Guest Instructors
Chester Whitmore
Dancing since 1974 and a protege of Fayard Nicholas (of the Nicholas Brothers) Chester has been dancing his way around the world. These days he is a dancer, teacher, performer, choreographer, director, stunt man and entertainer. His choreography can be seen in music vidoes for Boys II Men, Sugar Ray, Teena Marie as well as working with artists such as Savion Glover, MC Hammer, Prince and many more. Also a highly reknowned drummer and band leader he has worked with some of the best in the entertainment industry. He has performed with his dance company Black Ballet Jazz, with the Lionel Hampton Orchestra, the Duke Ellington Orchestra, the Count Basie Orchestra and the great Miles Davies. Chester excudes boundless positive energy and passion for dance and is a born entertainer. HIs contributions have been far too many to name them all. He can only be seen to be believed.
Patrik Pettersson
Patrik is a dance teacher and member of the famous swing dance company The Hot Shots. Patrik happiest on stage, which is obvious when you see his famous smile and surprising agility. It is impossible not to notice his love for all music that swings, as soon as he sets foot on the dancefloor. He gets inspiration from the big dancers of the 30’s like Al Minns and Leon James, although he makes his moves his own.
Lizette Rönnkvist
Lizette is a dance teacher and a member of the famous swing dance company the Hot Shots. Swing dancing has been part of her life for a long time as she started dancing at the age of nine in her home town Borås, Sweden. Todays she is based in Stockholm, Sweden and travels the world to perform, dance and teach various dance styles from the swing era. Lizette puts a lot of value into personal style and a solid rhythm.
Alain Fragman
Alain Fragman, from Montreal, is a seasoned Lindy Hop dancer and instructor known for his musicality and connection on the dance floor. With competition achievements like winning the ULHS Showdown and placing 2nd in the ILHC Showcase division, Alain now focuses on selective teaching, emphasizing deep musical and partner connections. A founding member of the Northern Lights Team, he has performed at notable events like Frankie95 and the Jump Session show, continuously inspiring the dance community with his passion and experience.
Sylwia Bielec
Sylwia Bielec is a curriculum designer, dancer and swing dance teacher from Montreal. She is a long-time teacher at Cats Corner in Montreal, teaching classes at all levels as well as facilitating choreography projects like the Lindy Project and the Cool Cats Coleslaw Collective. Sylwia has taught regionally with multiple partners including Alain Fragman and Aleix Prats-Ferrer, and has led teacher development workshops with teams of teachers in Montreal as well as in cities across the United States and annually at Swing Out New Hampshire. Sylwia is a founding member of the Northern Lights Lindy Hop Crew, as well as the all-woman team The W Project. Above all, Sylwia values collaboration, authenticity and community both on and off the dance floor.