Browse teachers
Check out the line-up for HDC 2025! More teachers are soon to be announced!
Bianca Locatelli and Nils Andrén are Lindy Hop and Boogie Woogie dancers, choreographers, instructors and performers with a passion for driving the art form forward and have devoted the last decade to teaching, performing, and choreographing. Their true passion lies in Lindy Hop and Boogie Woogie, two vibrant dance styles that have deep roots in African American culture.
They discovered their love for dance at a young age, exploring various styles such as ballet, latin dances, hip-hop, and ballroom. However, it was swing dancing that captured their hearts. Their paths crossed when Bianca moved to Sweden, and they began performing and competing together.
Soon after, they embarked on a performing, competing and teaching career, sharing their passion and vision with audiences and students worldwide.
Bianca will be teaching the Rhythm'n'Blues classes in the Ramble Track in week 3, as well as the Lindy Hop track in week 4, together with Nils Andren.
Bobby White has taught Lindy Hop, Balboa, and Solo Jazz around the world for over a decade. He has won various championships in all, and with each, Bobby strives to innovate and create a new voice, while still capturing the spirit of the original dancers. He has won almost every major title in the modern Balboa scene, including most recently two back-to-back All Balboa Weekend ACBC Championship titles (2015 & 2016, and 2018), The International Lindy Hop Championships Balboa division (2015), the California Balboa Classic (2016 & 2017) and the National Jitterbug Championships Balboa division (2016) with Annabel Quisao. He is the author of the popular swing dance blog Swungover, and the book Practice Swing: A Choose Your Own Adventure Guide to Getting Better at Swing Dancing. He is the co-founder of The Harvest Moon Hoppers, a New York performance group that specializes in taking inspiration from the Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers. As a dancer, he is widely recognized for his floppy hair, and as a teacher, by his sound effects.
Bobby will be teaching the Balboa track together with Chisomo Selemani in week 2, as well as the Lindy Hop track together with Ursula Hicks in week 3.
Some of Breonna’s fondest childhood memories are dancing in the kitchen with her siblings to top 40 radio while dinner was being prepared. Cooking, cleaning, roadtrips - music and dance was a part of everyday life. But it wasn’t until Breonna moved to New Orleans, where she experienced her first taste of live traditional jazz music, that she realized her affinity for the living art form of jazz dance. She has danced and studied Lindy Hop, along with Vernacular Jazz at many different festivals and workshops around the world. As an emerging New Orleans based dance instructor, she values the connections between music, history, and authentic self expression through movement.
Breonna will be teaching the Lindy Hop track in week 2 and week 3, as well as the Classic Routines track in week 3.
Dancing since 1974 and a protege of Fayard Nicholas (of the Nicholas Brothers) Chester has been dancing his way around the world. These days he is a dancer, teacher, performer, choreographer, director, stunt man and entertainer. His choreography can be seen in music videos for Boys II Men, Sugar Ray, Teena Marie as well as working with artists such as Savion Glover, MC Hammer, Prince and many more. Also a highly renowned drummer and band leader he has worked with some of the best in the entertainment industry. He has performed with his dance company Black Ballet Jazz, with the Lionel Hampton Orchestra, the Duke Ellington Orchestra, the Count Basie Orchestra and the great Miles Davies. Chester exudes boundless positive energy and passion for dance and is a born entertainer. His contributions have been far too many to name them all. He can only be seen to be believed.
Chester will be teaching the Solo Jazz track and the Lindy Hop track together with Josette Wiggan in week 3, as well as the Tap track and the Lindy Hop track in week 4.
Chisomo Selemani is a dance and teaching enthusiast. She loves movement, learning, collaboration, and cultural exchange. Her artistic endeavors in the Swing dances are inspired from her Zambian tradition and Afrobeats. Her teaching methodologies invite you to explore your own style and artistry. When she’s not dancing, she is co-hosting the podcast Integrated Rhythm and is highly involved in global issues and practices in communication sciences and disorders.
Chisomo will be teaching the Balboa track together with Bobby White in week 2.
More details about Christian are coming soon!
Christian will be teaching the Solo Jazz track in week 1, the Performance Half-Time track in week 1, as well as the Lindy Hop track in Week 2 alongside Natalia Eristavi.
More information about Daniel Larsson will be published here soon.
Daniel will be teaching the Solo Jazz and the Tap track in week 3.
Dr. Marie N'diaye (PhD) is a Lindy Hop and African American Jazz dance choreographer, performer and educator as well as a dance researcher.
Marie has been dancing almost as long as she has been walking, training mostly in modern Jazz. She fell in love with Lindy Hop and other Jazz dances in 2006.
A true scientist (She obtained her PhD in Neuroimmunology from Karolinska Institute, Stockholm Sweden in 2018), Marie loves history and facts. She has been applying her scientific method and dance education to conduct an embodied practice-based research of Jazz dance through the study of original video clips and collaborations with many established dancers. She has also researched the cultural and social context of the Jazz dance era through literature study and interviews of artists. Her main focus is on the African American Jazz Women and Chorines (chorus girls) of the time. In 2023, Marie completed the Choreomundus Program, an International Master in Dance Knowledge, Practice, and Heritage. This program focuses on dance and other movement systems as cultural heritage and includes Ethnochoreology, Anthropology of Dance, Dance Studies, and Heritage Studies.
Currently, Marie is a board member of the newly founded "Black Lindy Hoppers Fund," an organization dedicated to support African and African diasporic dancers and artists in Lindy Hop and Jazz. She is also leading "Collective Voices for Change" a non-profit organization created together with other dancers and scholars in order to propose a platform to address social issues in the Jazz dance community. The current focus of CVFC is to address the issues of cultural appropriation and racial inequities in the dance scene.
Marie will be teaching the Lindy Hop track together with Felix Berghäll in week 4.
Fatima Teffahi, a jazz tap dancer, entertainer, teacher, DJ and collector. Rhythm is her business! Fatima started to tap dance in Brussels, her hometown, in the late 80’s. Her style is strongly jazz related and deeply rooted in the African American 30’s and 40’s tap and authentic jazz tradition. She has lived in Stockholm for more than 20 years now, a still active member of "The Hot Shots - A celebration of Harlem rhythms" and one of the driving forces behind "Chicago Swing Dance Studio".
Fatima will be teaching the 3 in 1 track in week 1, as well as the Classic Routines track in week 3.
Felix Berghäll is a Swedish white man who specialises in Lindy Hop and African American Vernacular Jazz. He’s a choreographer, performer and educator as well as a music researcher and DJ. He has studied Sport Coaching and Sport Science at the Swedish School of Sport and Health Science in Stockholm. He has been part of the national team as an athlete in Boogie Woogie and Lindy Hop and is now Co-Head Coach with his partner Mikaela Hellsten for the national team of Lindy Hop in Sweden. He’s has and is been working for the last 5-7 years co-organising one of the biggest events in the world with focus on Lindy Hop and African American Vernacular Jazz. Felix has been dancing since he was 8 years old, starting with training and competing in the Swedish dance style Bugg as well as Lindy Hop, Boogie Woogie and Double Bugg. All dances derived from Lindy Hop and African American Vernacular Jazz. He was in love from the beginning and was really taken by the music. Currently, he is also part of leading a new NGO, Collective Voices for Change, along with other dancers and scholars in order to create a platform to address social issues in the Jazz dance community. The current focus of the initiative is to discuss the issues of cultural appropriation and racial injustice
Felix will be teaching the Lindy Hop track together with Dr. Marie N'Diaye in week 4.
Fredrik Dahlberg was born and raised in Stockholm. Never had he a thought of becoming a dancer. Instead he spent his days listening to Hip-Hop and playing basketball. He moved to the south side and started to show interest in jazz music. One of his friends took him to a lindy hop class and at first he didn't show much of talent, struggling with what was left and right and up and down. Soon after he joined the famous swing dance company The Hot Shots. How was this even possible? With a mind set on nothing else (that is not entirely true) and some luck some might say.
With a big portion of individual style and new ideas he brings something refreshing to the scene. He tried tap (and is still trying), but on the other hand he has advanced in dances like the lindy hop, the charleston and several other vernacular jazz dances which has entitled him several big awards in only a short period of time. He has been teaching in several international events such as Frankie 100, Herräng Dance Camp, Camp Jitterbug and traveled to perform around the globe in such places as Singapore, Greece, Korea, Lithuania, China, Australia, Brazil, Canada, The U.S. and Mozambique among other.
He is also an important part of the puzzle Chicago Swing Dance Studio where he has been teaching, djing, cleaning, providing guests with a smile and dancing at every opportunity he gets. Fredrik is a time optimist and an optimist in general. In his free time, which is almost non-existent, he writes poetry, quotes the Godfather trilogy and watches the NBA. Besides his mother tongue Swedish he also speaks fluent English and practices Portugues. You can contact him through the record store 'runtrunt' where he claims to be working. If he works or not is a good question but at least we know that's where he practices his footworks and crazy ideas. Also he plays trumpet and tries to play piano.
Fredrik is teaching the Lindy Hop track in week 2 together with Frida Häggström Gerdt. He is also teaching the Lindy Hop track in week 4 together with Mimmi Gunnarsson.
Frida's love for jazz music started in her early teens, but it wasn't until she discovered Lindy hop at the age of 17 that her passion for dance truly ignited. From the moment she took her first beginner courses, social dancing quickly took over, and soon the dance and everything around it became an extensive part of her life.
She is a well-known face at Chicago Swing Dance Studio in Stockholm, where she spends most of her time teaching, training, dancing or DJ:ing. She is committed to sharing her love for the dance and the music that drives it, and when it comes to teaching as well as dance in general, she greatly values rhythm, simplicity and personal expression.
In 2015 she joined forces with The Hot Shots (formerly known as Harlem Hot Shots) and has been a solid member of the dance company since 2018. Together with the group, she’s travelled to teach and perform both locally and internationally. Besides her passion for jazz and dance, Frida is also a visual artist and freelance graphic designer, and whether it concerns dance, art or design she always has a creative project going on.
Frida will be teaching the Lindy Hop track together with Fredrik Dahlberg in week 2.
Frida Segerdahl started dancing at the age of 5. During her teens she was enrolled at a dance program studying jazz, modern and ballet and much more. When she was 15 she attended Herrang Dance Camp for the first time and fell in love with Lindy Hop. In no time, she was asked to join the world's foremost jazz dance company, the Rhythm Hot Shots and stayed active in the company until she had her second child in 2014. She has performed and taught at all ends of the world. Besides her skills in Charleston, Lindy Hop and Jazz Dance, she is also now part of the board of the famous Lindy Hop dance camp that she first attended back when she was 15, the Herrang Dance Camp in Sweden.
Frida will be teaching the Lindy Hop tracks, as well as the 3 in 1 track alongside Skye Humphries in Week 1.
Jimmy Yudat is a dancer, choreographer and activist both in the French and International underground scene for 20 years.He is renowned for his performances in hip-hop battles and is invited all around the world to share his knowledge. Founding member of the "YUDAT" group, he is also now the CEO of the Hip Hop dance media "HIPPOH" a media made by hip-hop activists for the hip-hop culture.
Considered as one of the best Hip Hop dancers of his generation, he is also one of the most charismatic MC’s and a source of knowledge regarding the hip hop culture.
Jimmy is a powerhouse on his own! His positive energy and his special Groove are something you don’t want to miss in Herräng!
Jimmy will be teaching the Xperience track in week 4.
Katja Završnik started dancing at the age of 5 and through the years studied various forms of dance such as Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Ballroom, Gymnastics and Acrobatic Rock and Roll for 9 years.
Since 2005 she has focused on early American dances from the Jazz age and Swing era, such as the Lindy Hop, Swing, Balboa, Charleston, St. Louis Shag and Authentic jazz. Her knowledge of (almost) all swing dances allows Katja to adapt her dance to any type of dancer. Which places her on the market among one of the best followers understanding connection and reactivity.
She is an elegant dancer. At first, you’ll be seduced by her style based on subtlety and finesse. But if you look a little closer you’ll be surprised by her musicality and footwork. Her focus on musicality and connection makes her one of the most sought after followers in the scene.
Her shyness – as probably her Slovenian origin as well – gives at first a “cold” feeling. But don’t make any mistake: she loves to laugh, to party and simply have fun. During a dance, she is one of the few followers to never refuse a dance and also often the last to leave the dance floor.
Currently living in Ljubljana, Slovenia, Katja travels doing special weekend workshops and festivals. In the past 11 years she has taught and performed all over Europe, Asia and USA.
Katja will be teaching the Balboa track together with Peter Loggins in week 2.
Korantema is a dancer born and raised in London. She was put in tap, ballet and modern jazz classes after getting heat stroke from dancing too hard at her fifth birthday party. After going to her first social in 2014, Korantema very quickly fell in love with African American Jazz Dance. She performed in a chorus line troupe for five years, co-leading and choreographing for two years up until 2020. Since then, Korantema has enjoyed focusing on embodiment and the cultural traditions of jazz dance. She trains with Cookie and her Black Mambas, a collective led by Lindy Hop legacy holder Angela Andrew. When she's not dancing, Korantema works as a Curator of Anthropology and is a zine maker, usually exploring the cultural experiences of Black women.
Korantema will be teaching the Solo Jazz track in week 2, as well as the Lindy Hop track in week 3.
Lizette is a dance teacher and a member of the famous swing dance company the Hot Shots. Swing dancing has been part of her life for a long time as she started dancing at the age of nine in her home town Borås. Todays she is based in Stockholm, Sweden and travels the world to perform, dance and teach various dance styles from the swing era. Lizette puts a lot of value into personal style and a solid rhythm.
Lizette will be teaching the Lindy Hop track alongside Patrik Pettersson in week 1.
Malkom is a House dancer that has earned a dazzling reputation amongst the House Dance community through his personal style.
Dancer, choreographer and performer, he started with B-Boying in 2001 before pursuing with Hip Hop in 2007. But it’s House Dance that helped him explore his creativity and originality by using and combining influences. That allowed him to impose an identity to his own dance, which earned him to enter the “Serial Stepperz” crew in 2008.
Within this group, Malkom specializes in House Dance. He has brought together a number of victories in the biggest competitions (Juste Debout, Summer Dance Forever, Bust A Move, Funkin Stylez,…).
Malkom is now one of the key figures in the dance competition game and continues to grow constantly, always imposing his own style which now has a name: the « Ground Control ». This style is defined by a creative and extensive research of movement using the floor… because for him, the only limit in dance is imagination.
His sensitivity to music, which is a huge part of his dance’s originality, brought him to become a DJ in 2018. Through music, Malkom is able to express a new side of his creativity.
2/3 of the DJ collective Museik 1st, Malkom & Remy will be in charge of connecting the Jazz sounds to the more modern Hip Hop, House and Afro sounds.
Malkom loves transmission. So come and meet him and his contagious energy in Herräng!
Malkom will be teaching the Xperience track in week 4.
”Her feet run the floor like fingers over the keys of a piano—with clear intentions and deep sound. Rhythms are tight, movements fresh and joy unmistakable.” - Swingzine.com
Mimmi is a dancer filled with energy and joy. A true student of the dance, in love with the raw and wild style of dancers in Harlem in the 30s and 40s. Her inspiration though, is gotten from everywhere which she with care and ease incorporates into her own style.
As a breath of fresh air from a time that past, she makes the dance her own every time she swings by the dance floor.
Starting off as a social dancer, she soon found the passion for performing - since 2012 as a member of the famous dance company Harlem Hot Shots. Besides teaching regularly at Chicago Swing Dance Studio in Stockholm, Mimmi has travelled to teach and perform in all continents of the globe. Countries such as Australia, US, Brazil, Singapore, Korea, South Africa and Mozambique just to mention a few - And of course frequently all around Europe.
Mimmi will be teaching in the Lindy Hop track together with Fredrik Dahlberg in week 4.
Naomi Uyama discovered Lindy Hop in her hometown of Washington DC in 1997. Before graduating high school she had already been hand picked by Aretha Franklin to perform with her onstage, and had won numerous national level contests. Today she is a top performer and competitor and has collected dozens of titles at such major competitions as the US Open Swing Dance Championships and the International Lindy Hop Championships. As an instructor she has taught thousands of students in over 20 countries. Today, she travels the world teaching dance and singing with her band "Naomi & Her Handsome Devils", while calling Minneapolis home.
Naomi will be teaching the Solo Jazz track in week 3, as well as the Ramble track in week 3 and Lindy Hop track in week 4 together with Peter Strom.
Picture by Eric Esquivel.
Natalia (she/her) is a jazz dancer, teacher, and performer originally from Southern California and now based in St. Louis, Missouri. She has been dancing for most of her life but discovered Swing dance in Southern California in 2010 at the age of 17. Her journey began with a love for Balboa and Lindy Hop and soon expanded to include Solo Jazz, Collegiate Shag, and Carolina Shag. For Natalia, the heart of Swing dance lies in the jazz music and the freedom to improvise through movement, whether dancing solo or with a partner. She deeply values being a guest in this culture and treasures the opportunity to create alongside others in classes, social dances, or jam settings, describing it as a beautiful and vulnerable experience she feels privileged to share.
Natalia will be teaching the Solo Jazz track in week 1, the Performance Half-Time track in week 1, as well as the Lindy Hop track in Week 2 alongside Christian Frommelt.
Picture by Morgan Day.
Nick Williams has embodied the passion and spirit of swing dancing ever since his first lesson in 1998. The depth of his understanding of Lindy Hop, Balboa, and Collegiate Shag stems 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, US Open Swing Dance Champion, American Lindy Hop Champion, National Jitterbug Champion, International Lindy Hop Champion, Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown Champion, American Classic Balboa Champion, California Balboa/Swing Champion, and California Balboa Classic 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 of music and dancing will forever inspire him to learn, teach, and grow. In 2004 and 2010, Nick was honored to be recognized by the California Swing Dance Hall of Fame.
Nick will be teaching the Balboa track together with Sylvia Sykes in week 2.
Bianca Locatelli and Nils Andrén are Lindy Hop and Boogie Woogie dancers, choreographers, instructors and performers with a passion for driving the art form forward and have devoted the last decade to teaching, performing, and choreographing. Their true passion lies in Lindy Hop and Boogie Woogie, two vibrant dance styles that have deep roots in African American culture.
They discovered their love for dance at a young age, exploring various styles such as ballet, latin dances, hip-hop, and ballroom. However, it was swing dancing that captured their hearts. Their paths crossed when Bianca moved to Sweden, and they began performing and competing together.
Soon after, they embarked on a performing, competing and teaching career, sharing their passion and vision with audiences and students worldwide.
Nils will be teaching the Rhythm'n'Blues classes in the Ramble Track in week 3, as well as the Lindy Hop track in week 4, together with Bianca Locatelli.
Dancer and choreographer specializing in Hip Hop and House Dance, Odile has always been immersed in the cultural and musical universe of the West Indies, which strongly inspires her dance.
She began her training with Modern Jazz and then Hip Hop. Trained in Hype and New Style by Francis Mbida, she then discovered House Dance and began to practice and perfect it by herself as an autodidact.Member of the "Paradox-Sal" crew, Odile evolves as a dancer and interprets both in competitions and on stage. She has also worked with choreographers like Anne Nguyen in Paris and Laure Courtellemont in Los Angeles.
In recent years, Odile has collaborated with Ousmane Sy on various projects, including the creations “Queen Blood” and “One Shot” as an assistant choreographer and performer. She also danced in the pieces “Fighting Spirit”, “Bounce” and “Basic” by the same choreographer.
Come meet this beautiful soulful dancer in Herräng!
Odile will be teaching the Xperience track in week 4.
Patrik is a dance teacher and member of the famous swing dance company The Hot Shots. Patrik happiest on stage, which is obvious when you see his famous smile and surprising agility. It is impossible not to notice his love for all music that swings, as soon as he sets foot on the dancefloor. He gets inspiration from the big dancers of the 30’s like Al Minns and Leon James, although he makes his moves his own.
Patrik will be teaching the Lindy Hop track alongside Lizette Rönnqvist in week 1.
Peter Loggins brings a first hand historical approach to his classes sharing what was handed down by legends of the past including National Charleston champions, Harvest Moon Ball Lindy Hop winners and 1930's Swing Champions. Peter not only travels worldwide as an instructor, lecturer, performer and competition judge but he has also been featured in television and film such as Beverly Hills 90210, Marilyn Mansion Mobscene video, Royal Crown Revue's Zip Gun Pop video and Films such as Mulholland Drive, and the 13th Floor. Aside from having a down to earth street approach to teaching, his expansive knowledge of the cultures along with the music that drove social dancing allows students to learn the history of these dances and how they've evolved through the years.
Peter will be teaching the Balboa track together with Katja Zavrsnik in week 2.
Peter Strom is one of the most dedicated and well traveled instructors on the Lindy Hop scene today. His humor in classes is only matched by the clarity and care he takes with his students. Since his start in 1998 he has taught at international dance camps from Australia to South Korea to Herrang, Sweden. In addition to teaching he brings with him his skills as a sought after DJ and experienced Master of Ceremonies. He was a member of the renowned Lindy Hop team "The Silver Shadows" and the founder of "Uptown Swing" in his hometown of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Peter will be teaching the Ramble track in week 3 and the Lindy Hop track in week 4 together with Naomi Uyama.
Picture by Eric Esquivel.
More information about Prof. Josette Wiggan will be published here soon!
Josette will be teaching the Tap track in week 3 and 4. Furthermore she is teaching the Lindy Hop track in week 3 together with Chester Whitmore and the Solo Jazz track in week 4.
Ramona’s journey started at 14 when she was spotted by Lindy Hop legend Frankie Manning. From her early teens to now, Ramona has danced her way through 21 years of Lindy Hop, Charleston, and jazz era social dances, influenced deeply by her work with Frankie.
With a rich background in various dance styles and a professional studies program at the José Limón Institute, Ramona has performed worldwide, including at Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival and with icons like Arlo Guthrie. She co-founded the Melbourne Rhythm Project and has been celebrated with numerous awards, including World Lindy Hop Champion and Pro Classic Champion.
In her classes, Ramona blends fun and challenge, inspiring students with her joy and dedication. Her teaching emphasizes rhythm, musicality, and improvisation, driven by her deep love for dance and music. Now based in Melbourne, Australia, Ramona continues to push the boundaries of dance, with a special passion for tap that complements her Lindy Hop skills. Get ready to be inspired by Ramona’s infectious enthusiasm and extraordinary talent!
Ramona will be teaching the 3 in 1 track in week 1, as well as the Lindy Hop tracks in week 2.
Remy Kouakou Kouame has always lived his life surrounded by music and/or dance.
Growing up within the Hip Hop culture as a DJ, he also developed his dance specialty within the Swing dance community.
Traveling the world to either perform, teach and/or compete in the context of Vernacular Jazz and Lindy Hop, he loves to share his dance and to help people find their unique voices.
In recent years, Remy felt the urge to (re)align with himself and connect all of the aspects that makes him the artist he is. This is how the project “The Xperience” started. Remy believes that a bridge has to be reinforced - if not (re)created - between the vintage and the modern Street dances.
He is therefore beyond excited to bring his vision in the concept of “The Xperience” to Herräng and share it with the Swing community!!!
His classes are a reflection of what this magical journey has brought to him : rhythm, music, connection… and tons of groove!!!
2/3 of the DJ collective Museik 1st, Remy & Malkom will be in charge of connecting the Jazz sounds to the more modern Hip Hop, House and Afro sounds within "The Xperience Track".
Come meet him in Herräng!
Remy will be teaching the Xperience track and the Solo Jazz track in week 4.
Sakarias "The Champ" Larsson was born and raised in Frufällan, on the west side of Sweden. He watched jitterbug contests as a kid and there were some things with the music and the aesthetics of the dance that spoke to him and he decided to learn. One thing led to another and already at sixteen he started practice with The Hot Shots. That was 20 years ago and he's been with the group ever since.
The amount of hours he's spent in the rehearsal studio is probably beyond sane. The recent past years he's focused on sharing what he knows with the younger generation of Harlem Hot Shots. He finds motivation from his friends in the group, they keep him young.
Sakarias is on a never ending world tour in the name of Lindy Hop with probably 1000s of shows, teaching gigs and competitions. Apollo Theatre, Frankie 95 and 100, Basie Centennial, Last Bounce, Jazz Jam, ULHC, several tours in USA, Asia, Australia and Europe (only to name a few). He made it to the finals in Sweden's Got Talent and out of 100s of dancers he was casted among the top 20 to enter the reality tv dance show Floor Filler. He's also one of the founders of Chicago swing dance studio, one of the more famous lindy hop and jazz venues in Stockholm today.
He actually met and knew some of the original swing dancers of Harlem and he was good friends with Frankie Manning. The dancers from the Whitey's Lindy Hoppers are his true idols. But he also finds a lot of inspiration in modern day dancers such as Peter Loggins, Minn Vo, Jeremy Otth and of course Vincenzo Fesi. A few years back he decided to try something else and wanted to be a rock 'n' roller. He started learning the drums and soon joined and started touring with the well recognised band The Vanjas. He's also the drummer of the travelling jazz band Hornsgatan Ramblers. As if that wasn't enough, surfing, tattooing, playing the saxophone, film making and graphical design are only a few of his other "professions". He's a man of contradictions: a performer with stage freit, a teacher with social anxiety, a people loving lone wolf.
Sakarias will be teaching the Lindy Hop track in week 1 and week 2, as well as the 3 in 1 track in week 2.
Originally pressured into taking Lindy Hop classes by his mother at the tender age of 12, Skye soon found that social dancing really is the best thing in life. Over the past 18 years he has performed, taught, and competed both nationally and internationally, gaining recognition as a talented and dedicated dancer.
Skye will be teaching the Solo Jazz track, the Lindy Hop track, as well as the 3 in 1 track alongside Frida Segerdahl in week 1.
Sylvia is one of the most well-known and respected dancers, instructors and judges in the U.S. today. An internationally recognized authority on most types of Swing dance, she has been teaching and judging for over 30 years throughout the U.S., Europe, Asia and Australia.
Sylvia studied with the great Swing dancer Dean Collins, 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 and 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 throughout 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.
Sylvia Sykes will be teaching the Balboa track together with Nick Williams in week 2.
Trisha hails from Hertfordshire, UK, and has been teaching since 1997 and on the international scene since 2003. For 10 years she contributed to establishing the first European swing dance brand and the biggest of its time. She is now thrilled to manage her own companycreatively directed by her personal vision.Trisha has built up a reputation for being one of the most influential teachers within the European Swing Scene. It’s been said that her teaching style is innovative, dynamic and inspiring. Always engaging and fun, Trisha loves to make people laugh and feel relaxed in her classes. At the end of her classes students are filled with energy and excitement.
Trisha will be teaching the Solo Jazz track in week 1.
Ursula Hicks began her dance training over 20 years ago in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, and later Modern and Contemporary dance. Ursula graduated with B.A. in Dance Studies from Texas Woman's University in the summer 2013, where she studied with Marry Williford-Shade, Sarah Gamblin, Jordan Fuchs, and Gladys Keeton. Ursula brings such musicality and enthusiasm to the dance floor, it's no wonder that she has placed in multiple lindy hop competitions including the International Lindy Hop Championships in Washington, D.C., LindyFest in Houston, TX. , and a number of other competitions. Ursula has also been on the board of directors for The Fort Worth Swing Dance Syndicate, and served as president of The Dallas Swing Dance Society. Ursula takes pleasure in collaborating with fellow artists and social dancing in the DFW area and enjoys teaching dance to students of all ages. She is an absolute joy to watch and learn from.
Ursula Hicks will be teaching the Lindy Hop track together with Bobby White in week 3, as well as the Lindy Hop track in week 4.
Vassiliki Papadopoulou has been dancing since she was 8 years old, starting with classical ballet, followed by contemporary, ballroom and Latin dances. At the age of 19, she found her passion in Lindy Hop and Vernacular Jazz, which charmed her with the energy and creativity that characterises them. Since then, she has been dancing non stop, having attended numerous workshops in Greece and abroad. She loves teaching, performing and competing. In Lindy Hop and Authentic Jazz dances, she finds freedom, energy and joy, as they are for her a way of creative expression and a constant source of inspiration. She is currently located in her hometown, Athens, where she is teaching Lindy Hop & Authentic Jazz as a member of Rhythm Hoppers’ team.
Vassiliki will be teaching the Solo Jazz track in week 2, as well as the Lindy Hop track in week 3 together with Viktor Lillard.
Hailing originally from Ithaca, NY, Viktor Lillard is a passionate and multi-talented creative force, with a specialty in Lindy Hop and Authentic Jazz dance. Included in his frequent activities are teaching, DJing Swing and Soul music, playing the bass and guitar, researching music and history, performing, producing video, and, of course, social dancing. He has become a valued dance instructor in the international Lindy Hop scene. As an instructor, Viktor seeks to present dance in a comprehensive experience of jazz music, with emphasis on historical and cultural context. He values lineage, authenticity, community, partnership, musicality, and fun. In everything he does, Viktor strives to be a responsible guest and steward of the precious tradition of jazz dance culture, seeking to not only preserve but also innovate. Viktor endeavors to share his understanding of the movement fundamentals at the core of the jazz dance tradition, inspire curiosity and instill cultural awareness, and facilitate students finding their own dance identity and authentic self-expression.
Viktor will be teaching the Lindy Hop track with Tyedric Hill in week 2, as well as the Lindy Hop track in week 3, alongside with Vassiliki Papadopoulou.
Guests & Honorary Guests
These remarkable artists have experienced the swing era in first person
Barbara Billups
Barbara Billups is a celebrated Lindy Hop dancer, hailing from the iconic Savoy Ballroom in Harlem, New York. A former Harvest Moon Ball Champion, Barbara’s legacy is steeped in the rich history of jazz and swing dance. Her illustrious career includes performances with Sonny Allen and the Rockets, a premier dance group with whom she graced stages across the United States and Canada.
In the early 1950s, Barbara met her longtime friend and fellow dancer, Sugar Sullivan, at the Savoy Ballroom. Together, they shared an unmatched energy and charisma, bringing Lindy Hop to audiences worldwide. Both Barbara and Sugar are honored inductees of the International Lindy Hop Hall of Fame, celebrated for their dedication to preserving and promoting Lindy Hop’s unique heritage and spirit.
Sugar Sullivan
Sugar Sullivan began dancing at age nine and rose to fame as a member of the Original Jazz Dancers, a legendary group of Lindy Hoppers and Hoofers from Harlem's golden age. Her career highlights include performances with the Harlem Blues and Jazz Band, Cab Calloway's Hi-De-Ho Orchestra, and Panama Francis and his Savoy Sultans.
Starting with Tap at home, Sugar was trained by Buster Brown by age four. She met Barbara Billups at the Savoy Ballroom in the early fifties. They have performed across North America and Canada with Sonny Allen and the Rockets. Both are honored members of the International Lindy Hop Hall of Fame, celebrated for their dedication to preserving and promoting Lindy Hop’s unique heritage and spirit.
Chester Whitmore
Chester Whitmore has been dancing around the world since 1974, trained by none other than Fayard Nicholas of the legendary Nicholas Brothers. Chester is a dancer, teacher, choreographer, director, stuntman, entertainer, and even a renowned drummer and bandleader.
His choreography graces music videos for artists like Boys II Men, Sugar Ray, and Teena Marie, and he’s worked with icons such as Savion Glover, MC Hammer, and Prince. With his dance company, Black Ballet Jazz, he has lit up stages with the Lionel Hampton, Duke Ellington, and Count Basie orchestras.
Chester’s boundless energy and infectious passion make him an unforgettable entertainer—one who must be seen to be believed! Is there anything he can’t do? We don’t think so.