Grooving for Better Group Dynamics: Partner Dance for Corporate Team Building
Partner dance team building
In "Grooving for Better Group Dynamics", participants learn the basics of West Coast Swing, a non-gender biased partner dance done to contemporary pop, R&B, and rock music. Through a series of group, partnered, and solo dance exercises that…
Active Listening
Body Awareness / Interoception
Communication Skills Practice
Cooperative Problem-Solving
Dancing / Expressive Movement
Empathy Exercises
Workshop
Description
In "Grooving for Better Group Dynamics", participants learn the basics of West Coast Swing, a non-gender biased partner dance done to contemporary pop, R&B, and rock music. Through a series of group, partnered, and solo dance exercises that can be done by anyone, regardless of age or previous dance experience, participants improve their communication and problem-solving skills, while also building greater trust and patience with each other as people.
West Coast Swing (WCS) is a mixture of slow Lindy Hop and improvisation, and borrows elements from several other dance forms, including Salsa, Tango, and Zouk. However, unlike other partner dance forms, West Coast Swing is very casual. It's danced in jeans and t-shirts, to whatever music is currently popular on the radio, and it is common for dancers to switch between leading and following throughout the dance.
In a corporate setting, it is the perfect way to foster a tangible sense of cooperation and mental presence between staff members.
On top of that, it is genuinely fun! Rather than simply talking about better ways to work together, participants in "Grooving for Better Dynamics" physically practice listening, responding, adjusting, and processing, in real time, with each other. You can expect a lot of laughter, some stumbles, but always, ultimately, a more cohesive, empathetic, and focused group at the end of the session.
Benefits
The benefits of "Grooving for Better Group Dynamics" include:
- Better cooperation
- Better communication
- Improved problem-solving skills
- Improved patience
- Improved flexibility in thought processes and actions
- Improved sense of cohesion and belonging within the group
- Improved empathy
- Improved focus
Hosted by Paula Gammon Wilson
About the Host
Paula Gammon Wilson is a graduate of Walnut Hill School for the Arts (Design and Production), Pomona College (Dance and Theatre Management), The New School University (Screenwriting and 3rd World Cinema), and the Alvin Ailey School Professional Division (Dance).
She danced with modern companies in New England, as well as performing in, choreographing, or directing music videos, and various plays and musicals in the US, Asia, Europe, and South America for nearly 17 years.
She begun studying Argentine Tango in 2001 and subsequently taught Argentine Tango for over a decade. She made the jump to West Coast Swing in 2012 and ran several popular events in New York City and the surrounding area, as well as teaching some of the largest West Coast Swing classes in the city, with former dance partner, Ken Kreshtool. She has since gone on to teach at various workshops and festivals in the US and Europe, including Motley Hue, the Maria Bonita Festival, and Arousa Westie Fest. She launched The International Partner Dance Intensive (TIPDI) in New York City in 2013 and ran dance intensives under the TIPDI umbrella until 2020, welcoming nearly 2000 dancers between the ages of 18-60. She began running new TIPDI events in Lisbon, Portugal in March 2025.
From 1997 – 2008, she served as the Managing Director for the White Mountain Summer Dance Festival, the Associate Operations Director for Tribeca Performing Arts Center in NYC, and worked as a production manager for dance and theater companies globally. Currently, in her non-dance time, Paula is the Owner/Director of Pepsqually VO and Sound Design, Inc. and Pepsqually Portugal, LDA – award-winning, companion boutique audio houses providing casting, voice over, and sound design services primarily for animation, advertising, and educational programming.
Travel Locations
These additional fees are only necessary if flight, housing, and food are not covered as part of the workshop contract.
– Portugal (North of Loures, South of Corroios, and East of Almada) – +75€ per day
– United Kingdom, France, Spain, Germany – +500€ for up to 3 days, 2 nights
Client Requirements
Sound system, preferably one that can be controlled remotely. Depending on the size of the group or the space, a body mic is also helpful. The flooring should be "knee-friendly", especially if I am working with adults. So - wood floors or floors with smooth surfaces (not marble) are best. It is hard to dance on carpet.
Focus Areas
Creative/Culture
Location
Lisbon, Portugal
Languages
English, Portuguese
Corporate Experience
Moderate
Certifications & Credentials
I can provide short-term, personal liability insurance, if necessary.
Session Types Offered
Interactive (eg. improv, group-art, yoga etc.)
Past Experience Doing Sessions
Yes - Interactive
Past Clients
City University of New York, Walnut Hill School for the Arts, KPMG (Argentina), Standard & Poors (Argentina), MultiChannel (Argentina)
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