Emil

How did you start dancing?

I started dancing in the summer of 2022 after having enjoyed social dancing at CPH Lindy Exchange that year . I had only very little knowledge of the steps and shapes of the dance but it was always the socials that drew me in. In 2022 I took a summer course in Happy Feet and I was instantly hooked!

What do you love most about teaching?

I love to share what have been shared with me from many different teachers, both local and international, as it is important for me to give something back to the scene and the community. I especially love to focus on exploring connection and improvisation through swing jazz music and rhythms as I am a professional drummer and musician. I aim to teach with a musicians point of view to help swing dancers deepen the fundamental understanding on how to combine and connect rhythms in swing jazz with swing dancing.

What does swing dancing mean to you?

It means a great deal! To me, the meaning is both to share and explore a dance that are of great cultural importance to both the music with many different people within the community of swing dancing. It means so much to me to be a part of a dance that can allow such space of creativity, of joy, of self expression and individuality, since these values are so closely linked to the music that we dance to. This is also why I love travelling to festivals, as this allows me to deepen my understanding of the practice of swing dancing.

What’s your favourite jazz song or artist?