We are a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to the Spirit of Swing.
We love jazz and all its authentic dances.
Our mission is to expand and enrich the community for swing & jazz music and their authentic dances, through education & performance.
We work to preserve & promote the Spirit of Swing which champions individual expression and celebrates diversity, while also fostering community and connection.
We believe in the power of Swing to help us face adversity, be part of a community, love ourselves and find happiness.
With our academy we aim to offer world class education in dance and music. We cultivate in our students a foundation of four pillars: historical appreciation, compassionate connection, courageous movement and musical intelligence. We believe this is the pathway to creativity, self-expression, joy and finding yourself in music & dance.
With our dance company we aim to support the professional development of swing, tap & jazz roots dancers and choreographers, and advocate for these dance styles in the national dance industry. We aim to build networks and foster collaboration between musicians and dancers.
Sharon Davis
DIRECTOR & FOUNDER
Sharon Davis has been a professional swing dancer since 2007, specialising in Lindy Hop, Charleston, Jazz Roots and other styles of vernacular jazz dance from the early to mid 20th century.
She is known for her dedication to the history of jazz/swing dances and the music they evolved to. She studied these dances with some of their original creators, including Lindy Hop legend Frankie Manning, “Queen of Swing” Norma Miller, “Queen of the Soundies” Mabel Lee, Jean Veloz, Sugar Sullivan, Dawn Hampton, Ray Phelps and others. She considers it her mission in life to pass on the knowledge and beautiful spirit that she learned from her teachers.
In 2008 she was resident with famed Swedish swing dance company The Harlem Hotshots in Stockholm. With her dance partner Juan Villafañe she competed on the international championship circuit from 2006 to 2014, and has been a champion in three distinct styles – Lindy Hop, Charleston and Burlesque. She holds 1st place titles at the most prestigious swing dance championships around the world and is now often invited to judge these competitions. She has been invited to perform, lecture and teach at swing dance and jazz festivals in over 40 countries.
Sharon Davis holds 1st place titles at the International Lindy Hop Championships, Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown, National Jitterbug Championships, Canadian Swing Championships, Burlesque Hall of Fame, World Burlesque Games and has claimed numerous other awards internationally.
Sharon aims to cultivate in her students a foundation of historical appreciation, compassionate connection, courageous movement and musical intelligence. Sharon believes these four pillars are the pathway to creativity, self-expression, joy and finding yourself in the dance. With her bright and bubbly personality, Sharon’s teaching style is energetic, inspiring and fun.
Since relocating to London 10 years ago, she has worked as a dancer for London cabaret, film and television, and has taught dance freelance and given lectures for a number of organisations including CityLit, CBS Dance, Swing Patrol, Swing Dance UK, University of Bedfordshire, London Swing Society, and many others.
Sharon is also the founder of the European Swing Dance Championships, a 4-day dance conference attracting 800-1000 dancers, which has been held twice in the city of Barcelona and twice in London. It is Europe’s largest and most prestigious swing dance championships, and attracts the top dancers from all around the world.