Teachers

Pamela Gaizutyte

Pamela Gaizutyte is an illustrious Lindy Hopper known for teaching, competing and performing in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania (where she calls home) and around the world. Her dance style is humorous, dynamic, and full of heart – with just a touch of anarchy!

Pamela has been dancing since she was five years old, when she began performing traditional Lithuanian folk dancing. At the age of sixteen, she began classes at the Lindyhop.lt Club, where she was quickly captivated by the energy of Lindy Hop. In 2009, she began working at Hoppers’ Dance Studio, immersing herself in rhythm and movement by practising, performing, and teaching Lindy Hop and vernacular jazz on a daily basis.

In 2012, Pamela began teaching internationally. She travelled to places like Finland and Hungary, and toured the United States for the first time in 2013. Her competitive achievements over the years also showcase her love of Lindy Hop – Pamela has won numerous Mix’n’Match contests across Europe, wowing the crowds with the energy and joy of her dancing. She has also competed numerous times at the International Lindy Hop Championships (ILHC) in New York City.

Pamela finds endless inspiration in the music, psychology, and anatomy of dancing. For her, dancing is more than just perfect movement; it’s about self-expression and connection. Improvisation is where Pamela’s passion truly shines, and she finds herself constantly amazed by its possibilities for creativity and freedom.

Tadas Vasiliauskas

Tadas Vasiliauskas is an esteemed Lindy Hop and authentic jazz dancer, and a prominent face in his local dance community in Vilnius, Lithuania. He has been dancing, choreographing, and performing for over ten years. He has also competed in numerous international dance competitions, including the International Lindy Hop Championships (ILHC), where in 2021 he achieved second-place in the Invitational Classic Lindy competition with dance partner Pamela Gaizutyte.

Tadas is proud to lead a performance troupe in Vilnius and was one of the first performers to bring Lindy Hop to the stage in a contemporary theatre show called Partners. His talents don’t stop at dancing – you can often find Tadas playing the trombone and singing! He is one of the original members of the Railway Stompers jazz band, and also one of the co-founders of the Harlem Speaks Easy jazz club in Vilnius.

Tadas shares his passion for Lindy Hop with his community by teaching regular classes at the Lindyhop.lt Club, as well as travelling and teaching at swing festivals around the world. You can easily spot Tadas on the dance floor thanks to his playful and energetic dance style!

Ramona Staffeld

Ramona Staffeld is a world-renowned Lindy Hop and jazz dancer, with a career spanning more than 25 years. She is a champion dancer, holding first-place titles from the most famous competitions in the world – including the International Lindy Hop Championships (ILHC), the Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown, the American Lindy Hop Championships, and the World Lindy Hop Championships.

Ramona learned from (and was a class assistant to!) Lindy Hop pioneer and ambassador Frankie Manning. As a teenager, she was invited by Manning to perform at Lincoln Center as part of the Midsummer Night Swing program. She danced with New York-based dance troupe The Vanaver Caravan for many years, and has performed with folk music greats like Arlo Guthrie and Pete Seeger. As a company member, she has also danced in Tap City on 42nd Street, at Symphony Space, and in Earth Beat! at Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival – to name just a few.

As a jazz practitioner and improviser, you’ll often find Ramona with her tap shoes on. Thanks to her experiences with the elders of both tap and Lindy Hop, she grew to appreciate the shared roots and connections between the two dance forms.

Ramona lived and danced in New York City for many years, and completed the Professional Studies program at the José Limón Institute. She studied ballet with Rachel List, and attended summer programs with renown dancers and choreographers Doug Verone, Doug Elkins, Ronald K. Brown, and Sean Curren. For the past 14 years, Ramona has called Naarm (Melbourne) home.

Nathan Bugh

Nathan Bugh is known worldwide for his intimately rhythmic style of Lindy Hop and vernacular jazz. Based in New York City, Nathan has been involved in the Lindy Hop scene since the 1990s, and continues to perform and teach social dance classes. Nathan has earned numerous first-place titles in Solo Jazz, Lindy Hop, Team, Slow Dance, and Mix’n’Match divisions at prestigious dance competitions like the International Lindy Hop Championships (ILHC), the Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown, and the American Lindy Hop Championships. Most recently, he won the 2024 BTP Invitational Crossover and the 2023 ILHC Video Showcase. He was also the choreographer of the 2015 ILHC winning team, “Yeah Man.”

Nathan was a co-creator of the Joyce Theater Production SW!NG OUT. He has also appeared in productions at Carnegie Hall (Swing Swing Swing with the New York Pops), The Apollo Theater (Swingin’ Frankie’s Way), and Jacob’s Pillow (Earthbeat!, More Forever, SW!NG OUT).

As a veteran social-dance teacher, Nathan has decades of international workshops and classroom experience under his belt. He has taught at Lindy Focus, Camp Jitterbug, Paris Jazz Roots Festival, Lindy Fest, AJW Korea, Herrang Dance Camp, and many other landmark events. He teaches curricular classes at Marymount Manhattan College, plus classes at Columbia University’s swing club.

Nathan was blessed with opportunities to learn directly from Frankie Manning, Norma Miller, Dawn Hampton, and other swing era luminaries. He is excited to celebrate their insights and achievements, and to share his own experience and passion with the dancers at Hullabaloo!