As you may have already heard, Toronto Lindy Hop has a brand new Board of Directors! We are excited to introduce ourselves and work on rebuilding the Toronto dance scene that we love so much. Get to know who’s who below, and stay tuned for more news and updates.
Board Q&A
Jason (he/him), President
I am excited to be part of the TLH Board because after numerous years on the board, the pandemic has thrown a wrench in everything. It’s exciting to think of the possibilities that could arise out of this.
Who or what inspired you to start swing dancing? A conversation with a friend about doing something I’ve always wanted to do. Thank you to the movie Swing Kids for creating that “do”.
What is your favourite song to dance to? “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” by Queen. It swings!
Got any favourite dance moves? A swingout.
When I’m not dancing, I’m scuba diving.
Maria (she/her), Vice President
I am excited to be part of the TLH Board because swing dancing means so much to me and has brought a huge amount of joy to my life. I think it’s one of the best hobbies you can pick up. It helps with fitness, socializing with people from all walks of life, and you learn about the history of jazz and swing. I’m relatively new to Toronto (just over three years!), and the swing dance community really helped me make Toronto home. I want to help the community get back to where we were pre-pandemic and make it even better!
Who or what inspired you to start swing dancing? Back when I graduated from university and got my first ‘real girl’ job, I lived in a small town in Wales where I didn’t really know anyone. I was cleaning my room one day and decided to put an episode of Dragon’s Den on in the background. That’s when I first saw Scott Cupid pitch Swing Patrol London! Scott and his friends danced some swing-outs and pitched the business plan. I thought it looked super fun, so I found a free session a few days later in Chester (England). That was in September 2014, and I’ve been hooked ever since! The cool thing is that I’ve since been taught by and danced with Scott at a Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Hop in York!
What are your favourite songs to dance to? I love female vocalists, and I especially love dancing to live music, as well as recorded live music. Ella Fitzgerald’s album “Ella at Zardis” always ends up in my most played playlists on Spotify. I love numbers like “In A Mellow Tone” or “Shiny Stockings.” My all-time favourite is “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love.”
Got any favourite dance moves? I know it’s one of the first moves you learn as a Lindy Hopper, but I’d have to say the “send out”. When you get the momentum right, there’s nothing better than a juicy delicious send out!
When I’m not dancing, I’m working as a General Manager for a Canadian charity (I love my job!), going on adventures with my partner Ollie (when it’s safe!), and trying my best (but often failing) to spend less time scrolling TikTok.
Mark (he/him), Vice President
I am excited to be part of the TLH Board because I want to help people get back into dancing in Toronto!
Who or what inspired you to start swing dancing? I was (almost literally) dragged to a Lindy Hop class on a date. That was some years ago now…
What is your favourite song to dance to? “Hay Burner” by Count Basie.
Got any favourite dance moves? Anything with some spins!
When I’m not dancing, I’m thinking about zebras.
Aleks (he/him), Secretary & Music Director
I am excited to be part of the TLH Board because this is a chance to make a change and build a better dancing future for everyone.
Who or what inspired you to start swing dancing? My ex-girlfriend and aerials.
What are your favourite songs to dance to? All of Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, and Billie Holiday.
Got any favourite dance moves? Aerials! And all the rest of the moves too…
When I’m not dancing, I’m spending time with my partner, reading, gaming, engineering.
Kelly (he/him), Treasurer
I am excited to be part of the TLH Board because I want to help the community where I made some great friends so others can hopefully have a similar experience.
Who or what inspired you to start swing dancing? I saw the dance while watching a YouTube video and thought “Oh, I could try that,” and a few months later found out it was ongoing in Toronto!
What are your favourites songs to dance to? I love “Mack the Knife” by Toronto All-Star Big Band, and “On The Sunny Side of The Street” by Illinois Jacquet.
Got any favourite dance moves? No real favourite, best is goofing around with good people to a good song!
When I’m not dancing, I’m always trying out/looking for new activities. Current mainstays are guitar/piano, rock climbing, working out, canoeing, and camping.
Hannah (she/her), Education Director
I am excited to be part of the TLH Board because I love Lindy Hop and I love education. I’m excited to help bring great Lindy Hop and jazz dance education opportunities to our community.
Who or what inspired you to start swing dancing? A second year living across the hall from my residence room in first year university invited me to join her at UT-Swing (the University of Toronto swing dancing club). I’ve always been a dancer and a jazz music lover, so learning how to dance to the music I love just felt right and the community at UT-Swing was so welcoming. Since then, swing dancing has been a huge part of my life.
What are your favourite songs to dance to? I have a special place in my heart for Gordon Webster’s recording of Sermonette featuring Brianna Thomas. I also love “On The Sunny Side Of The Street” and the huge variety of recordings it has inspired. Some of my favourites are Chu Berry for a meditative vibe, Illinois Jacquet for the killer shout chorus at the end, and Ella Fitzgerald for a feeling of total confidence.
Got any favourite dance moves? There’s nothing like the feeling of being totally connected to another person in the middle of some really great swingouts.
When I’m not dancing, I’m cross-stitching and thinking about higher education. In the pandemic I started doing a part-time MEd in student affairs in addition to my full-time work in the field.
Catherine (she/her), Dance Ambassador Director
I am excited to be part of the TLH Board because I see an opportunity for Toronto to reimagine the swing dance community in the wake of the pandemic. I want to work to make the scene more inclusive and welcoming, especially to new dancers, and to find new ways to transmit the values that have come to us through black American dance culture. I’m looking forward to giving back to the community in whatever way I’m needed, and am ready to listen to what dancers have to say.
Who or what inspired you to start swing dancing? I came to swing dancing in a pretty ordinary way – some people I knew were excited about it, so I came out to give it a try, and was hooked pretty much instantly.
What are your favourite songs to dance to? As far as original recordings go, it has to be “Topsy” by Count Basie and his Orchestra. While nothing beats live music, the classic recordings are a treasure trove that we should continue to revisit.
Got any favourite dance moves? My favourite dance move is the one you feel good doing.
When I’m not dancing, I’m working at my day job, taking long walks and looking at birds and trees. It’s great, you know life is going well when there’s not much to talk about.
Ayla (she/her), Marketing & Communications Director
I am excited to be part of the TLH Board because swing dancing has given me so much joy over the past few years, and I would love to give some of that energy back to the community. I want to help revitalize the dance scene that we lost during the pandemic and encourage others not to be afraid to try something new.
Who or what inspired you to start swing dancing? Jazz holds a special place in my heart, and I always wanted to learn how to dance properly to this genre of music. I saw a flash mob of swing dancers spontaneously perform years ago at Yonge/Dundas Square and started researching where to take lessons in Toronto. After constantly bugging my friends to come out to a class with me (to no avail), I decided to go to a free drop-in class at Bee’s Knees by myself. I rarely go to events on my own – let alone a dance class – and was rather nervous, but this decision completely changed my life. I signed up for classes on the spot, and since then have found a wonderful community and group of friends.
What are your favourite songs to dance to? Anything by Ella Fitzgerald and Oscar Peterson. When or if I have the stamina for electroswing, bands like Parov Stelar and Caravan Palace are also super fun!
Got any favourite dance moves? I love the “Texas Tommy”, but my favourite feeling is getting into a real groove with your dance partner. Every move becomes magical.
When I’m not dancing, I’m playing Dungeons & Dragons, drawing, reading, birdwatching, and working as a writer for a non-profit.
Rachel (she/her), Social Committee Chair
I am excited to be part of the TLH Board because dancing makes me so happy!
Who or what inspired you to start swing dancing? My birthday! I love tulips and there was a Lindy Hop event at the Tulip Festival. My friend convinced me to try, and I never stopped dancing.
What are your favourite songs to dance to? “The Darktown Strutters’ Ball” by Alberta Hunter, “On The Sunny Side of the Street” by Illinois Jacquet and anything by Ella Fitzgerald.
Got any favourite dance moves? Shaky Legs.
When I’m not dancing, I’m talking to random people about how we should all dance.
Zoey (she/her), Board Relations Officer
I am excited to be part of the TLH Board because I’ve been dancing Lindy Hop since the 90s and would like to give back to the community. In the wake of the pandemic, I want to help pick up the pieces, rebuild, and reconnect with each other as we re-envision Lindy Hop in Toronto.
Who or what inspired you to start swing dancing? When I was in junior high, I used to listen to a French radio station and record swing songs on audio tape. I went to school with Jane Danielson, who some of you may know, and when I saw her practicing Lindy Hop in our school lounge, I was immediately interested. I persuaded my sister to try a class with me.
What is your favourite song to dance to? “Just a Gigolo” because I like to sing along.
Got any favourite dance moves? The Chase; Tango Step; Mini-Dip; Whip.
When I’m not dancing, I’m gardening, hiking, or doing arts and crafts.
