STAY TUNED!
More info will be posted closer to the event
Photo: Turkina Faso
Photo: Stephanie O'Connor
Photo: Dan Erez
Photo: Sunsun Leung
Photo: Jordan PC
Laia, from Barcelona, grew up dancing and when her parents took her to a Swing concert at 19 years old she was hooked. Gustav, from Sweden, grew up doing all sorts of sports and attending a music school. He found Lindy Hop at Herräng Dance Camp and was instantly obsessed.
They are based in Barcelona, where they are dancing, teaching, learning and also community building at their dance school called El Taller.
Their teaching is focused on rhythm and flow, and Laia especially is keen on getting followers to participate actively and with a strong rhythm in the dance. They both are constantly working on improving their dancing by taking Tap classes, different types of African dance classes as well as practicing their Solo Jazz movement as well as Lindy Hop.
They sometimes compete and have had good results at events such as The Snowball, ILHC, Lindy Shock and lately at ILHC Europe.
This Mediterranean-Scandinavian couple has now been dancing Lindy Hop for 15 years and they are eternally grateful for the opportunities this dance gives them, traveling to many countries, teaching, competing and sharing their love for this African American dance form for the last 10 years.
Photo: Ingeborg Hazel Ranheim
Photo: Eric Bobrie - For Dancers Only
Photo: Stephanie O'Connor
Photo: Stephanie O'Connor
Photo: Phil A. Monjaro
Photo: Eric Bobrie - For Dancers Only
Photo: Fernando Unzu
Photo: Lukas Lamla Fotografia
Photo: Stephanie O'Connor
Photo: Stephanie O'Connor
Helena Kanini Kiiru is a young dancer and teacher from Zagreb, Croatia. Her enthusiasm for music and dancing has been evident since her childhood when she started playing piano at the age of 7. Having Kenyan roots in her family, Helena has always been exposed to African music, which stimulated her sensibility for the rhythm. Very soon she started developing interest towards dances like Hip Hop and Dancehall.
After 8 years of exploring various Street dance styles, she saw African American Jazz dancing and immediately felt that it spoke to her on a very deep level. Currently based in Zagreb, she continues to teach Jazz internationally and online. She endlessly continues to fuel her inspiration with various other dance styles which makes her style innovative and refreshing.
Helena feels that Jazz created an opportunity for her to meet and express all the deep parts of herself that made her expand and grow. She believes that Jazz gives us a space where we can unapologeticallybe ourselves while transcending the body, spirit and music.
Helena will teach Lindy Hop with Tyedric during Winter Jump 2025.
"I've been dancing for as long as I can remember. In fact, my earliest classroom was my home, or wherever my family gathered. My earliest teacher was my mom. Over the years, I've established a background enriched and informed by many movement traditions, some of which include capoeira, waving, and stepping. I discovered vernacular jazz and Lindy Hop in 2017, and I haven't looked back since.
As a teacher, I love to share historical and cultural context, weaving this into how I explain my approach to movement. My highest goal is helping you to develop your own approach.
I'm currently studying house, and continually growing in many street styles. In dance, I value lineage, authenticity, community, partnership and fun. I strive to incorporate these elements in my classes as well. I’m eager to collaborate with everyone!"
Tyedric will teach Lindy Hop with Helena during Winter Jump 2025.
Dr. Marie N'diaye (PhD) is a Jazz Dance choreographer, performer and educator as well as a dance researcher. She specialises in Jazz Dance (African American Vernacular Jazz), including the partnered form (Lindy Hop), focusing on the legacy of Harlem dancers from the Savoy Ballroom as well as the chorus line tradition from night clubs and theatres (such as the Apollo Theater, the Cotton Club, Connie's Inn...) and has applied 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 elders and other established dancers.
Marie is the founder of the non-profit organisation "Collective Voices for Change" aiming to promote cultural appreciation and respect of African American Jazz Dances. She is also a board member of the "Black Lindy Hoppers Fund", whose mission is to support and promote Black artists in their practice, performance, and transmission of Jazz Dances especially Lindy Hop.
She is currently completing her Masters in Anthropology of Dance & Ethnochoreology as part of the international ERASMUS program: "Choreomundus" involved with the safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH).
Marie will teach Lindy Hop with Felix during Winter Jump 2025.
Brace yourselves for an extraordinary dance journey as we proudly introduce Felix Berghäll – an exceptional teacher, distinguished DJ, and esteemed competition judge!
A true embodiment of dance, Felix Berghäll brings a symphony of talent and passion to the floor.
Felix crafts dance floors that pulsate with energy, rhythm, and the irresistible call of Jazz Lindy. His love of music is a testament to his deep understanding of the dance's soul, drawing from its roots and celebrating its evolution.
Felix enriches his insights and teachings with his extensive experience as a dancer and educator. His journey is marked by a profound respect for the art form, making his teachings a bridge to the past. His dedication to preserving the essence of Jazz enriches the dance community and amplifies its legacy.
Prepare to immerse yourself in the magic of Jazz as you dance, learn, and experience under the guidance of Felix Berghäll.
Felix will teach Lindy Hop with Marie during Winter Jump 2025.
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 Mary 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 will teach Lindy Hop with Felipe during Winter Jump 2025.
Felipe Braga grew up in an environment where music, dance, and rhythms are a part of everyday life. Spending most of his youth in music studios, theatre productions and performing absurd theatre sketches in a local theater in his hometown in Brazil, Felipe only encountered Swing Dancing when he moved to Buenos Aires, Argentina, to study film making.
Feeling drawn to Jazz Music and the beauty of the social dance culture, Felipe's pursuit in the Jazz Dances took him to the biggest dance camps and competitions around the world. There he would learn more about the origins and history of this culture that had captivated him.
In the next few years, Felipe would establish himself as an avid performer and instructor, sharing his passion and love for Jazz history, music and dance.
Felipe will teach Lindy Hop with Ursula during Winter Jump 2025.
Swing dancer (Lindy Hop & Authentic Jazz), Clàudia Fonte explores and embraces all kinds of playful ways in her dancing. Her main source and inspiration is Swing music itself. Taking the classic rhythms and moves as the foundation, she challenges herself to keep them alive through her own perspective and interpretation.
Even though considering and admiring the great historical tradition of Swing dances, she believes in its evolution and expansion; respecting but also transforming the roots she explores different ways of communication and expression, as in vernacular jazz also in the partner dance.
Authentic Jazz is where she feels most in her element. Solo jazz enables her to achieve a creative atmosphere of exploration and play where she takes on the challenges proposed by Swing music and finds her own voice and style. Essential to her approach is promoting solo dancing in the context of social dancing. Sharing tools and techniques her objective is to help the dancers to explore and develop a style the most authentic for them. She believes that the dance floor is where everything starts, and the magic happens; where all dancers find their own way of dancing.
Clàudia will teach Lindy Hop with Maria during Winter Jump 2025.
Lindy hop dancer and instructor, choreographer.
It was more than 16 years ago that Maria discovered dancing and since then she hasn’t stopped; every day at least for 6 hours she dances - giving and preparing classes, practicing, discovering and helping others to explore, as well.
Maria has madly fallen in love with Lindy Hop and her devotion has become stronger through the years. What attracted her the most and still fascinates her in Swing dancing is the freedom this dance allows to the dancer, as much in the individual as in the partner dance, to find their own voice and ways of expression that make each dancer unique.
Even though she feels that knowing the history of Lindy Hop, the most important dancers and the classic moves enable greatly the development and improvement of a dancer and to find their own, individual way of dancing, she does not believe in set aesthetic patterns and norms to live up to and to fulfil. Her strength is musicality and flow. Moreover, a cornerstone of her methodology and dancing is being present in the moment and she tries to emphasize this in every aspect of her dancing and teaching, as well.
Maria believes that each dance is vivid and full of life. Being present at the moment gives the opportunity and creates the ability to be open and flexible; to adapt to the music and to the partner at the same time and follow where that moment takes us.
Maria will teach Lindy Hop with Clàudia during Winter Jump 2025.
Katie Cobalt tried many different dance styles before falling in love with Swing. The freedom of improvisation, the satisfaction of rhythm and the deep historical and cultural roots of the dance made her want to learn more.
She is now known for her classroom energy, musicality, and infectious enthusiasm for all things Jazz. When it comes to dance, she deeply values self expression and fully committing to the idea. As a teacher, she focuses on individually helping her students on their own dance journeys and finds so much joy in seeing them grow.
Katie holds multiple first place titles at, International Lindy Hop Championships, Balkan Lindy Hop Championships and Savoy Cup. When not throwing down in international competitions she is teaching all over the world in more than 20 countries sharing what she has learned. When not on the dance floor you might find her in a hip hop class or on the stage at her local drag bar.
Katie will teach Lindy Hop with Mike during Winter Jump 2025.
As an instructor, Mike strives to create a learning environment that is fun, challenging, and inclusive. The goal is for each individual student to find their next step forward and enjoy that process of growth. Mike loves seeing students’ eyes light up when they understand a concept or feel a movement work naturally in their body for the first time.
Mike has taught dance in 21 countries and counting. He currently teaches Lindy Hop, Air Steps, Solo Jazz, and many different Blues styles. Mike has not only placed in and won respected competitions across multiple genres but also thrown down hard in unofficial late night dance-offs.
Mike lives and breathes dance. He is constantly honing his skills and developing new ideas. If you run into him at a grocery store, an airport, a museum, or a mountain top, you’ll probably catch him dancing.
Mike will teach Lindy Hop with Katie during Winter Jump 2025.
Stumbling upon Lindy Hop in 2016, Thanh Thanh has since embarked on an incredible journey brewing her passion for the dance into her life compass. Her love for body movements and funky grooves has grown and rooted deeper with the rich sound and stories of jazz shared in Saigon Swing Cats, her home scene in Vietnam.
Since relocating to Europe 2021, Thanh Thanh has continued to hone her dance craft and broadened her perspective on the dance contemporary culture. She is now happily based in Paris, ready to share her dance wherever the sound of hot rhythms takes her.
In her classes, she often encourages everyone to explore their own movements through self-awareness and improvisation while honoring the root of authentic African American Jazz dance.
Thanh Thanh will teach concept classes with Romain during Winter Jump 2025.
A native of southern France, Romain discovered Lindy Hop in 2014 when he moved to Paris. He very quickly fell in love with this social dance. In dance studios and at festivals, he learned, explored, and eventually started sharing his passion, continually making his dance and teaching approach evolve.
As a teacher, he dedicates his energy and kindness to creating fun and challenging content. He conveys his approach to dance by sharing his experience and sensations. For him, magic happens when two dancers understand and listen to each other through a dance while leaving ample room for improvisation and musical interpretation. And it is this blend of technique and freedom that makes Lindy Hop one of the most fascinating dances.
Transmission is essential for Romain. In addition to his regular classes, he's committed to making Lindy Hop accessible to everyone, especially in rural areas where populations have limited access to culture. He believes that the Lindy Hop's richness and the relevance of its history deserve to be fully widespread, reaching beyond the framework of urban artistic activity.
Romain will teach concept classes with Thanh Thanh during Winter Jump 2025.
It was at the age of 5 that Liane began practicing piano and ballet. After studying musicology at the University of Montpellier, she began to explore the world of swing in 2013, already a regular attendee of live evenings, she quickly caught the virus.
Lucky to have participated in international dancer classes from the start, she continues her search for new techniques and ideas. Since her arrival in Paris in 2016, she began teaching and joined Shake That Swing (STS) in 2018. Since then, she has danced with the STS team and through swing festivals in Europe for teaching, competing and social dance.
A trained classical musician, singer and dancer, she approaches Lindy Hop and Solo Jazz through interpretation and technique in order to express her musicality and exchange with her partners. For her, dancing is about finding the balance between sharing, listening to others and expressing oneself through music.
Passionate about jazz, don't be surprised to hear her humming a jazz standard in class!
Rija has been in the Swing dance scene since 2007. With experience in ballroom dancing from his teenage years, he is noticed for his groove, ease and musicality.
Rija enjoys competing locally and internationally, winning prizes every year, which doesn't take away his passion for social dancing. You'll often see him having fun on the dancefloor until the end of the night!
Rija's classes mainly focus on the playfulness of the dance, creativity, musicality, quality of listening and communication between dance partners.
Yurley Larsen aka Yurleyley is a young Hip Hop dancer from Oslo. Yurley has a lot of dance experience, both as a performing dancer and instructor. She has been dancing at the dance studio Subsdans since she was 7 years old, and her main styles are Popping and Hip Hop. She is a member of @subsdanscrew, @deepdowndopeizm - and the Collective B16.
Dance has given her opportunities to express herself in many different arenas. With, among other things, missions in Battles, theater, music videos and TV productions, including the documentary series KRAFT. She is also an MC, and have led XMAS-Jam, Womanhood, Soul Sessions Extended kidz and Soul Sessions Youngs under the direction of @soulsessionsoslo
Yurley will hold an intro class in Hip Hop during Winter Jump 2025.
Freddy Milanya is a dancer and choreographer from Kenya, based in Norway. Freddy has danced since he was 9 where his group of friends performed at their local church every sunday. He established the FBI Dance Crew with great success in Kenya, reaching a wide audience through national broadcasting channels, music videos and more.
When Freddy moved to Norway in 2016, he started the crew Matata with Kenyan friends. Matata specializes in Afro Fusion and dancehall and they also release music. Freddy also teach children, youth and adults at Subsdans in Afro Fusion, dancehall and other street dances.
Freddy will hold an intro class in Afro Fusion during Winter Jump 2025.
MATHIAS JIN BUDTZ works as a dancer, teacher and choreographer within different genres of street/club dance; such as Break, Hip Hop and House. He has received the government’s work grant for dance artists and is co-founder of Subsdans, Soul Sessions Oslo and the crew dEEp doWN dopEiZM. Mathias is also a member of Kingwings Crew.
Mathias was born in Seoul, Korea, adopted to Denmark and has lived in Norway since 2007. He is educated from Flow Dance Academy in Copenhagen and has further studied on his own by travelling to Paris, New York, Los Angeles, Osaka and Seoul.
In 2008 and 2009 he was a part of Det Norske Teatret’s great success “The Jungle Book” that won the Hedda-award. He has also worked with impure company amongst others. With dEEp doWN dopEiZM he has performed at Dansens Hus, Bærum Kulturhus, San Francisco Hip Hop Dance fest and several other international dance festivals. In 2012 he was choreographer for Dansens Dager, and he has a long experience of teaching both at private dance studios and dance educations. Mathias has also experience from board work with eg. FFUK, PRODA and Danseinformasjonen.
Mathias will hold an intro class in House during Winter Jump 2025.
Jazzombies is Oslo’s favourite swing jazz ensemble, specialises in playing for Lindy Hop, and has played at Winter Jump every year since 2013, including performing during teacher impro dances.
The band prides itself on subtle dynamic variation and group interplay, as well as sometimes taking off the brakes completely to really push the energy to the max. The band features some of the best jazz musicians in the country, and you can look forward to two evenings of high-quality swing jazz to inspire your dancing.
This year they will play for us both Friday and Saturday!
Sonnie Spoon, of London, England, is a fan of music. Playing it, playing it some more, dancing to it, sharing it, talking about it, and generally overdosing on it daily.
Having found swing music completely by chance (although with hindsight it seems obvious really), they quickly connected with the dance community as well and they have been an integral member there ever since. Spoon values deeply addictive melodies, songs with strong grooves behind them, and has a healthy-to-troublesome appetite for the sound of the Swing era.
They also have less than zero fear of holding a mic in a room full of people, which makes them a fun and playful emcee.
Sonnie Spoon, of London, England, is a fan of music. Playing it, playing it some more, dancing to it, sharing it, talking about it, and generally overdosing on it daily.
Having found swing music completely by chance (although with hindsight it seems obvious really), they quickly connected with the dance community as well and they have been an integral member there ever since. Spoon values deeply addictive melodies, songs with strong grooves behind them, and has a healthy-to-troublesome appetite for the sound of the Swing era.
They also have less than zero fear of holding a mic in a room full of people, which makes them a fun and playful emcee.
Remy Kouakou Kouame, also known as Remy KouaDJo, is a renowned figure in the world of dance, blending elements of Swing, New Orleans, Hip Hop, Afrobeats, Amapiano and more.
As a DJ immersed in Hip Hop culture, Remy transitioned into Swing dance, teaching and competing globally. Amidst the pandemic, he felt a void and reintroduced mixing tables, figuratively and literally, which led to the creation of The Xperience.
Remy strives to bridge vintage and modern Streed Dances, creating a unique and immersive journey for his audience.
From a young age, Liane has been immersed in music. She started with classical music, as she began practicing piano and ballet at the age of 5. Over the years, her adolescence was marked by various influences such as opera, English pop, gospel, and jazz. After studying musicology at the University of Montpellier, she began to explore the world of swing and quickly caught the Lindy Hop bug. She even formed a jazz group where she sings surrounded by a quartet.
Her DJing is heavily influenced by her practice of jazz singing and swing dancing for over 10 years. Her explorations in jazz clubs and jam sessions in Paris further enrich her repertoire. When she discovers a standard, she spends entire nights listening to all possible recordings to find THE version that will make her want to dance. Passionate about the swing era, don’t be surprised to see her singing all the lyrics to her favorite songs!
Her essentials include a great live performance by Count Basie or Duke Ellington, the enchanting pianos of Erroll Garner and Oscar Peterson, the warm sound of Illinois Jacquet and Ben Webster, and of course, the exceptional voices of the legendary Ella Fitzgerald and Dinah Washington.
See you on the dancefloor!
I was born in Lisbon and wanted to do videos ever since I was conscious. I’ve created my own Lisbon-based production company, Other Features, and was happy with its productions until I was introduced to Lindy Hop.
Now all I want to do is travel the world, meet lindy hoppers and make swing videos, under my project Within the Groove.
Also, I dance. Invite me for a dance. I´ll definitively like that.
Dr. Marie N'diaye (PhD) is a Jazz Dance choreographer, performer and educator as well as a dance researcher. She specialises in Jazz Dance (African American Vernacular Jazz), including the partnered form (Lindy Hop), focusing on the legacy of Harlem dancers from the Savoy Ballroom as well as the chorus line tradition from night clubs and theatres (such as the Apollo Theater, the Cotton Club, Connie's Inn...) and has applied 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 elders and other established dancers.
Marie is the founder of the non-profit organisation "Collective Voices for Change" aiming to promote cultural appreciation and respect of African American Jazz Dances. She is also a board member of the "Black Lindy Hoppers Fund", whose mission is to support and promote Black artists in their practice, performance, and transmission of Jazz Dances especially Lindy Hop.
She is currently completing her Masters in Anthropology of Dance & Ethnochoreology as part of the international ERASMUS program: "Choreomundus" involved with the safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH).
Stephen Atemie is a fresh young talent emerging from the new generation of Lindy Hoppers. Balancing successfully a career as a Mechanical Engineer with his artistic pursuits this UCL alumnus is equally at home tutoring STEM subjects as he is dancing in front of the camera shooting tv commercials and films. He is also a Parkour and Wing Chun Kung Fu practitioner.
In 2017, Stephen travelled to South Africa to spend a month working with the charity Sing Inchanga. There he shared skills with local children & young people across their own dance styles and lindy hop.
Following three years representing Swing Patrol as a core teacher, Stephen began his apprenticeship with Angela in 2018 to delve deeper into the roots of jazz dance and exploring Lindy Hop with Ron Leslie. Stephen's performance/competition credits include 10 Downing Street, Harrods, Savoy Cup (France), ILHC (USA). His latest projects include organising talks, webinars and advocacy for cultural appreciation within the Lindy Hop/AAVJ communities across the world as a board member for Collective Voices For Change (CVFC).
Alice Mei started dancing at the very young age of 4 years old and have done numerous types of dances until she fell in love with Lindy Hop and solo jazz. She have now been swing dancing for many years and keep being fascinated by the art of improvisation. Connecting with her partner through rhythm helps her dance and is the most inspiring thing to her at the moment.
Alice has been spreading the joy of lindy hop and authentic jazz in more than 30 countries through teaching, performing, competing and social dancing. Alice love the diversity of movement and the freedom of expression this dance brings to the world, and hope to keep learning things and keep on inspiring people for as long as possible.
Remy Kouakou Kouame fell into the Swing pot at an early age. He has been an established teacher and performer for many years, traveling around the world to international camps and festivals, sharing his passion and knowledge. His approach to Swing dances is special because it combines the authenticity and the respect of the dances – thanks to the education he has learnt from his elders – with an originality and creativity inspired by his experience of many other artforms, with the addition of some spicy madness that characterizes Remy!
What he loves to share the most is the joy that dancing provides, as well as helping people finding their unique voices. As an established competitor, Remy earned many awards in Boogie Woogie, Lindy Hop and Solo Jazz. His teaching, dancing and performing are very tainted by what he believes at the moment and can be changed from one month to another as he is not afraid of “thinking different than the day before”!
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 Mary 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.
Felipe Braga grew up in an environment where music, dance, and rhythms are a part of everyday life. Spending most of his youth in music studios, theatre productions and performing absurd theatre sketches in a local theater in his hometown in Brazil, Felipe only encountered Swing Dancing when he moved to Buenos Aires, Argentina, to study film making.
Feeling drawn to Jazz Music and the beauty of the social dance culture, Felipe's pursuit in the Jazz Dances took him to the biggest dance camps and competitions around the world. There he would learn more about the origins and history of this culture that had captivated him.
In the next few years, Felipe would establish himself as an avid performer and instructor, sharing his passion and love for Jazz history, music and dance.
Elze Visnevskyte will be taching with Peter Kertz during Winter Jump, and Elze and Peter are maybe just the right amount of crazy you’ve been looking for. She comes from Lithuania, while he comes from Los Angeles and together, they have this Euro-American style all about fun and connectedness.
Their musicality, playfulness, and creativity are not just parts of their light-hearted personalities as dancers, but also as instructors. For them, Lindy Hop is much more than only leading and following… it’s dancing… trying to feel your partner… and in the meantime having a freaking great time!
Their energy is contagious and their class material is stimulating. Be prepared for loud laughs, crazy fun, and exciting new moves!
Peter Kertz will be taching with Elze Visnevskyte during Winter Jump, and Elze and Peter are maybe just the right amount of crazy you’ve been looking for. She comes from Lithuania, while he comes from Los Angeles and together, they have this Euro-American style all about fun and connectedness.
Their musicality, playfulness, and creativity are not just parts of their light-hearted personalities as dancers, but also as instructors. For them, Lindy Hop is much more than only leading and following… it’s dancing… trying to feel your partner… and in the meantime having a freaking great time!
Their energy is contagious and their class material is stimulating. Be prepared for loud laughs, crazy fun, and exciting new moves!
Katie Cobalt is an international Swing Jazz instructor with a wealth of experience teaching all over Europe and Asia. She is known for her classroom energy, dancefloor sass, and infectious enthusiasm for all things Jazz. As a teacher, she focuses on individually helping her students on their own dance journeys as well as sharing the rich cultural history of the dance.
Katie holds first place titles at Savoy Cup, International Lindy Hop Championships and Balkan Lindy Hop Championships. While she continues to throw down in international competitions, Katie most highly values the joy and playful spirit that made her fall head over heels for Jazz dance.
Photo: (c) Sunsun Leung
Mike Sonder strives to create a learning environment that is fun, challenging, and inclusive. The goal is for each individual student to find their next step forward and enjoy that process of growth. Mike loves seeing students’ eyes light up when they understand a concept or feel a movement work naturally in their body for the first time.
Mike has taught dance in 21 countries and counting. He currently teaches Lindy Hop, Air Steps, Solo Jazz, and many different Blues styles.
Yurley Larsen aka Yurleyley is a 19 years old Hip Hop dancer from Oslo. Yurley has a lot of dance experience, both as a performing dancer and instructor. She has been dancing at the dance studio Subsdans since she was 7 years old, and her main styles are Popping and Hip Hop. She is a member of @subsdanscrew, @deepdowndopeizm - and the Collective B16.
Dance has given her opportunities to express herself in many different arenas. With, among other things, missions in Battles, theater, music videos and TV productions, including the documentary series KRAFT. She is also an MC, and have led XMAS-Jam, Womanhood, Soul Sessions Extended kidz and Soul Sessions Youngs under the direction of @soulsessionsoslo
Freddy Milanya is a dancer and choreographer from Kenya, based in Norway. Freddy has danced since he was 9 where his group of friends performed at their local church every sunday. He established the FBI Dance Crew with great success in Kenya, reaching a wide audience through national broadcasting channels, music videos and more.
When Freddy moved to Norway in 2016, he started the crew Matata with Kenyan friends. Matata specializes in Afro Fusion and dancehall and they also release music. Freddy also teach children, youth and adults at Subsdans in Afro Fusion, dancehall and other street dances.
It was at the age of 5 that Liane began practicing piano and ballet. After studying musicology at the University of Montpellier, she began to explore the world of swing in 2013, already a regular attendee of live evenings, she quickly caught the virus.
Lucky to have participated in international dancer classes from the start, she continues her search for new techniques and ideas. Since her arrival in Paris in 2016, she began teaching and joined Shake That Swing (STS) in 2018. Since then, she has danced with the STS team and through swing festivals in Europe for teaching, competing and social dance.
A trained classical musician, singer and dancer, she approaches Lindy Hop and Solo Jazz through interpretation and technique in order to express her musicality and exchange with her partners. For her, dancing is about finding the balance between sharing, listening to others and expressing oneself through music.
Passionate about jazz, don't be surprised to hear her humming a jazz standard in class!
Rija has been in the Swing dance scene since 2007. With experience in ballroom dancing from his teenage years, he is noticed for his groove, ease and musicality.
Rija enjoys competing locally and internationally, winning prizes every year, which doesn't take away his passion for social dancing. You'll often see him having fun on the dancefloor until the end of the night !
Rija's classes mainly focus on the playfulness of the dance, creativity, musicality, quality of listening and communication between dance partners.
Gunnhild is a Lindy Hop and Boogie Woogie dancer located in Bergen, Norway. Working with medical physics at daytime and exploring music and dancing at night. She has danced several dance styles, from ballroom to salsa, but her love for swing music with the flow and transport of delight experienced when dancing to jazz made Lindy Hop stand out.
Social dancing and performing has been a driving factor for her love of lindy hop. A space to be open, present, express yourself and have fun with your partner and music. She is curious to learn more and has a passion for teaching, hoping to inspire her students with the joy of dancing.
Ruben started swing dancing in 2010. Today Lindy Hop, Boogie Woogie and Solojazz play a big role in his life. Teaching and practicing in Bergen in addition to traveling to various international festivals for competitions and taking classes take up much of his time. Ruben has also been teaching at various international festivals/schools with different partners.
Ruben has a passion for teaching, performing, competing and especially social dancing - where the goal during the social night is to avoid leaving the floor for as long as humanly possible. To Ruben the multifaceted activity of swing dancing involves so many treasured elements - from the music itself to the possibilities of expressing yourself to it. And to be able to share these elements with another human being on the social floor makes it all so very special.
Spanish National Television has referred to this Boston born Jazz Show woman as “One of the most versatile artists on the Spanish scene.” T.J. Jazz has worked as a vocalist, M.C., dancer and instructor with a broad range of artists, delighting audiences of Jazz clubs, festivals and events throughout Spain, Europe and the U.S.
T.J. Jazz is also the founding director of the MAD TAP FEST: The Tap dance festival of Madrid & the MAD TAP JAMS, events that laid the early groundwork for Madrid’s tap dance community. It is through these events that she has had the privilege of presenting many talented artists and performances to audiences. She is excited to bring that experience to the Lindy Hoppers this weekend and hopefully bring just a little more joy to the happiest people in the world.
Jazzombies is Oslo’s favourite swing jazz ensemble, specialises in playing for Lindy Hop, and has played at Winter Jump every year since 2013, including performing during teacher impro dances - check it out!
The band prides itself on subtle dynamic variation and group interplay, as well as sometimes taking off the brakes completely to really push the energy to the max. The band features some of the best jazz musicians in the country, and you can look forward to two evenings of high-quality swing jazz to inspire your dancing.
This year they will play for us both Friday and Saturday!
David Skinner Swing Trio, featuring three of the best-known and most experienced jazz musicians in the Oslo scene, plays mainstream and swing jazz, with humour, virtuosity, playfulness and spontaneity. The trio often works for swing dancers, as well as jazz clubs. Both hard-swinging and subtle, the band is popular both among jazz aficionados, dancers and the general public.
David Arthur Skinner (UK) - piano
Stig Hvalryg (Norway) - double bass
Marcus Lewin (Sweden) - drumkit
Lars Frank (Norway) - saxophone/clarinet
Spanish National Television has referred to this Boston born Jazz Show woman as “One of the most versatile artists on the Spanish scene.” T.J. Jazz has worked as a vocalist, M.C., dancer and instructor with a broad range of artists, delighting audiences of Jazz clubs, festivals and events throughout Spain, Europe and the U.S.
T.J. Jazz is also the founding director of the MAD TAP FEST: The Tap dance festival of Madrid & the MAD TAP JAMS, events that laid the early groundwork for Madrid’s tap dance community. It is through these events that she has had the privilege of presenting many talented artists and performances to audiences. She is excited to bring that experience to the Lindy Hoppers this weekend and hopefully bring just a little more joy to the happiest people in the world.
Passion for jazz music has accompanied DJ Julia practically forever and this is what attracted her to the world of swing. Shortly after she started dancing, she began to share her favorite pieces at local parties.
She believes that the main job of the DJ is responding to current energy on the dancefloor, always putting the comfort of dancers first. Music is the main source of her dancing ideas and she loves sharing it with the others, and the artists that inspire her the most are Count Basie and Oscar Peterson.
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