Stephen Sayer is a dancer/instructor who is dedicated to preserving the great American partner jazz dances of the 1920′s-1950′s. Originally from Dayton, Ohio, Steve began dancing in 1998 at the age of 16. Falling in love with lindy hop and other dances of the swing era he traveled to the east and west coasts to dance, study and learn the different styles of swing dancing. He is committed to improving and pushing the limits of his own dancing as well as those who take his classes. His focus of connection to partner and music are what makes his dancing and teaching so unique.
Hailing from Los Angeles, California, Fancy Dougherty fell in love with Lindy and Shag in 2008, with Balboa trailing not far behind. She’s been hooked ever since, constantly endeavoring to improve her technique on a never-ending quest for connection, improvisational freedom in social dancing and the true jitterbug spirit. She has performed, competed in and taught Lindy, Balboa and Shag all over the world, was inducted into the California Swing Dance Hall of Fame in 2014 and is a five-time winner of the National Jitterbug Championships in the shag division. She loves to dance with new people and beginners, so be sure to ask her to dance!
Andreas lives in Stockholm. He has been teaching, competing and performing Balboa, Lindy Hop, Charleston, Collegiate and St. Louis Shag internationally for more than a decade. Andreas is regarded as one of the top Balboa teachers and dancers of the world.
Jennifer's passion for swing dancing is evident in her performances and classes. While acknowledging the deep roots of swing dancing in Black culture, she strives to create a collaborative and supportive learning environment that encourages students of all levels to develop their unique style. With a strong music background, Jenn focuses on integrating rhythmic concepts and musicality into her classes, helping dancers connect with the music and express themselves through dance.
andreasolsson.net
therealjenniferlee.com
Heiko and Larissa have been dancing and teaching together for more than a decade. They love to spread the joy of swing dancing in their local dance school Basel Jitterbugs and all around Europe. Both dance various swing dance styles and mix them based on the tempo and energy of the music. In class they share their immense passion for swing dancing to help you grow as a swing dancer and develop your own voice on the dance floor. You might have seen them in the teachers' line up of many festivals like Rock that Swing, the Barcelona Shag Festival or Swing Paradise. They are also the hosts of their own Festival Jitterbugs Delight in Basel.
Domen and Fanny from Munich will teach you the basics, several footwork variations and some hot moves! They know lots of tips to master the figures with good technique and a cool vintage look. The two have been a dancing couple since Domen came to Munich from Slovenia in 2013 to dedicate his life to swing. It doesn't matter whether it's Lindy Hop, Shag or Balboa, together they bring playfulness and speed to the dance floor – and to the students! In their lessons they convey the joy of dance and movement, go into detail and inspire you for your dance future! Extra bonus: With their classes, a DJ is included! ;-)
Marcus & Bärbl are one of the longest lasting international instructor couples in the Swing world. 2021 marked the 30th anniversary of their dance partnership that started in Herräng in 1991. In 1992 they learned their first Balboa and Shag from Rob van Haaren and quickly started spreading those dances.
It all really started for them when they discovered that some of the original dancers have been still alive. So they took off to meet legends like Frankie Manning (Hellzapoppin’), Gil Bradey (Don’t Knock The Rock), Jean Veloz (Swing Fever, Groovie Movie) or Ray Hirsch (Blondie Meets The Boss). To be at the source of their passion they even moved to the US for four years.
They were pioneers at a time when Swing was hardly known anymore. Much has changed. Swing is now popular all over the world. In all those years they unrestless have been passing on their enthusiasm and their knowledge. They haven't only build up those dances in Germany, but also around the globe—either by traveling to teach and perform or inspiring through their world-renowned instructional dance videos.
Bärbl & Marcus can retrospect to a successful career. Their hard work was rewarded with many decorations and competition titles. They are multiple world, national and US champions and have been decorated with the prestigious Feather Award in 1996 and 1997 in the US and with the Dance Teachers Award in Germany.
Their excellent performance and teaching repertoire includes the dances Boogie Woogie, Hollywood and Savoy Style Lindy Hop, Balboa, Collegiate Shag, Vernacular Jazz of the 30’s to 50’s, Shim Sham, Charleston, Jitterbug Stroll, Big Apple and Swing Rueda. A particular specialty of Marcus and Bärbl is their excellent ability of improvisation and music interpretation.
Most important for them are not their titles but to spread the joy and knowledge of those dances they love from their heart, to promote them, and see people smiling and having fun as they do.
Besides the Munich Balboa & Shag Weekend Bärbl & Marcus organize the world-famous Rock That Swing Festival in Munich, which happens annually at the German carnival weekend.
Websites: www.worldofswing.de / www.rockthatswing.com
