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The Track - E036 - Tena Morales-Armstrong

The Track with Ryan Swift

Release Date: 03/06/2019

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.

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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...

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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...

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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

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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.

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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

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In this episode, I am thrilled to be joined by one of my most requested guests, Tena Morales-Armstrong. Tena is a renowned dancer, instructor, judge, choreographer, and organizer. She has been a guiding figure for the global swing scene for over twenty years - from winning the inaugural American Lindy Hop Championships with her partner Carnell Pipkin in 1998, to her roles as co-founder of the International Lindy Hop Championships, co-organizer of Lindyfest and Lone Star Championships, and architect of the International Swing Dance Championships and Houston Jazz Dance Festival.

Tena and I sat down in Rochester, NY during Stompology 2018 and talked about teaching hip-hop as a single mom, how a glimpse of tandem Charleston at the Glen Echo Ballroom inspired her to instantly dive headlong into the world of Lindy Hop, and how her eye for talent helped develop of some of today’s most recognized dancers.

We also discussed what it means to her to work with kids on and off the dance floor, her role in the Frankie Manning Foundation, the importance of black history and culture in Lindy Hop, and building a bridge between African-American partner dances like DFW Swingout and Chicago Stepping and the modern Lindy Hop scene.