WHAT: Madeline will be presenting on safe spaces practices for dance scene and event organizers. This presentation will offer a toolkit to help organizers identify their values as community leaders, and how to assess risk. Participants will use three case studies of common safe spaces reports to practice implementing these tools.
WHO: All Swing Ann Arbor community members are encouraged to attend – Maintaining a safe space and culture of accountability and transparency is the job of the ENTIRE COMMUNITY–not just the organizers. Everyone will get something out of this presentation!
WHEN: Thursday, October 22, 7:30 pm EST A recorded version will be available after the meeting
WHERE: Zoom
INSTRUCTOR: Madeline Webster-Perry lives in St. Louis, Missouri, and has over a decade experience in social services. Madeline has served as a trainer in non-violent crisis intervention and in safe spaces or accessibility roles for several swing dance events.
Learn the basics of Collegiate Shag with Lou and Emily! This swing dance is often danced to high tempos, featuring fast footwork and an upright frame. If you’re looking for a dance that has the flashy footwork and high tempos of Balboa, with the dynamism and shapes of Lindy Hop, this dance is for you! Although some fundamentals are shared between shag and other swing dances, this class is appropriate for brand new dancers and experienced jazz movers alike. Dancers are encouraged to wear shoes that have some slip to them, and to be prepared for some cardio!
WHERE: Hoover St Studio, 323 E Hoover Ave, Ann Arbor, MI Note that street shoes are not allowed in the studio in order to keep the floor clean and smooth. Plan to bring dance shoes, cleaned shoes, or socks.
INSTRUCTORS: Lou Roof and Emily Topham
PRICING: $30-60 Pay-What-You-Can *If cost is a barrier to you, please reach out to swingannarbor@gmail.com to discuss scholarship opportunities. We want everyone to be able to dance! Paypal swingannarbor@gmail.com or bring cash or check to class – please arrive early to pay!
Join Kaya and Marcell for a 4 week series where we will hope to build on your working knowledge from Swing I and apply it within the context of the social floor. Our goals will be to gain confidence with the move sets that we know, and focus on control, creativity, and awareness both of the music and our partner. We will work on finding move combinations that flow well for each of us and work them into our dancing and individual styles. This class is great for anyone who has taken Swing I at any point, or for beginner-intermediate dancers who have learned moves like swingouts and want to continue to grow as dancers.
WHEN: Wednesdays 6:30-7:30, October 28-November 18
WHERE: Mason Hall
INSTRUCTORS: Kaya Lakein and Marcell Benkes-Toth
PRICING: $20-60 Pay-What-You-Can *If cost is a barrier to you, please reach out to swingannarbor@gmail.com to discuss scholarship opportunities. We want everyone to be able to dance! Paypal swingannarbor@gmail.com or bring cash or check to class – please arrive early to pay!
Gettin’ in the Groove: An All-Levels Solo Jazz Series!
Explore solo jazz dancing in this four week series with Sarah Beth! Each week students will learn a new set of classic jazz steps, a short sequence to solidify their learning, and engage in solo social dancing. Regardless of your swing dancing experience level, there will be something new for everyone! No solo jazz experience required. Attendees who have experience in solo jazz will have the opportunity to try new variations and explore new concepts with their dancing.
WHEN: Sundays 7-9pm 9/13, 9/20, 10/11, 10/18 Classes are progressive but students may miss classes and rejoin later in the series.
WHERE: Hoover St Studio, 323 E Hoover Ave, Ann Arbor MI
INSTRUCTOR: Sarah Beth (SB) is a dancer, teacher, choreographer, and performer based in Grand Rapids, MI. She was introduced to Lindy Hop and vernacular jazz over a decade ago and hasn’t stopped groovin’ since. She was invited to join the Lindy Focus Residency Program in 2025 and holds competitive titles at events such as Second City Swingout, Dayton Swing Smackdown, and more. SB is a co-founder of Rapid Rhythms Swing Dance Community, where she teaches weekly classes and coaches performance and competitive teams. SB firmly believes dancing is for everybody and every body. Her classes are known for being lively, interactive, and adaptive to her students.
PRICING: Pay-What-You-Can $10-30 per week *If cost is a barrier to you, please reach out to swingannarbor@gmail.com to discuss scholarship opportunities. We want everyone to be able to dance! Paypal swingannarbor@gmail.com or bring cash or check to class – please arrive early to pay!
Build your Lindy Hop on a solid foundation! In this 6-week series, we’ll be working toward swingouts from the ground up. Learn classic shapes & patterns while improving your connection & improvisation skills. Students are encouraged to have attended 1-3 beginner lessons prior to taking this series. Please note that students may be directed to the concurrent beginner lesson if they did not attend the progressive class the week prior. Attendance at the entire series is expected (excepting sickness and other life events) in order to best serve your and other students’ progress in the class.
WHEN: Wednesdays 6:30-7:30pm, 9/9, 9/16, 9/23, 9/30, 10/7, 10/14 (6 weeks) (During our normal beginner lesson time – the group will walk together from Mason Hall to the social dance.)
We will also be having Sunday practice sessions at Hoover Street Studio! Sunday 7:00-9:00pm 9/27, 10/4
WHERE: Mason Hall
INSTRUCTORS: Ali and Annaliese
PRICING: Pay-What-You-Can $30-90 *If cost is a barrier to you, please reach out to swingannarbor@gmail.com to discuss scholarship opportunities. We want everyone to be able to dance! Paypal swingannarbor@gmail.com or bring cash or check to class – please arrive early to pay!
Learn classic Charleston shapes with Kaya and Lily! In this 3 week series we will learn Charleston technique and fundamentals through fun and dynamic shapes and combinations. This series is intended for those who have completed Swing I or equivalent. Attendance at the entire series is expected (excepting sickness and other life events) in order to best serve your and other students’ progress in the class
WHEN:
Sundays 7-9PM, March 15-29 (3 weeks)
WHERE:
Hoover St Studio, 323 E Hoover Ave, Ann Arbor
INSTRUCTORS:
Kaya Lakein and Lily Roof
PRICING:
Pay-What-You-Can $30-90
*If cost is a barrier to you, please reach out to swingannarbor@gmail.com to discuss scholarship opportunities. We want everyone to be able to dance!
Paypal swingannarbor@gmail.com or bring cash or check to class – please arrive early to pay!
Getting tired of triple steps and rock steps? Want to level up your jazz dancing in 2026? Welcome to the world of solo jazz! In this series, Lily will lead students through classic solo jazz shapes and concepts through combinations, improv exercises, and movement exploration. You will be amazed by how dynamic your own dancing can become! Attendance at the entire series is expected (excepting sickness and other life events) in order to best serve your and other students’ progress in the class
WHEN:
Sundays 7-9PM, February 8-22 (3 weeks)
WHERE:
Hoover St Studio, 323 E Hoover Ave, Ann Arbor
INSTRUCTORS:
Lily Roof
PRICING:
Pay-What-You-Can $30-90
*If cost is a barrier to you, please reach out to swingannarbor@gmail.com to discuss scholarship opportunities. We want everyone to be able to dance!
Paypal swingannarbor@gmail.com or bring cash or check to class – please arrive early to pay!
LOCATION: Week 1 will take place in the Vandenberg Room (our typical social dance room, in the Michigan League), although the lesson will be more technique than a typical beginner lesson. Drop in students will be present as well, and able to sign up for the rest of the series afterwards if they wish. This will be taught by Emily and Avery.
TIME SHIFT: Weeks 2-4 will take place in Mason Hall 1401 from 7-8pm, NOT 6:30-7:30pm. We’re sorry for this shift and realize it will be cutting into your social dance time.
Build your Lindy Hop on a solid foundation! In this 4-week series, we’ll be working toward swingouts from the ground up. Learn classic shapes & patterns while improving your connection & improvisation skills. Students are encouraged to have attended 1-3 beginner lessons prior to taking this series. Please note that students may be directed to the concurrent beginner lesson if they did not attend the progressive class the week prior. Attendance at the entire series is expected (excepting sickness and other life events) in order to best serve your and other students’ progress in the class
WHEN:
Wednesdays 6:30-7:30pm, January 28-February 18 (4 weeks)
(occurs during our normal beginner lesson time- the group will walk together from Mason Hall to the social dance) Please note that students may be directed to the concurrent beginner lesson if they did not attend the progressive class the week prior.
WHERE:
Mason Hall – Room TBA
INSTRUCTORS:
Emily Topham and Avery Long
PRICING:
Pay-What-You-Can $20-60
*If cost is a barrier to you, please reach out to swingannarbor@gmail.com to discuss scholarship opportunities. We want everyone to be able to dance!
Paypal swingannarbor@gmail.com or bring cash or check to class – please arrive early to pay!
Hone your Lindy Hop with Chisomo Selemani and Sean Vitale! This one-day workshop will consist of 3 classes and an evening social dance. Please read the level descriptions for each class. There are no pure beginner classes at this workshop.
Schedule: 11:00AM-12:30PM Class 1: Please Call Again This class invites dancers to grow their partnership connection through strengthening connection and flow. It will also include opportunities to practice call and response, considering the different ways to respond to a partner’s “call”.This class is intended for those who have completed Swing II or equivalent, meaning those who are comfortable with swingouts and could explain concepts like stretch, compression, and tension to another dancer. 12:30-1:15PM Lunch break 1:15PM-2:45PM Class 2: Turn Down For What?! The goal of this class is to work on body control through dynamic changes in movement. We will add spice to some familiar sequences and introduce some less familiar shapes in order to increase ease and comfort moving through different types of turns and redirects. Classes 2 and 3 are intended for students who have taken at least 4 beginner lessons and/or one series class, meaning those who are comfortable with multiple shapes (like turns and open and closed position), rhythm patterns (meaning 6 and 8 count, as well as more improvisational rhythms) and are familiar with concepts like stretch, compression, and tension. 2:45-3:00PM Break 3:00-4:30PM Class 3: Dynamic ExplorationThis class explores dynamics within social dancing. It will consider different ways one can move with dynamic energy and speed changes. Classes 2 and 3 are intended for students who have taken at least 4 beginner lessons and/or one series class, meaning those who are comfortable with multiple shapes (like turns and open and closed position), rhythm patterns (meaning 6 and 8 count, as well as more improvisational rhythms) and are familiar with concepts like stretch, compression, and tension. 4:30-5:00PM Open practice with questions 5:00-8:00 Dinner break 8:00-11:00 Lindy Hop Social Dance (DJs) 11:00-12:00 Blues Social Dance (DJs)
Sean Vitale is a dynamic dancer with a love for jazz music and movement. Sean has been lindy hopping since 2018 and is grateful to be a part of the cast of the acclaimed Lindy stage show, Sw!ng Out. Sean is a prominent member of the NYC based dance troupe, The Harvest Moon Hoppers. Sean is also a past member of Frankie Manning’s legacy troupe,The Big Apple Lindy Hoppers. As a partnered dance specialist, Sean excels at improvisation and has won many partnered improvisation (luck of the draw) competitions throughout the U.S. and Europe. Beyond his work as a dancer and educator, Sean is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, board certified in the treatment of people affected by neurologic conditions such as, Parkinson’s disease, MS, stroke, and spinal cord injury. Chisomo Selemani is a dance and teaching enthusiast. She loves movement, learning, collaboration, and cultural exchange. Her artistic endeavors in the Swing dances are inspired from her Zambian tradition and Afrobeats. Her teaching methodologies invite you to explore your own style and artistry. When she’s not dancing, she is co-hosting the podcast Integrated Rhythm.
We are lucky and privileged to have such great local bands and musicians in Ann Arbor! See the details below for upcoming Swing Ann Arbor live music Wednesdays! As always check our calendar for location details!
Upcoming Live Music Dates:
September 24th – DjangoPhonique! – Vandenberg Room Michigan League
October 29th – Fourtunate Cats! – Vandenberg Room Michigan League
November 26th – Swing Nouvelle! – Vandenberg Room Michigan League
