Teachers

Trisha Sewell

With over 30 years of experience in the Swing dance community, Trisha Sewell is a powerhouse instructor, facilitator, and cultural storyteller. Her dance journey is deeply rooted in the rhythms of Blues and Swing music, a lifelong passion that has shaped her perspective and movement. Trisha brings a wealth of knowledge, authenticity, and a distinctive voice to the dance floor.

Trisha’s teaching is grounded in a commitment to bridging historical understanding with lived experience. Her current studies delve into the art of improvisation, connecting her dance to her Caribbean heritage, African ancestry, and cultural traditions. One of the few Black female teachers in the community, she brings originality, deep rhythmic intuition, and an authentic movement style that reflects cultural awareness and history.

A trailblazer in the dance world, Trisha has dedicated her career to preserving and evolving classic jazz steps and choreographies. Her training lineage is unparalleled, shaped by legendary figures such as Frankie Manning, Norma Miller, Sugar Sullivan, Dawn Hampton, and Fayard Nicholas. As the director of a Lindy Hop school for over two decades and the organiser of one of Europe’s largest swing dance events, she has influenced dancers across generations. She is also credited as one of the first female instructors to lead a full weekend workshop dedicated solely to ‘following’ an initiative that has left a lasting impact on dancers throughout Europe.

Now, Trisha brings her dynamic energy and rich knowledge to this event, sharing the rhythms, history, and movement of black dance forms with a fresh perspective. Expect a class filled with culture, connection, and a deep dive into black culture.

What would you say was your biggest revelation in your dance journey?

"One of the biggest revelations in my dance journey was vocally acknowledging that Black culture and dance are not just historical artifacts but living, breathing traditions that have never died. From the drumbeats of the African diaspora, the rhythm, energy, and soul of Black dance continue to shape and influence global movements. No one can claim to have "revived" something that has always been alive, passed down through communities, encoded in our bodies, and evolving with each generation. The foundations, the rudiments, are still here, woven into everything from club culture to mainstream choreography. Black dance is not a trend; it is the root."

Jeff Tong

Known for his enthusiastic, energetic and cheery nature, Jeff welcomes his students to embrace their individuality and brings out their inner creativity. He teaches locally in London, across the UK and internationally, and champions the idea of gender-neutral dancing from grass roots level, and aims to open the minds of seasoned dancers.

His ethos that people should "dance however they like, whatever role they like" means he has a real passion for nurturing people to the best of their abilities. He was also part of the award winning performance troupe, Brat Pack, both dancing as a Leader and a Follower, and was the lead teacher of the Swing Dance troupe, Stomp Squad.

What would you say was your biggest revelation in your dance journey?

"By bringing yourself authentic self to the dance invites your dance partner to do the same. My dance goal is never about being fancy or technical, it is to personally connect with whoever I'm dancing with and having a great dance conversation!"

Jason Hsu

"Be sassy and be jazzy!" Freedom of expression characterises Jason's teaching and dancing! Jason will show you not only the ways you can connect to the music and express yourself through improvisation but also how to feel free to do it. That's the main value you will get from Jason! With a background in second-language and cross-cultural pedagogy and theatre training, you will be immersed into an inclusive, safe, and playful journey into learning, not from, but along with him!

Apart from dancing around the world, Jason is bridging the dance experience to the academic field, too. With his current pursuit in a Master's program in Anthropology of Dance, Jason is working on re-learning Lindy Hop through the lens of queer study and bringing queer perspectives to your class!

What would you say was your biggest revelation in your dance journey?

"If you can't love yourself, how the hell you are gonna love somebody else? Can we get a SWING OUT?"

Hannah & Ali

Ali took her first Lindy hop class in 2011, falling in love with the energy, joy and freedom of this dance. Balboa and collegiate shag followed soon after. Ali's learning journey, with scoliosis and fibromyalgia, meant a focus on moving with comfort and ease while seeking to respect the values of the originators of the swing dances. Ali qualified as a somatic movement teacher in 2020 with Essential Somatics, following the work of Thomas Hanna on neuromuscular awareness and change. She loves to share the freedom and choices that accompany a greater awareness of our own bodies.

What would you say was your biggest revelation in your dance journey?

"Even on days of pain/discomfort and limited movement I can still commit to moving as well as possible in my own body, within my own limits, and that brings a different presence and energy to a dance. "

Hannah is passionate about sharing the joys of swing dancing. For many years she demonstrated with Sue Freeman, one of the North's most influential lindy hop teachers, absorbing as much of her wonderful dance and teaching skill as possible. She started running Lindy Hop classes in Sheffield in 2015, pairing with Ali the following year. Soon after, the people of Sheffield called for the addition of Collegiate Shag to the local dance scene. Hannah tentatively dipped a toe into the world of Collegiate Shag and was quickly hooked, eager to share her delight! Together, Hannah and Ali love to explore new concepts, learn more about the history of swing dancing, as well as maximising their joy and connection within the dance. During the pandemic, Hannah spent time developing her clarity of body movement, commitment to the rhythm and how she could teach these in a fun and accessible way.

What would you say was your biggest revelation in your dance journey?

"The biggest revelation in my dance journey happened through solo work during lockdown. Spending time recording teaching videos highlighted to me how much more capacity there was available for moving my body in different ways, sparking a drive for exploring and developing my movement. This has brought better rhythm, musicality, connection, and therefore joy, to my dancing."

Bruce & Jane

Jane and Bruce discovered Lindy Hop 20 years ago, and formed Kingston Swing in 2008 to help spread the Lindy love into the easternmost corners of Yorkshire; they've spent the past 17 years teaching Lindy and Aerials across the UK and Europe, as well as organising Hull's now legendary Hullzapoppin' international Swing Dance festival.

Flashy lifts and tricks were what sparked Bruce’s interest in Swing dance; landing safely is what's maintained Jane's interest in flashy lifts and tricks! Their aerials classes usually have a high degree of fun paired with plenty of vital technique and a respectable tip of the hat to health and safety to achieve big results safely and in a short space of time… you’ll believe a Lindyhopper can fly!!!

What would you say was your biggest revelation in your dance journey?

"The sense of community, both local and worldwide; how the scene continues to grow and evolve in spite of the inevitable changes and challenges that life throws at us."