"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.

New Goals

Personal dance-related Goals

learn how to build a website
learn how to cut/edit music
learn how to cut/edit video
get a curtain/backdrop made for filming
hang curtains
film 50 clips by the end of March
post them on our iLindy website
make money off of our Lindy Hop DVD

be stronger
increase endurance
increase flexibility
continue to inspire and be inspired

Hop to the Beat - our workshop in Boston

So here is the run down of what was scheduled:

Both Kevin and Emily are stars on the social dance floor, in competitions and as performers. They are excited for this opportunity to share their talents and have put together a fabulous line-up of classes for all levels of experience. You won't want to miss this chance to learn some new moves, refine your skills and be inspired by this very creative and dynamic couple!

Rounding out the weekend will be our monthly dance, Uptown Swing, on Saturday, December 1 in Brookline. Features of the evening will include dancing to Shawn Hershey and the Fried Bananas and a dance performance with Kevin and Emily.

http://www.hoptothebeat.com/kevin_emily.html

Saturday, December 1, 2007
  Lower Falls Community Center, 545 Grove Street, Newton Lower Falls, MA 02462

    A. 12:30-1:45pm Lindy Hop Fundamentals
       Starting at the beginning, Kevin & Emily style. For beginners and anyone wanting to review or refine basics.       (no partner or experience needed)
    B. 2:00-3:15pm Existential Funk? Buy a New Suit
       Going beyond the basics, a connection intensive.       (no partner needed, all levels)
    C. 3:30-4:30pm Take A Spin
       Variations, spinning, dynamic frame.       (intermediate+, previous experience required)
    D. 4:45-5:45pm Strut Your Stuff
       Styling for leaders and followers.   (intermediate+, previous experience required)

Saturday, December 1, 2007
  Brookline Tai Chi, 1615 Beacon Street, Brookline, MA 02446
    8:30pm-Midnight Uptown Swing Dance Club
                    Beginners welcome, no partner needed
                    Admission $15 ($10 with Student ID
                    Beginner Lesson (8:30-9:00pm)
                    Band: Shawn Hershey and the Fried Bananas
                    Dance Exhibition: Kevin St. Laurent & Emily Hoffberg


Sunday, December 2, 2007
  Lower Falls Community Center, 545 Grove Street, Newton Lower Falls, MA 02462

    E. 12:30-1:45pm Victory in Boston
       Sweet as the cream pie from the city it's named after - a Jazz routine.   (non-partner, int/adv, but all levels welcome)
    F. 2:00-3:00pm Afternoon Delight
       Rubbing sticks and stones together make sparks ignite: Blues.  (no partner needed, int & int/adv, previous experience required)
    G. 3:15-4:30pm Cirque du So-LAME? Flashy, Flighty Moves
       Jam material to keep the crowd kickin'.       (no partner needed, int/adv, previous experience required)
    H. 4:45-6:00pm We ARE Lindy Hop - Fire & Ice
       A Lindy routine to heat things up and cool 'em down.   (partner required, int/adv & adv, previous experience required)

Our New DVDs!!!!

Each aerial is taught step-by-step using progressive exercises and drills with an emphasis on safety. Since all aerials are shown from various angles, we suggest repetitive viewing in conjunction with a video player that allows for frame-by-frame slow motion. The aerials are organized in two sets of three. Each set gets progressively more difficult while building on the same foundation of technique.



Become a better, faster dancer through superior technique, drills and exciting moves. Hop on the Dance Express and learn to keep your frame supple and dynamic while still using counter balance. An all levels video for beginner, intermediate and advanced Lindy Hoppers.







Whether you’re new to Lindy Hop or a veteran of the social, competitive or performance floor, this video will provide material and inspiration. Please use these moves and ideas as a springboard for your own creativity as well as the movement as a base for matching and expressing the music in your own personal way.