Artists

Frida has been dancing since her early childhood. Her very first dance interest was Swedish folk dances and Swedish Bugg and later moved on to Boogie Woogie. She also attended a three year dance dance high school focusing on modern and contemporary jazz dance and ballet. Training and competing brought her to Herräng Dance Camp where she was exposed to Lindy hop on the social dance floor for the first time and she fell head over heels in love with the music and the dance, finding a freedom of expression she had never felt before. From that point she was hooked and has never looked back. She joined the performance group The Rhythm Hot Shots, now known as The Hot Shots, a celebration of Harlem rhythms, for 15 years.
There she got the possibility to work hard, learning and performing a broad spectrum of the African American dances she loves such as Lindy Hop, solo jazz, charleston and tap. She feels incredibly happy and humble that she has had the opportunity to travel the world performing, teaching, competing and sharing her passion for this artform for the last 20 years.

Originally pressured into taking Lindy Hop classes by his mother at the tender age of 12, Skye soon found that social dancing really is the best thing in life. Over the past 18 years he has performed, taught, and competed both nationally and internationally, gaining recognition as a talented and dedicated dancer.

Dr. Marie N’diaye (PhD) is a Jazz Dance choreographer, performer and educator as well as a dance researcher. She specialises in Jazz Dance (African American Jazz), including the partnered form (Lindy Hop), focusing on the legacy of Harlem dancers from the Savoy Ballroom as well as the chorus line tradition from night clubs and theatres (such as the Apollo Theater, the Cotton Club,  Connie’s Inn…) and has applied her scientific method and dance education to conduct an embodied practice-based research of Jazz dance through the study of original video clips, and collaborations with elders and other established dancers.

Marie is the founder of the non-profit organisation “Collective Voices for Change” aiming to promote cultural appreciation and respect of African American Jazz Dances. She is also a board member of the “Black Lindy Hoppers Fund”, whose mission is to support and promote Black dancers and artists in their practice, performance, and transmission of Jazz Dances especially Lindy Hop.

She completed her Masters in Anthropology of Dance & Ethnochoreology in 2023, as part of the international ERASMUS program: “Choreomundus” involved with the safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH)

She loves teaching, performing and competing. In lindy hop and authentic jazz dances, she finds freedom, energy and joy, as they  are for her a way of creative expression and a constant source of inspiration. She is currently located in her hometown, Athens, where she is teaching Lindy Hop & Authentic Jazz as a member of Rhythm Hoppers’ team.

Felipe is a Brazilian Jazz dancer who grew up in an environment where music, dance, and rhythm are a part of everyday life. He came across Lindy Hop while living in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and was drawn by the rhythms and the beauty of the social dance culture which reminded him of his own. He started frequenting the vibrant porteña swing dance scene of the time which took him to travel the world following his passion. Currently living in Berlin, Felipe travels the world performing and teaching. His classes focus on the social encounter of Jazz dance, allowing for the exchange of rhythm and the shared experience of Swing.

Wayne James is a dancer, choreographer, filmmaker and DJ, he is well credited as
being one of the main pioneers of the UK Jazz Dance scene and setting the bench
mark to what the style has become today. He started dancing in the early 80s in his
hometown and place of birth Leeds, West Yorkshire. After being a regular fixture in
the local clubs and parties, Wayne started his first dance Group/ Company named
The Firm. There dance style was based on funk, disco, boogie, jazz – funk, soul and
jazz. This eclectic mix of styles grew from within the group and eventually they
concentrated mainly on Funk Fusion and Jazz Fusion, which become their main
style of dancing.

Wayne soon moved to London where he was looking to improve his technical
understanding of movement and dance, winning a scholarship to attend West Street
and the prestigious Urdang Academy, Covent Garden. This time in full time dance
training was spent working on building a strong foundation in which to improve and
adapt his street jazz style of dance.

While at Urdang Wayne co-formed a new company called the Brothers in Jazz,
which incorporated all the technique learnt in dance school, putting it into street jazz
and UK Be-Bop Style was born. Be Bop heavily emphasized precision, power,
speed, control, musicality and style and soon spread across the clubs of London, the
UK and beyond.

Brothers in Jazz went on to do shows in Europe, Japan and the USA ranging from
theatre, television, documentaries, film, commercials and more…. Within this time
Wayne started teaching student’s in Japan and Europe the styles of Be Bop and UK
Jazz passing on the UK’s first street jazz dance and now adding music and film to is
body of work, Wayne is considered a living embodiment of the style and history of
the dance.

At the top of the page stands Masumi Endo, a talented a multifaceted artist known for her prowess as a dancer, choreographer, and dedicated teacher.

Originating from Japan, Masumi’s profound love for dance was kindled during her time at the International Dance College Tokyo Steps Arts. It was there that she was first captivated by the vibrant UK jazz dance culture, an encounter that would shape the course of her artistic journey. Masumi’s remarkable talent led her to triumph in the fiercely competitive Boppin Jive Grand Championship, an esteemed event showcasing the electrifying UK jazz dance style. Fueled by a relentless desire to evolve, she fearlessly embarked on a new chapter by relocating to the United Kingdom.

Masumi has had the honor of collaborating with iconic UK jazz dancers, including the esteemed Brothers In Jazz, the dynamic IDJ, the spirited JazzCotech, and the revered Steinway Artist and musician, Robert Mitchell. Her  performances have graced the stages of prestigious international Jazz and Performing Arts Festivals, leaving an indelible impression on audiences . From the celebrated London Jazz Festival to the Norway Bergen Art Fest,  Edinburgh Fringe, the soul-stirring Jazz Refound in Italy, the groundbreaking Jazz Rewired in the UK, and the grandeur of the Guildhall Big Band Concert, Masumi has woven her artistic tapestry across the globe.

As a performer and choreographer, Masumi’s unwavering dedication to the art form extends to her role as an educator. Her expertise and passion have earned her invitations as a guest lecturer at universities and the opportunity to conduct workshops in local communities brimming with adoration for jazz. Committed to nurturing aspiring dancers, Masumi devotes herself to teaching regular classes in the vibrant city of London.

In her classes, Masumi creates an inclusive and dynamic environment that encourages students to explore their own creative expression and cultivate their unique style. She serves as a bridge between music and dance, allowing the essence of jazz to permeate every fiber of her being. Embracing the exhilarating energy of jam sessions, she thrives on the art of improvisation and the boundless possibilities of artistic expression within the realm of jazz music. With each choreographic creation, Masumi endeavors to share the profound spirit of jazz, fostering a harmonious fusion of music and dance that transcends boundaries and inspires a new generation of passionate performers to embrace the timeless allure of this captivating genre.