Frankie Manning
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Cynthia Millman, Matt Bedell & Laura Jeffers, Tony & Aurelie Tye

Frankie Manning began dancing in the 1920s in the ballrooms of Harlem. As a lead dancer and choreographer of the legendary Whitey's Lindy Hoppers, he toured the U.S., Europe, South America and Australia, and appeared in numerous films. In the early 1980s, thanks to Steven Mitchell and Erin Stevens, Frankie was coaxed out of retirement. Since then he has appeared in Malcolm X as well as many TV productions, and in 1992 received a Tony Award for choreography in the Broadway hit Black & Blue. More recently he was featured in the Ken Burns' documentary Jazz. Today at 90, Frankie travels extensively spreading inspiration and joy to dancers worldwide.

Cynthia Millman has a passion for researching Jazz dance and music. From archival records and interviews with the originators, she has amassed a wealth of knowledge, as well as a superb collection of photographs, film clips and memorabilia. Cynthia has written extensively about dance, including articles for Oxford University Press's International Encyclopedia of Dance, and has served as consultant for numerous documentaries including the PBS Swinging with Duke. Through her presentations and demonstrations, she has also shared her passion directly with audiences in both the U.S. and Europe.

Laura Jeffers is director of the Big Apple Lindy Hoppers, NYC's premier Swing dance troupe sponsored by the New York Swing Dance Society, and she taught Swing at the Sandra Cameron Dance Center for 7 years. Laura has also produced a number of Swing events including co-producing Frankie Manning's 85th Birthday Bash at Roseland Ballroom in May 1999. Laura and Matt have long been known for their attention to the technique, styling, and musical interpretations of classic Lindy Hop.

Matt Bedell taught at Hop Swing and a Jump for 4 years, was assistant director and a featured performer with Swing Dance America from 2001-2003, and has performed as a member of the Big Apple Lindy Hoppers and the Grit Grinders. With Jennifer Jones he has placed in numerous competitions including 1st in the Open Showcase at the 2004 American Lindy Hop Championships, 1st in the Champions Routine division at the 2003 New York Lindy Hop Open and 2nd in the Lindy Showcase divisions of the 2004 U.S. Open Swing Dance Championships, 2003 American Lindy Hop Championships, Grand Nationals, and North Atlantic Dance Championships.

Tony & Aurelie Tye met as beginner dancers in Boston in 1990, first experienced Lindy Hop in 1992 and have been hooked ever since. With their own Hop to the Beat Dance Studio, Tony and Aurelie regularly teach classes, perform, DJ and host dances and weekend workshops. Since 1997 they have hosted the annual week long Beantown Lindy Hop Summer Camp and since 2002, the Beantown Mini-Camp and Northeast Lindy Hop Championships. They played a major role in establishing the growing Lindy Hop community in New England and have also taught at workshops and dance weekends throughout the East Coast from Maine to Florida. This past summer they were instructors at Augusta Camp's Blues and Swing Week in West Virginia and at Ryan and Jenny's Camp Savoy in England. While performing with The Kamikaze Jitterbugs, highlights included a tour in Asia with the Artie Shaw Orchestra and dancing with the Boston Pops in a nationally-televised concert. Competition credits include the 1994 American Swing Dance Team Champions. Besides their dance studio, Tony and Aurelie keep busy with their Hop to the Beat Dancers, who have appeared on TV, in live shows, and at benefits, concerts, outdoor fairs, corporate functions, dances, weddings and private parties throughout New England.

We do not currently have workshops scheduled with Frankie Manning, but he will be teaching at Beantown Lindy Hop Camp as well as giving a presentation with Cynthia Millman. Laura Jeffers will also be teaching at Beantown Mini-Camp. Get on our mailing list for notification of future workshops. Check International Workshop Series page for upcoming workshops.

Click here for information on Frankie Manning's last workshop here.