The Swing and Tap
Academy of Toronto
We Specialize in Beginners!
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' 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 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 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'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. |
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. |
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. |
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. |