Name: Jethro
Role: Behind the scenes Director (now living in NZ)
How long have you been dancing and what are some of your achievements?
I started dancing in 2007 when a bunch of friends dragged me kicking and screaming to a ballroom class and I've been hooked ever since. Since then I have studied ballet, hip hop, tango, tap and salsa but the Swing Dances are my favorite by far. In 2015 I took over Swing Zing from my dance teacher and have been teaching, performing, event organising, directing and choreographing ever since. I rarely compete anymore but Charlotte did encourage me to get to a few over the years so here’s my placements.
International Lindy Hop Championships
Finalist (top 8) - NORMAlizer division
Australian Jitterbug Championships
1st place - Showcase division (2015)
1st place - Showcase division (2016)
1st place - Jack and Jill
2nd - Up and Comers division (as a follow)
3rd - Solo Charleston
Australian Swing Dance Championships
1st place - Team division (Choreographer, coordinator and performer).
1st place - Strictly Lindy division
Paul Verevis Memorial (Perth)
1st place - Jack and Jill competition
Arctic Lindy Exchange (Iceland)
2nd place - Jack and Jill division
Singapore Lindy Revolution
2nd place - Jack and Jill division
Why do you do Lindy Hop and other swing dances?
It is the endless potential for creativity that makes Lindy Hop so special to me. There are so many potential rhythms and patterns to play with. Plus the connection with your partner means that leaders, while improvising, can communicate complicated, musical and unique ideas and follows will be able to understand what the lead is suggesting. On top of that level of connection, there is still a huge amount of room for both leaders and follows to add their own voice to the dance completely separate from their dance partner.
Originally though, it was the aerials and acrobatic aspect that drew me in.
What's your most embarrassing dancing moment?
That would be dropping my dance partner after doing an aerial in front of a massive home crowed at Hullabaloo when we were competing for the Australian Helzapoppin' Prize.
What else do you do?
In my time off I train and perform with fire and circus arts troupes.
What's your favourite Swing clip?
