For him, swing dancing is first of all a pleasure that has to be enjoyed at every moment. More a social dancer than a competitor, you can often see him in evenings, workshops, camps and events around Montreal and the US. He is also involved in a couple of troops. He is constantly joking with comparisons, noises and riddles. Always seeking for the why and how, he knows how to explain things in a simple way. You have questions, he's got answers. You don't have any questions, he has many for you!

Mélanie has been dancing Swing since November 2005. She started her journey with the dance troups of Studio 88-SWING, the Swinging Air Force, by joining our beginner team, "Bootcamp". By February 2007 she had been promoted to the intermediate "Patrol" team and completed the climb in 2008 as she is now an active member of our elite "Squad" team. As a member of the SAF teams, Melanie has performed in many special events and shows, including a two-month stint at the Montreal Casino in Spring, 2007. She was involved in many numbers of the full-length feature show "Swing-Out Tonight" that ran sold-out shows in early 2008. Melanie has won several 1st places with her SAF colleagues at The Canadian Swing Championships 2008, Toronto Open Swing Dance Championships 2008 and of course, the American Championships (ALHC) 2008.

Catherine, who is passionate about dance and theater, has an artistic background. Her study of Arts and interpretation, her participation in many musicals and her experience as an animator make her a unique teacher. She developed her passion for dance while learning Ballet Jazz, then discovered swing and now excels in it! In 2007, Catherine joined the Swinging Air Force and her evolution in the troupe was amazing! She won many prizes in international events: 1st prize in the Pro-Amateur category and 2nd prize in the Open Jack and Jill at the The Canadian Swing Championships 2007. In 2008, Catherine was granted the title of teacher at Studio 88-SWING. It's with energy, passion and dynamism that Catherine will welcome you in her classes!

Coming back from Africa, after 6 month without a single dance, Julien understood the true spirit of dance: having fun! This fun quickly transformed into a passion. After 4 years of amateur theater at university, he combined both dance and performance by joining the Swinging Air Force in 2005. Lindy Hop, West Coast Swing, Balboa, Charleston, Blues, Jive... Julien is part of several groups within the Studio's Swinging Air Force dance teams including "Westy-Unit" (West-Coast Swing) and "Patrol" (Lindy-Hop), there are few swing dance styles that he has not mastered. Today, dance is part of his life and he doesn't miss a chance to dance. If you meet him on the dance floor do not hesitate, invite him to dance, he will accept with pleasure!

You would’ve met Oliver a few years ago, in the time where he excelled in martial arts, and told him he would be a swing teacher one day and qualify many times in team competitions, he would’ve laugh his heart out! This student of a Doctorate degree was far to think he would dance one day! But… like many others, he fell in love with this dance style. After only one year and a half, he became member of the SAF and teacher at the Studio 88-SWING and he loves it… So much that he runs to every event to perfect his technique. He’s a passionate…

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Since 2006, our charming and talented  Marine has made the studio dance floors sing. Knowing basics in Gymnastics and Hip Hop, she started swing dancing with Lindy Hop. She added Blues and West Coast Swing to her repertoire in 2008. Her love for those two dances led her to join the Bluesy Bombshells and the Westy Unit. Passionate about WSC, Marine became a member of the Intermediate Westy Crew troop in 2009. She has distinguished herself in many international WSC competitions, winning first places in Boston and Toronto. She continues to amaze us with her style, energy and good humor. Enthusiastic about dance events, our WCS star participates in everything! We bet you can't stay on the dance floor longer than her... ; )   

A celebrity on the parallel universe of the Internet swing community, Mira is a swing guru with friends East, West, South and North all over the continent... See why in her classes!

With martial arts and mimed improvisations as an asset... Mathieu was predisposed to swing dancing! At his very first dance, he was seeking for "lead & follow" harmony, and after only 6 months has taken part, one after another, to all Montreal dance troops! Proud to have won prizes all over North America with most of these teams, he lately distinguish himself by winning the 2011 Canadian Champion title (with Marie-Anne Rochon). Being first of all a social dancer, his teaching skills come from his listening and ability to understand perfectly what he does!

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If you don't see Mathias on the social dance floor in Montreal, it probably means he is somewhere in the World dancing in another local blues dancing scene. From East to West, he has traveled to most international and national blues events to learn, compete, practice, discuss and first and foremost dance with other blues dancing addicts. He brings all his experience back to Montreal to blend it with his own conception of blues dancing, a conversation based on connection. Recognized for his focus on partnership and musical creativity he considers each dance as a unique conversation between two persons for the time of a song. He teaches the techniques to help every dancer express their own creativity with their partner and the music to make every dance unique and magic.

A founding member and co-owner of the SAF Entertainement Group  , Studio 88 Swing (along with his partner Annie Trudeau) as well as co-organizer of The Canadian Swing Championships, Dee is one crazy workaholic! With a life-long love of Jazz and blues, a background in Hip Hop and a strong affection for partying, he took to swing like a trumpet player to Miles Davis. His stage presence and charisma earned him the nickname ''Charmin' Dee'' early on in his swing career.

Dee has been hired as a dance teacher, DJ, MC and judge for major swing events all over North America including The World Lindy-Hop Championships, Summer Hummer, Lindy Focus, Dance Renaissance, Balboa on the Promenade, Studio Hop Summer Camp, New Years Extravaganzza in Danvers MA, ALHC, Beantown, The Quebec Swing Rendez-Vous, New Year's Dancin' Eve, Toronto Open Swing Dance Championships, Canadian Balboa Championships, The Montreal Swing-Fest, Camp Hollywood and the infamous Austin , Toronto, C-Rex and C-Dex Exchanges. He has also become recognized on both sides of the border for his entertaining and effective teaching style. With his Notre-Dame MBA, and experience as a consultant with the firm McKinsey & Company, Dee is all business also outside of swing as Assoc. Director of Marketing & Business Development for Crucell NV, a division of Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) in Biotech based in the Netherlands, Korea, Switzerland Boston and Miami.

Media savvy, Dee has been featured in The Gazette, Clin d'Oeil, La Presse, The McGill Reporter, La Nouvelle de Sherbrooke, Canoe.ca, Progres Watchman, Montreal Campus and the Taconic Press has been seen on Musique Plus, CTV, TVA, RDS, YTV, SRC, Mlle channel, ARTV, BESO TV, and Argenteuil TV. His voice has been heard in various movie/TV translations and on SRC radio1, CKUT, Argenteuil, JBCCS (Cree Nation) and CIBL radio stations.

Specialized in Musical theater and passionate about dance, Claudia fell literally in love with swing dancing in January 2006. Having experience in many types of dances like Classical Ballet, Ballet Jazz and Tap dancing, Claudia became an active member of the Swinging Air Force team in October 2006. In spring of 2007, she won many prizes at the The Canadian Swing Championships , the first place in the Cabaret division, the third in the division team and the third place with Max Pitruzella in the Strictly Balboa division. Dazzling, persevering and inviting, Claudia will bring you into the heart of the passionate universe of swing.

Mymy has always been fascinated by all artistic forms of expression. From gymnastics to her studies in Design and Art history, she discovered swing during summer 2008. She has shown determination to improve and worked her way up though many Swinging Air Force troops such as: Bootcamp, Patrol, Bal Brigade and Bluesy Bomshells and Battalion. In 2010, Mymy winned a third place in Intermediate Jack and Jill with Clarence Simard. She also won the second place at the dance competition "Sélect Classique 2010" in two categories: Pro-amateur (with Davis Thurber) and amateur-amateur (with Gabriel Kouba). In the past year, she took a first place in Solo Blues at CSC 2011 and a second place in Pro-Ame (with Davis Thurber) at the International Lindy Hop Championship 2011. Teaching is her profession, you will see how Mymy can share her enthusiasm, humor and pedagogical skills while teaching her love for swing dancing.

When he tried swing dancing in January 2001, Robert got hooked immediately. Many years later, he gives back to his student what he learned during swing classes and workshops as well as many hours on the dance floor. He also use his analysing and synthetesis skills as well as his way to tranmit wisdom, develpped as a math teacher, to develop a good understanding of swing dancing.

The arts being her passion since her childhood, Natasha fell especially in love with dance. After studying a variety of styles and being a part of the KlaXson Tap Dance Company for five years, she met the Swinging Air Force and developed a love for Swing. A performing and competing member of the Swinging Air Force since 2005, she teaches Lindy Hop, Charleston, West Coast Swing, Solo Blues, Tap and more at Studio 88-SWING and coaches three of the seven Swinging Air Force teams. In February 2008, she opened a branch of the Studio 88-SWING in the West Istland with her partner Patrick Szmidt. She has placed in competions over 25 times in the past two years, several in Team and Cabaret divisions with the SAF and has placed in Lindy Hop, WCS, Balboa, Jack&Jills, Showcase and Canadian Showcase.

If Max was not a dancer, he would probably be a boxer! Max demonstrates a tremendous versatility being 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 the SAF 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 www.justswingdance.com

To summarize, Max is a major influence in the swing world and we have the amazing opportunity here at Studio 88 Swing 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 Montreal!!

 

In addition to being a Math teacher, Kathleen has lots of experience in the Arts domain! Kathleen has explored piano, Jazz ballet, folkloric dances, Argentine tango, Lindy Hop, West Coast Swing, and Balboa. She has been a member of the Ballistic team at Studio 88-SWING for more than a year now. She's also passionate about medieval times and will certainly share her love of dance with you. With the bubbly Kathleen as your swing dance teacher, you are surely in goods hands!

Martin began swing dancing by the end of 2006 when he attended a Swing I course alone.  He fell in love. Classes after classes he evolved rapidly in Lindy Hop, Balboa and West Coast Swing.  After a year, he joined the ranks of the Swinging Air Force, in which he perfectionned his dance in many teams of Lindy Hop, Balboa, West Coast Swing and Charleston and for a short moment, all 4 at the same time! It's at the 2008 Canadian Swing Championships that he gained his first medals in amateur categories and he hasn't stop getting more since then. Motivated and optimistic dancer, he loves to share his knowlege and propagate the root of his passion!

Where there's adventure, there's Pat!
His hobbies are parachuting, riding motorcycles and if that wasn't enough he moved to Israel to build up a new Swing dance scene.
Now, he's in Montreal, starting up a new branch of Studio 88-SWING in the West Island!
Has anyone thought about dancing as a mean of sharing love? Patrick has!

Pat is THE aerial specialist at the Studio 88-SWING!

Pat is also competing and placed lately 1st in Balboa JnJ, 2nd in Fast Dance, 3rd in Strictly Balboa and 4th in Canadian Showcase at the The Canadian Swing Championships 2008

Pat is competing mainly with his partner Natasha Ouimet, find out more about them on their website patrickandnatasha.com 

Annie is an former competition gymnast. She is a co-founder and co-owner of Studio 88 Swing in Montreal (Canada) where she has taught swing since 2001. She is also both First Dancer and artistic director to the 7 teams of the Swinging Air Force dance troupe on top of being co-owner of the SAF Entertainment Group with her long time business-partner Dee. Her passion brought her to travel the world to share her love of swing . Her style joins dynamism and power with a subtleness that is very feminine

Her dance partnership with Max Pitruzzella lead too many wins in the last year including, Frankie 95, Boston Tea Party, CSC, Seattle's Camp Jitterbug, Minneapolis' Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown (1st Place Liberation - Fast Dance), the American Lindy Hop Championships (1st place Open Showcase), the Canadian Championship Swing Couple Division and the International Lindy Hop Championships Showcase Division in Washington DC. They also choreographed and trained the Canadian Team Champions - Swinging Air Force Squad!  They are also proud members of the Ninjammerz, a team of international performing Lindy Hoppers.

Annie has been featured in: Clin D'Oeil, GQ and Coup de Pouce magazine and seen on Musique Plus, CTV, TQS, TVA, SRC and CBS.

You can also see where Annie is going to teach internationally with Max, just visit www.justswingdance.com

Marc-Andre started swing dancing in Montreal in 2003 right here at Studio 88-SWING and has been in love with it ever since. Having left to the US for a PhD in experimental physics in 2004, he becomes a teacher at the newly found Swing dance school ``Providence Swings” in Providence, RI. After rigorous study with many national instructors to hone his skills and techniques, he developed a creative, musical, and highly energetic style all his own.  In the process, he has become the inspiration to many aspiring Lindy Hoppers across the US and Canada.  Marc-Andre has won many competitions up and down the east coast such as recently a 1st place strictly lindy ALHC 2008, 1st place advJ&J Lindy Focus VII 2008. He has taught several workshops along the way and has taught at national events, such as Boston Tea Party, Beantown Summer Camp, Swingin’ New England, New Year's Dancin' Eve and QSRV. He is also co-founder of the Swing Dance team Back Bay Shuffle and d’Shebam with which he has performed on several occasions.

Marc-Andre is happy to be back in Montreal as a member of the Swinging Air Force’s elite team “SAF: Squad” with his new partner Claudia Joyal-Laplante. He is even happier to be part of the teaching team at the Studio 88-SWING and to finally be able to share his passion and skills of swing dancing in French.

Audrey was initiated to Swing when attending a "Jazz Hot" evening in February 2006. She fell for the dance and made it her principal hobby. Swing became more than a simple leisure activity. It's now a time-consuming passion. She dances Lindy Hop and Balboa too, but she loves West Coast Swing. In February 2008, she joined the "Ballistics" and "Grunts" Swinging Air Force teams. In her first competition, she won the Jack and Jill's 3rd place in the 2008 Canadian Balboa Competition. Audrey, known as 'Pearl', was quick to combine, throughout the last 2 years, her new passion and professional domain when launching her new designer label  "Cadence" and creating costumes for the SAF members. Audrey is now teaching the young and less young to dance. Her nickname refers to her talent in jewelry making and her soft, patient nature.