1920s Charleston Dance Steps: Learn the Jazz Age Style with Ksenia Parkhatskaya
World-renowned 1920s Charleston and solo jazz dancer Ksenia Parkhatskaya presents her signature online dance course: Secrets of Charleston 20s.
With over 40 lessons and 2 hours of content, you’ll learn authentic 1920s Charleston dance steps from the comfort of your home — from the foundational twist to spectacular “flash” moves.
A Brief History of the 1920s Charleston
The Charleston dance had one of the greatest cultural impacts in American history. Enslaved Africans brought it from the Kongo to Charleston, South Carolina, as the Juba dance. Over time, it evolved into what we now know as the Charleston.
Many scholars attribute its creation and spread to Gullah/Geechee culture and the boys from the Jenkins Orphanage Band.
The Charleston’s first major stage appearance was in the all-Black Broadway musical Runnin’ Wild, choreographed by Elida Webb Dawson and danced to James P. Johnson’s famous tune The Charleston. The beat was inspired by southern musicians and dancers from Charleston city.
International fame came when Josephine Baker introduced the Charleston to Paris in her groundbreaking show La Revue Nègre.
Read the full blog on Charleston dance history here:
Why Learn 1920s Charleston Dance Steps?
1920s Charleston isn’t just about steps — it’s about rhythm, flair, and individuality.
Inside Secrets of Charleston 20s, you’ll gain:
- Strong foundational technique
- A rich vocabulary of authentic steps
- Playful styling and “flash” moves to impress on the dance floor
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced dancer, the course guides you from basics to advanced variations.
Meet Your 1920s Charleston Dance Steps Instructor: Ksenia Parkhatskaya
The course is taught by Ksenia Parkhatskaya — a sensational dancer who made her name in the dance world through her Charleston performances. Dancing since the age of six, Ksenia rose to fame with her signature Charleston choreography on So You Think You Can Dance in Ukraine, where she was invited as a participant from Russia.
She soon became one of the most viewed dancers on the internet, with over 200 million views.
A dance artist, choreographer, and performer, Ksenia has created many short dance films and clips inspired by the flapper character and the 1920s Charleston style.
Trained in competitive ballroom in Russia for nine years, she later shifted her focus to performance and creation. Still, in the spirit of solo jazz and Charleston battles, she occasionally participated in international swing dance competitions — and won first place.
“I picked the best of what I know and love about 20’s Charleston and combined it with my dance experience and general dance approach. Above all, I value the individual voice in any art form. That is why I’m sharing my way: my personal twist on original steps, plus steps I created myself, as well as ideas I have developed over the years.” — Ksenia
What is inside Secrets of Charleston 20s online dance course?
Secrets of Charleston 20’s online dance course is build around moves and famous footwork. There are 7 chapters, inside which you will have several dance classes with progressive variations of this specific step.
For example let’s take a look at Chapter V: Basic Step Variations. In the first video I will break down the absolute basics of the charleston step and start with the variation #1. Then you will have 3 more videos with 3 different variations. And then the last video of the chapter will be a demo – me demonstrating how to dance those steps to the music and mixing them.
Inside the Secrets of Charleston 20s Online Course
The course is built around iconic 1920s Charleston dance steps and their variations. Each chapter focuses on a specific move, breaking it down step-by-step before showing you how to blend it with others.
Chapter I: Twist Recipe
Learn the fundamental movement of 1920s Charleston — the twist. This chapter develops your body posture, style, and the essential twist technique that appears in nearly every step.
Chapter II: Fall Off the Log Tricks
A travelling step with a rhythmic kick on the backbeat, enriched with variations like twists, buffalo steps, and shuffles.
Chapter III: Suzy Q
The shuffling, sliding step made famous at the Cotton Club in 1936, taught here with multiple rhythmic variations.
Chapter IV: Cross Behind & Triple
Discover crab-like triple steps, swinging rhythms, and cross-behind patterns.
Chapter V: Basic Charleston Step Variations
Master the classic 1920s Charleston basic step and explore Ksenia’s own eccentric variations.
Chapter VI: Black Bottom Cow Tail
A feminine, animal-inspired move with isolations, balance tricks, and graceful circles.
Chapter VII: Slides Filling
Technically challenging slides that combine control, balance, and theatrical flair.
Chapter VIII: Dizzy Moves
A “candy box” of eccentric flapper-inspired flash steps — perfect for adding sparkle to your improvisation.
How to Learn and Practice the 1920s Charleston
Ksenia recommends starting with Chapter I: Twist Recipe to build your fundamentals.
From there, you can either follow the course in order or jump between chapters to add variety to your practice. The last three chapters are designed for more advanced dancers, so focus on basics first.
How to Learn and Practice the 1920s Charleston
Ksenia recommends starting with Chapter I: Twist Recipe to build your fundamentals.
From there, you can either follow the course in order or jump between chapters to add variety to your practice. The last three chapters are designed for more advanced dancers, so focus on basics first.
Learn 1920s Charleston Dance Steps Online
If you’ve ever wanted to capture the spirit, rhythm, and energy of the Jazz Age, Secrets of Charleston 20s is the most comprehensive way to do it online.
You’ll get:
- 8 structured chapters with over 40 HD videos
- Step-by-step breakdowns of authentic 1920s Charleston dance steps
- Variations, styling tips, and performance ideas from one of the world’s most viewed Charleston dancers
Join the course and start dancing the 1920s Charleston today.
Are you ready to push your 20s Charleston dance to the next level?
Have a taste of the class from Ksenia’s Secrets of Charleston 20s online course right now, chapter “Cow Tail”
