SWINGDANCEUK - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Member of the Guild of Professional Teachers of Dance
Simon Selmon formed SwingdanceUK (formerly the London Swing Dance Society) in 1986 following a trip to NY where he met many original dancers and instantly wanted to share this music & dance that had intoxicated him so much. In 1990 he became a full time Jitterbug, a self employed dancer teaching, promoting live music events and creating a vintage dance experience for mostly people who had never heard or seen of the dance before. He believes whilst the dance has changed over the years it is important to educate about its history & social context. To literally give people the opportunity to experience the joy, fun & satisfaction of a night of social dance. To take them on a journey back to the heyday of dancing to live music in a ballroom or bar. He has worked with many bands and started touring shows in theatres & private parties. Performing was one of the best ways to expose the dance to lots of new people. Now the dance has become more accepted & known his role has changed. He says "Today I see it as sharing some of that original spirit I found in the 'old timers' that I was so privileged to meet. Keeping the traditions of the dance alive whilst taking it into the 21 century."
Simon has choreographed and performed for stage, film & TV. He has been a UK and US dance champion and a World Lindy Hop Judge and has authored two instructional books on Swing dancing and is a regular writer for Dancing Times & his own weekly Swing Notes. He has taught 1000's to dance, and he has travelled internationally to teach and perform. Many of his past students have gone on to become successful teachers and performers themselves.
Most recently he has created a SwingdanceUK members site containing many hours of swing dance class videos for all levels of dancers from beginners upwards, over 280 Swing Notes about the history in today's Swing dance scene and has started to archive his dance memorabilia going back from the beginning of the London Swing Dance Society. Find out more & join today.
Simon is also a member of The Guild of Professional Teachers of Dance, Movement to Music & Dramatic Art (GPTD).
He has an Enhanced DBS Certificate and has completed a Safeguarding in the Further Education (FE) & Training Sector course.