It’s My Jam

October 26th & 27th, 2024

Join us on Saturday, October 26th and Sunday, October 27th for two jam-packed days of electrifying Lindy Hop and Solo Jazz workshops. This isn’t just any dance event—it's your chance to learn from some of the world’s most renowned and charismatic instructors.

We’re thrilled to welcome the phenomenal Ramona Staffeld, the dynamic Nathan Bugh, and the ever-inspiring Jon Tigert to lead an array of workshops designed to challenge, excite, and elevate your dancing to new heights.

But that’s not all! After diving into the workshops, keep the energy going with our sensational social dancing sessions on both nights, Sunday’s dance featuring live music from Jon Tigert and the Corner Pocket Jazz Band.

This weekend promises to be a whirlwind of fun, learning, and pure dance joy. Don’t miss out on this chance to immerse yourself in the magic of Lindy Hop. We’re so excited to dance with you!

Instructors

Ramona Staffeld

Meet Ramona, one of the top Lindy Hop and Authentic Jazz dance stars in the world! 🌟 With a dazzling career spanning from Herrang in Sweden to the Sugarloaf Stomp in Brazil, Ramona is known for her graceful style and playful spirit. She’s a multi-title champion, having won top honors at events like the Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown and the International Lindy Hop Championships.

Ramona’s journey started at 14 when she was spotted by Lindy Hop legend Frankie Manning. From her early teens to now, Ramona has danced her way through 21 years of Lindy Hop, Charleston, and jazz era social dances, influenced deeply by her work with Frankie.

With a rich background in various dance styles and a professional studies program at the José Limón Institute, Ramona has performed worldwide, including at Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival and with icons like Arlo Guthrie. She co-founded the Melbourne Rhythm Project and has been celebrated with numerous awards, including World Lindy Hop Champion and Pro Classic Champion.

In her classes, Ramona blends fun and challenge, inspiring students with her joy and dedication. Her teaching emphasizes rhythm, musicality, and improvisation, driven by her deep love for dance and music. Now based in Melbourne, Australia, Ramona continues to push the boundaries of dance, with a special passion for tap that complements her Lindy Hop skills. Get ready to be inspired by Ramona’s infectious enthusiasm and extraordinary talent!

Nathan Bugh

Nathan Bugh is one of the world's leading exponents of Lindy Hop and jazz dance. His stage appearances include: Carnegie Hall (Swing Swing Swing w/ New York Pops), The Apollo Theater (Swingin’ Frankie’s Way), and Jacob’s Pillow (Earthbeat!, More Forever, SW!NG OUT). His television/film appearances include: My Fair Wedding, Making Money, Rebel In The Rye, and The Weepies music video, "Be My Honeypie." He is also one of the creators and primary choreographers of the Joyce Theater production, SW!NG OUT.

In competition Nathan has earned numerous first-place titles in Solo Jazz, Lindy Hop, Team, Invitational, Slow Dance, Video Showcase, and Mix/Match divisions at events like ILHC, ULHS, Lindy Focus, and ALHC. He was also the director/choreographer of the 2015 ILHC winning team, "Yeah Man.” Nathan is a veteran dance instructor, with 20+ years of lindy-workshop appearances. He has headlined many national and international events, including Camp Jitterbug, Lindy Focus, Lindy Fest, Herrang Dance Camp, Paris Jazz Roots Festival, and AJW Korea. He teaches the Columbia University Swing Club (2006-present) and is adjunct dance faculty at Marymount Manhattan College (2022-present).

Nathan was blessed to learn directly from many swing-era luminaries, like Frankie Manning and Dawn Hampton. He is excited to pass on their incites and stories along with his own. www.nathanbugh.com

Jon Tigert

Jon Tigert is a world recognized Swing Dancer and musician. Specializing in Vintage dances such as Lindy Hop, Balboa, Blues, and Charleston, he has won titles from the International Lindy Hop Championships, The Canadian Swing Dance Championships, Lindy Focus, and many more. Swing Dancing since 2005, Jon has made a home in the swing community as a teacher, an MC, a performer, an organizer, and a musician. As a teacher, Jon is well known for his historical and musical knowledge, clear and concise communication, and endless supply of terrible dad jokes.

Jon now lives in Baltimore where he teaches at the Mobtown Ballroom and sings and plays drums with The Corner Pocket Jazz Band.

Michael & Annabel Quisao

Michael and Annabel have each been dancing partnered swing dances for more than 20 years, and teaching together locally and nationally since 2012. Annabel began with Lindy Hop in 2002 and then found a special passion for Balboa, winning champion titles at all the premiere Bal events and teaching all over the world. Michael also started dancing in the early 2000s and soon after, developed a love for sharing swing music through DJing. In the classroom, Annabel and Michael work to foster a fun and inspiring environment that honors the history and legacy of these dances while spurring students to explore their potential and embrace their individuality. They are both founding members of New Columbia Swing, DC’s premier swing dance organization–Annabel serving as the Director of Education and Michael as the Director of Music.

Hannah Lane

Hannah’s journey starts in Baltimore, Maryland, where her family has a rich tradition of social dancing. As a child, she watched her parents dance bachata and salsa at lively house parties, while her grandmother jitterbugged in local venues. Hannah’s journey into swing dancing began at the Mobtown Ballroom in 2013, where she developed a love for Jazz music and Lindy Hop, and began understanding her own family’s historical connection to music and dance in the African Diaspora.
Hannah has balanced her passion for dance with her academic pursuits. She is now a performance and teaching artist with Guardian Dance Company, founded by Breai Michelle. Hannah will soon teach Lindy Hop at Mobtown Ballroom, with a goal of deepening her understanding of dance histories and supporting Black dancers, while exploring her family’s ties to Baltimore’s vibrant social dance scene.

Sean Vitale

Sean Vitale (Dancer) is a dynamic dancer with a love for jazz music and movement. Sean has been Lindy hopping since 2018 and is a prominent member of the Big Apple Lindy Hoppers, the project connect dance company, and the Harvest Moon Hoppers dance company. Sean is a cast member of the acclaimed show Sw!ng Out show casing Lindy Hop and jazz forms with audience interaction. Sean has witnessed the power of dance to both grow community and heal hearts and minds and he wishes to spread that joy for as long as he is able. Outside of jazz dance, Sean is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and treating dancers, athletes, and those affected by neurologic conditions such as stroke and Parkinson’s disease.

Event Schedule

Workshop Level Details

This workshop weekend is designed primarily for experienced Lindy Hop & Balboa dancers. Most of the classes will benefit those who are comfortable with Swingouts, circles, passes, Charleston, tandem, and basic classic jazz steps. However, we are planning two Saturday Jazz classes that are open to all levels.

* schedule subject to change

Saturday

Registration opens at 12pm

12:30 - 1:20pm - Jazz w/Ramona (All Levels)
1:30 - 2:20pm - Jazz Routine w/Ramona (All Levels)
2:20pm - 3:00pm - Intermission (no classes)
3:00pm - Posture, Poise, & Balance (R&N)
4:00pm - Pacing & Connection (R&N)
5:00pm - dinner break
6:00pm - Balboa - Beyond the Basics (M&A)
7:00pm - Call & Response (R&N)
8:00 - 10:30pm - Social Dance w/DJ Michael Quisao

Sunday

Registration opens at 10:30am

11:00am - Swing Rhythm (R&N)
12:00pm - It’s My Jam: Jam Techniques for all (H&S)
12:15 - 2:15pm - Invite Only (R&N)* WAITLISTED
1:00pm - Messing Up on Purpose (JT)
2:00pm - The ROOM Where it Happens (JT)
3:00pm - Vintage Transcription (R&N)
4:00 - 7:00pm - Social dance w/ live music by Jon Tigert and the Corner Pocket Jazz Band

If you're interested in the Invite Only class on Sunday, please take note of the following:
To be considered, you may need to send us a brief Lindy resume or some video clips for admission into the class.
This class is designed for Advanced dancers and higher. While "Advanced" can be a subjective term, we are looking for dancers who align with a range of criteria, such as:
- Able to participate in a mix-and-match at an Advanced level, like Boston Tea Party, or potentially for ILHC.
- Proficient in executing the Shim Sham with variations and keeping time.
- Capable of recalling and performing at least five swingout variations with solid execution.
- Focused on the quality of movement and partner connection rather than just learning new moves.
- Regularly social dances and understands the journey of personal growth in dance.
- Exhibits a growth mindset and respects the pace of others in their dance journey.
- Knows not to give unsolicited advice and supports a positive, inclusive dance community.
- Demonstrates kindness and respect towards dancers of all levels and engages with everyone.
- Are an active member of a dance community
If you meet most of the criteria and would like to be considered for this class, please email HERE
Please note that this class is waitlisted.

Dances

Saturday

DJ
Michael Quisao

Michael loves DJing because he gets to dance with the entire room. He fell deeply in love with swing music in high school after discovering the swing era and hot jazz recordings that his mom’s smooth jazz radio station played late at night, then eventually took his first Lindy Hop workshop in 2006. Since then, his love of swing music and social dancing has taken him around the world to DJ and dance. He loves well-written liner notes and thinks there are few things better than helping to inspire creative, fulfilling dances through songs that compel you to move.

Michael serves as Head DJ & Music Director at New Columbia Swing in Washington, DC and as Head DJ for Lindy Focus ‘24 and New York Bal Week.

Sunday

Jon Tigert and the Corner Pocket Jazz Band

The Corner Pocket Jazz Band was formed back in 2016 when Baltimore swing dance organizer Chiles Vandenbosche hired Jon Tigert to make a band, and he decided to run with it. Built by swing dancers, for swing dancers, the band hails from Baltimore, Maryland where they play regularly at the legendary Mobtown Ballroom as well as for New Columbia Swing, the longest running swing dance in Washington DC. Playing the hits of the 1930's, 40's, and 50s, this small combo Jazz band takes its cues from the sounds of Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Jack Teagarden, Sammy Davis Jr, Tennessee Ernie Ford and more. Led by Jon Tigert and a rotating cast of side musicians, the band is often different every night, keeping the music fresh and exciting, and allowing each musician to add their own flavor to each song. Never the same twice, the Corner Pocket Jazz Band is an exciting take on the classic swing band.