Down South Swing :: Instructors

Bela Jacobson first got on a dance floor was in 2001 for a beginner 8 count lindy hop class. Since then, she hasn't gotten off the social dance floor, and has a special love for swing dancing. One of our most popular teachers, both for her instructional style and her wicked sense of humor! Bela has danced all over the U.S. and Europe and has taken classes from some of the best, including the Legendary Frankie Manning.

Evin Galang has been teaching since 1998 when she was instrumental in helping develop Chicago's thriving swing scene. Evin has taught around the US and Europe and strives to give students the tools they need to feel great on the dance floor while helping them develop their own style. Evin is the Director of Down South Swing and you can read more about her here on this site, or to book her for a workshop in your city, see her personal website, www.evingalang.weebly.com

FG Courtney caught the swing dancing bug in Washington, DC's lively scene in 2005 and was soon dancing at every opportunity. She performed and competed with the Eight Week Wonders performance team and was featured with her team partner in an article in the Washington Post Magazine. Social dancing is FG's love, and she enjoys helping dancers discover the joy of that partnership. FG is known for her amazing connection and responsive following and is our resident Balboa Guru.

Jared Silver first hopped onto the dance floor in 1998. Soon after, he was fortunate enough to experience his first lindy hop lesson from Frankie Manning and picked to perform at the Orange Bowl halftime. Jared focuses on connection, musicality, and crazy footwork and looks forward to teaching playful styles to his students. Specializing in balboa, bal-swing, and lindy hop instruction, he is also currently performing with the DSS dance Company.

Lindsay Longstreth found the rhythm in her feet in Knoxville, 2002. Spreading her love of swing like warm apple butter she founded the Berea College Swing Club (KY) in 2004. She currently resides in Atlanta where she joined the team at Down South Swing. Lindsay has also taught and performed around the Southeast and has placed or won in many competitions. Lindsay is the Director of our Artist in Residence program and is the organizer for The Hop Shop. You can read all about her on her website.

Noah Galang has been teaching since 1998 and is our most popular Swing 101 instructor. Giving students equal part confidence, technique and hilarity, Noah's teaching will hook you for life! He is also our Blues and Soul lead instructor.

Patrick and Natalie Manigault have been dancing, teaching, choreographing, performing, competing, and loving Lindy Hop for over 10 years. As two of the longtime members, organizational leaders and instructors of the Atlanta swing dance scene, they have been an integral part of the evolution of Lindy Hop in the southeast. As instructors, they view dance as a communication, and they emphasize becoming awake to what our bodies are hearing and expressing. In addition to learning moves and developing good leading and following technique, students also begin to value and develop their own expression. With this, students can begin to create dancing as a free and connected expression between themselves, the music and their partner.As social dancers, Patrick and Natalie deeply value the joy that comes from connecting and learning with another and the music. For them, Lindy Hop continues to be a place of great joy and expansion.

designcurrent (at) earthlink.net

Peter Zellner, one of Down South Swing's founding members, is an amazing lindy hopper and also has been known to tear it up on the West Coast Swing side. His connection and amazing moves make him a favorite of our advanced students!

r.jemain (at) gmail.com

Robbie Jemain has been teaching lindy hop in his native Alabama for several years, and is now Down South Swing's newest addition. His fun demeanor and encouraging teaching style have quickly made him a popular instructor here in Atlanta!

robertbarbier (at) gmail.com

Robert Barbier teaches with Down South Swing and is also a staple at the DJ table at Hot Jam and around Atlanta. Undergraduate research brought Robert down to Orlando during the summer of 2006. When he returned home nearly four months later he had discovered his love for dance and swing music. As a dancer Robert enjoys lively, fun music with a strong rhythmic backing. He's grateful for the opportunity to teach and impart his enjoyment of dance. He hopes to encourage people to dance with their heart and not just their feet.

balman007 (at) yahoo.com

Russ Ruddell has been dancing since 1999. He has a passion for dancing, and enjoys sharing it with others. You will most likely find him out dancing Balboa or Bal-Swing, but he likes to dancing Lindy Hop also. Russ is know for his smooth and easy to follow lead. In his classes, he focuses on technique and connection, which help to build a good foundation and understanding of the dance in students. He's trained all over the U.S. and has had the priviledge to learn from some of the top teachers in Balboa/Bal-Swing and Lindy Hop.

terraceellis (at) gmail.com

Terrace Ellis began dancing the lindy hop in 1998 while studying music education at Geogria Southern University. He holds top placements in dance competitions all over the southeast region including the Southeastern Lindy Hop Championships, The American Lindy Hop Championships Regionals, and many others. Terrace has taught lindy hop and vernacular jazz regionally as well as overseas. He is an active performer and can be seen performing for local, regional and national dance events, charities, and corporate events. Terrace's dancing is rooted in the classic movement of Frankie Manning, Al Minns and Leon James. In class he focuses on feeling natural, staying grounded in the music and having an experience based dance education.