About Us

Jenny Thomas

Jenny has risen to recent fame as BBC's Strictly Come Dancing specialist Lindy Hop, Charleston and Salsa choreographer, having been involved with the show for the last 14 years. Her resume abounds with countless accomplishments and star-studded escapades from partnering ballet legend Wayne Sleep in London's West End and national tours, performing at the Tony Awards & Carnegie Hall, to starring in 'Swing' on Broadway. You name it; she's done it. Not only has she achieved recognition on the stage but has also either performed, coached or choreographed for many of today's top television dance shows, including Strictly Come Dancing, Dancing On Ice, Strictly Dance Fever & The Greatest Dancer.

However, to the swing dance community, she's so much more than that. Recognised for the part she played in Lindy Hop's revival ('second generation of the new generation!', as Jenny describes herself), she has been a mainstay at the pinnacle of the swing scene worldwide. Joining Zoots & Spangles Authentic Jazz Dance Company in 1992 was where she was introduced to Lindy Hop, Charleston and Blues. She later went on to win the UK Swing Dance Championships, the US Open and the American Swing Dance Championships. Regarded as one of the world's leading choreographers in Swing, Lindy Hop, Charleston and Authentic Jazz Dances from the 1920s to 1950s, Jenny remains at the top of her game. Owing to her passion and endearing persona, she has stolen the hearts of the modern swing scene and continues to delight audiences, topping the bill at Lindy Hop workshops, festivals and camps both big and small.

Jenny was born in Plymouth, where she attended the Jurek Sroka School Of Dance and became 3 times All England Tap Champion. She then moved to London to pursue her dancing career, travelling the world to teach, perform and compete. Years later, she has now moved back to the southwest and has returned to her Plymouth roots. She has recently started 6 new performance jazz dance companies across the UK, one including The Jazzettes in Dartmouth. (No doubt we'll be seeing them soon!).

Here at Mad About Swing, we're thrilled to welcome her back home where she belongs.

Duncan, Louise and Mad About Swing

Hey! As the creators of Mad About Swing, we established the Plymouth Lindy scene back in 2007. Having started our dance journey with Modern Jive, we soon discovered Lindy Hop and were able to consolidate the basics on a year's working holiday in Australia in 2006. Brimming with enthusiasm, we returned to the UK and spent a further year honing our craft and attending workshops and camps across Europe. This passion and thirst for learning continued throughout Mad About Swing's early years. One class grew to two… then three. Before we knew it, Mad About Swing boasted five weekly Lindy Hop classes across two venues plus two additional Balboa classes on the weekend. The occasional dance nights we hosted grew to regular monthly socials with live bands plus elaborate multifaceted events such as our annual Speakeasy and Cotton Club events in which we attempted to recreate the frivolous and carefree vibe of the 20s, 30s and 40s with multiple bands, performances and additional vintage attractions such as casino tables, cocktail bars, photographic snugs and cinema booths. We also hosted a number of workshops with international teachers, including our Swing Thing weekenders, which incorporated a multi-teacher line-up. As well as teaching our own scene, we were fortunate to accept invitations to teach at a variety of swing events across the UK including repeat bookings at the Ryan & Jenny Weekend, Rock Bottoms and Palm Swings.

Since 2013, although Mad About Swing has still held a very important place in our hearts, parenthood has understandably taken priority and we've been unable to allocate as much time to our own dance development or investment in Mad About Swing. Inevitably, our scene's capacity has shrunk considerably and, as our boys have grown older, dancing and home life has become harder to juggle. The continuation of our classes and events has only been possibly because of the dedication of our students and, most notably, the unwavering support of Ollie, Marianne, Brian and Di who make up our Swing Crew. In 2016, Teri and Matt, who had taught for Mad About Swing previously, made a considerable difference by sharing our weekly teaching commitment. This alleviated the pressure until they too became parents of their own Lindy Bopper. Now that we are both working full time, Jenny's move to the south west has been favourably timed and signifies a fantastic opportunity for Mad About Swing and our local dancers. With Jenny at the helm, Duncan's thrilled to continue leading the Plymouth scene whilst Louise is content taking a step away from the limelight and giving some attention to her own dancing without the pressure of teaching, also embracing the opportunity to revive the Duncan & Louise teaching team in Jenny's absence. Viva Mad About Swing… and let the good times roll!

Teri and Matt

Matt and Teri met through their love of Lindy in 2008. Teri has been integral to Mad About Swing's formula since its inception, previously dancing Modern Jive and enjoying success in a number of competitive events. She was drawn to Lindy Hop because of the additional challenge and advanced rhythmical aspects that it offered. Matt, on the other hand, joined Mad About Swing's classes as a pure beginner, encouraged along by a close friend. As a natural, whose technical mind-set embraced the mechanical aspects of the dance, he soon ascended the ranks and became a leading figure on the Plymouth scene. Their mutual enjoyment of swing dancing has taken Matt and Teri to various events and camps across the UK, where they have learned from some of the most respected and influential swing dance teachers on the modern circuit. They relish sharing their strong and varied knowledge with students looking to learn and hone their Lindy Hop, emphasising the importance of refining the basics and building good quality foundations on which to build more advanced techniques and figures. Filling in when Duncan and Jenny aren't available, they have a fun, informative teaching style and believe that the best way to learn is to get on the dance floor and do it. Their relaxed approach enables people to learn to dance in an environment that is comfortable, fun and friendly.