Workshops
Jazz BANG offers you lindy hop and workshops, taught by the best teachers we can find. We can't offer you in-person classes, but we can point you in the direction of online learning with our favourite teachers.
Mixed Level Workshops
Jazz BANG classes are mixed level.
Why mixed level?
Swing Time Australia and Swing Dance Sydney are committed to teaching and dancing swing dances as social dances, and that means an ability to find joy in dancing with all partners. Jenny and Rikard draw on the tradition of social dancing, where partners work to find a shared sense of music and connection. Laura and Jeremy approach balboa as a dance of the ballrooms of Los Angeles, where Betty and Hal Takier would join thousands of dancers on the floor.
In these workshops we shift our emphasis away from dancing through a sequence of steps in perfect repetition, and towards social dancing skills.
The challenge for all follows and leads is: how do you maintain your own sense of rhythm and timing while sharing a dance with a partner?
Jenny Deurell
Specialities: Lindy hop, solo jazz, singing.
Jenny Deurell has been dancing since she was a child, and started dancing professionally at nineteen years old. She is now celebrating more than a twenty years of performing and teaching around the world. Apart from dancing, Jenny has studied theatre and music and loves to mix the genres together. She has been in several plays and cabarets, both as an actress, singer, and a dancer.
Jenny has been a member of the dance company Harlem Hot Shots since 2005. Dancing and performing with the Harlem Hot Shots has made her a skilled Charleston and jazz dancer as well as a lindy hopper. She has been teaching since 2004 with focus on musicality and improvisation.
Rikard Ekstrand
Specialities: Lindy hop, solo jazz, tap, singing, piano.
Rikard Ekstrand is a well-recognised dancer in the swing dance scene and works full-time as professional dancer, teacher and choreographer. Rikard also studied street dancing for many years and was a respected street dancer in the Stockholm.
In 2006 Rikard started his cooperation with the The Harlem Hot Shots - Stockholm, Sweden and in 2008 he became a member of the company. Rikard also has a passion for competition. He holds a long list of titles in both Lindy Hop and Boogie Woogie. His passion for performing has extended to the piano and singing with the dance band Hornsgatan Ramblers and Hornsgatan Jazz Orchestra from Stockholm.
Laura Keat
Specialities: Balboa, lindy hop, shag, solo jazz.
Laura Keat began her swing dance lifestyle in 2002 when her brother (who'd just seen Swing Kids for the first time) convinced her to take him swing dancing.
Ever the disciplined student and skilled competitor, Laura began winning national contests and gaining recognition as a championship lindy hop follow with an independent style and voice. Her love of lindy expanded to include balboa and collegiate shag.
Laura loves dancing with a wide variety of partners to challenge and broaden her own ideas and abilities. As an instructor, she works to develop a technical foundation that allow dancers to express themselves and their own creative voice. As an event organiser, Laura brings the California Balboa Classic to the world's stage. One of the largest and best-respected balboa events, CalBal prioritises good music, historical grounding, and hardcore parties.
Jeremy Otth
Specialities: Balboa, lindy hop, shag, solo jazz, tap.
Jeremy Otth has focussed his attention on learning from the old timers, the original jitterbugs and swing dancers of California. His dedication to learning and exploring dance history led to countless competition wins and titles. His boundless energy and enthusiasm keep him on the floor, learning, teaching, and exploring.
Jeremy is honoured to share his knowledge and passion for these classic partner dances with students.