"How do I become a professional lindy hopper?"

I am often asked this question when I teach at events in the US, and it’s often by the people who I would least expect.

I really enjoy being asked this question, but I don’t really know how to field it. I can recount my experience about how I started, what I spent my time doing, and skills I wish I had picked up along the way, but I don’t know that if someone had the same experience that it would mean they could become a professional lindy hopper.

Whatever. This is what I tend to say; the content is serious, but it's said semi-sarcastically (as most of the things I say are):

- LEARN as much technique ASAP so that when practicing, you are building “good” muscle memory vs. “not as good” muscle memory

- SOCIAL DANCE a lot

- TRAVEL to dance. I cannot stress that enough - if want want to go pro, you need to travel. There is so much great dancing going on and you should be there in the thick of it. Get out there!! (Don't forget to enroll in a Frequent Flyer Program - I like Skyteam, but have membership with United Airlines as well. If you want to go pro, assume you're globe trotting on a regular basis)

- TECHNIQUE - keep working on your basics. Technique, technique, technique!!!

- CREATE - choreography. Learn to choreograph quickly and work with your strengths. This helps if you want to do a showcase or classic, or are putting jam material together.

- COMPETE - people/judges need to familiarize themselves with you by seeing you. Familiarity breeds attraction, so get familiar!!

- CROSS-TRAIN - protect your tool (your body). Just dancing every day isn't going to keep you in shape the way cross training will. Lift weights, run on an elliptical, stretch, do pilates, P90x (and look like this), or whatever, but do something other than lindy, charleston, and aerials to keep your body in shape.

- GO VIRAL and get your stuff on Youtube. It’s a fabulous tool to get you and your name out there. And make sure you label your videos properly; if you have the greatest clip in the universe but people can’t find it, it won’t matter much.

- POSSE - get a group together so you travel in a pack. Show up places together and throw down!

- COSTUMES - find something you (and your posse) can wear that will represent you. Find you signature style (i.e. Ninjammerz - all black, white shoes, white tie, white belt)

- acquire a NOVEL SKILL - if you and that group of friends of yours decided you want to put on a show, you’ll need “Spacer Skills”. This is a skill that (hopefully) requires less energy, can be done in a variety of costumes, and creates a breather for the audience. A perfect example: Fatima from the Harlem Hot Shots, creating rhythms while brushing her teeth.

- BODY MOVEMENT - is uber important! Take other dance classes, check yourself in a mirror, dance solo, learn to point your toes, do whatever, but do it!

- TEACH - people will most likely want to learn from you, so figure out what you are doing, and start teaching. Learn to teach, and then people can fly you out places so that you can influence and inspire their scene.

- COMPUTER SKILLS - having web skills will greatly help you out. Get a website together (or blog), keep it current, post videos, learn to edit music, etc

- DANCE - dance with people, lots of people, and have fun!!!!

So yeah, I say something along those lines when I am asked. So all you out there who want to go pro, look at the list every day, then go practice, buy some keds to dance in, and rock it Jack Black Style.