Rui

How did you start dancing?

I started dancing Lindy Hop in Café Bojan in Stockholm in 2014, when I started studying there, fun times!

What do you love most about teaching?

I love the feeling when a class goes well, and the vibes are good in the room. I love connecting with students, and to break the teacher-student barrier and just engage in some good dancing with the students. I also enjoy it very much when I can see some students getting a lightbulb moment in their dancing when something clicks!

What does swing dancing mean to you?

Lindy Hop means a lot to me, for many reasons. First and foremost, I love the social aspect of Lindy Hop! Engaging with the local community in Copenhagen is very gratifying, attending social dances, dancing with long time friends, dancing with new faces in the scene. I also like the cultural and historical aspect of Lindy Hop, and learning and honoring the roots of the dance. Lastly I also enjoy practising Lindy Hop, be it in planning of classes or in the training room with my dance partners and dance group, Happy Dozen!

What’s your favourite jazz song or artist?

There are so many really amazing swing songs! I'll go with a classic tune here: Flying Home by Lionel Hampton and His Orchestra!

Fun fact or secret talent?

I had a brief stint playing Ultimate Frisbee in Copenhagen some years back, that was really fun!