Dance Classes

Authentic jazz dances emerged on the dance floors in the early twentieth century and evolved in response to the innovations of jazz itself, from Ragtime through the Jazz Age and into the Swing Era. I specialise in Solo Jazz and Balboa, a partnered swing-era style from California

Winter 2025
Schedule

Regular classes & courses
Questions? Contact nikki@hotjazzrag.com 

Wednesdays: BALBOA, Hargrave Hall, Archway
Introduction + Beginners Balboa £5 off (select option in drop down menu on booking page)

  • 15 Jan-5 Feb [4-week course]
    Beginners Balboa,
    7.30pm (1hr/week)
    Book here>> 
  • 15 Jan-5 Feb [4-week course]
    Improvers to Intermediate Bal-Swing [4-week course]
    8.30pm (1hr/week)
    Book here >>

Thursdays: SOLO JAZZ
London Bridge /Online (livestream via zoom)

  • 9 Jan – 13 Feb 
    The ABC of Jazz Steps
    7.15pm (1hr/week) 
    Book here >>

Saturdays: BALBOA, Wimbledon SW19 3TG

  • 18 Jan-8 Feb [4-week course]
    Beginners Balboa,
    11am (1hr/week)
    Book here>> 
  • 15 Jan-5 Feb [4-week course]
    Improvers to Intermediate Bal-Swing [4-week course]
    12.15pm (1hr/week)
    Book here >>

 

Saturdays: Charleston to Swing Dance
Morley College London,
Waterloo campus
11 Jan – 29 March
3pm Level 1 – Basic Lindy Hop
3.45pm Level 2 – Intermediate Lindy Hop & Balboa
Both courses include social dance sessions
Book via Morley College website  – enter “Charleston to Swing Dance” in Search Box. Enquiries welcome: email nikki.santilli@morleycollege.ac.uk 

Balboa

What is Balboa?   
A partner dance that uses various shuffling rhythms to connect the lead and follow to the music – typically, gypsy jazz or fast swing music.

What is Pure Balboa? 
When lead/follow disappears and both dancers respond to the music and each other in a closed hold embrace. Any speed of music, but particularly useful for fast tempos!

What is Bal-Swing?    When Balboa dancer break away from each other either slightly or completely. Classic Bal-Swing figures are: Throwout, Lollies, Out & Ins. The music tends to be slightly slower but still swing music.

More information
A guide to levels & venues.
If you are unsure, please email me: nikki@hotjazzrag.com 

All Levels – a class that does not require previous experience but which may rise in level over the course of the session
Beginners – designed for learning the dance from scratch
Improver – you can lead or follow the Uphold & Downhold basics.
Intermediate  – you can dance both Uphold and Downhold rhythms and the classic Bal-Swing figures: a Comearound, Throwout, Lollies, Out & Ins.

Venues:
“WIMBLEDON” (Saturdays): South London Irish Association, 138-140 Hartfield Road, Wimbledon SW19 3TG
Travel: Walking distance from Wimbledon station (overground/underground) and South Wimbledon (tube)

“ARCHWAY” (Wednesdays & Sundays): Paper Moon, Hargrave Hall, Hargrave Road London N19 5SP. Travel: Archway (northern line – High Barnet/Mill Hill branch); Upper Holloway (overground).

“LONDON BRIDGE” (Tuesdays & Thursdays): Dance studio (5th floor) The Bridge, 73-81 Southwark Bridge Rd, London SE1 0NQ. Travel: London Bridge (mainline) / Borough (northern line)
Live streamed via Zoom. Link will be provided.

Authentic Jazz Dance

Rhythm / Solo Jazz

General Level:  short courses Book a place in the studio or join via livestream

Rhythm, technique, musicality work. Classic routines and original pieces choreographed by Nikki Santilli. 
Book your place in the studio or online.

Solo Jazz: Sometimes referred to as Jazz Roots or Authentic Jazz Dance. Learning the rhythms, steps and history of solo jazz unquestionably makes you a better dancer and enriches all your partnered swing dancing too.

This is a regular class that works on rhythm, authentic jazz steps, routines by original early jazz dancers and original material.

Venue: Dance studio (5th floor) The Bridge, 73-81 Southwark Bridge Rd, London SE1 0NQ. Live streamed via Zoom. Link will be provided.

Questions? Contact me: nikki @ hotjazzrag.com 
I’m happy to help.

Reviews

"[The classes] have been a little highlight in these strange, meandering weeks."
"A massive cheer up in these lockdown weeks"
"Haven't laughed so much in ages!"
Rhythm Session Students
March-July 2020

Charleston to Swing

Morley College London 
Saturdays:  3.15pm – 4pm
Saturdays: 4pm – 5pm
Dance Studio, Waterloo/Lambeth North

Term 1 (Sept 2023) Authentic Jazz Dances
Term 2 (Jan 2024) Authentic Jazz Dances
Term 3 (May 2024) Performance Courses (levels 1 & 2) with optional performance at Morley College

  • Facilities: Large studio.

Full details and booking through Morley College London website