Dance Classes
Authentic jazz dances emerged on the dance floors in the early twentieth century and evolved in response to the innovations of jazz itself, from Ragtime through the Jazz Age and into the Swing Era. I specialise in Solo Jazz and Balboa, a partnered swing-era style from California
Autumn 2026
For PRIVATE LESSONS in Camden, Tues/Thurs
Contact Nikki: hotjazzrag @ gmail.com
Regular classes & courses below
BALBOA in ARCHWAY on WEDNESDAYS
Upper Hall, Hargrave Hall,
Archway, N19 5SP
16 Sept – 7 Oct
7.15pm Beginners Balboa
8.30pm Intermed. Balboa & Bal-Swing
Details & Booking >>
14 Oct
Intermediate-Advanced Workshop
with Paul Golledge & Nikki Santilli
To apply, email: hotjazzrag (at) gmail (dot) com
giving an idea of your Balboa experience
21 Oct – 11 Nov
7.15pm Balboa & Bal-Swing
8.30pm Freestyle practice (all welcome)
Details & Booking >>
Freestyle only, £3 on the door
Minimum numbers required for all courses & workshops.
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NO-PARTNER SWING DANCING!
Charleston to Rock n Roll!
Early Jazz Steps: Rhythms & Routines
ABC of JAZZ STEPS
TUESDAYS, ONLINE
20 Oct, 27 Oct, 10 Nov, 17 Nov
General Level
(no experience required)
7.45pm – 9pm
Book your place >>
A Zoom link will be sent after booking.
JAZZ STEPS
THURSDAYS
London Bridge & Online
7.15pm (1 hour)
3-17 Sept: Open Level
24 Sept-8 Oct: Intermediate
Studio >>
Online >>
15-29 Oct: Open Level
Studio >>
Online >>
5-19 Nov: Advanced
Studio >>
Online >>
26 Nov-10 Dec: Open Level
Studio >>
Online >>
Dance studio (5th floor) The Bridge, 73-81 Southwark Bridge Rd, London SE1 0NQ
OR join me Online! (livestream via zoom – link provided with booking confirmation)
SATURDAYS
Balboa & Bal-Swing
South London Irish Assoc,
138-140 Hartfield Road, SW19 3TG
19 Sept – 10 Oct
11am Beginners Balboa
12.30pm Intermediate Balboa & Bal-Swing
Details & Booking >>
17 October
11am – 2pm Intermed-Advanced
with Paul Golledge & Nikki Santilli
FULL
Email: hotjazzrag.com to apply
24 Oct – 14 Nov
11am Classic Bal-Swing figures (improver)
12.30pm Intermediate Balboa and Bal-Swing
Details & Booking >>
“I so appreciate these classes. I learn so much each time and you explain the music and musicality of balboa so beautifully – it makes me love this dance form all the more.”
16 Oct – 4 Dec
Friday Night Swing Time
at Oxford University
Oxford University Dancesport Club (OUDC) in partnership with Summertown Swing. A “town & gown” initiative, this is a drop in class also open to the public. Come and learn to Lindy Hop with me at Oxford University!
6pm – 7pm Beginner
7pm – 8pm Improver
8pm – 9pm Advanced
OUDC Members £6 – Non-Members £11 (OUDC Membership is available to everyone for £35 for the year)
Venue: The Oxford University Club, 11 Mansfield Road Oxford, OX1 3SZ.
Private Lessons in Camden Town
Tuesdays (day/evening)
& Thursdays (til 5pm)
Quite simply the best way to learn or refine your swing dancing is through private tuition.
Personalised, tailored, focussed and at your own pace.
Available for individuals, couples and small groups as a regular, semi-regular, occasional, or one-off session!
All levels welcome, from scratch to advanced.
Contact Nikki for details & prices:
Email: hotjazzrag(at)gmail(dot)com
Balboa
What is Balboa?
A partner dance that uses various shuffling rhythms to connect the lead and follow to the music – typically, gypsy jazz or fast swing music.
What is Pure Balboa?
When lead/follow disappears and both dancers respond to the music and each other in a closed hold embrace. Any speed of music, but particularly useful for fast tempos!
More information
A guide to levels & venues.
If you are unsure, please email me: nikki@hotjazzrag.com
BALBOA: Missing a class? Catch up at the ‘other’ venue. The benefit of running courses in north and south London means that you can take your class at either venue, a great way to meet and dance with more people!
All Levels or General Level – a class that does not require previous experience but which may rise in level over the course of the session
Beginners – working on the fundamental steps & techniques, at the heart of the dance. Essential at the start but also all through your dance journey.
Improver – you can lead or follow the Uphold & Downhold basics. This level focuses on classic Bal-Swing figures
Intermediate – you can dance both Uphold and Downhold rhythms and the classic Bal-Swing figures: a Comearound, Throwout, Lollies, Out & Ins.
Venues:
“WIMBLEDON” (Saturdays): South London Irish Association, 138-140 Hartfield Road, Wimbledon SW19 3TG
Travel: Walking distance from Wimbledon station (overground/underground) and South Wimbledon (tube)
“ARCHWAY” (Wednesdays & Sundays): Paper Moon, Hargrave Hall, Hargrave Road London N19 5SP. Travel: Archway (northern line – High Barnet/Mill Hill branch); Upper Holloway (overground).
“LONDON BRIDGE” (Thursdays): Dance studio (5th floor) The Bridge, 73-81 Southwark Bridge Rd, London SE1 0NQ. Travel: London Bridge (mainline) / Borough (northern line)
Live streamed via Zoom. Link will be provided.
Authentic Jazz Dance
Rhythm / Solo Jazz
General Level: short courses Book a place in the studio or join via livestream
Rhythm, technique, musicality work. Classic routines and original pieces choreographed by Nikki Santilli.
Book your place in the studio or online.
Solo Jazz: Sometimes referred to as Jazz Roots or Authentic Jazz Dance. Learning the rhythms, steps and history of solo jazz unquestionably makes you a better dancer and enriches all your partnered swing dancing too.
This is a regular class that works on rhythm, authentic jazz steps, routines by original early jazz dancers and original material.
Venue: Dance studio (5th floor) The Bridge, 73-81 Southwark Bridge Rd, London SE1 0NQ. Live streamed via Zoom. Link will be provided.
Questions? Contact me: nikki @ hotjazzrag.com
I’m happy to help.
Reviews
"A massive cheer up in these lockdown weeks"
"Haven't laughed so much in ages!"
Charleston to Swing
Morley College London
Saturdays: 3.15pm – 4pm
Saturdays: 4pm – 5pm
Dance Studio, Waterloo/Lambeth North
Term 1 (Sept 2023) Authentic Jazz Dances
Term 2 (Jan 2024) Authentic Jazz Dances
Term 3 (May 2024) Performance Courses (levels 1 & 2) with optional performance at Morley College
- Facilities: Large studio.
Full details and booking through Morley College London website