Member Article

Dance, dance, dance with Lindy Jazz

Professional music and performing arts coach, Joo-Lee Stock, owner of North East dance coaching business, Lindy Jazz, takes Bdaily behind the scenes of her business.

The Lindy Jazz club, with its weekly dance classes in Durham, Gosforth, Chester le Street and Washington, teaches people of all ages and abilities to dance. Lindy hop, Swing, Charleston, Blues and Balboa are just some of the dances you’ll learn in a relaxed, fun and friendly environment. No need to bring a partner. The first session is free and in no time at all you’ll be dancing like a pro. Lindy Jazz also works within businesses and the community to improve physical and mental wellbeing through dance.

What is your professional background?

I am originally a classical musician who trained at the Birmingham Conservatoire of Music and became a performing arts teacher in secondary schools. I became interested in “confidence” as a subject and observed my students becoming more confident through music and dance. As a result I started to combine life-coaching and dance to create unique lessons which seemed to benefit my students in lots of different ways.

How did Lindy Jazz Club start?

I became hooked on Lindy Hop (one of the major swing dances) after seeing The Jiving Lindy Hoppers in Ferryhill, County Durham in 1993! There were no classes in the North East so I travelled to London, Edinburgh and Stockholm to learn.

I decided to combine my performing arts, dance and coaching background with my interest in swing dance and launched Lindy Jazz in January 2007 in Durham.

Many people think dancing is just for a performance when in fact “social dancing” at parties, band nights and weddings is so easy to learn if you have the right, relaxed atmosphere, expert tuition and make it fun – which is what we do at Lindy Jazz.

In addition, many people are too busy to socialise. By coming to Lindy Jazz on a regular basis, people have made great friends and a huge number of people they can network with.

How do you spend your working days?

There’s never a dull moment! By day I do admin, devise new events and courses and keep up with marketing. I work mainly on three different areas: “well being”, “weddings” and “business” as well as dance coaching. In 2010 I started working with the NHS to deliver their unique dance programme to help improve the wellbeing of people in County Durham. I also coach couples through their first wedding dance together. A two-hour intensive course is all it takes to make them look natural and stylish. I also work with businesses, helping staff to communicate through inspiring and interactive teaching and getting new groups talking.

In the evening, I deliver dance classes at four different venues per week: Durham, Gosforth, Chester le Street and Washington.

I organise the DJam Festival every year in January. It’s a big weekend-long, international Swing Jazz festival that is held in Durham. It attracts over 200 dance enthusiasts from all over the UK, Europe and USA.

Dance parties are also now fashionable, where guests dress up in 1920s and 1930s outfits, eat cake, drink tea and dance to jazz bands.

Who you work with?

Michelle Gudgeon from Perfect PA Services made a dramatic difference to my business and keeps me organised! I now also have an 18 year old apprentice Rebecca Wood, who is trained by Michelle. In addition I have a team of dedicated volunteers who help at events by welcoming new people and generally create a happy and enjoyable atmosphere.

What are your main challenges?

I would say it’s overcoming perceptions that dancing is difficult and embarrassing and getting more people to see how achievable and enjoyable it is. I am also looking for good dancers who want to train as Lindy Jazz teachers.

What do you enjoy most about your business?

I love seeing people enjoy themselves and look more confident every week at classes. Through my business I also seem to have acquired a social life that has gone through the roof. So many parties…. so little time!

What does your business mean to you?

Lindy Jazz is a very important part of my life. I’m so proud of the way it’s grown and how it has brought people together with a life-long skill to enjoy, and as a means of improving their physical and mental health

What are your hopes for the future of your business?

I am hoping to do more work within business in the “wellbeing at work” sphere. Some firms have already engaged me to run “after work” dance classes to boost wellbeing and communication between departments and this seems to be working very well. I’d also like to have more social dancing opportunities in care homes.

A new Gosforth Lindy Jazz Club starts Tuesday 10 January 7.30pm, St Nicholas Church Hall, opposite South Gosforth Metro. I’d love to see lots of people there!

Finally I’d love to see dancing really take off in the UK – especially in the North East. I want people to see social dancing as an activity for everyone, not just for professional dancers or people who’ve had training from a young age - or for girls dancing around their handbags!

For more information go to (www.lindy-jazz.co.uk) or call Joo-Lee Stock on 07719 174544

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This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Kate Slater .