Valerie Harrison
When Did you Start dancing?
September 5, 2019
How did you start dancing?
I've always been drawn to the vintage swing style of dance from movies and television, and grew up in the car culture of southern California, with a love of rockabilly.
When the swing revival of the 90's hit, the music really captured me, especially the band Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. Years later I eventually found swing dance competition videos online and would watch those in awe and dream of having the ability to dance to high energy music like that with someone else and fly into the air.
For two decades I mistakenly thought that you had to have dedicated partner to learn to swing dance, until I came across a meetup ad for vintage swing dance lessons here in Las Vegas - "no partner or experience necessary" - and I have been a dedicated weekly student ever since.
Showing up for that first dane class has been one of the best decisions of my life!
When the swing revival of the 90's hit, the music really captured me, especially the band Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. Years later I eventually found swing dance competition videos online and would watch those in awe and dream of having the ability to dance to high energy music like that with someone else and fly into the air.
For two decades I mistakenly thought that you had to have dedicated partner to learn to swing dance, until I came across a meetup ad for vintage swing dance lessons here in Las Vegas - "no partner or experience necessary" - and I have been a dedicated weekly student ever since.
Showing up for that first dane class has been one of the best decisions of my life!
What vintage or modern Swing dancer should everyone watch?
What swing artist do you recommend new dancers check out?
What is one swing album every dancer should listen to?
The Essentials - Ruth Brown (2003)
HOw about one song every one needs to dance to at least once?
"Love Me Right" by LaVern Baker
The dance clip that all new dancers need to see is...:
"Shorty George - Vernacular Jazz Explained" by Laura Glaess
Words of Wisdom
"Relax and have fun! Keep at it! Swing dancing is both challenging and rewarding as you grow."