PODCAST · leisure
What a Jazz podcast
by What a Jazz
Talks with dancers, musicians, scene leaders and a variety of inspiring community members. Hosted by Elze Visnevskyte from What a Jazz Dance Studio.
Episodes
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#58 Meti Cho
We sit down to chat about the Korean swing dance scene, Meti’s dance journey from clubbing to jazz, and her passion for creating performances. We also talk about taking care of your body as a dancer and training in a sustainable way. Finally, Meti shares her experience performing in New York with...
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#57 Sing Lim
We sit down with Sing to explore her dance journey, what’s kept her excited for decades, and the lessons she learned from Frankie. She shares her experiences running a dance studio in Singapore: honouring the dance's African American roots, creating uplifting classes, and finding new ways to…
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#56 Sean Vitale
Sean shares his experience in dancing, physical therapy, and teaching. We discuss the connections between physical therapy, psychology, and learning new skills—and how to apply them in dance classes. We also get into Sean’s background in performing, being part of a dance troupe, and training for...
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#55 Sylvain & Marion
Sylvain & Marion share the story of their partnership and how it has evolved over the past ten years. We explore their approach to teaching and choreographing, and discuss the roles of leader and follower in dance — creating space for a more conversational exchange where both partners contribute...
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#54 The Küçümen Brothers
We chat with the brothers about how jazz came into their lives, the role their family played in supporting their path, and memories from the first choreographies. Malik and Deniz share their approach to practicing, improvising, being patient when training, developing style, and finding…
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#53 Irene Ragusini
Irene shares her creative journey in dance and visual arts, her experience working in an artist-run space in Athens, and how she finds inspiration and balance in the creative process. She talks about her choreographic approach, teaching philosophy, experiences with competition, and what stepping...
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#52 Hot Takes (live at Swing Paradise)
Elze Visnevskyte, Steven Coombe, Andreas Olsson, and Arnas Razgunas sit down to discuss some hot takes about the Swing world. Recorded live at the Swing Paradise festival in Vilnius, Lithuania.
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#51 Juan Villafane
We talk with Juan about the early days of Lindy Hop in Argentina, what drew him to the dance, and his future as an artistic director in Bangkok. He shares thoughts on the concept of home, life on the move, and how his physical education background shaped his teaching. We chat about knowing when…
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#50 Carlos Machava
We sit down with Carlos Machava to talk about his 20+ years in the dance world—from first seeing dance on the streets to training at a dance academy and eventually discovering Lindy Hop. Carlos shares what drew him to dance, his experience training with a dance company in Mozambique, and his…
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#49 Sakarias Larsson
We sit down with Sakarias to reflect on his 30-year journey in the jazz community, from running the Chicago Swing Dance Studio to training with the Hot Shots. We discuss competitions, his approach to judging and performing, the influence of old clips, and the challenges he's encountered along the...
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#48 Katja Završnik
In this episode, we sit down with Katja Završnik to explore the evolving role of a follower in swing dance and discuss how to develop your own movement style and unique feel. Katja shares her insights on teaching, performing, and competing, emphasizing how teaching dance also means imparting...
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#47 Alexandre McCormack
In this episode, we sit down with Alex to explore his dance journey, from his first impression of Lindy Hop to his experiences training and leading the Old Soulz and the challenges he faced along the way. We discuss how jazz dance resonates today and the limitations and possibilities of teaching...
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#46 Luca Filastro
This week we sit down with the pianist, composer and band leader from Italy, Luca Filastro. Luca shares how jazz came into his life, learning from his biggest inspirations and developing his style. We discuss his mindset when improvising, the meaning of jazz in today’s world, and the difference...
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#45 Sabou
In this episode, we sit down with Sabou, a dancer, educator, and organizer, to discuss our shared experiences in Ghana learning Afro dances. We explore Sabou’s vision and mission behind organizing the training and the key insights we hope to bring back to our dance communities. We also dive into...
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#44 Fredrik Dahlberg
Dancer, musician, performer and educator from Sweden Fredrik Dahlberg shares his journey into jazz, the inspirations and the challenges that defined his path. We discuss the topics of improvisation, mindsets for practicing and improving, and the qualities of a good performer. Fredrik reflects on...
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#43 Clara Martínez
Tap dancer, choreographer, and teacher Clara Martínez talks about her journey to becoming a professional tap dancer, learning from the masters and developing her style. We dive into finding your path, creating opportunities as an artist and seeking support from others. We also discuss the...
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#42 Mako Ruan
We sit down to chat about the concept of home and belonging, lessons from life on the road, and the quest for community. Mako shares her experience of exploring Jazz music and learning to dance from a “music first” approach, her relationship to practicing and developing her authentic movement. We...
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#41 Ursula Hicks
Join us as we delve into Ursula's dance journey, exploring the distinction between copying and drawing inspiration, the importance of infusing personal elements into dance, and the process of embracing your unique body and movement. Ursula shares her teaching philosophy, her strategies for...
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#40 Sep Vermeersch
We chat with Sep about his ongoing journey with dance and continuous learning. We discuss the vibrant jazz culture in Gent, Belgium, and how the live music scene influenced Sep’s dancing and improvisational skills. We also delve into Sep's preference for identifying as a facilitator rather than a...
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#39 Mindaugas Bikauskas
In this episode we explore the early days of Lindy Hop in Lithuania, the beginning of the Harlem festival, and the journey of the Rhythm Junkies band. Mindaugas offers insights into leading a band, fostering a local community, and the valuable lessons gained throughout. We dive into the nuances…
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#38 Edwige Adjomale
In this episode Edwige shares her dance journey, finding herself through movement and developing self-acceptance. She shares her experience growing up in a community where dance was part of a way of being, something you do rather than something you have to learn in class. We discuss learning to…
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#37 Erol Akinci
This episode features a conversation with Erol Akinci, a dancer and performer hailing from Turkey. With a foundation in music, Erol delves into his exploration of jazz, particularly the bop era and UK Jazz, alongside his approach to teaching. From shedding light on Turkey's dance scene to…
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#36 Andreas Olsson
In this episode we delve into Andreas’ journey through various Swing dance styles. We explore the nuances of risk-taking and improvisation, approaches to teaching, and the skills to become a good leader. We discuss the interplay between listening and expression in both Balboa and Lindy Hop, and…
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#35 Damian Cade
This week’s guest is a dancer, educator, and counselor Damian Cade. We talk about Damian’s journey into jazz and dance therapy, blending partner dancing skills with life coaching skills. We get into the pillars of good communication, the healing framework of partner dancing, and the embodiment of...
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#34 Laura Glaess
This week we sit down to chat with international instructor, competitor, and performer Laura Glaess. She shares her approach to teaching, learning, keeping a beginner's mindset, and finding a way for joyful exploration. We delve into the intricacies of self-expression and growth on the dance…
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#33 Vicci Moore
This week we’re chatting with blues dancer, educator, and event organizer Vicci Moore. Vicci shares insights into the post-COVID blues community landscape and her personal journey of discovering and teaching blues dance. We delve into Vicci’s essay on cultural appropriation covering a range of...
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#32 Naomi Uyama
This week we sit down with dancer, educator, bandleader Naomi Uyama to talk about embracing change, redefining one’s identity, working on your strengths and weaknesses, and the journey toward self-acceptance. We also discuss how the US swing dance scene is on a slower recovery post-pandemic,...
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#31 Jon Tigert
This week’s guest is a great dancer, drummer, MC, and now the organizer of Lindy Focus - Jon Tigert. Jon talks about wearing many hats - balancing between teaching, organizing, and playing music. We cover topics of teaching locally versus internationally, dealing with the feelings of loneliness…
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#30 María & Aurélien
Dancers, teachers, choreographers, and all-around artistic human beings from Barcelona, María & Aurélien. We chat about their partnership, navigating through differences, and finding balance in everyday life. We cover topics of competitions, putting dance on the stage, and choreographing shows....
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#29 Clàudia Fonte
After taking classes at the Swim Out festival, we sit down with a dancer and educator from Barcelona Clàudia Fonte. We talk about the joy of being a student, personal expression, finding versus connecting to yourself in dance and in life. Claudia shares her way of artistic explorations and...
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#28 Gustav & Laia
Dancers, teachers, competitors, one the founders of El Taller, a dance school in Barcelona, and organizers of Lindy Hopper’s Delight and Stomp Your Feet festivals. We sit down to chat about organizing events in a more sustainable way, inspirations from the tap community, and developing ways of...
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#27 Steven Coombe
This week's guest is musician, bandleader, MC, and dancer from London, Steven Coombe. We discuss the interactions between dancers and musicians, common misconceptions, the topic of musicality and competitions, and how to create the best party vibe. Steve shares his experience leading swing bands,...
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#26 Alexia Legoueix
In this conversation Alexia, dancer, teacher, and the founder of Shake That Swing dance studio in Paris, shares her experiences, values and new approaches to leading a dance school and an all-women team. We discuss the evolution of the follower's role in the dance, connecting to playfulness and...
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#25 Austėja Žalalytė
Austėja is a professional dancer, performer, teacher and event manager. We sit down to talk about performing, finding the flow, feeling confident in the spotlight and how can one get better at it. She shares her story of starting burlesque and being one of the first performers in Lithuania. We…
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#24 Maka
We sit down with a dancer, musician, and band leader from Toulouse, France, Maka. We talk about the relationship between music and dance, the recreation and evolution of the art form, and expressing ourselves within it. We discuss what it means to connect to the music at a dance party, or in...
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#23 Sonia Ortega Betriu
We sit down to talk with Sonia, a dancer and organizer from Barcelona. We chat about her early days of dancing, performing with Frankie Manning and working on a long-lasting partnership. Sonia shares her approach to teaching and competing, the (un)importance of levels in the dance, and placing…
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#22 Nalla Kim
Dancer, scene leader, and organizer from a vibrant swing scene in Seoul, South Korea. We discuss building a community, running festivals, and choosing what talent to bring. We dive into the topic of judging, giving, and receiving feedback, and we both share bits of advice that influenced our...
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#21 Jean-Charles Zambo
Dancer and actor, Jean-Charles Zambo joins us to discuss his artistic path, creating performances that are true to you, and prioritizing your own values and interests. We compare Swing dance and Hip-Hop communities, the role of expression, innovation, and inclusion. We tackle the questions of...
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#20 Pamela Gaizutyte
Today's guest is Pamela Gaizutyte: dancer, choreographer, educator, and the face behind the creative project of P.mela Swingin’ Shoes. We discuss her projects, confidence and identity, forming partnerships, and finding the balance with social media. We reflect on the evolution of the dance scene...
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#19 Jason Hsu
From Taiwan, we sit down to talk with Jason: a dancer, educator, and the creator of Switch Taipei. We talk about his studies in Dance Anthropology, his approach to teaching dance while empowering students from the beginning, and the freedom to choose the dance role outside of gender stereotypes.…
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#18 Thomas Marek
Tap dancer, performer, choreographer, and teacher Thomas Marek joins the podcast to discuss his artistic path and the discovery of new forms of expression and storytelling that tie in with tap's origins. We talk about the fundamentals and joy of improvising, how not to let your mind hold you…
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#17 Sylvain Roudier
This week's guest is the saxophonist and leader of the swing band "Swing Shouters" - Sylvain Roudier. We chat about his creative process, his way of developing a unique sound, and the symbiotic relationship between dancers and musicians. We also discuss what makes a band (or a dancer) swing and…
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#16 ILHC Europe Panel Talk
A special episode from the International Lindy Hop Championships Europe 2022 where the artists and judges sat down to discuss their thoughts and vision on competitions: "Competition & Culture: How do they relate?". You will hear Marie N’Diaye, Moncell Durden, Remy Kouakou Kouame, Tena...
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#15 Cat Foley
We sit with dancer, teacher, and performer from the UK, Cat Foley, to talk about her life and work after covid and how her theatre and clowning practice influenced her dancing and teaching. We discuss her new show, “Swing sister swing,” which uses partnered swing dance as a storytelling tool to...
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#14 Tyedric Hill
In this episode with an instructor, dancer, choreographer, educator, and Frankie Manning Ambassador Tyedric Hill, we talk about his approach to teaching dance, empowering others with tools to create and connect to the roots of the dance. We also dive into the topic of expression, how and when we...
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#13 Vassia Panayiotou
We reconnect with Vassia from Athens, Greece. She is the organiser of Athens Rhythm Hop festival and a co-founder of Rhythm Hoppers dance school. We talk about the goals and challenges of running a dance festival, learning from the original dancers, the difference between drawing inspiration and...
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#12: Ari & Simon
We sit down to chat with Ari & Simon: teachers, performers, and choreographers currently based in Madrid. We talk about the persistence to keep going during the lockdowns, finding new ways of approaching the dance and the teaching process, we discuss practice routines, daily habits and the key...
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#11: Daniel Larsson
In this episode with Daniel Larsson, dancer, choreographer, performer, and teacher from Sweden, we talk about his dance journey, his experience of working on a theatre stage, about the joy of dancing and love for rhythm, the uncertain life of a dancer and the importance of showing support and...
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#10: Alice Mei
Welcome to season 2 of the podcast! While things are looking brighter, it is still a very uncertain time for the dance community. In this episode with Alice Mei we talk about the ups and downs of the last year, how to keep the motivation going and push forward, how to deal with being too...
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#9: Felipe Braga
Dancer, performer, educator Felipe Braga. Originally from Brazil, Felipe is currently living in Berlin. We talk about what it means to be a guest in a culture, what responsibility do we carry as dance teachers, event organizers, and community leaders. Felipe shares his way of teaching and…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Talks with dancers, musicians, scene leaders and a variety of inspiring community members. Hosted by Elze Visnevskyte from What a Jazz Dance Studio.
HOSTED BY
What a Jazz
CATEGORIES
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How many episodes does What a Jazz podcast have?
What a Jazz podcast currently has 58 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is What a Jazz podcast about?
Talks with dancers, musicians, scene leaders and a variety of inspiring community members. Hosted by Elze Visnevskyte from What a Jazz Dance Studio.
How often does What a Jazz podcast release new episodes?
What a Jazz podcast has 58 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
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Who hosts What a Jazz podcast?
What a Jazz podcast is created and hosted by What a Jazz.
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