Sara
How did you start dancing?
Probably in my cradle.. rumours go that I danced and performed to my family from a very, very young age. Photographic evidence proves me guilty as charged. But yeah, I started my dance journey with ballet classes at the age of six. For twelve consecutive years I have spent hours learning and performing classical and modern ballet.
And after a good few years of reserving dancing for night-outs and sporadic occasions (how did I survive those days remains a mystery to solve), I came across a poster (yes, old-fashioned beautiful paper!) advertising Lindy Hop lessons nearby. I have tried it in a Summer festival, I had liked it then... give it a go? And here we are, about ten years later and more-then-ever physically and emotionally incapable of resisting a drum beat.
What do you love most about teaching?
For me, the best dance lessons have also been great life lessons, so I hope that, at times, I can touch people in similar ways. I highly cherish movement technique as I see it as an invaluable tool to go deeper into the body and what it can say. Ultimately, what I love the most is when I see my students unlocking new pathways to feel the music, be present in the moment, and express themselves through movement.
What does swing dancing mean to you?
Swing dancing means I get to be... me, just me. In communion with the music, the people and the dancefloor. It allows me to be present and express in ways that nothing else does. Honestly, it is kinda healing, spiritual and hardly word translatable. I dare you to come dance with me and find it for yourself!
What’s your favourite jazz song or artist?
Do I really have to pick one favourite? Ok, I have a weakness for "On the Sunny Side of the Street" - recording of 1974 by Illinois Jacquet (The Definitive Black & Blue Sessions: Bottoms Up, with the great master Papa Jo Jones on drums) - but, don't we all? Closely followed by "A Smooth One" - Benny Goodman Sextet, 1941 (with the f*cking awesome Charlie Christian on guitar) and also excellent cover by Junior Mance, 1959. I'm currently obsessed with Hot Swing Sextet (2025) cover of Illinois Jacquet's "Frantic Fanny" (or anything else of them, them cats can play).
Fun fact or secret talent?
Hmm, my tongue can reach the top on my nose! Sadly I can hardly match that level of flexibility anywhere else in my body.
Not so much of secrets and maybe not talents either, but besides dancing other interests of mine include photography, yoga, fashion styling, cooking and playing a hell load of sudoku.
