TEACHERS

Ryan Francois and Jenny Thomas
Website | YouTube | Beantown 2007/2008 DVD | Monsters of Swing, 1999

Ryan & Jenny are widely regarded as the top Lindy Hop couple in the world today . They starred in the Broadway Musical Swing! as well as contributed most of the choreography. They have appeared at the Tony Awards, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Rosie O'Donnell Show and with Wynton Marsalis and The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. Ryan's extensive list of credits includes numerous appearances in TV, film and theater, and tours in several dance productions in Europe. He danced in Malcolm X and Stomping at the Savoy. Ryan also choreographed for the movie Swing Kids and A Man for All Seasons, a Dudley Moore tribute at Carnegie Hall. Jenny also has an extensive list of dancing and choreography credits, including appearances in TV and theater. She began as a tap dancer at the age of 4 and won the All England Tap Championships for 3 consecutive years. Stage credits include the London cast of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Song and Dance as well as other West End musicals. In 1997 they won the Lindy Division of the American Swing Dance Championships and the U.S. Open. They can be seem as dancing elves in The Polar Express, were performers on the huge TV hit Dancing With The Stars, and Ryan was a featured dancer in the recent motion picture release Idlewild.

(Photo by Lynn Redmile)

Skye Humphries
YouTube | Beantown 2007 DVD | Camp jitterbug 2004/2005

Skye Humphries is a nationally renowned swing dancer and instructor. He emphasizes fun, energetic social dancing with strong partner connection, solid technique, innovative moves, and musicality. Skye is a member of the award winning Lindy Hop dance troupe Minnie's Moochers. He has taught and performed Lindy Hop at many major national and international events and dance camps, including Herräng Dance Camp in Sweden. Skye is a versatile and creative dancer. He has earned some of the most prestigious awards at national dance competitions, including winning the 2002 Lindy Hop World Championships in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Sakarias Larsson
Website | YouTube

Has been swing dancing since the age of 15, only 19 years old he joined the Rhythm Hot Shots that later became the Harlem Hot Shots. Today at the age of 26 he is still performing with the company that is well recognized for it's spectacular shows worldwide. Sakarias has been teaching a lot both internationally and within Sweden. Sakarias teaches tap at the Swedish Ballet Academy. Sakarias masters several dances from the swing era including Lindy Hop, Charleston and Tap.

Sakarias, together with Frida Segerdahl, made it to the finals "Hellzapoppin" New York (2004 and 2005) and "The Battle (2006, 2007), he placed second in the fast and medium Lindy Hop divisions at the Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown 2007. As a solo dancer Sakarias has won the authentic jazz division at both "The Battle" and "Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown" 2007. He also made it through to the final in the Swedish dance reality TV show "Floor Filler" where he competed with his swing dancing against other dance styles. He likes to compete for the fun of it but believes that no other person really is to judge a dancer.

Steven Mitchell and Virginie Jensen
Website | YouTube | DVD

Steven & Virginie are known for their extremely innovative style, improvisation and musicality. They have exceptional musicality and style and have a deep understanding of body control and movement. Constantly looking for new and creative ways to teach, their inspiring classes leave Lindy Hoppers everywhere hungry for more and excited about sharing the love of dance. Steven Mitchell started his dance career by studying Jazz, Ballet, Modern, Ballroom and Hip Hop in both Los Angeles and New York. He started Lindy Hopping / Swing Dancing in 1978/1979 together with his partner Erin Stevens. They worked with Al Minns in New York 1982, and brought Frankie Manning out of retirement in 1986 by working together with him. Virginie has over 20 years of dance experience that includes Jazz, Classical Ballroom, Swing, Ballet. She began teaching Lindy Hop in 1997, and in 1999 paired up with Steven Mitchell to teach full-time internationally. Known for her unique style, spinning and connection, Virginie draws from her extensive dance experience to teach grace, frame and flash to the followers.

Max Pitruzzella and Annie Trudeau
Website | YouTube | Beantown 2007 DVD

Max and Annie are proud of their accomplishments together. They won several major competitions since they first started to work together at the end of 2006. Their most important titles include the 1st place of the Liberation division at Minneapolis' Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown 2007, 1st place in the Open Showcase of the American Lindy Hop Championships 2007 and 1st place of the Showcase division of the first International Lindy Hop Championships 2008 in Washington DC. They also choreographed and trained the Canadian and American Team Champions 2008 - Swinging Air Force Squad! They are also proud members of the Ninjammerz, a team of international performing Lindy Hoppers.

Frida Segerdahl
Website | YouTube | Camp jitterbug 2005

Frida Segerdahl Started dancing at the tender age of 5. During her teens she was enrolled in the dance program at Sturegymnasiet studying jazz, modern and ballet and much more. Since the age of 9 Frida started competing in Double Bugg and Boogie Woogie and although she was a champion at both, she hungered for more. When she was 15 she attended Herrang Dance Camp and fell in love with Lindy Hop. Frida excelled quickly, drawing on her knowledge of body movement and connection that she mastered in other dances. In no time, she was asked to join the world's foremost jazz dance company, the Rhythm Hot Shots. She has performed and taught at all ends of the world. Most recently she placed first at The Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown in the Champions Jack and Jill and in Solo Charleston. The previous year at ULHS she had won Solo Charleston, but also took 1st and 2nd place in the all tempo Lindy Hop Division. In addition to her performance skill, many have rated Frida as one of the best social dancers in the world. Besides her amazing skills in Charleston, Lindy Hop and Jazz Dance, Frida is still a member of the Harlem Hot Shots and now runs the famous Lindy Hop dance camp that she first attended back when she was 15, The Herrang Dance Camp in Sweden.

Sylvia Sykes
Website | YouTube | Dvd1 | Dvd2 | Beantown 2008 DVD

Sylvia Sykes is an internationally recognized authority on most types of Swing Dance and has been teaching and judging for 20 years throughout the US, Europe, and Australia. Sylvia studied with the great dancer Dean Collins, and was a member of his last dance troupe. She studied Balboa with Maxie Dorf and spent years learning from the greatest Southern California Balboa dancers. Sylvia is an inductee into the National Swing Dance Hall of Fame, as well as the California Swing Dance Hall of Fame. She is a U S Open champion, was the NASDE top point winner, two time California Balboa Champion, took third place in the National Carolina Shag Dance Championships, and has won many Strictly Swing and Jack & Jill dance contests through the U.S. in Lindy, Balboa and West Coast Swing. She was twice voted Swing Dance Teacher of the Year, and is a 4 time Feather Award winner as Best Female Lindy Dancer in the U.S. She has performed with Count Basie, Glenn Miller Orchestra, Artie Shaw, and Les Brown, and appeared on many television shows such as American Bandstand and Gotta Dance for the American Movie Channel.

Carla Heiney
Website | YouTube

In 1997, Carla fell in love with classic Swing music from the Big Band era; a direct result of her grandfather singing the tunes around the house with the occasional truckin' step added into his leisurely stroll. She went searching for this music and dance that made her Pappy sing and prance, and when she found it, she too lost her heart to the rhythms and rhymes of distant times. Since then, Carla has been around the world teaching, learning, and dancing. Competing is fun for Carla and a great way to push her limits, but her real passion is teaching dance and social dancing. She travels all over the country and the world teaching this art form to others and is excited to call San Francisco home and be a part of the thriving San Francisco Bay area dance community. She has a down to earth teaching approach, but still takes learning seriously and focuses heavily on quality of movement, partner connection, musicality, and most importantly, enjoying the dance! Carla searches for that fine balance of staying connected to the roots of the dance, where it came from and why, while still pushing the envelope of where the dance can go. Lindy Hop is a constantly evolving dance that should be rooted deeply in its vibrant and extensive history, but still bursting with energy towards a brilliant future. Carla currently teaches, choreographs, judges, competes, and social dances all over the world and feels very fortunate to be able to do what she loves most.

Nick Williams
Website | YouTube

Nick Williams has embodied the passion and spirit of swing dancing ever since his first lesson in 1998. His in depth understanding of Lindy Hop, Balboa, and Collegiate Shag stem from studying with the original dancers. Nick's desire for authenticity, combined with his passion for dance evolution, leads to a style known for precision, lightness, musicality and dynamic energy. His successes include World Lindy Hop Champion, U.S. Open Swing Dance Champion, American Lindy Hop Champion, National Jitterbug Champion, International Lindy Hop Champion, Ultimate Lindy Hop Champion, American Classic Balboa Champion and California Balboa/Swing Champion. He is also an accomplished choreographer and has been featured on the hit television show So You Think You Can Dance? As an instructor, he is known for his ability to break down movements and technique to create a fun and light-hearted learning environment. His true love for music and dancing will forever inspire him to learn, teach, and grow. In 2004, Nick was honored to be recognized by the California Swing Dance Hall of Fame.

Paul Grecki

Paul Grecki has been teaching at the Sandra Cameron Dance Center since 1981. He studied ballroom dancing with three-time U.S. Ballroom Champion Sandra Cameron, and lindy hop with Al Minns and Frankie Manning, both original members of Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers. In 1995, Paul won the lindy hop division of the American Swing Dance Championships; he was also given the Herbert White Award for his contribution to swing dancing. Paul has taught, lectured and judged at many swing events in the United States and abroad, sharing his enthusiasm and knowledge.

Daniel Heedman and Åsa Palm

Daniel Heedman and Åsa Palm have been dancing Lindy hop for about 15 years, and have been partners for 6. They have performed and taught all over the world with the dance troupe Harlem Hot Shots (earlier Rhythm Hot Shots) and have at several times been seen on both national and international television. They have dedicated many years to focus only on Lindy Hop and other dances from the same era. Their biggest idol is Frankie Manning and today they are working their best to try to keep alive the Lindy hop in a Frankie-style.

Sakarias Larsson

Sakarias Larsson has been swing dancing since the age of 15. At only 19 years old, he joined the Rhythm Hot Shots (now known as the Harlem Hot Shots). A respected teacher of lindy hop, charleston and tap in Sweden and internationally, Sakarias also teaches tap at the Swedish Ballet Academy. With partners and as a solo dancer, he has placed in competitions including Hellzapoppin, "The Battle" and the Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown. He likes to compete for the fun of it, but believes that no other person really can judge a dancer.

Sing Lim

Sing Lim started Lindy Hopping in 1988 in London with teacher Ryan Francois. Since then, the dance has changed her life, as she travels the world competing, teaching, judging and just social dancing. As a competitor, she has placed at the American Lindy Hop Championships, the US Open and the North Atlantic Dance Championship. Her worldwide teaching stints include Herrang Dance Camp in Sweden and Swing Camp Catalina in California. She used to run Jitterbugs in London and is the founder of Jitterbugs Swingapore. Sing’s favorite event is SEA Jam in Singapore and her favorite guest there is Frankie Manning.

Matt Bedell and Laura Jeffers

Matt Bedell and Laura Jeffers have more than 25 years' experience teaching, competing, choreographing, and performing swing dance. Their classes are grounded in classic lindy hop and designed to support students' growth as creative, expressive social dancers, with a particular focus on connection and partnering. Among his many credits, Matt was a principal dancer in the North Shore Music Theater production of the musical "Swing!" and assistant director and a featured performer with the Swing Dance America tour. Among her many credits, Laura is director of the Big Apple Lindy Hoppers and was co-producer of Frankie Manning's 85th Birthday Bash at Roseland Ballroom in 1999.

Catrine Ljunggren

Catrine Ljunggren, aka "Cat," is a dance teacher, performer and choreographer specializing in Swing & Lindy Hop, Tap, Jazz, and Argentine Tango. Catrine teaches at dance camps and workshops around the world as well as group classes and private lessons in her hometown of San Francisco. Being a founding performer of the world renowned The Rhythm Hot Shots, Catrine played an instrumental role in the current popular revival of swing dancing. She studied with swing dance legends Frankie Manning and Al Minns and is the graceful and quirky party hostess at Cat's Corner - the Wednesday Night Swing Dance Party at Savanna Jazz Club in SF.

Lennart Westerlund

Lennart started dancing Swedish style jitterbug at Lasse Kühlers dance school in 1980 and became a member of the Swedish Swing Society in 1981. With friends, Lennart formed Swedish swing dance company The Rhythm Hot Shots (later Harlem Hot Shots) in 1985 and studied old film clips to learn more about lindy hop, the charleston, tap, acrobatics and other things related to the African-American swing dance tradition. In 1987, Lennart invited Frankie Manning to Stockholm to work with the company. Lennart is still an active dancer in the Harlem Hot Shots. He travels teaching and performing on an international basis. During the Swedish summers, he is one of the main characters and workers at the Herräng Dance Camp and spends the rest of the year involved in the Chicago dance studio project.

Rob and Diane van Haaren

Partners since 1996, Rob and Diane have studied and worked with some of the original masters of lindy hop, balboa, charleston, shag and traditional jazz movement. For example, in 1993, Rob organized the first International Swing Dance Festival in California with Frankie Manning, Fayard Nicholas, the Rhythm Hot Shots of Sweden and Ryan Francois. Rob and Diane were instrumental in building the San Francisco Bay area swing scene in the 1990s. Now they travel the world: teaching, judging and performing. Rob and Diane are known for their teaching style, choreography and elegant social dancing. Regarding this weekend’s honoree, they say, “We feel lucky to know ‘The Man.’ Thank you, Frankie!”

Erin Stevens

Erin Stevens is world-renowned for her study of, and dance expertise in the Lindy Hop style of Swing and is recognized as one of the best dancers and premiere Swing instructors in the world today. She travels extensively, teaching Lindy Hop across the United States and in Europe. In 1999, she toured Australia and Singapore with Frankie Manning. In 1995, Erin and Steven Mitchell were featured soloist for the American Movie Classics television special Gotta Dance. In 1998, Erin and Steven Mitchell performed at the White House for President Clinton in a televised PBS special In Performance at the White House.

Peter Loggins and Sugar Sullivan

Peter Loggins and Sugar Sullivan Dancer, teacher and historian Peter Loggins has studied and promoted dances of the 1920s, '30s and '40s -- often with their originators. He brings a first-hand historical approach, sharing what was handed down by national Charleston champions, Harvest Moon Ball Lindy Hop winners and 1930s swing champions.

Sugar Sullivan doesn't need to hear Peter talk about history: She lived it! A dancer since childhood, Sugar is part of the "third generation" of lindy hoppers, who helped carry the dance through the 1950s. Among her many accomplishments, she can be seen in "The Spirit Moves," won the Harvest Moon Ball's lindy prize in 1955 with her first husband, George, and was Al Minns' dance partner in the 1980s. A New York native, she has traveled the world dancing and teaching and currently lives in South Florida.