Teacher
Biographies
Janice Wilson and Manu Smith (USA)
Janice Wilson is the Executive Director of the American Institute of Vernacular Jazz Dance, located in Harlem. She was the winner of the 1998 American Swing Dance Championships, has gone on to win 11 local, regional and national titles. An internationally sought after instructor, she has choreographed both music videos and national commercials and toured with various groups, most recently and the Big Band Musical Revue, Forever Swing and Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra.
Manu
Smith is a well known and well loved dancer and competitor, and is known
internationally for his exuberant style and joyful expression. He places
regularly in competitions in both regionally and nationally. In 2001,
he placed First in the 2001 Summer Hummer Dance Competition, Jack &
Jill and the Classic Swing divisions and Second Place in the "Just
Lindy" division. Other credits include: Swingin' New England Dance
Festival, First Place, Classic Division & Third Place, Adv. Jack &
Jill, among other regional titles. Manu stays active in the area of performance
in many television shows, including is PBS's "Swingin' with Duke
with Wynton Marsalis." Don't miss the opportunity to take classes
with this energetic, exciting dancer, performer and competitor!
Frida Segerdahl and Sakarias Larsson (Sweden)
Frida
Segerdahl is one of the most exciting and talented Lindy Hoppers in the
world today, with her feisty and energetic style. She may be the smallest
member of the Hot Shots but there's no way that you'll miss this red-haired
wild woman once she's sprung into action. In addition to her performance
skills, many have rated Frida as one of the best social dancers in the
world. Dancing since the age of 6, she spent three of her high school
years at a dance school. She has been dancing Swedish Bugg, Double Bugg,
Boogie Woogie, modern dance and jazz in addition to Lindy Hop for most
of life.
Sakarias
Larsson has been dancing since the age of 8. Like many Swedish youth he
began with 'Swedish Bugg' and Boogie Woogie before devoting himself to
Lindy Hop, tap and jazz. Besides his work with the Harlem Hot Shots, he
performs swing style jazz together with his older brother as The Larsson
Brothers. These days, as well as being one of the finest Hoppers on the
planet, Sakarias is a notable tap prodigy. With Mattias Lundmark he recently
performed a tribute to the famous Nicholas brothers in the presence of
Fayard Nicholas in Harlem, receiving a standing ovation and bringing Fayard
to tears.
James
Hamilton and Bridget Tibbs (UK)
James and Bridget live in The Cotswolds (near Oxford) where they are the directors of The Rock Dance Company. As well as teaching Swing Dance in Europe and the UK, they run regular classes and dances near home. They have a deep understanding of what makes Swing Dancing tick. Regular instructors at camps such as Herrang, they have a reputation for fun and enlightening classes, but they also have some devilish steps up their sleeves. Past UK Lindy Hop Champions with a massive amount of performance under their belts, their take on swing dance is vibrant and fun. James was born in Bath, Somerset and Bridget in Johannesburg SA. They've got loads of fab tips and explanations that will make your dancing flow, and whatever your level you will find that you gather not just steps but large chunks of the bigger picture that goes behind the move or shape itself.
Tip
West and Holly Dumaux (USA)
Tip and Holly specialize in LA Style Lindy Hop. They offer a unique style that blends elements of Savoy, Hollywood, Balboa and yes, even West Coast! Their fascination with Lindy started in 1997 in workshops given by Frankie Manning. Soon after, they were fortunate to learn from other great dancers from the 30's and 40's, with special attention from Hal Takier and Freda Angela. Tip and Holly have been featured dancers for the Los Angeles Conservancy, NBC, the WB Network, Local News, and Music Videos. This energetic duo teach and perform all across the United States, but they are especially know as Championship Lindy Hop competitors. They are the current National Jitterbug Champions in Lindy Hop and Showcase divisions. They are back to back Monster's of Swing Lindy Champions and Camp Hollywood Lindy Champions. Tip also runs the World Famous Swing Pit Dance Club on Saturday nights in Glendale, CA.
Solomon
Douglas (Canada/USA)
Originally from Toronto and now living in Cleveland, Solomon Douglas is a top Lindy and Blues instructor as well as an inspired swing jazz musician. One half of the famous Back Pocket duo, he first studied partner dancing over 10 years ago, and teaches and performs around the world.