loader from loading.io

The Track - E034 - Jenny Shirar

The Track with Ryan Swift

Release Date: 04/24/2018

The Track - 054 - Helena Martins show art The Track - 054 - Helena Martins

The Track with Ryan Swift

Lindy Hop dancer and DJ Helena Martins sits down with host Ryan Swift to talk dance and music.

info_outline The Track - E053 - Julia Loving show art The Track - E053 - Julia Loving

The Track with Ryan Swift

In this episode, I am joined by dancer, organizer, and educator Julia Loving. Julia has been a Teacher of Africana History and School Media Specialist in the New York City public schools for the past 27 years, and began Lindy Hopping in 2013. In addition to being a mainstay at social dances in her native New York City, she organizes dance events in Harlem as co-founder of , and is the creator of undergarments for dancers. Julia currently serves on the Boards of the and the . Julia joined me by video from her Bronx home to talk about growing up in the Bronx during the , memories of watching...

info_outline The Track - E052 - Giselle Anguizola show art The Track - E052 - Giselle Anguizola

The Track with Ryan Swift

In this episode, I am joined by dancer, instructor, and musician, . Giselle has been swing dancing for over 20 years, and is founder of , an organization honoring women in swing music and dance through weekend festivals around the globe. Widely renowned for her as a performer and instructor, Giselle spends most of her days singing and dancing with in New Orleans and San Diego. Giselle joined me by video chat from her home in San Diego to talk about finding swing dancing thanks to a middle school music teacher, the importance of recognizing followers in their own right, and what it means when...

info_outline The Track - E051 - Gordon Au show art The Track - E051 - Gordon Au

The Track with Ryan Swift

Trumpeter and bandleader Gordon Au joins host Ryan Swift

info_outline The Track - E050 - For Frankie show art The Track - E050 - For Frankie

The Track with Ryan Swift

We celebrate this milestone 50th episode of The Track with a collection of stories from past episodes about the Ambassador of Lindy Hop, Frankie Manning.

info_outline The Track - E049 - Evita Arce show art The Track - E049 - Evita Arce

The Track with Ryan Swift

Dancer and instructor Evita Arce joins host Ryan Swift.

info_outline The Track - E048 - Caleb Teicher show art The Track - E048 - Caleb Teicher

The Track with Ryan Swift

Tap Dancer, Lindy Hopper, and choreographer Caleb Teicher joins host Ryan Swift

info_outline The Track - E047 - Dr. Christi Jay Wells show art The Track - E047 - Dr. Christi Jay Wells

The Track with Ryan Swift

Swing dancer and musicologist Dr. Christi Jay Wells joins host Ryan Swift

info_outline The Track - E046 - Marie N'diaye show art The Track - E046 - Marie N'diaye

The Track with Ryan Swift

Instructor, performer, and choreographer Marie N'diaye joins host Ryan Swift

info_outline The Track - E045 - Felix Berghäll show art The Track - E045 - Felix Berghäll

The Track with Ryan Swift

Swedish instructor, performer, and choreographer Felix Berghäll joins host Ryan Swift

info_outline
 
More Episodes

My guest this month is the dynamic dancer, teacher, competitor, and performer, Jenny Shirar.  Jenny discovered swing dance in 2008, learning from some of the legendary jitterbugs in St. Louis, MO. She has since won competitions at events like Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown,  ILHC, and Midwest Lindy Fest, and has become an ambassador of St. Louis Shag, teaching around the world with her partner Christian Frommelt. Fiercely proud of her hometown, Jenny has also become a cornerstone of the St Louis swing dance community, having co-founded the Nevermore Jazz Ball and the St. Louis Jitterbugs.

Jenny and I sat down in New York City to talk about her experiences learning how to dance on the social dance floor, why her main objective when competing is to be relentlessly herself, and the challenge of striving to innovate while still preserving the roots of vintage dances.

We also discussed how she defines authenticity, how hearing stories of St. Louis’ dance history gave her a greater appreciation of individuals lived experiences, and why she considers St. Louis to be the City of Dreams.