More than 60 people concentrated as the smooth sounds of jazz rhythmically pulsed throughout the MSU Union Ballroom on Tuesday night.
The State Swing Society hosts swing dance lessons for MSU students each week for $2.
Theater senior Mikey Deron and State Swing Society President Carole Kuehl instructed the lessons.
"We show people what the swing-dancing basics are," microbiology senior Kuehl said. "And then we have a more advanced routine that we created to show them their potential."
Deron chanted "Triple step, triple step, rock step" to the crowd before he twirled Kuehl on the dance floor for the Jitterbug dance.
Zoology junior Aimee Sutherland, spokeswoman for State Swing Society, said she has always had a passion for Big Band music and dancing.
"There is just something alive about swing music," she said.
Sutherland said lessons in a type of swing from the East Coast are offered for beginners as well as more advanced lessons for regulars.
"There is a huge range of talent here tonight," Sutherland said. "From people who have been dancing for seven years to some people are here for the first time tonight."
Zoology senior Laura Miller said she found it easy to follow along when she learned the footwork for the Charleston dance.
"I am a pretty decent dancer, and I can follow along pretty well if someone is leading the dance moves," she said.
Miller said she had several reasons for participating in the dance lesson.
"It is a great stress reliever and also such a great way to meet people," Miller said.
Criminal law freshman Katy Schoetzow said she was happy to see a diverse crowd of people who attended the event.
"This was awesome," Schoetzow said. "I learned so much, and it was so amazing to see boys that actually wanted to dance."
James Madison freshman Johnny Glandon said the dance lessons would help him improve his dance routine.
"I came because I wanted to pick up new moves," Glandon said. "It was also a good way to get a night away from studying."
Glandon said he enjoyed working with unique dance styles throughout the night each time he switched dance partners.
"It was a lot of fun to see other people's personalities come out through their different dance styles," he said.
