Helena

How did you start dancing?

When I moved to a new city and wanted to meet new people, I googled dance classes and chose one with (according to me) the best music—a Lindy Hop class. I loved it right away! After taking a few beginner classes and without knowing anything about swingouts, a friend invited me to go to Herräng. I did, and I was instantly hooked on everything in the swing dance community.

What do you love most about teaching?

I love sharing ideas and passing on the knowledge and guidance I've received. It's incredibly rewarding to watch students grow in their movements and interactions, and seeing someone discover something new and experiencing the joy of learning in social connections.

What does swing dancing mean to you?

Lindy hop is a way for me to express myself, connect with music, and challenge myself to grow. It's important to me to never stop learning, and dance offers endless opportunities to discover new music, moves, and connections. I'm also delighted that we have a community where everyone can be themselves and meet new people through dance.

What’s your favourite jazz song or artist?

I'm not great at picking favourite songs or artists. When I do have a special liking for something, it's usually because it holds a special meaning or memory for me. For instance, I always feel joyful when I hear "Clarinet Creole" by Sammy Price. I took a solo jazz class in Herräng with Patrik Pettersson, a member of The Hot Shots. We did a spinning routine to this song, and it opened my eyes to a whole new world of movement.

Fun fact or secret talent?

A somewhat well-known secret about me is that I love organising and labelling things. I also enjoy putting googly eyes on everything. As for my talents, when I was around 11 years old, I tried Bugg (a Swedish dance). I ended up winning a small competition and then competed around Sweden for two years.