Level Guide
Beg-Int (Beginner-Intermediate) Track
You’ve been dancing consistently and are confident with common figures and variations (e.g. up-hold & down-hold basic, come around, toss-out, lolly, out-and-in). Main focus will be on furthering technical skills — join these classes if you want to improve the consistency and flow of your movements and are ready to work on finesse, musicality and the tiny details that make a huge difference.
Int+ (Intermediate Plus) Track
You’re an experienced social dancer able to have a great dance with anyone regardless of their level. You’re playful with musicality, flow and able to handle some trickier moves and variations. Join these classes if you are more interested in the quality of movement than quantity. Entire classes may often focus on one aspect of technique — be prepared to stretch your mind with good faith and enthusiasm.
Optional Add-on: Refresher classes (Beginner)
You have attended Balboa classes and practices in the past but would like to review the basic steps and shapes (down-hold, up-hold, come around, toss out, out-and-ins, lollies) in preparation for the more in-depth weekend classes. The Refresher classes (2.5 hours) will take place on Friday (7 August) afternoon, and is available as an optional add-on at RM80 for all attendees.
You’ve been dancing consistently and are confident with common figures and variations (e.g. up-hold & down-hold basic, come around, toss-out, lolly, out-and-in). Main focus will be on furthering technical skills — join these classes if you want to improve the consistency and flow of your movements and are ready to work on finesse, musicality and the tiny details that make a huge difference.
Int+ (Intermediate Plus) Track
You’re an experienced social dancer able to have a great dance with anyone regardless of their level. You’re playful with musicality, flow and able to handle some trickier moves and variations. Join these classes if you are more interested in the quality of movement than quantity. Entire classes may often focus on one aspect of technique — be prepared to stretch your mind with good faith and enthusiasm.
Optional Add-on: Refresher classes (Beginner)
You have attended Balboa classes and practices in the past but would like to review the basic steps and shapes (down-hold, up-hold, come around, toss out, out-and-ins, lollies) in preparation for the more in-depth weekend classes. The Refresher classes (2.5 hours) will take place on Friday (7 August) afternoon, and is available as an optional add-on at RM80 for all attendees.
Meet Your Instructors
Jonathan Ng and Sara-Sofia Rentas
Jonathan
Jonathan Ng is a Balboa, Lindy Hop, Collegiate Shag, and Solo Jazz dancer based in Brooklyn, New York. He strives to give students the tools to develop their own unique voice in the dance by sharing the values of conversation, musicality, and play in each class he teaches. With a background as a jazz violinist, Jonathan approaches swing dancing with the same core philosophy as he would playing on the bandstand: the best ideas are born out of a combination of great technique and the willingness to explore beyond it.
Sara-Sofia
Sara-Sofia Rentas (she/her) first discovered swing dancing in Orlando, FL in 2015 and never looked back. Though a passionate social dancer and student first, organizing and competition quickly caught her attention and she soon immersed herself in organizing her university swing club, teaching, and traveling throughout the southeast to compete.
With limited access to Balboa instruction early in her dance journey, she adopted social dancing as her first classroom where she would experiment with mechanics, musicality, and the relationship between leader and follower. This learning process ultimately shaped her approach to teaching. In her classes, you’ll find a blend of excitement for technique, comfy partnership, and playful improvisation, honoring the greatness of swing music and each student’s personal expression.
She is proud to now be NYC-based, sharing Balboa anywhere jazz happens to be playing. When not traveling to teach, compete, and judge, you can find her teaching locally at You Should Be Dancing Studios.
With limited access to Balboa instruction early in her dance journey, she adopted social dancing as her first classroom where she would experiment with mechanics, musicality, and the relationship between leader and follower. This learning process ultimately shaped her approach to teaching. In her classes, you’ll find a blend of excitement for technique, comfy partnership, and playful improvisation, honoring the greatness of swing music and each student’s personal expression.
She is proud to now be NYC-based, sharing Balboa anywhere jazz happens to be playing. When not traveling to teach, compete, and judge, you can find her teaching locally at You Should Be Dancing Studios.
Featuring live music by... BonaHop!
Back by popular demand - BonaHop will be performing for us again for this year's MY Balboa Weekend!
Look forward to two days of toe-tapping live music:
🎺 Saturday night, expect the classic BonaHop experience with swingin' big band jazz standards
🎸 On Sunday, BonaHop takes on gypsy jazz with jumpin' guitar and violin-forward melodies
Look forward to two days of toe-tapping live music:
🎺 Saturday night, expect the classic BonaHop experience with swingin' big band jazz standards
🎸 On Sunday, BonaHop takes on gypsy jazz with jumpin' guitar and violin-forward melodies
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About BonaHop
BonaHop is a 6-piece Malaysian swing jazz band hailing from Borneo. Fronted by lead vocalist Yvonne Chong, BonaHop made their debut in 2017 at the Publika Jazz Festival and have since performed at notable dance and jazz events, including KL Jazz Day, Royal Selangor Jazz Festival, Frankie 112, MY Balboa Weekend, KL Swing Fest, and Tropic Thunder Swing Jazz Festival.
Their dream is to perform on a distant planet where exquisite cuisine and lively 1940s-style parties accompany timeless tunes from legends like Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, and Count Basie.
Their dream is to perform on a distant planet where exquisite cuisine and lively 1940s-style parties accompany timeless tunes from legends like Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, and Count Basie.
Venue & Hotel Information
MY Balboa Weekend 2026 will be at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
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Class and party venues are air-conditioned with wooden floors, suitable for indoor dance shoes.
Halal and non-halal F&B options are available in and around the venues.
Halal and non-halal F&B options are available in and around the venues.
Getting There
The Drawing Room @ Yap Ah Shak House (YASH) |
Jao Tim |
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Yap Ah Shak House is a cultural and social hub located in KL's heritage district, surrounded by historical buildings and many local and international food options.
📍17, Jalan Yap Ah Shak, Chow Kit, 50300 Kuala Lumpur. (Google Maps) 5 minute walk (350m) from 🚆Dang Wangi LRT station |
Jao Tim is a jazz bar and live entertainment venue situated next to Petaling Street (KL's Chinatown) and Pasar Seni (KL's Central Market for traditional arts & craft).
📍61, Jalan Sultan, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur. (Google Maps) 6 minute walk (400m) from 🚆Pasar Seni MRT / LRT station |
Hotel Details
We arranged a group discount for Hotel Stripes Kuala Lumpur, Autograph Collection (📍Google Maps), which is near the venues for the weekend.
ROOM RATE:
The rate is per night per room (for up to 2 pax - two twin beds or one king bed), inclusive of Tourist tax of RM 10 per room per night. You must stay 7-9 August and may extend your stay for three (3) days pre and post of the Event Dates, subject to availability at the time of reservation.
* No breakfast included, daily rate: RM 344.8 NETT / SGD 105 NETT / USD 81 NETT
* Including breakfast for 1 pax, daily rate: RM 377.2 NETT / SGD 115 NETT / USD 89 NETT
* Including breakfast for 2 pax, daily rate: RM 420.40 NETT / SGD 127 NETT / USD 99 NETT
Book the hotel through us using the following form:
✍️https://forms.gle/z4KSfKz53z7VhoQB6
ROOM RATE:
The rate is per night per room (for up to 2 pax - two twin beds or one king bed), inclusive of Tourist tax of RM 10 per room per night. You must stay 7-9 August and may extend your stay for three (3) days pre and post of the Event Dates, subject to availability at the time of reservation.
* No breakfast included, daily rate: RM 344.8 NETT / SGD 105 NETT / USD 81 NETT
* Including breakfast for 1 pax, daily rate: RM 377.2 NETT / SGD 115 NETT / USD 89 NETT
* Including breakfast for 2 pax, daily rate: RM 420.40 NETT / SGD 127 NETT / USD 99 NETT
Book the hotel through us using the following form:
✍️https://forms.gle/z4KSfKz53z7VhoQB6
Our Safe Spaces Commitment
As part of Swing Dance Malaysia, Balboa Malaysia adopts and observes the Safe Spaces' Code of Conduct
to protect and provide the safest environment possible to dancers in our community.
to protect and provide the safest environment possible to dancers in our community.
Your Representatives
These individual(s) have volunteered to represent you and other dancers in Safe Spaces.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to them.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to them.
ABBY
Report / Disclose an Incident
If you have experienced or witnessed an incident, we highly encourage you to report or disclose it.
You can do so by clicking the button below.
Safe Spaces will do our best to protect your anonymity and will only disclose your identity with your consent.
You can do so by clicking the button below.
Safe Spaces will do our best to protect your anonymity and will only disclose your identity with your consent.
Contact Us
Feel free to drop us a message if you've any questions.
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Facebook group:
Balboa Malaysia |
Instagram:
Balboa.Malaysia |
