Nina Gilkenson
Nina hails from Washington DC. She is a competitor, performer and teacher of Lindy Hop. She can lay claim to national Lindy Hop titles from some of the most prestigious swing dancing competitions in the world, including the North Atlantic Dance Championships, the American Lindy Hop Championships, Hellzapoppin', and the Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown. Performance credits include television appearances on PBS; Apollo Theatre; Lincoln Center and concert performances with the Brian Setzer Orchestra and Aretha Franklin. Her classes focus on authentic Lindy Hop technique, musical interpretation and the history of the dance.
Nina is a founding member of Silver Shadows, a troupe who performed in Harlem, NY at a tribute event for the surviving members of Whitey's Lindy Hoppers, as well as tap legends Jimmy Slyde and Fayard Nicholas.
Bio frm iLindy.com
Michael Seguin
Travelling over with Nina from Washington is Michael Seguin, a gem of the US Lindy scene who is as yet undiscovered in these backwater parts. He shows up in some of the finest teaching line-ups across America, but seems to be a little camera shy - thus the v small pic :).
Check out Michael dancing with Nina right here.
Fred the Future Sounds Pup
Even though he bottled it last year, we're giving him another chance to make it big as a Lindy teacher.
Ladies and gents, give it up for Fred!
As an engineer for a major water works company, Alison has no hesitation in piping up! (Groan:- Half price ticket to FSOS 2011 for the first person to guess who wrote that gag!) Alongside her passion for Lindy Hop, Alison has a background in drama and a keen focus on Authentic Jazz movement, which adds to the fun and dynamics in her classes and on the social dance floor. Alison took 2nd place in the Prague International Lindy Hop Competition 2009 and most recently achieved the semi-finals in one of the worlds toughest competitions, the 'Hellzappopin Contest' 2009 held in New York.
Chris is a space engineer by day, working on satellites! Combined with his passion for Lindy Hop and Authentic Jazz, this technical thinking means that you will learn things at the right time, at the right pace, and you learn it thoroughly! Chris was a finalist in the Prague International Lindy Hop Competition 2009 and most recently a semi-finalist in one of the worlds toughest competitions, the 'Hellzappopin Contest' 2009 held in New York.
As a Sports Therapy student at the University of Hertfordshire, Charlotte has a keen understanding of how the body works whilst dancing. In addition, she has a background in contemporary dance, Jive, and 20's Charleston with a natural flair for Authentic Jazz. Her main passion is Lindy Hop, which comes out in her fun teaching style. As well as weekly Lindy classes, Charlotte gives specialised workshops for school children, and has taught and performed at many events abroad including in Belgium, Germany, Prague and Slovenia. Charlotte won first place in the Prague International Lindy Hop Competition 2008 and is also part of the UK's latest Authentic Jazz dance group,'Swing Attack'.
Robert and Claire are former UK Lindy Hop Champions, have placed fourth in two World Championships and are the London Swing Cats. Over the last few years their work in videos for some of the biggest selling pop artists have led to regular appearances on TV screens all across the globe. They also manage and choreograph the Hollywood Hoppers, Lindy Hop troupe who perform all across the UK.
Check out them out in "A Little Less Conversation" Elvis vs JXL!
The Godfather of LindyFridays, Jo has been working away behind the scenes to big-up Lindy Hop in Leeds, since 2004. His informal teaching style has encouraged many folk in and around Leeds to take up Lindy Hop. Don't let the Glaswegian manner put you off :) he's actually built of floppy rabbits and candy floss.
Based right here in Leeds, Fiona has been learning, teaching, working to understand and talking about Lindy Hop since before most of us had even heard of it.
This year Fiona is going to put her years of dancing and singing experience to good use and give our musicality a work out.
Christina taught Lindy Hop up here in Leeds for 5 years, before moving back down south. Her interest in technique and enthusiasm for dance in general make her an attentive and engaging teacher. With her ballet experience she has enviable poise and top spinning speed.
An architect of Leeds Lindy, Vicky is the co-founder of LindyFridays and Lindy at The Light. Her teaching and DJ-ing are just a small part of her involvement in the scene. Every inch the lady, Vix brings a much needed touch of class to the Future Sounds crew.
Rob is our very own home-grown talent. We're very proud. :)
He started dancing at the Leeds University Lindy Hop Society, before being released into the wider Lindy world to absorb everything he could. Now an established teachers at LindyFridays , Rob teaches the odd weekend workshop in Leeds and beyond, and has been known to win a competition...
Local heros Harry & Svetlana are flying the Balboa banner for the whole of yorkshire and beyond. They founded Balboa North, and run regular Balboa classes in Leeds. Their relaxed and entertaining teaching style has earned them teaching invitations all around the UK. We are lucky enough to have snagged them to teach a taster class for us.
Seb is our friendly neighbourhood break-dancer, and is the resident teacher for LUU Break Dance Society . With 7 years of breaking and 3 years of professional teaching under his belt, he has also performed in dance shows, festivals, charity events, battles, showcases, and the odd music video. As a regular at Leeds’ premier breaking event Fresh Jive , and currently the dance officer for “The Workshop” charity, Seb is a great ambassador for dance in the Leeds area.
Coming all the way in from "the 'pool", Cat is a bubbly and enthusiastic teacher who is full of ideas and spark. Cat brings her own brand of energy to all of her classes. This year she has agreed to apply her years of experience has an actor, as well as a dancer, to provide us with some extra juicy taster class action.
The toe-tinglingly fantastic Clare McAlpine has been teaching Yoga for the last 15 years. She is an expert in stealth techniques to leave your body relaxed, humming and vital, regardless of genes, age or flexibility. Clare's class will stretch out your body after a weekend of reeeaallly dancin.
Al is your captain for this Future-Sounds flight. Over the weekend she will be teaming up with Fred to secure the perimeter, activate the back up plans, keep in touch with the pentagon... that kind of thing...
Al has been around for a while and likes to think she knows how to dance. We have to let her teach because she organises the event, but don't worry - her teaching partners (Rob & Fiona) are very competent so you won't even notice. ;)
As long standing figures on the Leeds scene and sworn members of our Lindy battle crew, Badger and Hedgehog can bring it with the best of 'em.