the entire DDA community.
Eligibility to Train with Hugo & Stacy:
Students may book private lessons with Hugo & Stacy when one of the following conditions is met
1. Training Pathway:
Students must complete 80 private lessons within the DDA instructor pathway and receive an instructor recommendation before booking private lessons with Hugo & Stacy. To gain the most benefit from the strengths of our instructor team, students are strongly encouraged to train across the different development areas of the DDA pathway. A common training approach is approximately 20 lessons within each instructor category.
Because there are two instructors within each category, students still have the flexibility to choose the instructor whose teaching style they connect with most.
2. Competition Level
Students currently competing in WSDC Intermediate division or higher may book private lessons with Hugo & Stacy.
3. Instructor Referral
In certain situations, a DDA instructor may recommend a student for coaching with Hugo & Stacy before the pathway minimum has been reached.
All bookings remain subject to Hugo & Stacy’s availability.
Active Training Requirement:
Students taking lessons with Hugo & Stacy are expected to remain actively training with another DDA instructor.
Minimum Training Ratio
For every 1 lesson with Hugo & Stacy, students should take 2 lessons with a DDA instructor.
This allows students time to:
• Practice and absorb new material
• Develop their individual style
• Strengthen their technical foundation
Students competing in WSDC Advanced division or higher are exempt from this requirement, though continuing to train with multiple instructors is highly encouraged to support ongoing growth.
Coaching Option (Early Access):
Students who wish to train with Hugo & Stacy before completing the training pathway may book a Coaching Lesson.
A coaching lesson includes:
• Hugo & Stacy
• The student’s primary instructor
• The student
The primary instructor must be present and actively participate in the lesson.
Students will be responsible for paying:
• The Hugo & Stacy coaching rate
• The primary instructor’s lesson rate
This structure allows students to benefit from Hugo & Stacy’s perspective while continuing to develop under the guidance of their primary instructor.
Visiting Student Exception:
Students visiting from out of state or traveling through the area are exempt from the DDA training pathway requirements.
However, we strongly encourage visiting students to consider booking lessons with multiple DDA instructors during their stay so they can benefit from the full expertise of our teaching team.
All visiting bookings remain subject to Hugo & Stacy’s availability.
DDA Instructor Development Structure:
Foundation & Fundamentals (Growers)
Trent — Novice development and strong technical fundamentals
Nik — Fundamentals, cross-training, switch roles and leader/follower versatility
Development & Musical Training (Growers)
Lily — Styling, movement quality, and partner awareness
Jae — Musicality, rhythm, and creative expression
Advanced Training & Competition Preparation (Builders)
Lyla — Technique refinement and advanced patterns
Sebastian — Competition strategy and partnership mechanics
Elite Performance Development (Improvers)
Brooklyn — Performance quality, musicality, and All-Star level training
Jacob — Advanced timing, partnership dynamics, tricks and one-foot spins
Master Coaching
Hugo & Stacy — High-level coaching, performance refinement, and advanced competitive development
ProAm Routine Pathway policy:
Students beginning their first West Coast Swing ProAm routine will start with a Grower-level instructor.
Grower instructors focus on building strong foundational performance skills before students progress into more advanced routine partnerships.
After completing routine seasons, students may graduate to a Builder instructor, and eventually to an Improver instructor.
Finally, experienced ProAm students may graduate to performing with Hugo & Stacy.
Graduation between instructor tiers is generally determined by how many routine seasons a student has completed, though students are not required to change instructors if they prefer to remain with their current partner.
WSDC Intermediate Competitors:
Students already competing in the WSDC Intermediate division or higher are eligible to perform a ProAm routine with Hugo or Stacy immediately.
Choreography Pricing Options:
Students may purchase a choreography & lessons package with any of the growers, builders, or improvers for just $850, including song cut, custom choreography on video with music and counts for you to study, and finally 5 lessons to get you started. Students may also choose to purchase choreography from Hugo & Stacy for $2,000.
Students who purchase choreography may then learn and perform the routine with the instructor of their choice.
Students who purchase choreography from Hugo & Stacy are eligible for quarterly routine coaching sessions with Hugo & Stacy.
These coaching lessons must include the student’s primary routine instructor.
Routine Coaching vs Social Dance Lessons
ProAm routine coaching sessions are separate from the social dance private lesson pathway.
Students may still apply the 2:1 training ratio when taking private lessons with Hugo & Stacy for social dancing.
Important Clause:
ProAm routine training does not exempt students from the DDA training pathway requirements for private lessons with Hugo & Stacy outside of routine coaching.
ProAm Contracts:
All ProAm routines require a signed agreement.
Please review the appropriate contract below before beginning routine training:
DDA Instructor ProAm Agreement
Hugo & Stacy Choreography Agreement
