Dance Coaches - Ryan Francois and Jenny Thomas

Lindy, Big Apple & Jitterbug Coaches

Ryan is the twice US Open Lindy Hop Champion, and twice US American Lindy Hop Champion.

Jenny, his wife, was Wayne Sleep's partner for five years and is the three times All England Tap Dance Champion.

Ryan is the key figure behind the revival of Lindyhop and the subsequent popularity of swing dancing. He has been dancing Lindy for over 20 years but is highly accomplished in most Swing dances and dancing styles, including the Shag, Balboa, Jitterbug and rock and Roll.

He began his career as part of the UK based Jiving Lindy Hoppers before leaving and forming his own company called the Zoots and Spangles. He took part in the old Come Dancing Series where he danced Lindyhop and Swing dances over a period of six weeks.

He had his own show called Swing which he also performed in on Broadway, and saw him nominated for six Tony Awards.

He has recently moved into film choreography, working on the Tom Hanks' hit The Polar Express, he also worked on Swing Kids and has been involved in two as yet unreleased films, including Heavily Feature a musical movie featuring Outkast, Macy Gray, Glen Morino and Bob Fosse.