Residency Artist - Dance

Get Hep Swing, Ltd.

Valerie Salstrom and Partner
1444 Bunts Road
Lakewood, OH  44107
Phone: (216) 374-1927
Email: info@gethepswing.com
Website: www.gethepswing.com

Get Hep Swing, Ltd. Is one of the only full-time dance companies in the world that is dedicated solely to the authentic preservation of solo, partnered and group swing dancing in all of its forms. Our goal is to spread the love of America's urban folk dance traditions. Recreating the social-style swing dances of the 1920s through the 1950s is our specialty. Some of these dances are the Charleston, Lindy Hop, Balboa, Collegiate Shag, Jitterbug, Shim Sham and Big Apple. We have also been known to teach and perform a little Hustle too. Shhhh....don't tell anyone it is from the '70s. We like to intertwine history, art, English, etiquette and technology into dance experiences while also emphasizing the importance of individuality AND team work, improvisation, creativity and good communication skills. We are interested in working with groups of all ages and abilities in either school or community-based residencies or Artist Express program visits. We like to start our residencies with a performance that includes live demonstrations, video clips, fashion shows, and audience participation. Our residencies culminate with a performance where students share what they have learned about swing dancing, themselves and their classmates.

Our primary focus is on swing dancing. My partner and I teach, perform and compete in professional dance competitions nationally and internationally. I feel most fortunate to have had the opportunity to meet, study with, teach with and become great friends with some of the original swing dancers who invented many of the swing dance forms that sprouted up all over the United States from the 1920s through the 1950s.

I have been a full time, professional swing dancer, teacher, performer, competitor, choreographer, and judge for almost 11 years. I have studied with numerous swing dancers from all over the United States and Europe. I am a multi-year National and International Swing dance champion. Please check the following links to view some examples of my winning dances.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVpDzPu2khg 2006 Grand Slam Champion
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDQRPFSJ0iA 2004 American Lindy Hop Champion