Frankie Manning
 No
one has contributed more to the Lindy Hop than Frankie
Manning.
Frankie was one of the star dancers at
the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem in the 1930's and 40's
and is credited with creating the first air-step (aerial).
He was part of the exciting performance troupe, Whitey's
Lindy Hoppers from 1936 to 1941.
Today, still dancing in his 90's, Frankie
is the unofficial Ambassador of Lindy Hop to the world,
spreading its popularity to the far corners of our planet
while traveling and teaching the dance that he helped
to pioneer.
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Johnny Lee and Jenna Chalmers
teaching on Saturday
Johnny Lee is the founding member of The San Francisco Jitterbugs, a professional dance troupe known for their vivacious and exciting performances. The Jitterbugs have been featured along with top acts such as The Glenn Miller Orchestra, Benny Goodman Orchestra and Les Brown. They have also performed for over a hundred corporate events since their inception.
Johnny has been teaching, competing and performing since 1998. Ever since he saw two dancers "shagging" at The Derby in Hollywood, in the late 90's, he has had a fascination with this vintage dance form. Johnny has appeared on televised shows such as Big Band Magic, Check Please! and on KRON's New Year Special on the USS Hornet & Sheraton Palace in 2004, 2006 and 2007. He has been featured dancing in two full length motion pictures, including "Swing" The Movie & "24 Hrs. On Craigslist." He has also performed with The San Francisco Jitterbugs in front of 70,000 people during the half time show for the San Francisco 49ers and Oakland Raiders. In 2001 he earned the 1st place title in the Boogie by the Bay Lindy Hop Championships and 1st place in Balboa Championships in 2004.
Jenna Chalmers has been teaching and performing dance professionally since 1993. You may have seen her in the Sony TriStar film "The Thirteenth Floor" or "Swing: The Movie." She provided dance reference for animators at Pixar Studios and Electronic Arts, and choreographs for groups like The Decobelles and Retro Cabaret.
She is the co-director of the long-running Camp Swing and has appeared on TV and National Public Radio as an expert in the field of swing dance. She has taught with popular instructors like Kevin St.Laurent and recently at "Rock That Swing" in Munich, Germany with Johnny Lee. Jenna has competed and judged internationally, recently placing 2nd at the National Jitterbug Championships in the Pro Collegiate Shag Division.
Class descriptions:
Beginning Collegiate Shag and Beginning Balboa - Details coming soon!
Trevor Gattis and Megan Hornbecker
teaching on Saturday
Trevor Gattis began Ballroom and Salsa dancing in 1995 and took up Lindy Hop in 1999. In 2001 he began teaching for Rob & Diane at Swing Central and in 2003 he took over the operations of the venue until 2005. Trevor currently choreographs new routines and performs around the Bay Area with his dance troupe, The Swing Cats Rhythm Revue. Trevor deejays at various Lindy camps, events, and local swing dance venues and has been teaching regularly in the Bay Area since 2001.
Megan Hornbecker started Lindy Hopping 1996. In 2000, she was a member of Paul and Sharon's 20 couple Grease Monkeys performance at Swing Camp Catalina. From 2000 - 2006 Megan performed around the Bay Area with her dance troupe The Swing Cats Rhythm Revue. Megan has traveled the country and globe dancing, teaching and performing and has organized numerous lindy exchanges and events to promote Lindy Hop, indcluding SFLX 2001 and 2003.
Trevor and Megan have been dancing together since 2001. In 2005 they founded Sunnyvale Swing (now WednesdayNightHop.com). They both have run and directed one of the Bay Area's longest running performance troupes The Swing Cats Rhythm Revue. Combining their love of classic lindy and modern influences, Trevor brings his ballroom and Salsa background together with Megan's blues and Tango background to create fun, exciting and inspiring Lindy Hop classes.
Class descriptions:
Sal-Swing! Salsa and Swing all mixed up. Sal-Swing focuses on expanding your Lindy repertoire by incorporating moves inspired from Salsa. Sal-Swing is full of slick moves that will really spice up your dancing. This workshop will be teaching some hot and sexy moves that will swing right into lindy. Get ready to sizzle.
Advanced Charleston Footwork & Patterns: Taking your Charleston to new levels. Advanced Charleston focuses on taking your Charleston to new levels. Get ready to explore the endless variations of Charleston. This workshop is filled with completely leadable patterns that will challenge your lead and follow skills while impressing your partner and onlookers. Get ready to even amaze yourself with variations of Charleston you never thought possible and find out how easily they flow into your Lindy. This workshop is designed for Lindy Hoppers who are ready to push their dancing to the next level.
Elliott Donnelly & Catrine Ljunggren
teaching on Saturday
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. Catrine has a storied dance career that includes founding and performing with world-reknowned dance troupe The Rhythm Hot Shots, studying with swing dance legends Frankie Manning and Al Minns, and playing an instrumental role in the current popular revival of swing dancing. Catrine is also the graceful and quirky party hostess at Cat's Corner - the Wednesday Night Swing Dance Party at Savanna Jazz Club in SF.
Since 1998, Elliott has attended many Lindy camps, workshops, exchanges and events around the U.S. and the world. In 1999 he and Jason Christodoulou co-founded Loose Change, a performance troupe dedicated to fusing lindy hop with elements of hip hop, acid jazz, house and break. He has run his own workshops, dances, camps, has produced CD's and instructional videos and has performed in dance events and competitions locally and internationally. He continues to work with Loose Change as a performer and as one of the groups principal directors.
Elliott started teaching and performing with Catrine Ljunggren in the Spring of 2002. Together Elliott and Catrine have taught at the Dance Camp (2002 and 2003) in Minneapolis Minnesota, and in various camps and workshops throughout Northern California.
Class descriptions:
Hot Stuff - They will answer questions like - how can I use my lindy for slower tempos and what kind of moves can I use for blues? They teach you a few dips and tricks and also how to make the dance more dynamic.
Classic Lindy - Stylish basics and classic figures from the early days! They will go through some of the classic Charleston moves, Al Mins kicks, The Promenade, Minnie Dip, The Tango with the lift, The Skip Up and more....
Nicole Frydman & Mikey Pedroza
teaching Saturday
Nicole has been singing and dancing since she was a small child. She has performed all over the country in national tours, regional theaters, summer stock, repertory, and even some major motion pictures. For example, you can catch her head fly by Julia Roberts in the dance scene of "Mona Lisa Smile".
In 1997 she discovered swing dancing to go along with the jazz she already loved so much. Since then she has become a professional dancer placing in over 40 local, regional, and national swing dance competitions. She previously taught swing at Dance Manhattan Studios in New York but is now a teacher and the Education Coordinator at 920 Special in San Francisco.
She considers her emphasis and style in teaching and dancing to be about connection with her partner and the music - all else is secondary. She has also spent time and energy behind the scenes creating events, shows, workshops, galas, concerts, dances, etc., and continues that work today with the San Francisco Jazz Festival. Some of her past favorites include Frankie Manning's 88th Birthday weekend, the Harlem Jazz Dance Festival 2001-2003, and co-founding Jelly Roll Productions.
Mikey Pedroza has been dancing and performing for the past 10 years. The majority of those years have been dedicated to the understanding and preservation of classic American dances known to the masses as Swing Dancing. These Swing Dances include: Charleston, Lindy Hop, Balboa, Shag, and Traditional Blues. Along with the classic solo jazz dance and shake blues dances.
His teaching focuses on lead and follow techniques in every sense of those words. With focal points on connection, body leading, movement, and frame. Now he would like to share his unique yet classic style with you. And hopes that you will be able to feel for this American art form as much as he does.
Class descriptions:
Swingin' Out: This class will use swingout variations to explore leader and follower technique and styling variations. Start with your foundation and open up from there.
Partnered Charleston - Learn a fun and challenging partnered charleston routine chewed up and spit out with the flavor of Mikey and Nicole.
Jean Ma & Broomley Palamountain
teaching Saturday and Sunday
Jean Ma and Bromley Palamountain first teamed up in August of 2004. Jean taught performance swing dancing to UC Berkeley students as part of "The [M]ovement". She is also well-versed in hip hop, having danced in the professional hip hop troupe Culture Shock.
Bromley's expertise lies in his gymnastics foundation. He trained under Olympic Gold medalist Tim Daggett and was able to pave his way through college as a competitive gymnast for UC Berkeley's men's gymnastics team.
Together they are known for their explosive aerials, high energy, and passion for the dance. Jean and Bromley love to showcase their talents in competitions, jam circles, and on the social dance floor. They would even practice their technique within the corridors of the B.A.R.T. stations if the security guards would let them.
Jean and Bromley ardently spread the coolness of Lindy Hop wherever they go, enjoying teaching and the many friends they have met within the dance community. Most recently Jean and Bromley have placed in the following competitions:
- 1st place Pro Lindy division [Swing in the Colony] '07'
- 1st place Lindy Showcase division [Boogie by the Bay] '07'
- 1st place Showcase division [Lindy on the Rocks] '07 '
- 2nd place Strictly Lindy division [Lind on the Rocks] '07'
- 2nd place Am. Lindy [Camp Hollywood] '07'
- 1st place Reno Dance Sensation Strictly Lindy division '07'
Class descriptions:
Texas Tommy Treasure Hunt - The Texas Tommy is noted as one of the original dances in the 1900's which had a breakaway element to it ( i.e having an open position and not merely being confined to closed position). Along with many of the Animal dances and the Charleston, the Texas Tommy is also a predecessor of Lindy Hop. Today, we honor this early root with the Texas Tommy dance pattern which is fairly common. Come join us as we take this staple move and expand upon it creating new intricate patterns that will certainly be gems for our taking.
Lines and Styling - Ok everyone its time for a little self-reflection. While most classes focus on new moves and technique we are going to step back and see how we look because as you all know "it taint what you do, but how you do it". In this class we are going to focus on sculpting our body positioning in aesthetically pleasing ways as well as give some styling ideas for guy's and gals that could pass on the red carpet.
Jason Christodoulou & Jenna Chalmers
Teaching on Sunday
Jason Christodoulou, a talented dancer, choreographer, instructor and cofounder of the Dog House in San Francisco and the hiphop/swing dance group Loose Change. Known for his incredible versatility, energy, and style, Jason knows how to motivate dancers! Jason has taught previously with swing legends Sylvia Sykes and Virginie. Jason is in high demand at workshops around the world, including prominent favorites like Herrang and Beantown.
Jenna Chalmers has been teaching and performing dance professionally since 1993. You may have seen her in the Sony TriStar film "The Thirteenth Floor" or "Swing: The Movie." She provided dance reference for animators at Pixar Studios and Electronic Arts, and choreographs for groups like The Decobelles and Retro Cabaret. She is the co-director of the long-running Camp Swing and has appeared on TV and National Public Radio as an expert in the field of swing dance. She has taught with popular instructors like Kevin St.Laurent and recently at "Rock That Swing" in Munich, Germany with Johnny Lee. Jenna has competed and judged internationally, recently placing 2nd at the National Jitterbug Championships in the Pro Collegiate Shag Division.
Jason and Jenna first taught together in San Francisco in 1997. They have appeared in advertisements, publications and on television including the Washington Mutual ad campaign, 7X7 Magazine, and KRON'S Live broadcast of the New Years Eve countdown. They are excited to bring their unique style to the Frankie Manning Weekend!
Class descriptions:
Lindy Magic: Easy Ways to Double Your Moves!
New to Lindy Hop and need some more stuff to fill a song? Feel like you keep doing the same moves over and over? Maybe you've learned new stuff, but it never comes to you when you need it on the dance floor. Break outta the rut! Jason and Jenna will show you moves that will double your social dancing in fun, easy ways.
Lindy Transformers: More than Meets the Eye!
Bump your Lindy to the next level with these moves and techniques. Learn fun intermediate steps that will improve your transitions and apply anchor step concepts. Say what??! You will walk out of this class transformed into a better dancer! Period!
Carla Heiney & Jay Le Roux
teaching on Sunday
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 & extensive history, but still bursting with energy towards a brilliant future. Carla currently teaches, choreographs, judges, competes, & social dances all over the world & feels very fortunate to be able to do what she loves most.
Among many of her titles, Carla is a 2006 US Open Showcase Champion, 2007 National Jitterbug Champion, & 2007 American Lindy Hop Champion. She has also won the Lindy Showcase division with in 2001, 2002, 2004 and the US Open Strictly Lindy division in 2003. She is a 4 time American Lindy Hop Champion and the 2005 World Lindy Hop Champion in the Improvisational division. She has worked with great artists such as Aretha Franklin, Jeff Tyzik, B.B. King, Erich Kunzel, Nell Carter, and Rita Moreno. She has had the wonderful opportunity to dance at prestigious places such Carnegie Hall & the Kennedy Center as well. She has appeared on ABC's revival of the TV show "Dance Fever" in 2003 and was a featured dancer using Motion Capture technology in the 2004 Feature Film "The Polar Express" in 2004. Carla will also be featured in the upcoming 2008 movie "Love and Dancing." For more information on where Carla will be traveling next and where she has been, please see her full bio and tour schedule on her website.
Carla wants to thank all the dancers at Swing Central who make every Tuesday evening so unique and special to her and she especially wants to thank all the dancers from Swing Central & The Rhythm Lounge for their support and passion! For more information on Carla, please visit at www.carlaheiney.com
Jay discovered partner dances in 2000 at Paul Sabatier University in Toulouse,
France, and in 2001, he discovered Lindy Hop, whose joy and spirit has been with him ever since.
Although he's taken numerous workshops and classes, even traveling to many countries to do so, a lot of his training happens on the social dance floor, with the idea to answer, "What can I lead? How to react and adapt? How to extend what I already know to make something different happen?"
Now he shares all these experiences with you in his classes. His teaching is based on a solid partner connection, which is common
to every partner dance, with the purpose of taking you down many different paths to make
your dance fit your partner and the music. Diversity in jazz is unique, so
should your dancing!
Jay's teaching is fun and energetic. This is what he found in swing music,
this is what you'll get in his classes. His jokes, french accent, and sound
effects during his classes makes it a unique experience. He will focus on both
individual and partner technique, rhythm, body awareness, and he will show you
how to link all these to make you a better dancer. He will carry you to this
door of endless possibilities and you will cross the threshold together. He
will teach you how to see the 'tool' aspect of the material he teaches so you
can use these techniques at other moments. Come discover the 'how' and 'why'
with him so you will have a lot of options instead of one move.
Class descriptions:
Musicality for all levels and Swingout Variations & Styling - Details coming soon!
Damon Stone & Ria DiBiase
teaching on Sunday
Damon has been dancing his entire life. Starting with vernacular Jazz/Blues he went on to Hip-Hop, and eventually studied well over a dozen different dance forms until coming full circle in 1995 to focus primarily on the history and styles of Swing and Blues. He has taught dance extensively on both coasts, and studied the development of vernacular Jazz/Blues dance regionally and nationally, traveling to New York, Chicago, Memphis, Los Angeles, Oakland, Sacramento, St. Louis, and New Orleans.
He has been interviewed as a Black dance historian in documentary and for radio. Damon has been a featured instructor at numerous swing camps and jazz festivals and workshops and camps across the U.S. and Canada. He is a member of the California Historical Jazz Dance Foundation, and a Director of the Northern California Lindy Society.
Ria has studied Historical Jazz, Lindy Hop, Blues, Ballet, Gymnastics and Hip Hop. Her dancing style is energetic and musical, and she is comfortable being playful and funky as well as "busting it old school".
Ria's teaching style is clear and concise and she can break down complicated moves and concepts so they are easily understandable. She specializes in teaching the basics, communication through lead/follow technique, and connection. Despite a healthy competitive attitude and mantle full of local, regional, national and world championship trophies, Ria's first love is social aspects of vernacular jazz and blues dances.
Together their classes are challenging and full of humor. They focus on the underlying principles and break down the most difficult concepts and moves so they are easy to understand and incorporate. With an eye on musicality and improvisation, they'll get you on the floor and dancing rather than just doing moves.
Class descriptions
All about the Blues
This class is for all those new to blues as well as those experienced dancers looking to get a more detailed understanding of what makes blues dances different from other forms of dance. We'll concentrate on both the mechanical and artistic elements that characterize the genre as a whole and explore in depth one of our favorite forms of blues dance from the jook joints of the South, Struttin'.
Blues Style: Music and Movement
This class will look at the various forms of blues music and pick out what makes the styles different from each other, and teach what dances developed to that particular style as well as how to add those elements to your own form of Blues. All students should have some familiarity with at least one form of Blues dance or be intermediate or advanced lindy hoppers.
Chad Kubo & Melanie Moore
teaching Sunday
Chad Kubo is the original Ambassador of Swing in San Francisco. He has been dancing lindy hop for over 10 years, and has performed and taught workshops across the United States, including performing in and choreographing a stage play about swing dancing at two premier repertory theaters. He is the co-founder of San Francisco's Lindy in the Park, and the co-founder of The Doghouse, which was one of the Bay Area's largest ongoing weekly swing dances. Drawing on his 33 years of martial arts experience, Chad emphasizes movement and body dynamics in his lindy classes, such as Zen and the Art of Lindy Hop, Creativity and Musicality, Aerials, Stealing and Switching Partners, Jazz Movement, and Floor Craft.
Melanie Moore has been dancing for five years, and comes to lindy hop from a background in educational psychology. Chad and Melanie together ran The Doghouse, and can be found teaching in various venues around the Bay Area.
Class Descriptions: Coming soon! |
