Teachers
MAX PITRUZZELLA
Montreal, Canada
If Max was not a dancer, he would probably be a boxer! Max demonstrates a tremendous versatility being able to adapt to very slow or very fast tempo in couple, and showing some incredible skills in solo dancing as well. Originally from Montpellier, France, he moved to Montreal in September 2006. The art of swing dancing is how he makes his living, teaching at Studio 88-SWING in Montreal, performing for the SAF Entertainment Group and also teaching and competing around the world. He is passionate about sharing his understanding of all the details that create a good connection between partners and give the most energy to the Lindy Hop.
Max wins titles at every event he attends … Lately, he won 1st place in the Showcase division of the International Lindy Hop Championships with his partner Annie Trudeau. He also won the Invitational Jack and Jill of the same event. He took first place also at the Canadian Swing Dance Championships, Boston Tea Party, Camp Jitterbug, Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown….. the list goes on and on….
Max has also appeared in the last Sam Roberts clip of ‘Them Kids’, along with his collegues: the dancers of the Swinging Air Force. He is also part of an internationally reknowned Lindy Hop dance troupe the Ninjammerz. You can also visit the new Max and Annie website to see the list of international events where they are going to teach in the future: www.justswingdance.com .
Max wins titles at every event he attends … Lately, he won 1st place in the Showcase division of the International Lindy Hop Championships with his partner Annie Trudeau. He also won the Invitational Jack and Jill of the same event. He took first place also at the Canadian Swing Dance Championships, Boston Tea Party, Camp Jitterbug, Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown….. the list goes on and on….
Max has also appeared in the last Sam Roberts clip of ‘Them Kids’, along with his collegues: the dancers of the Swinging Air Force. He is also part of an internationally reknowned Lindy Hop dance troupe the Ninjammerz. You can also visit the new Max and Annie website to see the list of international events where they are going to teach in the future: www.justswingdance.com .
ANNIE TRUDEAU
Montreal, Canada
Annie is an former competition gymnast. She is a co-founder and co-owner of Studio 88 Swing in Montreal (Canada) where she has taught swing since 2001. She is also both First Dancer and artistic director to the 7 teams of the Swinging Air Force dance troupe on top of completing the ownership trio of the SAF Entertainment Group with her partners Aidan and Dee. Her passion brought her to travel the world to share her love of swing . Her style joins dynamism and power with a subtleness that is very feminine.
Her partnership with Max Pitruzzella lead to many wins in the last year including, in 2007, Boston Tea Party, CSC, Camp Jitterbug,Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown (1st Place Liberation - Fast Dance) and the American Lindy Hop Championships (1st place Open Showcase). They also just won first place of the 2008 Boston Tea Party Strictly Lindy division, the Canadian Championship Swing Couple Division and the International Lindy Hop Championships Showcase Division. They also choreographed and trained the Canadian Team Champions - Swinging Air Force Squad! They are also proud members of the Ninjammerz, a team of international performing Lindy Hoppers.
Annie has been featured in: Clin D'Oeil, GQ and Coup de Pouce magazine and seen on Musique Plus, CTV, TQS, TVA, SRC and CBS.
You can also see where Annie is going to teach internationally with Max, just visit www.justswingdance.com
Her partnership with Max Pitruzzella lead to many wins in the last year including, in 2007, Boston Tea Party, CSC, Camp Jitterbug,Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown (1st Place Liberation - Fast Dance) and the American Lindy Hop Championships (1st place Open Showcase). They also just won first place of the 2008 Boston Tea Party Strictly Lindy division, the Canadian Championship Swing Couple Division and the International Lindy Hop Championships Showcase Division. They also choreographed and trained the Canadian Team Champions - Swinging Air Force Squad! They are also proud members of the Ninjammerz, a team of international performing Lindy Hoppers.
Annie has been featured in: Clin D'Oeil, GQ and Coup de Pouce magazine and seen on Musique Plus, CTV, TQS, TVA, SRC and CBS.
You can also see where Annie is going to teach internationally with Max, just visit www.justswingdance.com
THOMAS BLACHARZ
Montpellier, France
Without a doubt, Thomas Blacharz is one of the most talented dancers in the world. His unique style is defined by free form body movement and intricate musicality and he is constantly pushing the limits of swing as we know it. With over 12 years of dance experience, Tommy not only exudes expertise on the social dance floor, but he can clearly articulate the various elements that make up his dancing. His classes are filled with fun, humor, good dance technique and most of all great dancing. His talents have been passed on to some of the top dancers in the world today and he is a major organizer/teacher in one of the strongest dance scenes in Europe, Montpellier, France. Recently Tommy took 1st place in Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown Slow Division 2007 and is a key member of the award-winning international Ninjammerz team. If you haven’t already had the chance to let this man inspire you, it is one opportunity you would never want to miss!
SAHRA DJELLAL
Montpellier, France
Sahra has been dancing she was 6 years old, with years of Ballet, Jazzdance, Bellydance, Salsa and Samba, from which she draws her exceptional feminity, grace and elegance. Sahra is a member of the Swing Jammerz team and the Ninjammerz. She teaches at the Apollo Jazz Café in Montpellier, and in Quebec and Berlin.
Unconditional fan of Josephine Baker, and of the funny spirit of Al Minns and Leon James, Sahra has a passion for Afro-American dance and loves crazy Charleston. Swing is her joie de vivre! A fervent believer in “old school” vintage jazz routines such Tranky Doo, Shim Sham, and Big Apple, Sahra’s natural style, and her unique Blues-bellydance routines have been presented at Jazz aux Sources, Chatel Guyon Porto Swing, Grenoble Swing Festival, Montpellier Swing Jammerz Festival. Sahra has won and placed in the Fast Lindy Tournament, Ninjammerz Festival Jack and Jill, and Charleston at Tournament and CRC.
Unconditional fan of Josephine Baker, and of the funny spirit of Al Minns and Leon James, Sahra has a passion for Afro-American dance and loves crazy Charleston. Swing is her joie de vivre! A fervent believer in “old school” vintage jazz routines such Tranky Doo, Shim Sham, and Big Apple, Sahra’s natural style, and her unique Blues-bellydance routines have been presented at Jazz aux Sources, Chatel Guyon Porto Swing, Grenoble Swing Festival, Montpellier Swing Jammerz Festival. Sahra has won and placed in the Fast Lindy Tournament, Ninjammerz Festival Jack and Jill, and Charleston at Tournament and CRC.
PETER VAWTER
Osaka, Japan
Peter plays a mean fiddle! He is one of the most musical lindy dancers in the world. His singular position as musician turned dancer has allowed him to capitalize on his vast musical knowledge, and use that as a foundation for what has become his very unique, and effective style of dance. His dancing is so effective, that he has won the American Strictly title which requires impromptu creativity and great musicality, because the dancers aren’t aware of the music selection before they compete. His musicality is also evident in his choreography, in which his blues focus has allowed him to win the American Blues title - twice! His students love his energetic and musicality based approach. Currently living in Osaka, Peter is the resident philanthropist of Mechakucha Swing, donating his time, knowledge, experience, and creativity to help nourish swing in Japan.
JANDI KIM
Seoul, Korea
Jandi is known for her smoking hot swivels and a creative, musical style to her dancing. For years, she has been teaching the art of the perfect relationship between rhythm and body movement. She helps her students to express their own personalities in their dancing, for she believes that dance is nothing without passion and enjoyment!
Jandi has placed and won titles at the American Lindy Hop Championships, Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown and Korea Swing Festival & Championships.
Jandi has placed and won titles at the American Lindy Hop Championships, Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown and Korea Swing Festival & Championships.
SING LIM
Singapore
Sing is the creative director of Jitterbugs Swingapore, Singapore’s largest dance studio. She is a real pioneer of the swing movement in Asia - she taught the first Lindy Hop class in Singapore in 1994, and conceptualised the first Arts Festival dance performance dedicated to big band jazz in 1995.
Internationally, Sing is one of the most highly respected names in the Lindy Hop world. She has won several International competitions, winning titles in the USA Open, the American Swing Dance Championships and the American Lindy Hop Championships.
Sing is a popular instructor at several workshops around the world such as the Herrang Dance Camp, Catalina Swing Camp, Melbourne Lindy Exchange, World Lindy Hop Championships and in China.
Internationally, Sing is one of the most highly respected names in the Lindy Hop world. She has won several International competitions, winning titles in the USA Open, the American Swing Dance Championships and the American Lindy Hop Championships.
Sing is a popular instructor at several workshops around the world such as the Herrang Dance Camp, Catalina Swing Camp, Melbourne Lindy Exchange, World Lindy Hop Championships and in China.
BRIAN ANG
Singapore
Brian teaches Tap and Lindy Hop at Jitterbugs Swingapore, as well as at the Nanyang University of Technology in Singapore. His process of learning is continuous and he enjoys trying out new techniques that work to enhance the styling and connection yet remain true to the spirit of jazz dance. He has choreographed for TV as well as stage and his performances include the Esplanade Dansfest in 2006 & 2008 as well as Channel 8’s 45th Anniversary Show. Apart from teaching the development of strong Lindy technique, Brian also specializes in Hoofing, the 1930s form of rhythm tap.
Together, Brian and Sing helm the Lindy Hop classes at Jitterbugs Swingapore, fostering the local and regional dance communities.
Together, Brian and Sing helm the Lindy Hop classes at Jitterbugs Swingapore, fostering the local and regional dance communities.
Staff DJ
LERU
Beijing, China
Originally from Russia, Leru has nearly 10 years of experience in a range of Jazz-era dances, including Lindy Hop, Charleston and solo Jazz routines in a very authentic style. Leru moved to Beijing three years ago and now is the scene leader and teacher for Swing Beijing, as well as the main choreographer of Swing Beijing Performance Troupe. She has been teaching, competing and performing in Russia, Singapore, Korea, Sweden and other European countries, winning over 14 couple and solo swing dance contests. Leru also owns and operates www.swingoutfits.com, designing and producing dance clothes and accessories in vintage 1930s and 1940s styles (you can even place an advance order and collect it at HKSF - see the 'Swing Outfits' page !).
As our dedicated Staff DJ, Leru will be spinning dance tunes through HKSF. Leru is a professional swing DJ who is regularly invited to DJ at Herrang Dance Camp in Sweden, as well as other European events.
As our dedicated Staff DJ, Leru will be spinning dance tunes through HKSF. Leru is a professional swing DJ who is regularly invited to DJ at Herrang Dance Camp in Sweden, as well as other European events.