In this episode, we sit down with Katja Završnik to explore the evolving role of a follower in swing dance and discuss how to develop your own movement style and unique feel. Katja shares her insights on teaching, performing, and competing, emphasizing how teaching dance also means imparting valuable communication skills beyond the dance floor. We discuss managing your inner critic, avoiding the trap of self-comparison, and finding joy and authenticity in the dance.

Cover photo by Tadej Mulej (Vintage Swing Festival 2023)

In this episode, we sit down with Alex to explore his dance journey, from his first impression of Lindy Hop to his experiences training and leading the Old Soulz and the challenges he faced along the way. We discuss how jazz dance resonates today and the limitations and possibilities of teaching and learning the dance. Alex shares his approach to fostering individual expression in dancing, his values regarding competitions, and why he believes higher prize money is essential. Finally, Alex reflects on some of the songs that have shaped his understanding of jazz.

This week we sit down with the pianist, composer and band leader from Italy, Luca Filastro. Luca shares how jazz came into his life, learning from his biggest inspirations and developing his style. We discuss his mindset when improvising, the meaning of jazz in today’s world, and the difference between playing the aesthetic versus adding personal expression and experience. Luca also shares what he’d like to see more in the swing scene and how jazz has taught him to be a better listener.

In this episode, we sit down with Sabou, a dancer, educator, and organizer, to discuss our shared experiences in Ghana learning Afro dances. We explore Sabou’s vision and mission behind organizing the training and the key insights we hope to bring back to our dance communities. We also dive into the contrast between dance in studios versus everyday life, stepping out of our comfort zones during improvisation, overcoming the fear of self-expression, and the importance of not taking ourselves too seriously as dancers. Lastly, we touch on topics like comparison, social media, and mental health.

Dancer, musician, performer and educator from Sweden Fredrik Dahlberg shares his journey into jazz, the inspirations and the challenges that defined his path. We discuss the topics of improvisation, mindsets for practicing and improving, and the qualities of a good performer. Fredrik reflects on his time with the Hot Shots and what jazz has taught him about life on and off the stage.

Tap dancer, choreographer, and teacher Clara Martínez talks about her journey to becoming a professional tap dancer, learning from the masters and developing her style. We dive into finding your path, creating opportunities as an artist and seeking support from others. We also discuss the connection between jazz dance and tap, dealing with insecurities and the five elements of improvisation.

We sit down to chat about the concept of home and belonging, lessons from life on the road, and the quest for community. Mako shares her experience of exploring Jazz music and learning to dance from a “music first” approach, her relationship to practicing and developing her authentic movement. We also talk about her journey of learning traditional Guinean dance and how that shaped her approach to sharing the dance. Finally, we reflect on the importance of patience and embracing frustration in the learning process.

Join us as we delve into Ursula's dance journey, exploring the distinction between copying and drawing inspiration, the importance of infusing personal elements into dance, and the process of embracing your unique body and movement. Ursula shares her teaching philosophy, her strategies for overcoming insecurities, and her efforts to cultivate a caring community. We also discuss the emotional spectrum within the dance space and reflect on how dance can guide us toward self-discovery.