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Why We Teach
Jazz has given us decades of innovation and an infinite number of styles to be inspired by. As if that weren't enough, this new generation of dancers has brought a passion and creativity back to social dancing that hasn't been there since the first days of swing. Even as we try and master the steps that were being done nearly a century ago, people are still creating brand new ones. We believe that, with dedication, anyone can be a part of that process.
Teaching Philosophy
As much as we are driven by the joyous rhythms of jazz, we believe that technique has to come first. Without self-awareness of movement and clear, connected communication, it's hard to get to the good stuff of the dance. Once you've got a solid foundation, it's all about immersion in the music, and learning to hear as well as learning to create.
Experience
Michael & Jaya have played a nurturing role in the Southeast for the last six years, prolifically teaching, organizing, and devoting themselves to the growth of the Lindy Hop community. In addition to organizing Lindy Focus (1-6), Sugar Foot Stomp, and Southern Belle Swing Bash (1-3), they have taught workshops throughout the region including Orlando, Atlanta, Knoxville, Nashville, Memphis, Charleston, Greenville, Asheville, Raleigh, Greensboro, Charlotte, Blacksburg, Pittsburgh, and most recently San Francisco and Sacramento. They have attended and led multiple regional teacher training seminars, and have sought relentlessly to spread awareness of Lindy Hop and to cultivate its tradition and technique. Together and separately they have helped to facilitate and judge a variety of contests of every style associated with the Lindy Hop world.
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Jazz Art!
In acknowledgement to our growing passion for throwing dance events, we recently founded the company Jazz Art, to do just that. Below we list the events currently under the Jazz Art umbrella.
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Lindy Focus
Our five-day, four-night Lindy Hop camp over New Year's Eve featuring the Southeast Lindy Hop Championships! (Asheville)
www.lindyfocus.com [back to top] |
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Southern Belle Swing Bash
With our partner, Gina Helfrich, we've created a workshop weekend devoted to the ladies: Lindy Hop, style, and the art of following! (Atlanta) In the past we've featured Nina Gilkensen, Naomi Uyama, Julee Mertz, Caitlin George, Frida Segerdahl, and Peter Strom. Very special event!
www.southernbelleswing.com
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Enter the Blues
An all-blues weekend with workshops, contests, and of course tons of social dancing. Founded by the Atlanta Blues Association, Jazz Art just joined forces with this event to help plan EtB's second year. (Atlanta)
www.entertheblues.com [back to top] |
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Sugar Foot Stomp
Our old-fashioned hot-jazz and fast-dance weekend where our instructors are always poking at history's back door, bringing back the oldest of American social dance styles.
www.sugarftstomp.com [back to top]
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Michael Gamble the DJ
Michael has won awards throughout the Southeast for his attention to
the crowd and stylistic diversity. He will play rare recordings of
hot dance bands of the 20's and 30's, and he will play your favorite
vocal standard. He will play modern, groovy jazz when appropriate,
classic Savoy Ballroom jumpers, and chunky, bouncy early jazz. He
loves the Lindy Hop scene and all it's little baby scenes, and enjoys
the challenge of figuring out what each crowd wants to hear. "Every
dance floor is unique. It is my job to create as much dance floor
pleasure as possible."
Michael was a Featured DJ on Yehoodi Radio, and has spun at Herrang
Dance Camp, Knoxville Lindy Exchange, Atlanta Varsity Showdown, The
Frim Fram Jam (NYC), Swingout New Hampshire, Atlanta Lindy Exchange,
South Florida Lindy Exchange, and virtually every swing dance event
in Asheville, NC over the last four years, including the Asheville
Lindy Exchange and all five years of Lindy Focus. In 2005 he won the
Invitational DJ Competition at the Charles Towne Liberty Jam in
Charleston, South Carolina, and won the invitational DJ battle at the
grand opening of Vintage Rhythm studios in Nashville, TN. Most
recently, he has begun to teach Lindy Hop DJ training classes in
Charlotte, Asheville, & Greensboro.
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Teacher Training Seminars
Everyone knows there is a big difference between a great dancer and a great teacher. In our teacher training seminars, we focus on the three things every would-be teacher needs to know in order to become effective at actually changing the way people dance:
1- A break-downable understanding of what you do
2- An understanding of how people learn at different levels
3- A clear method of presenting information
These things may seem simple, but many teachers fail because they underestimate the amount of preparation required for a successful class. For these training seminars, we recommend no less than 3 hours, no more than 6. For information about booking us for teacher training, click here.
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