Our ever vigilant talent scouts have scoured the planet for the best swing dancing teachers and found them! Our cast comprises overseas, interstate and home grown talent from right here in Perth. Introducing our teachers for Hullabaloo 2010:

Hasse Mattsson and Marie Nahnfeldt Mattsson – Sweden

Hasse and Marie are internationally recognized for their high energy and spirit as Lindy Hop dancers and instructors. Their classes emphasize the use of musicality, technique and partner connection. Energy and focus on fun are constant elements to every class.

They are loved as teachers worldwide and they appear on the instructors line up for many established camps around the globe, including teaching for the last 6 years at Herräng (Sweden), Camp Hollywood (USA), Sinera Swing Festival (Spain), Lindy Shock (Hungary), All Balboa Weekend (USA) and Rock That Swing Festival (Germany) just to mention a few.

They are doing their best to learn more about dancing and to spread their knowledge and passion for Swing dancing to others and are very excited about coming to Hullabaloo and Australia for the first time.
www.hasseandmarie.com

Bruce Elder and Sharon Hanley – Sydney, Australia

Dancing was a big part of Sharon’s childhood, as she learnt ballroom dancing from the age of 7 until she was 15. In 1996 Sharon discovered the world of Rock ‘n’ Roll and Swing and won many competitions. In 1999, she met and teamed up with Bruce Elder and together they have taken their dancing further. In 2001 they opened Swingtime Australia and in 2002 began Sydney’s most successful swing classes. Together they have performed for a variety of events. Some highlights include TV appearances on Mornings with Kerri Ann, Disney Channel and a Music Clip for The Louisville Sluggers. They are also responsible for running the Sydney Lindy Exchange (SLX) each year and love the friendships that swing dancing brings to peoples lives.

Bruce’s dancing career started in 1990, when he was taken along to Rock ‘n’ Roll dance classes with his family. He took to dancing like a fish to water and went on to win many titles. In 1993, he was introduced to Lee Neilson, one of Australia’s original swing dancers from the 1940’s. The 72 year-old trained Bruce and his partner so they could pass on the original swing dance from Sydney as an important part of Australian dance history. This started the foundations of Bruce’s swing dancing career. In 1999, Bruce partnered with Sharon. They were the first local teachers to train in and teach Hollywood/Smooth Style Lindyhop in Sydney. This has lead them to train with some of the worlds best Lindy Hop teachers both locally and internationally. The greatest joy Bruce gets from teaching dance is seeing the difference that it can make to a persons life!!

swingtimeaustralia.com | Bruce & Sharon on Youtube

Chris Challenger and Chris ‘Spud’ McMullan – Perth, Australia

Chris has been dancing since she was six years old and studied ballet, tap and jazz for over 10 years before being introduced to swing dancing on her 21st birthday. She was immediately mesmerised and 7 years later is still loving every minute of it. A rare talent, Chris is an accomplished leader AND follower. Her powerful style and flashy moves are eye catching and make her an inspiration to many.

Spud was introduced to Lindy Hop back in 2003. His personal dedication to the dance inspires him to strive for a dynamic partner connection, improvisation and musicality. Spud enjoys the spirit of swing dancing and has won 1st Place in Jack and Jill comps in Australia and Japan. Having taught Lindy Hop in both Australia and overseas, Spud tries to create a relaxed, fun atmosphere in his Swing Academy classes, never forgetting what it is like to learn to dance for the first time.

More information: www.swingacademy.com.au

Workshops

Venues

Workshops will be held at:

King Street Arts Centre
Upstairs in Studios 1, 2 or 3
357-365 Murray St, Perth CBD

and

Como Primary School P&C Hall
(for Saturday Advanced Stream only)
Cnr Coode and Thelma Streets, Como

Download the full 2010 Hullabaloo dance workshop schedule [89KB PDF]

Workshop levels

Classes are divided into streams based on your level of expertise. The following is a guide to how Hullabaloo defines those levels:

Intermediate:

• 6 months experience of swing dance classes.
• You should be able to comfortably lead/follow the basic 6 count and 8 count patterns.
• You are comfortably social dancing to mid tempo music.

Intermediate/Advanced:

• 18 months swing dance experience.
• You know all the common 6 count and 8 count variations.
• You are experimenting with musicality in your social dancing.
• You are not afraid of swinging out fast or slowing it right down.
• You are regularly social dancing with ease.

Advanced:

• Beyond 3 years swing dance experience
• You are comfortable thinking outside the square.
• Improvisation and musicality are prominent in your social dancing.
• You are able to lead or follow at all tempos and with all levels of dancer.
• You are keen to push the boundries of your dancing.