LAURA KEAT & JEREMY OTTH (USA)
In 2006, Laura & Jeremy united as partners celebrating, performing, and sharing dances that were created by, arose directly from, or were strongly influenced by African American art, culture, and experiences in the early 20th century. Specializing in Lindy Hop, Collegiate Shag, Balboa, and Bal-swing, their dynamic dance partnership is founded on a blend of intentional vision, applied experience, and passion.
Jeremy & Laura continue to be in demand as professionals in the global swing and jazz dance community. They offer a range of learning opportunities including workshops, private lessons, mentorship opportunities, instruction videos, and online dance classes.
A learning environment with Laura & Jeremy commonly results with students honing their strengths, and developing their style while improving in areas that they feel are weak. Dancers & event organizers seek Jeremy & Laura out for their distinct methods of critique, guidance, and encouragement.
Fast feet, creative content, and love for expression through improvisation have resulted in numerous international championship titles, and appearances in music videos, commercials, and on television. Some of Laura & Jeremy’s most memorable performances include Frankie 95 Memorial Show, ABC’s hit TV show, “Dancing with the Stars” and a recreation of the original dance scene from the Soundie, “Maharaja.”
KATJA ZAVRŠNIK (SLO) & PETER LOGGINS (USA/SWE)
Peter is the foremost researcher on American Jazz Dances. Credited during the 1990s for bringing back several dances that he learned from the original dancers of the 1920s, 30s, and 40s. He brings a first-hand historical approach to his classes sharing what was handed down by legends of the past including National Charleston champions, Harvest Moon Ball Lindy Hop winners, and 1930’s Swing Champions.
Peter not only travels worldwide as an instructor, lecturer, performer, and competition judge but he has also been featured in television and films such as Beverly Hills 90210, Marilyn Mansion Mobscene video, Royal Crown Revue’s Zip Gun Pop video, and Films such as Mulholland Drive, and the 13th Floor. Aside from having a down-to-earth street approach to teaching, his expansive knowledge of the cultures along with the music that drove social dancing allows students to learn the history of these dances and how they’ve evolved through the years.
Since 2005 Katja has focused on early American dances from the Jazz Age and Swing eras, such as the Lindy Hop, Swing, Balboa, Charleston, St. Louis Shag, and Authentic jazz. Her knowledge of (almost) all swing dances allows Katja to adapt her dance to any type of dancer. Which places her on the market among one of the best followers in understanding connection and reactivity. She is an elegant dancer. At first, you’ll be seduced by her style based on subtlety and finesse. But if you look a little closer you’ll be surprised by her musicality and footwork. Her focus on musicality and connection makes her one of the most sought-after followers in the scene. Her shyness – probably her Slovenian origin as well – gives at first a “cold” feeling. But don’t make any mistake: she loves to laugh, party, and simply have fun. During a dance, she is one of the few followers to never refuse a dance and also often the last to leave the dance floor.
ANNI SKOGLUND (SWE) & GAŠPER HROVAT (SLO/SWE/GER)
Anni considers herself one of the lucky few to have parents who brought her into dancing when she was a child. She was one of those kids who let dance become part of her nature. Growing up with folk dancers allowed her to be close to a broad variety of music and practice: steps, rhythms, building momentum, counterbalance, torque, pivot-spins, switching dance roles (leading/following), and dancing as one with a partner. All the time through joyful social activity.
Anni’s main focus is social dancing. With a perspective of equality of roles, she is a strong follower with a truth to be told. Since she came to Herräng Dance Camp, swing dancing has become a constant companion and main focus.
Gašper grew up with his mom and grandparents in Slovenia at times when dancing was still a big part of cultural activities and socializing. When they were babysitting him, his grandparents usually brought Gašper to social dances and held him while waltzing through the dance floor. That dancing feeling and the flow that he became aware of, became essential to Gašper’s perception of what dancing is all about. Gašper’s dancing path went from classic social dancing, to world competitions in Hip-Hop and Breakdancing, and from the first Swing-out in Ljubljana, to a professional career throughout Europe. Needless to say, the search for that “magical” flow from his youth continues to this day, and if you ever danced with Gašper, you know what we’re talking about.
MARTA KOLASA & BRIAN TROUGHT (IRL)
Brian discovered Balboa in late 2008 and found the dance so difficult that he stubbornly set his mind on learning it by any means necessary. The first year was filled with many hours of solo practice, and several disastrous partner dances, but the drive to continue learning Balboa has never stopped. He eventually realized that he needed to teach Balboa and grow the scene locally, and for the last decade, Brian has been one of the driving forces of the Irish Bal scene. He also loves having quirky musical conversations with his dance partners.
Brian as a teacher believes in supporting and developing each person’s uniqueness in the dance. Key elements of his teaching include the importance of listening and learning from each other, ways that each partner can contribute to the flow of the dance, and learning how to add layers of texture and styling to your dance movement.
In 2008 Marta was passing a small bar in the centre of Cork City when some Jazz music piqued her curiosity and drew her in to hear more. Marta was instantly enamored with the smoothness and flow of the dance, so it took little encouragement for her to travel to learn more. She loves the subtlety, grace, and effortlessness of dancing Balboa, and has been working to bring the playfulness and freedom of Lindy Hop into her Balboa. Her authentic delight while dancing is a real inspiration to see. As a driving force behind the growth of the Irish Balboa scene, Marta’s focus is primarily on people and the community. Marta as a teacher is often content to let her partner do most of the talking. She maintains a keen eye for details during classes providing her teaching partner with numerous insights and suggestions to improve the quality of teaching and learning, as well as suggesting ways for dancers to interact and learn in more fun ways.
MATEJA GRAJZAR & NEJC ZUPAN (SLO)
Nejc started swing dancing back in 2003 as a result of his contemporary dance experience and a strong love for jazz music. Because of this, he became the main driving wheel for the popularization of Lindy Hop and Balboa in Slovenia in the early 2000s.
His Swing dance experience is a collection of endless research into different dance forms, many international workshops, and his humble willingness to keep learning from anybody willing to teach him. In the past decade, he has taught all over Europe with some of the most talented teachers around and has supported new growing swing scenes in numerous countries.
He is known for his elegant and smooth style of dancing as he pays special attention to jazz movement, history, and musicality, all quintessential to any Swing dance form.
Mateja decided at the age of 6 that she wanted to dance in a couple. For quite a few years she searched for and tried different dance genres, from Latin American and standard dances, tango, and salsa, to African and oriental dances. She discovered swing in 2010 and immediately knew it was what she had been looking for all these years. And although she practices and dances lindy hop and blues, her heart beats for balboa. She started dancing balboa in 2010 and already after a few months achieved 3rd place in the Jack’n’Jill competition at the Paris Balboa Festival 2011. Over the years she visited numerous dance festivals in Europe and continues to explore it every day. She is fascinated by the elegance and liveliness, but at the same time the sophistication and artistry of moving through the floor.
She’s been one of the driving forces of the Slovenian balboa scene since then and has been teaching it non-stop since 2012.
