What is Lindy Hop?
The original form of jive - smooth and swinging, we incorporate authentic jazz steps and rhythm for a fun, creative partner dance.

The Lindy Hop that we teach at Jitterbugs Swingapore is now widely known as the Savoy style of Lindy Hop, because it originated from the 1930s Savoy Ballroom.

Fun and grooving, Lindy Hop is a partner dance to Big Band swing music. An internationally acclaimed set of teachers will show you how it's done!

You don't have to bring a partner and no dance experience is needed for the Lindy Hop I class. LH 1 & 2 are 8-week courses.

Attire: Dress comfortably.
Footwear: Sneakers or track shoes. No slippers or sandals

Lindy Hop 1 (8-week course)
Our Lindy 1 courses are progressive 8-week classes (one hour per week) that cover two of the fundamental patterns, including the 8-beat pattern that is the characteristic of Lindy Hop. The Lindy Turn, Lindy Circle and Swing Out start you off. At the same time, you will also learn some authentic jazz steps and the 6-count pattern (aka East Coast Swing).

Lindy Hop 2 (2 x 8-week courses)
You need to take Lindy 1 before you commence Lindy 2. Our Lindy 2 classes are 8-week courses with 2 syllabi [A] and [B], which means that you will finish the 2 syllabi over 16 weeks before doing Lindy Hop 3. Here we continue to hone your skills of lead and follow in the 8-count basics plus we add the last of the three fundamental patterns - the charleston. We will also be sharing more jazz steps with you. Together with what you've learnt in Lindy 1, you will be able to Lindy Hop with any other Lindy Hopper in the world!

Lindy Hop 3 (4-week courses)
With effect from Apr 2010, we are introducing a new series of Lindy Hop 3 classes in bite-size 4-week courses. Specially designed to introduce different variations of Lindy Hop, these mini courses are taught progressively so we can build up the techniques in a consistent manner. Suitable for anyone who’s completed Lindy Hop 2.

APRIL 2010 - AirSteps
In this series we will teach you how to prepare and how to land for airsteps in general. The proper spotting technique is also an important element of the class. We will teach the Hip Flip and the Baby Cradle. If time permits, we will teach Over The Arm. Please wear comfortable form-fitting clothes and shoes with support eg sports shoes – this will be a workout! You need to sign up with a partner.  We will not rotate partners in this course.

MAY 2010 - Frankie Moves
Frankie Manning was a great Lindy Hop dancer, choreographer and teacher. His legacy includes performing the first airstep, choreographing ensemble Lindy and also developing the ladies’ twist-twist move!  Frankie passed away last year, just one month short of his 95th birthday. As a celebration of his birth-date on 26 May, during the month of May we will teach classic moves that Frankie taught and embodies classic old school Savoy Lindy Hop. You don’t need to sign up with a partner. We will rotate partners in this course.

JUNE 2010 - Jazz Steps
We will teach an Authentic Jazz Steps routine. Jazz steps are a great way to put some agility into your feet and some rhythm into your dance. The routine will help you understand how your body moves and show you what you can do with your arms when your feet are busy. Learning a Jazz steps routine is also a good way to understand musicality as you don’t have a partner to worry about, it’s just you and the music! No need to sign up with a partner.

JULY 2010 - 20s Charleston
1920s Charleston is the precursor to Lindy Hop. The styling differs but it is an important (and fun!) addition to your Lindy repertoire.  We will teach solo work as well as partner work. The global trend of Lindy Hop dancing and music has been paying a lot of attention to this era … and finding it a rich source of movement and creativity. You need to sign up with a partner. We will rotate partners in class.

AUGUST 2010 - Fast Lindy
Dancing to faster music is more than just trying to move faster.  There are ways to be more efficient with your energy and to work better with your partner.  Done correctly, fast Lindy should be fun, exhilarating and painless! We will start with 180 beats per minute (bmp) and eventually move to 240 bmp … or more! You need to sign up with a partner. We will not rotate partners in class.

Lindy Hop 4 (Ongoing classes - by audition only)
Lindy 4 is aimed at the "serious" dancer who is willing to take constructive criticism to improve. Lindy IV builds on Lindy 3, which means we expect students at this level to be comfortable with different lead and follow techniques.

Our focus in Lindy 4 will be the exploration of lead and follow concepts, through the teaching of technically tricky moves and working (and re-working) the basics. We will also concentrate more on other aspects of the dance, like musicality, improvisation, etc.

We move students from Lindy 3 to Lindy 4 on the basis of merit, determined by our Auditions every 6 months. As a rule, a Lindy 4 student should be comfortable social dancing to all tempos of music. The Lindy Clinic might help you understand your weak points.

Lindy Clinics (Bi-annual, by appointment)
The aim of our Lindy Clinic is to provide all dancers with the opportunity to improve their skills. We recognise that everyone learns at a different pace and has different goals for their dancing. Some are keen to develop and are willing to put in time and effort to practice, while others simply prefer to just enjoy dance as a recreation!

Lindy Clinics offer critical feedback to those that wish to improve their Lindy Hop. Clinics will be held once every 2 months and gives you a chance to work one-on-one with a teacher for 15 minutes. We assume that you come to the session ready to receive candid and frank comments (though of course you may choose to disagree!)

Once the dates of the clinic are announced, please e-mail us to book your 15-minute slot. Your slot will be confirmed by return e-mail. A teacher from our faculty will be assigned at random (you may not request your favourite!) Please do not be late for your slot.

Fee: $10 per 15-minute slot.

Lindy Auditions (Bi-annual, by appointment)
Auditions are held once every 6 months. These auditions are to facilitate promotions from Level 3 to 4. Previously, promotions were done on an ad hoc and informal basis. The auditions will help ensure people are promoted on ability and not seniority. They will also give dancers an opportunity to understand why they are (or are not) ready for the next level.

Audition dates will be announced in advance. Please sign up with the Reception. Auditions will be held one on one and successful promotions will be posted on Swinglish 101 in Chatterbugs the next day.

Please remember:
1. We would love everyone to be in Level 4! We want to offer constructive comments to help you improve. But we can only do so if you also want the same thing and are ready to work for it.
2. It's ok to be a 'recreational dancer' who is happy with just enjoying each dance. (As long you don't injure your partner or fellow dancers!) Improving your skills as a dancer in any dance form just requires practice and effort.

Lindy Hop Performances
(By audition only)
The Lindy Hop performance company of Jitterbugs Swingapore, SwingXpress comprises of Lindy Hop enthusiasts who are just crazy over Swing! The pioneer Lindy Hop company in Singapore, SwingXpress has built a reputation for their riverting performances! Click here for more info.