Charlie and Rebecka, a.k.a The DecaVitas, are currently based in Stockholm, Sweden. They have been teaching and performing together since 2006 and competing since 2008. They are known for their dynamic and unique dance style. As instructors, Charlie and Rebecka strive to teach great technique in a way that is positive, coherent and productive. They particularly value the art of leading and following, believing that leaders and followers require equal amount of information in the classroom to create the best possible connection on the dance floor.
As founders of the performance troop MessAround, hailing from Uppsala, and Savage Rhythm Stockholm, Charlie and Rebecka have years of experience in coaching and choreographing group routines. Over the years they have placed in several international Lindy Hop competitions and performed in music videos, TV-shows and theater productions. Today they make their living out of dancing, organizing their own events in Stockholm and as as well as teaching workshops across Sweden and abroad, spending about six months every year on the road.
In 2016 The DecaVitas entered a new era in their lives as professional dancers. Charlie and Rebecka decided to focus more on the artistic aspect of the dances that they love and less on competing. They are constantly learning, creating and developing their dance with endless curiosity and conviction that there is more to be discovered!
Robyn started dancing at the young age of four and since that time has enjoyed all manner of styles of dance including Ballet, Ballroom, Physical Theatre, Jazz, Musical Theatre performance and Tap. Indeed, Tap dance has been a constant in Robyn’s life and it was a helping hand in discovering Swing.
Robyn has been part of some exciting projects including dancing for Marvel’s ‘Avengers, Age of Ultron’, BBC’s ‘Call the Midwife’, Swing dance documentary ‘East London: Uncovered’, was selected as a dancer for Hermes at the ‘Vogue Night Out’, and danced on the BBC with Eastenders for Children In Need. Robyn was also recently involved in teaching two presenters to dance on ‘Blue Peter’.
Robyn teaches regularly around London and is also co-leader of the all-girls performance troupe ‘The Dixie Dinahs’, who placed 1st at The European Swing Dance Championships 2013. Robyn also took 1st Place at the London Swing Festival 2014 in the Showcase division, 1st place at The London Swing Festival with the Hotfoot Strutters 2015, and 1st Place with the Dixie Dinahs in 2016.
Robyn has taught at camps throughout the UK as well as the Czech Republic and Ireland, with many more on the way in 2016, and her infectious warmth and love of teaching make her a popular teacher. Robyn brings energy, enthusiasm and her love of Swing Dance into her classes and performances and can’t wait to see what comes next!
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Originally from Germany, Moritz grew up all over the world having lived in the Caribbean, the German Alps and Africa. He often came across dancing at the Trinidadian Carnival or at Bavarian beer festivals (if that counts as dancing), but was always more into playing sports and reading books about maths. That all changed on an Autumn day in 2012, when he walked into his first swing class in London. From then on he has been travelling all across Europe to follow his passion for swing and blues dancing.
Having recently moved back to London, he has now started teaching swing and blues dancing and also joined some of London’s top swing and blues performance troupes, the Hotfoot Strutters and the Down & Out’s.
What Moritz enjoys most about swing dancing is the joy of social dancing (often for many hours non-stop), especially to live music. He is always in search for that perfect moment, where you, your partner and the music(ians) align and create something special together. Also, laughing is very important too.
Cat has been lindy hopping since 2005. After teaching in her University scene and locally in Newcastle, Cat moved back to Liverpool and established Mersey Swing and remains creative director of this fast growing scene. After being awarded the Eurostar ‘Spirit of Lindy Hop’ award at ESDC 2013, Cat trained for 6 months in pedagogy with Swing Step Heidelberg, and went on to compete in the biggest contests in the USA and Europe.
Cat is currently London based, working with Swing Patrol teaching solo jazz and lindy hop and travelling worldwide to teach with her dance partner Cam Mitchell. She is also an acting member of improvisational theatre company Impropriety, and brings this creativity and unique style of performing straight into her dance.
Known for her infectiously fun style, Cat wears her heart on her sleeve and tries to bring fellow dancers into her world. She strives to bring out individuality, positivity and energy from her students, and believes that laughter really is the best medicine.
Philippa and Vivien met on the dance floor in 2011 with a slap to the face, and hit it off immediately. Since then, they have been teaching and competing together across Europe, as well as in their respective scenes (Oxford UK and Malmö, Sweden) – until they finally found a common home in Paris, where they teach weekly classes in Lindy Hop, Solo Jazz Roots, and of course Blues dancing. They believe that couple dancing finds its roots in solo body movement and musicality – but solid technique is a must. With Philippa’s background in gymnastics and physiotherapy, and Vivien’s boundless enthusiasm, they want to share the idea that any dance should leave you with a big, unshakeable grin on your face!
Jenn and Michael have been teaching together for three years and in that time have developed a dance philosophy that is strongly rooted in accessibility, energy and enthusiasm.
Both have achieved proficiency with a range of swing dance styles in a short period of time without having formal dance tuition or a childhood backgrounds in dance; thus embodying their belief that anyone can learn to dance at any point in their lives if they’re interested and motivated to learn. This shared background is the springboard for their fun and engaging swing dance classes which focus on delivering in-class technique and material that is directly transferable into real-world social dance skills.
Jenn and Michael are both active members of the local and national swing dance community; as well as teaching for Reading University Swing Dance Society, they make up two-thirds of the Reading Swing Jam committee which organises regular social dances and workshops in Reading. Jenn also co-teaches weekly solo jazz classes in Reading.
Al and Helen are founder members of Oxford Lindy Hoppers and have been dancing, teaching and scene building for over 12 years.
When teaching and dancing, Al is a great proponent of floor craft and making every dance as enjoyable as can be by truly connecting with your partner. Al has been instrumental in building a great scene in Oxford, and hopes you have a fantastic time with us at the Festival!
Helen has been passionate about Lindy Hop since discovering it in 2003. Helen runs OLH’s main teaching night, “Cowley Cotton Club”, and its monthly social dance “Hop the Hall”.
Helen’s dancing expresses the joy and musicality of swing music and her classes reflect this, delivering great technique, connection and fun!
As regulars on the UK Shag competition circuit, Danielle and Simon are both recent winners of Advanced mix and match competitions, at Glasgow Shag Festival 2017 and Bristol Shag Fiesta 2017 respectively. They’ve also seen joint success in Shag Endurance competitions, including victories at Bristol Shag Fiesta 2017 and Shag on the Tyne 2017. On the European stage they were finalists the Open SnJ competition in Barcelona Shag Festival 2016. Enthusiasts of both Collegiate Shag and St. Louis Shag, they love to share these Shag dances with the world at every opportunity – between them they have danced Shag on 4 continents. Simon choreographed and filmed “I Shag Taipei” whilst travelling in Asia, and Danielle introduced Shag to Cape Town on her travels in South Africa. As keen musicians, they value fun and musicality with a focus on efficient technique. In their teaching they aim to enable everyone to hit the social dance floor smiling from ear to ear, all night long!
