Ninjammerz WS Instructors
Lindy Hop legend Frankie Manning called the Ninjammerz the “future” of Lindy Hop. At iSwingTokyo, we believe that the Ninjammerz are fearlessly carrying the Lindy torch into new and unexplored territories. We firmly believe that they are, without a doubt, the best in the world! Here is a little information about your instructors.
(Alphabetical order)
Thomas Blacharz
Without a doubt, Tommy Blacharz is one of the most talented dancers in the world. His unique style is defined by free form body movement and intricate musicality and he is constantly pushing the limits of swing as we know it. With over 12 years of dance experience, Tommy not only exudes expertise on the social dance floor, but he can clearly articulate the various element that make up his dancing. His classes are filled with fun, humor, good dance technique and most of all great dancing. His talents have been passed on to some of the top dancers in the world today and he is a major organizer/teacher in one of the strongest dance scenes in Europe, Montpellier, France. Recently Tommy took 1st place in ULHS Slow Division 2007 and is a key member of the newly found Ninjammerz Team. If you haven’t already had the chance to let this man inspire you, it is one opportunity you would never want to miss!
Sahra Djellal
Sahra DJELLAL comes from Montpellier, France. She has had a passion for dance since she was 6 years old. Her love for dance began with 8 years of Ballet and several years of Jazzdance, Bellydance, Salsa and Samba, where she has drawn on her feminity, grace and elegance.
An unconditional fan of Josephine Baker, and of the funny spirit of Al Minns and Leon James, she quickly developed a passion for Afro-American dance. She loves crazy Charleston and the Swing Out; and all she wants is to dance with you, to share her love for Swing and her joie de vivre (Joy of Life
A fervent believer in “old school” routines (Tranky Doo, Shim Sham, Big Apple …) Sahra creates her own style and her own routines as Blues-bellydance; which she presents to the world through reputable festivals (Jazz aux Sources / Chatel Guyon — Porto Swing / Quebec City canada – Grenoble Swing Festival – Montpellier Swing Jammerz festival …). She use bellydance technique in Blues music.
Sahra teaches at the Apollo Jazz Café (Montpellier) in the SwingJammerz association, with her partner Thomas Blacharz. She also teaches in Quebec city and Berlin.
Since 2 years Sahra finalist finishes in most contest in which she participated:
1st place Jack and Jill MI-NINJAMMERZ 2008
1st place Fast Lindy TOURNAMENT 2009
Charleston 2nd place TOURNAMENT 2009
Charleston 2nd place CRC 2008 )
Dax Hock
Dax delivers a unique method of instruction that revolves around authentic swing music, natural body movement, and variations that work with minimal effort, and fun over frustration. Emphasis is heavily placed on Rhythm–not steps; Body-Movement–not footwork; Singing–not counting, and dancing as one versus isolating and holding hands with you partner. During lessons you will discover that just footwork is is more like Foot-’Dont’-Work and that Body-Movement is the key to great dancing. Students will be taught movements versus single variations and string them together to make killer social dancing combinations.
Dax urge’s students to discover creativity, rhythm, great concepts such as; “Rhythmical Body-Movement”,”Anything you do once you can do twice”, “Connecting to
your body to itself”, “Body-Matching”, “Body Tension Styles”, “How do you lead it?–DO IT!” and much more. Enjoy a fun and educational learning environment with customized material to meet the students needs.
Whether is it Lindy Hop, Charleston, Balboa or Vernacular Jazz, students will benefit from the unique learning environment and each take their own individual step forward!
Dax Hock website
Dax and Alice website
Alice Mei
Alice started dancing at 4 years old. From 4-14yrs old she had the honor of interpreting almost every Ninj-A-licesingle Disney Character from “Dopey” to “Tinker-Bell”.
She eventually joined a national dance school for another 4 years where she practiced Ballet, Contemporary and Jazz dance daily. Slowly burning out with these dance styles, she began to look for something new. After a few unsuccessful attempts at african dancing, flamenco, and kick boxing she eventually met her true love, Lindy Hop!
Meanwhile Alice was studying to become an architect and working in the beautiful south of france. She was sharing her time between dance and architecture when the opportunity arose for her to dance full time. With some slight fear and hesitation, she took the leap, and pursued what she loved the most. She has since been touring and teaching full time living the adventurous Lindy-Lifestyle.
Alice is definitely at her happiest when she is swingin’ it on the dance-floor. You will most likely hear her giggling from the other side of the room when she is social dancing. Alice enjoys keeping her dancing simple and natural. It seems like her silliness has reached enough people since she won the “dancers choice award” at ULHS in 2006. In class, she teaches the same principals that she cherishes as a dancer and she mainly focuses on keeping things simple and in rhythm.
As a person, alice is a joyful shop-a-holic who lives in the moment. She enjoys the most simple things in life such as chocolate (specially “Lindor” ), beer and lame garden statues. A bit of a geek, she likes to play video games, but her favorites are still the most simple ones like Tetris and Lemmings. Emotional, sensitive, fun and natural…here are some adjectives to describe Alice and if there is anything else you wish to know about her, just ask her and she will most likely tell you. Alice is like an open book, and whatever she is not telling, you might still be able to read on her face. Don’t abuse it though cause you might discover a little evil hidden behind her angelic smile.
Alice Mei website
Dax and Alice website
Max Pitruzzella
If Max was not a dancer, he would probably be a boxer! Max demonstrates a tremendous versatility Ninja-Maxbeing able to adapt to very slow or very fast tempo in couple, and showing some incredible skills in solo dancing as well. Originally from Montpellier France, he moved to Montreal in September 2006. The art of swing dancing is how he makes his living, teaching at Studio 88-SWING in Montreal, performing for theSAF Entertainment Group and also teaching and competing around the world . He is passionate about sharing his understanding of all the details that create a good connection between partners and give the most energy to the Lindy Hop.
Max wins titles at every event he attends … Lately, he won 1st place in the Showcase division of the International Lindy Hop Championships with his partner Annie Trudeau.He also won the Invitational Jack and Jill of the same event. He took first place also at the Canadia Swing Dance Championships, Boston Tea Party, Camp Jitterbug in Seattle, Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown in Minneapolis….. the list goes on and on….
Max has also appeared in the last Sam Roberts clip of ‘Them Kids’, along with his collegues: the dancers of the Swinging Air Force. He is also part of an internationally reknowned Lindy Hop dance troup : The Ninjammerz. You can also visit the new Max and Annie website to see the list of international events where they are going to teach in the future http://www.justswingdance.com
To summarize, Max is a major influence in the swing world and we have the amazing opportunity here in Japan to account him as one of our teachers. Max travels the world to give workshops and share his passion of the Lindy Hop dance, so do not miss one of his classes here in Tokyo!!
Annie Trudeau
Annie is an former competition gymnast. She is a co-founder and co-owner of Studio 88 Swing in Ninj-A-nnieMontreal (Canada) where she has taught swing since 2001. As the artistic director, she also manages and dances in the Montreal Swinging Air Force dance performance troupe. She is passionate and enthusiastic as a swing dancer, teacher and competitor. Her style joins dynamism and power with a subtleness that is very feminine.
Her partnership with Max Pitruzzella lead too many wins in the last year including, in 2007, Boston Tea Party, CSC, Seattle’s Camp Jitterbug,Minneapolis’ Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown (1st Place Liberation – Fast Dance) and the American Lindy Hop Championships (1st place Open Showcase). They also won first place of the 2008 Boston Tea PartyStricly Lindy division, the Canadian Championship Swing Couple Division and the International Lindy Hop Championships Showcase Division in Washington DC. They recently won the Hellzapoppin contest at the Frankie95 event in NYC and they also danced in the recreation of the Hellzapoppin’ movie dance scene in the show on Frankie Manning’s life. They also choreographed and trained the Canadian Team Champions – Swinging Air Force Squad!
Annie and Max also participated in Tv shows such as ”La Fureur” and ”Salut Bonjour” (Radio-Canada) and they can also be seen in Sam Roberts videoclip ‘Them Kids’.
