Professional, Fun and Friendly...
Swifle Instructors
About Shawn
Shawn has deep and passionate interest in all things musical and physical. Shawn is a performer, musician, actor, teacher and hard-core swing dancer. His impressive background encompasses 15 years of martial arts training (7 years teaching in Japan); professional musician/actor with performances in Boston and New York; studies in musical theater, tap, and gymnastics; and his most recent obsession—swing dancing.
Shawn uses his extensive knowledge of body movement and body mechanics to help convey the ideas and movements of Lindy Hop, Charleston and Balboa. His musical training also comes into play in song interpretation and choreography. His dancing has been described as clear, fun and very musical.
What he loves most about swing dancing is that “anything goes”—there is no right or wrong: “Of all the pair dances I have tried, swing dancing is the most flexible and the most improvisational. The dance is about the connection between you and your partner. Swing is about creating that magical moments with the person you are dancing with.” Indeed, Shawn like many other swing dancers, always wears a smile when he dances. “The Swing scene here in Japan is great. You can have a good time with fun, and interesting people. Try it, I think it will put a smile on your face!”
Shawn understands that it can be hard for beginners to get started
dancing: “Yes, it is a bit hard at first (especially for us guys!),
but remember, were were all beginners once! At Swifle, we understand how you feel and will help you to get on the floor and start dancing.” One of Shawn’s true passions is in learning and conveying to students the mechanics of body movement. Outside of swing dancing, Shawn works with a musical theater troupe for Disney’s World of English and lectures English at a 2-year college in Tokyo.
Shawn is the current Director of Swifle.
About Chieri
Chieri has studied numerous partner dances including Swing, Argentine Tango, American Style Ballroom, Hussle, Theater Arts, and Jazz. So why did she chose Swing? “It’s all because of Jazz…” she says.
“I hear Jazz music wherever I go, and that makes me want to dance.
So, even when I’m not out to go dancing, I still end up Swinging! That’s what I love most about Swing dancing. ”
Chieri always looks for new ways to dance more effortlessly. Her advice to students: “Don’t think too much about it! Just go for it! As you progress, you’ll learn how to make it work for you.”
Credits
Events/Shows: “Dance Party Time”, Belforet Salsa Libre, Chacott Dance Night, Tokyu Dentetsu Event, Bridal Fair, Yokohama Pan-Pacific Hotel Show, Guest Appearance at the Philippines Embassy, Tokyo Retirement Home, and others
TV Appearances: “Mecha-Mecha Ikiteru” and others
Instruction: Aerial Workshop – Assistant Instructor, others
Competition: National Jitterbug Championship, Showcase Division
About Yoshiaki
After graduating from Japan Engineering College in Hachiouji with a Music and Theater Arts major, Yoshiaki entered the prestigious Gekidan-shiki (Japan’s premiere theater arts performance troupe). Yoshiaki then went to New York to further strengthen his dance fundamentals. Upon returning to Japan, he pursued specialization in Swing, Ballroom, Argentine Tango and other partner dances.
Yoshiaki’s classes are light-hearted and fun. He’s known for breaking down steps in a way that anyone can understand. “Swing is all about enjoying the music through the dance,” he says.
Credits
Events/Shows: “Dance Party Time,” Chacott Dance Night, Belforet Salsa Libre, Guest Appearance at the Swedish Embassy, Yokohama Pilot Club Bridal Fair, and others
Instruction: Aerial Workshop – Assistant Instructor
Competition: National Jitterbug Championship – Showcase Division
About Tomoko
Daniel & Tomoko together founded Swifle in 2005. Having only began dancing just a few years ago, she quickly became one of the top swing dancers in Japan and beyond.
Tomoko’s dancing is characterized by powerful movements, smooth and graceful flow. But for Tomoko, swing dancing is about creating an amazing feeling for just one person — your partner. There’s a time to shine and there’s a time to let your partner shine. Knowing the difference is what being an amazing swing dancer is all about.
Tomoko has studied Lindy Hop, Balboa, Charleston and various other forms of swing dancing from top instructors all over the world. She has attended workshops and competitions in Los Angeles, Seattle, Minneapolis, Hawaii, New York, Korea, Singapore and Australia.
Awards
American Lindy Hop Championship, October 2006
Advanced Jack & Jill, Finalist
Pro/Am Division with Peter Strom, 3rd Place
National Jitterbug Championship, July 2006
Balboa Division, Finalist
Lindy Hop Division, Finalist
Canadian Swingdance Championship, May 2006
Balboa Jack & Jill Division, 3rd Place
American Lindy Hop Championship, October 2005
Jack & Jill, Finalist
Credits
2007.02 VINTAGE SWING, Instructor
2006.09 Tokyo Swing Festival 2006, Instructor
2005.11 Melbourne Workshops, Instructor
2005.11 Tokyo Balboa Workshop, Instructor
2005.09 Osaka Swing Festival 2005, Instructor
About Daniel
For the past 4 years, Daniel has travelled around the world to unlock the secrets of the top Swing dancers in New York, Los Angeles, Tokyo, Seoul, Singapore and others.
In one year alone, Daniel’s smooth, energetic and playful style allowed him to capture four National titles in the US from the National Jitterbug Championships and the American Lindy Hop Championships. Daniel recently took 3rd place in the 2005 American Lindy Hop Championship Classic Division.
Daniel is internationally recognized in US, Japan and Korea a top-class swing dancer and instructor. In his classes, Daniel emphasizes leading & following techniques that enable total freedom in musical expression. Followers describe his leading style as “fun and musical, gentle and kind, yet extremely precise and elaborate.” His heartfelt passion is to enable help dancers to discover their own unique path to excellence.
Awards
National Jitterbug Championship / Camp Hollywood, July 2007
Amateur Jack & Jill Division, 5th Place
Canadian Swing Dance Championship, May 2006
Balboa Jack & Jill Division, 1st Place
Advanced Jack & Jill Division, 2nd Place
Inter-Regional Challenge, 2nd Place
American Lindy Hop Championship, October 2005
Classic Division with Jee-Sun Lee (Hushbaby), 3rd Place
Advanced Jack & Jill Division, Finalist
American Lindy Hop Championship, October 2004
Pro/Am Division with Sheri Kang, 1st Place
Jill & Jack Division with Shanon Sheldon, 2nd Place
Advanced Jack & Jill Division, Finalist
National Jitterbug Championship / Camp Hollywood, July 2004
Pro/Am Division with Debbie Gitt, 2nd Place
Amateur Jack & Jill Division, 3rd Place
Sea Jam, February 2004
Jack & Jack, 1st Place
Tokyo Mid-Summer Night Swing, August 2003
Jack & Jill Division, 1st Place
Osaka Lindy Exchange, July 2003
Jack & Jill Division with Maya Fukuda, 1st Place
Credits
2007.02 VINTAGE SWING, Instructor
2006.09 Tokyo Swing Festival 2006, Instructor
2005.11 Melbourne, Australia Workshop, Instructor
2005.10 Seoul, Korea Workshop, Instructor
2005.09 Osaka Swing Festival 2005, Instructor
2004.02 Nagoya Workshop, Instructor
2003.11 Nagano Workshop, Instructor
2003.08 Nagano Workshop, Instructor
Past Events
Workshops and Events
2007.02 Vintage Swing
2007.02 GT (Good Times) Swing (Ongoing)
2006.09 Tokyo Swing Festival
2006.03 Weekly Lessons at Yokohama Country & Athletic Club
2006.02 Solo Charleston Workshop
2006.01 C-JAM Swing (Ongoing)
2006.01 Special Workshop (with Dax Hock)
2006.01 Balboa Rocks
2005.11 Melbourne Workshop
2005.11 White Heat
2005.11 Balboa Workshop
2005.10 Seoul, Korea Workshop
2005.09 Osaka Swing Festival Workshop
