Birk

How did you start dancing?

I came from a background in hip hop and electronic dance styles, which I had been doing since I was 13. Towards the end of being 17, on a Sunday evening, I was searching YouTube for electro swing music. Back then, Spotify wasn't very good at finding niche subgenres. While searching, I stumbled across the famous Hellzapoppin' dance clip.

Two days later, I showed up to a Lindy Hop class in Odense. The class was already underway, so I spent the evening watching and learning from the social dancing instead. Before I had even taken many classes myself, I began teaching without knowing all the answers and figures but I had to learn on the go. Looking back, a huge part of my own development has come from teaching and sharing dance with others.

Something similar happened with Balboa. In the summer of 2022, I signed up for a beginner workshop at Herräng simply because I didn't know what else to do that weekend. What started as curiosity quickly turned into an obsession, and Balboa has gradually become my main focus ever since.

What do you love most about teaching?

Seeing hardworking students grow and develop their own voice on the dance floor is incredibly rewarding. Some of my students have become lifelong friends, and one of the best things about teaching is being able to share that journey with others.
And there's always room for a few more.

What does swing dancing mean to you?

I was recently asked why I dance, teach, and compete. To be honest, I'm not sure I can point to a single reason anymore. It’s just an integrated part of me.
What started as a hobby has become an integrated part of my life. Through dance, I've built friendships all over the world and experienced things I never imagined when I first walked into that Lindy Hop class in Odense.
There's something about hearing a great jazz tune start up. It creates an itch that simply needs to be scratched by dancing. For years, I've always joked with my day jobs that dancing will always come first. And partly this is still true, I’ll gladly plan to leave work early and work in the weekend so I can go dancing instead.

What’s your favourite jazz song or artist?

That's a difficult question.
Count Basie and Duke Ellington will always fill a dance floor, but I've always had a soft spot for the lesser-known artists and recordings. As a DJ, I love finding hidden gems, forgotten tracks, or unusual versions that make dancers pay extra attention.
If I had to choose a favorite style, it would probably be jump blues and swing from the late 1940s through the 1960s. If there's a Hammond organ or a xylophone in the band, chances are I'll be dancing. I also have a big love for Western Swing from California, especially recordings from the 1930s through the 1950s.

Fun fact or secret talent?

I've somehow managed to collect a wide range of hobbies and experiences over the years.
I grew up in the countryside in a family that was largely self-sufficient with vegetables. Later, I spent nights dancing in clubs as a techno dancer And competed in both the Danish Championships and World Championships in medieval full-contact fighting, and worked as a carpenter for several years.
Food has also always been a big part of my life, thanks to my grandparents, who owned several restaurants. A few years ago, I picked up the saxophone, and it constantly reminds me what it feels like to be a beginner again.