Zoot Swing - Articles - The Teachers

Ben & Helen

Around 2000 in the heart of Melbourne, Australia Ben and Helen took their first Lindy Hop steps. Although they originally danced with different Lindy Hop schools their love of social dancing brought them together one memorable Sunday afternoon.

They have danced their way around the world through USA, Japan, Sweden and England, and have finally come to rest in Edinburgh where they set up Zoot Swing in order to spread their love for the dance throughout Scotland.

Their dance experience includes competitions; public performances; learning form international Lindy Hop dancers; and numerous hours of fun on the social dance floor.

Their teaching style focuses on lead and follow and musicality rather than routines or sequences or moves. They also teach aerials (a.k.a. air-steps or acrobatics).

Teaching Engagements

2010 -

Jan: Blues & Aerials @ DJam
Feb: Aerials Course @ Dancebase
Mar: Dip, Tricks & Jams @ Scotland Swing Storm
Blues @ Galway Swing Fest
Tricks & Aerials @ Midsummer Madness Manchester

2009 -

Boudoir Blues Newcastle Lanuch (performance only)
D-Jam - Blues
Midsummer Madness - Aerials
Blues Experience - Blues & Tai Chi
Glasgow Winterfest (performance only)

2008 -

Midsummer Madness - Aerials & Lindy Hop
Streets of Dance (performance only)
D Jam - Dips & Tricks
Newcastle Swing Thing - Lindy Hop

2007 -

Beach Boogie - Aerials
Durham Workshop

Competitions

Pan Pacific Best of the Best Dec 2002
Swing Division
1st Place (Helen and partner)
Rock'n'Roll Dance Association State Championships - Victoria 2002
Lindy Hop Senior - Lifts
2nd Place (Helen and partner)
Pan Pacific Championships May 2002
- Open Freestyle Aerials
  1st Place (Helen and partner)
- Open Harlem Swing
  3rd Place (Helen and Ben)
- Open International Aerials
  1st Place (Helen and partner)
- Open Lindy Hop
  2nd Place (Helen and partner)
The Australian Hellzapoppin' Prize (AHP) for 2002
Finalist (Helen and partner)
Australian South East Rock'n'Roll Championships Oct 2001
Open - Lifts
1st Place (Helen and partner)

Craig Thomson

Craig anchors Aberdeen Blues for us. Whilst new to teaching, this man doesn't just dance, he FEELS
...

I've been dancing Blues for almost 2 years and it's truly rocked my world, I like to think that as a teacher what I lack in experience I make up for in sheer enthusiasm. For me Blues dancing is built on three pillars: Connection, Musicality and Syncopation.

I really love the idea of no clearly defined leader/follower and always encourage anyone dancing with me to experiment and express themselves and not to let my interpretation of the music dominate the "conversation" that is Blues dancing.

In my spare time I enjoy running and Scottish Country Dancing, I've danced with Edinburgh University and Aberdeen University. Currently I work as a Product Development Technologist but I dream of heading back into University and doing a PhD.

Sean Adams

Sean Adams has been dancing Lindy Hop for eight years and has been teaching various forms of Lindy and Swing for over three years in both Canada and the UK.

Sean advocates for a technically sound Savoy style of Lindy Hop that focuses on both musicality and connection. With experience in Charleston, Balboa and Blues, Sean seeks to blend these different styles to create a fusion of dance that fits the mood of any style of jazz, blues or funk music.

In addition to teaching, Sean has performed at various functions across Canada and has been involved with a number of WWII time-period reenactments.