The Swing and Tap

Academy of Toronto

We Specialize in Beginners!


Swing - Lindy Hop

Caitlin Wellman

Caitlin Wellman's teaches her students more than just a bunch of cool moves (but they get that too)! Her focus on solid lead/follow technique, based on momentum, connection, and rhythm helps her students enjoy the dance on a deeper level and become more connected to the music and their partner. Her teaching is clear and articulate, and full of fun and creative ways of improving your dancing. She teaches the Level 4 Lindy Hop classes.

Caitlin has trained with all the great names in swing, including the original swing dancers of Harlem, since 1997.   She was a founding member of the multi-award winning performance troupe Minnie's Moochers, from Ithaca, NY, USA, and has been in huge demand as a teacher across the US, Canada, Europe, Australia and Asia for many years. She is the Artistic Director & Choreographer of The Flappettes, a sassy all female 1920's Jazz & Charleston troupe, and Director & Choreographer for Capital Dance Productions, a performance troupe that specializes in 20th century North American partner and solo dances.

Caitlin has also made several Television and Print appearances such as: Instant Star, Much Music Video Awards '06 with Fall Out Boy, Toronto 1 "Toronto Dances" program, and the cover of Dance Spirit Magazine.

Jessica Jenkins

Jessica Jenkins' Beginner Swing/Lindy Hop dancing classes are famous for fun. Her sense of humour and patience make all of her classes an enjoyable experience and give students a feeling of accomplishment. She will get you out on the dance floor in no time.

An accredited teacher with a degree in Education from the University of Toronto, Jessica has been teaching Swing dancing to adults and teens since 1998. She has studied various form of dance since she was knee-high to a grasshopper until being bitten by the Swing bug in 1997. Jessica is also a member of the fabulous Flappettes, a sassy all female 1920's Jazz & Charleston troupe who regularly perform for charity and corporate events. As a professional dancer Jessica has performed live and on television since 1998. Her credits and appearances include:

Breakfast Television, Instant Star, Molson Export "Judith" - Television commercial, Much Music Video Awards '06 with Fall Out Boy - "Dance, Dance" and Tory Cassis "Such A Crime" - Music video

Leon Wu

Leon Wu's dry sense of humour and penchant for giving out gold stars to his students make him a memorable and entertaining teacher. His thoughtful explanations and jokes puts beginners at ease and keeps them coming back for more fun.

Leon has been showing followers a good time on the dance floor since 1999 when his love of Blues and Jazz led him to discover Lindy Hop, and not only did he like it but he was pretty darn good. He has studied swing from Lindy masters the world over and is constantly working on expanding his repertoire of patented "Leon" moves. He and Jessica perform live for students' weddings and corporate events where they regularly wow their audiences.

Mark Hart

Mark Hart's sense of humor, relaxed teaching style and dynamic dancing style make learning more complex techniques and patterns fun and easy.

Mark has been interested in dance since he was a small boy and asked his parents for Tap shoes but didn't really get serious until 1998 when he took his first Lindy Hop class and then couldn't get enough. Mark has traveled extensively to further his own dance training with the greats from Harlem and Europe which paid off in 2006 when he won 1 st place in the Spirit of Swing Competition.   Mark is a member of Capital Dance Productions and frequently performs live and on Television.

Chachi - Guest Instructor

Chachi's teaching will give you the kick-in-the-pants you've been looking for to improve your dancing. His inventive teaching keeps his students entertained and pushes their dancing to the next level. Chachi has been on the top rung of the swing dance ladder worldwide for nearly 15 years. At 17 he began to travel the world to study with all the Lindy Hop greats. By the time he was 21 he was considered a top-tier dance instructor and his performance career took off during his 3 years as a member of The Rhythm Hot Shots. Chachi then founded a dance company in Chicago which was featured in many Stage and Television appearances. He is currently the Director and principal dancer of Capital Dance Productions and frequently performs live and on Television with Caitlin.

Tap

Rebecca Lewis

Rebecca’s infectious enthusiasm for Tap dancing is apparent in the energy of her classes! Rebecca is known for her patience in breaking down steps and individual attention with students - making beginners comfortable - and her wicked sense of rhythm and love of spins keeps her experienced students challenged. Rebecca teaches all levels of Tap.

Rebecca’s passion for dance is a family affair, passed down through two generations. She trained throughout her youth at her mother’s dance studio in Kamloops, B.C. and is professionally trained as a performer and teacher in ballet, tap, jazz through the National Association of Teachers of Dance based in London, England. Rebecca is a veteran of the stage and currently you can find her in Toronto tappin’ up a storm with her fellow members of tap ensemble Funk Factory.

Lindsay Kramer

Lindsay's dynamic teaching will set your feet to flying in no time. Her energy and patience make her students feel like they can learn any rhythm. Her classes are fun and will take you from the most basic flap to the most complicated syncopation. Lindsay teaches all Levels of Tap.

Originally from Edmonton, Alberta where she first started singing, dancing and acting at the age of three, Lindsay is a graduate of the prestigious Triple Threat Program at The Randolph Academy of the Performing Arts in Toronto where she is currently a faculty member. She is also a member of Funk Factory under the direction of Shawn Byfield and recently had the pleasure of honoring the late Gregory Hines in performance at his memorial service. Performing credits include: the Toronto Fringe Festival, Celebrity Cruise Lines, Val in A Chorus Line, American Idol Premier, YTV and The Stardust Follies. She worked for the Britney Spears promotional tour "Curious" and performs regularly live and on Television.

Alana Hock

The founder of Dance With Alana, this Ottawa native has studied Jazz, Tap and Swing in New York, Sweden, Mexico and Tokyo with some of the world's finest and has taught dance for over 15 years. Career highlights include; choreographing the hit Disney television show - Jojo's Circus, and numerous times assisting the granddaddy of swing, Frankie Manning. As a performer, you may have caught her on Bravo, YTV, at the Beaches Jazz Fest, and Toronto's Harbourfront.