What a Jazz podcast

We sit down to chat about the Korean swing dance scene, Meti’s dance journey from clubbing to jazz, and her passion for creating performances. We also talk about taking care of your body as a dancer and training in a sustainable way. Finally, Meti shares her experience performing in New York with the K-Swing Wave show and running her Deep Dive event that connects swing and street dancers. 

We sit down with Sing to explore her dance journey, what’s kept her excited for decades, and the lessons she learned from Frankie. She shares her experiences running a dance studio in Singapore: honouring the dance's African American roots, creating uplifting classes, and finding new ways to teach. Finally, we discuss Asia's current dance scene and its growth.

Sean shares his experience in dancing, physical therapy, and teaching. We discuss the connections between physical therapy, psychology, and learning new skills—and how to apply them in dance classes. We also get into Sean’s background in performing, being part of a dance troupe, and training for aerials. Finally, he offers a few tips for dancers on taking care of their bodies.

Sylvain & Marion share the story of their partnership and how it has evolved over the past ten years. We explore their approach to teaching and choreographing, and discuss the roles of leader and follower in dance — creating space for a more conversational exchange where both partners contribute equally. We also chat about competitions, overcoming setbacks, and our shared visions for the futur...

We chat with the brothers about how jazz came into their lives, the role their family played in supporting their path, and memories from the first choreographies. Malik and Deniz share their approach to practicing, improvising, being patient when training, developing style, and finding mentorship. We also talk about organizing the festival “Jumpin’ at Istabul,” the dance community in Turkey, and d...

Irene shares her creative journey in dance and visual arts, her experience working in an artist-run space in Athens, and how she finds inspiration and balance in the creative process. She talks about her choreographic approach, teaching philosophy, experiences with competition, and what stepping outside your comfort zone means. We also discuss embracing your personality and letting it shine throug...

Elze Visnevskyte, Steven Coombe, Andreas Olsson, and Arnas Razgunas sit down to discuss some hot takes about the Swing world. Recorded live at the Swing Paradise festival in Vilnius, Lithuania.

We talk with Juan about the early days of Lindy Hop in Argentina, what drew him to the dance, and his future as an artistic director in Bangkok. He shares thoughts on the concept of home, life on the move, and how his physical education background shaped his teaching. We chat about knowing when to pivot, why competitions shouldn't be taken too seriously, dance trends, event organizing, and his...

We sit down with Carlos Machava to talk about his 20+ years in the dance world—from first seeing dance on the streets to training at a dance academy and eventually discovering Lindy Hop. Carlos shares what drew him to dance, his experience training with a dance company in Mozambique, and his first impressions of jazz dance. We also discuss different teaching approaches, the counting vs. scatting d...

We sit down with Sakarias to reflect on his 30-year journey in the jazz community, from running the Chicago Swing Dance Studio to training with the Hot Shots. We discuss competitions, his approach to judging and performing, the influence of old clips, and the challenges he's encountered along the way. We also explore how the dance scene continues to evolve and Sakarias' experience playing...

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 t...

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 val...

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...

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 im...

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. This Podcast...

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. This...

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...

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 s...

We chat with Sep about his ongoing journey with dance and continuous learning. We discuss the vibrant jazz culture in Gent, Belgium, and how the live music scene influenced Sep’s dancing and improvisational skills. We also delve into Sep's preference for identifying as a facilitator rather than a teacher, explore the distinction between holding and creating space, and working on one's conf...

In this episode we explore the early days of Lindy Hop in Lithuania, the beginning of the Harlem festival, and the journey of the Rhythm Junkies band. Mindaugas offers insights into leading a band, fostering a local community, and the valuable lessons gained throughout. We dive into the nuances of musicality, the emotional connection to dance and music, and accessing it both on stage and the socia...

In this episode Edwige shares her dance journey, finding herself through movement and developing self-acceptance. She shares her experience growing up in a community where dance was part of a way of being, something you do rather than something you have to learn in class. We discuss learning to do steps versus learning to connect to music, finding one's individuality but not looking for it too...

This episode features a conversation with Erol Akinci, a dancer and performer hailing from Turkey. With a foundation in music, Erol delves into his exploration of jazz, particularly the bop era and UK Jazz, alongside his approach to teaching. From shedding light on Turkey's dance scene to debunking misconceptions about bebop, we explore the significance of actively listening to and discovering...

In this episode we delve into Andreas’ journey through various Swing dance styles. We explore the nuances of risk-taking and improvisation, approaches to teaching, and the skills to become a good leader. We discuss the interplay between listening and expression in both Balboa and Lindy Hop, and how it shapes the dance experience. Andreas shares his ideas about competitions, and advocates for exper...

This week’s guest is a dancer, educator, and counselor Damian Cade. We talk about Damian’s journey into jazz and dance therapy, blending partner dancing skills with life coaching skills. We get into the pillars of good communication, the healing framework of partner dancing, and the embodiment of emotions and experiences, whether it’s fear, joy, or play. We discuss the challenges of looking inward...

This week we sit down to chat with international instructor, competitor, and performer Laura Glaess. She shares her approach to teaching, learning, keeping a beginner's mindset, and finding a way for joyful exploration. We delve into the intricacies of self-expression and growth on the dance floor and talk about developing your voice as a follower, connecting to your own body and movement whil...