Lindy Hop dance classes in Durham & online
Choreography & Swing Dance Training for Film & TV in the North east
Swing Into Sunday: Dance with Lindy Jazz
As part of the Durham Jazz Festival 2026, step into the joy of swing!
Sunday, 25 October 14:30 – 16:30
St Oswald’s Institute, Church Street, Durham DH1 3DQ
Your hosts, Andy and Joo-Lee, have been at the heart of the North East swing dance scene since 2007. Take part in a friendly taster dance session. No experience needed, no partner required, just comfy shoes and an open heart. Whether you’re a jazz lover or simply curious, come along and join the fun.
Learn To Swing Dance
Lindy Jazz courses are designed to cover all the foundation skills and moves you need to fully enjoy swing dancing
We offer 6-week courses in Durham that are perfect for you! You will improve quickly because you'll be learning from the same teaching couple every week.
We use a proven and successful system, which means you'll have consistency in your learning. In between lessons you will have access to online videos to help you to recap the moves you learnt in class. These videos will walk you through each technique in a clear and informative manner.
You'll have all the support you need to improve your skills so that by the end of six weeks, you will be able to put together a dance to dance all the way through a song!
Let us guide you on your swing dance journey
Even if you don't have immediate plans to dance at a social event, these foundation skills are essential for any swing dancer. They form the building blocks of your dance journey. So, why not take this opportunity to acquire those skills in a progressive and structured way?
Let us guide you on your swing dance journey. You'll soon feel really confident and ready to dance with your partner and the wonderful wider swing dance community. We can't wait to see you shine on the dance floor!
HOW TO START
Confidence grows on the dance floor.
Practice, encouragement and a room full of people cheering each other on.
There is no age limit to fun!
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 – you don't need hundreds of moves. Learn a few basics and you're on your way.
connecting with your partner & letting the dance unfold
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.
ABOUT LINDY JAZZ
Meet Joo-Lee & Andy – Founders
If you’ve not met her before, Joo-Lee is the Founder and Dance Director of Lindy Jazz and the creator of SwingFit — and a self-confessed, lifelong lover of dance.
Since first slipping on her ballet shoes at the age of eight, dance has been at the heart of Joo-Lee’s life. More than three decades later, she now shares that joy through swing dance and dance fitness classes across Durham, Newcastle, and the North East of England.
As Director of Lindy Jazz, Joo-Lee has created a warm, inclusive, and thriving swing dance community for adult beginners and improvers.
What began as a single class in Durham has grown into a welcoming scene where everyone belongs — whether you’re completely new to dance, returning after a break, or joining from further afield.
Andy’s dance journey began in the 1990s with Ballroom and Modern Jive, before he discovered the joyful, uplifting, and social world of Lindy Hop — a dance style that quickly captured his heart.
He went on to study Lindy Hop with world-class teachers including Frankie Manning, Steven Mitchell, Peter Loggins, and Russell Sargeant, developing a deep appreciation not just for the dance, but for the music, connection, and sense of community at its core.
In Joo-Lee, Andy found both a life partner and dance partner who shared his vision for creating a welcoming and inclusive swing dance culture in the North East.
Together, they founded Lindy Jazz in 2007 — growing what began as a shared love of swing music and social dancing into a vibrant community of classes, events, and friendships.
Think all that sounds lovely — but you’re not sure dancing is for you?
You’re in very safe hands. Joo-Lee has taught complete beginners of all ages and abilities, including actors with no prior dance experience. She has worked as a choreographer and dance coach for BBC TV dramas, helping people feel relaxed, confident, and capable — even if they’ve never danced before.
When you learn to dance with Joo-Lee — whether through Lindy Jazz or SwingFit — you’ll find a welcoming, encouraging environment where progress is gentle, laughter is guaranteed, and everyone is supported to move with confidence and joy.
BEGINNER BASICS
Not quite ready to join a course?
Then give yourself a head start by checking out our FREE videos on the Lindy Jazz YouTube channel – happy dancing!
jazz up your events
Looking for ways to create a lively, joyful and relaxed atmosphere for your special event with music and dancing? Then let us help you to get the party going and really make your event shine!
Please contact us for an informal chat about your requirements
"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 Reay, Chief Executive, Equality North East
what people say
Dave Anon, Lindy Jazz Member
“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."