About Us

Who we are


Connection. Companionship. Community. 


Lindy Jazz started in 2007 with a vision. We wanted to bring people together and share our love of dance and Swing music with as many people as possible. 


Dance can change your life in so many ways. It can help you keep fit, make friends, and feel alive. 
Whether you’re an experienced dancer or you’re the first to say you have two left feet, you’re always guaranteed lots of fun and a very warm welcome. 


There’s something for everyone in our programme of adult Swing dance classes and workshops and we promise that you won’t regret giving Lindy Jazz a try. 


In these days where so many of us have struggled to stay connected and find joy, Lindy Jazz will help you do both. 
Are you ready to discover the joy of dance? 

Meet Joo-Lee


If you’ve not met her before, Joo-Lee is the Founder and Dance Director at Lindy Jazz and a self-confessed life-long dance lover! 

Since she first donned her ballet shoes aged 8, the joy of dance has been at the centre of her life. And now after three decades in the dance world, she gets to share that joy with people across the North East of England. 

As the Director of Lindy Jazz, she has created a warm, thriving, and inclusive Swing Dance scene in Durham and Newcastle. 


Why Lindy Hop?


After spending four years trying out every social dance style available, she fell in love with the fun, uplifting, and incredibly social Lindy Hop. Bringing this joy and connectedness to others was her dream; a dream that was realised when she established Lindy Jazz with her partner, Andy. 
Forget about dance classes where the music is forgettable and the routines are way too complicated, Joo-Lee’s trademark is teaching great technique in a way that is always energetic, simple, and fun. 
Simple, fun, and inclusive instruction in a warm and friendly atmosphere is her recipe for success.


What started as a single class in Durham has blossomed into a thriving Swing dance community where everyone is welcome, whether they’re near or far. 


From dancing on TV (as seen on BBC One's indent, "Swing Dancers, County Durham") ro running her own International Swing Dance Festival, DJam, which brought people around the world to dance together at Durham Town Hall, to teaching dance fitness classes for the NHS in her community, Joo-Lee’s desire to spread the joy of dance shows no signs of stopping. 


Think that all sounds great, but you’re not sure about dancing?
Joo-Lee has even taught actors with no previous experience to dance! She was a choreographer and dance coach for TV dramas such as ‘United’ starring David Tennant and ‘Joe Maddison’s War’ starring Robson Green & Kevin Whately.
When you learn to dance with Joo-Lee, you know that you’re in safe, experienced, and very welcoming hands. 

Meet Andy


Andy’s dance journey began in the 1990’s in the world of Ballroom, and he soon discovered a love for Modern Jive.
Like Joo-Lee, the fun, uplifting, and very social Lindy Hop became his favourite dance style, so much so that he went on to study Lindy dance with world-class teachers like Frankie Manning, Steven Mitchell, Peter Loggins, and Russell Sargeant.
In Joo-Lee, he found a partner who shared his vision for creating a welcoming and inclusive Swing dance culture in the North East. Not to mention a mutual love of music and movement, and the belief in the power of dance to transform lives. 
Andy is a relaxed, supportive, and encouraging teacher who can help anyone become a more confident dancer. 
His natural appreciation for music and his experience of many different dance styles bring his teaching to life. 
This is what also makes him the perfect resident Lindy Jazz DJ, where he spins the Swing and Blues tunes that make every class and event an unforgettable and truly uplifting experience. 
As well as playing regularly at our classes and events, he DJs at many events in the UK and abroad, such as Herrang, the Snowball in Stockholm, Barswingona, the London Swing Festival, and the Blues Baby Blues, among many others.


 

 

What People Say

As always, Lindy Jazz are always a pleasure to work with. It's always impressive to see how organised the operation is - a well oiled machine. It was especially good seeing how the tempo of the evening was kept at a great pace, the atmosphere was held throughout and the hosting skills were impeccable - genuinely impressive stuff.

Carlo ViglianisiDirector, Emptyshop & Brass Festival Fringe

“It gave me time to develop an alternative understanding of lindy away from step patterns and moves”

Having a private lesson meant I had a consistent partner and therefore the opportunity to try different approaches to the same move. We were able to discuss what worked better, worse, or just differently.

Appreciating common "ideas" like triple step, pulse, stretch, kick down, and beginning to feel comfortable with them helped by allowing me to focus on other ideas, whilst maintaining communication with my partner.

I now have a better understanding that communication between dance partners improves with a good connection. Non-visual communication adds to the dance and is something that watching a demonstration can’t teach; I don’t get it until I feel it.

It’s fun to dance with the teacher; they love dancing too. 

If you know what you want but are looking for a way to get there; Or if you do not know what you want but know you want to learn, I would recommend a private lesson with Joo-Lee.

Dave AnonLindy Jazz member

Just a note to say thanks to you and your dancers for Friday night - all the feedback tells me it was rockin' in there!

Lisa VickersEvents and Communications Manager, Women Into the Network (WIN)

Having danced for a year now, I find that Lindy Jazz beginner lessons are still useful due to their emphasis on technique, which can always be improved by dancers of any level. Lindy Jazz is unique in its beginner lesson content, which inspires people to be creative.  Rather than giving a set routine of moves, they teach a strong foundation of moves and encourage people to use them in any order, and to go further by coming up with their own variations. This ensures that all dances are kept fun and interesting for both leads and follows.

I would undoubtedly recommend a private lesson with Joo-Lee due to her in-depth focus on fundamental technique, which underpins everything about lindy hop. The advice I was given has long since stuck with me and I have seen a marked improvement in my dancing abilities since.

Michael Wall

I would like to thank you and Andy for your wonderful presentation of the Lindy Hop Blues dance at our Equality Awards on Friday. The dance, which was beautifully executed, lent atmosphere to the occasion and was extremely well received.  I would certainly be more than pleased to recommend you for any such event, thank you again. 

Liz ReayChief Executive, Equality North East

Woodhorn booked Lindy-Jazz to perform on August Bank Holiday Monday as our major exhibition at the time was about Northumberland during WWII. The period music and dancing displays brought the exhibition theme and the museum site to life in a fun, friendly and accessible way. Lindy-Jazz were very professional to work with, and I would recommend them wholeheartedly. We were particularly impressed with how the group engaged with our visitors, spending time chatting with them about the music and dancing alongside their impressive performances.

Liz RitsonExhibitions and Events Officer, Woodhorn QEII Country Park

Many many thanks to you and Andy for running such a superb day and night of events!  I know that those participating really enjoyed themselves and I have had a lot of good comments about the Friday night.   I appreciated all your efficient management of everything and hope that we can work together again.

Louise ButlerExfactor Limited