#167 From bachata in the Dominican Republic to balboa in Herräng - with Alexej Schmidt | Lindy Hop, Balboa, Blues, Bachata, Salsa & Merengue | Herräng Dance Camp

What keeps you coming back to dance, year after year?Recorded in the quiet late evening magic of Herräng Dance Camp, this conversation is with Alexej Schmidt, a social dancer whose journey has taken him from Russia to the Dominican Republic, Sweden, Germany and France.We sit outside a red Swedish cottage, surrounded by trees, summer light, and the calm atmosphere that makes Herräng feel so special. We even had a dear passing py at some point - you will hear it ;)We talk about:• Growing up between cultures and finding connection through dance• How a year in the Dominican Republic changed Alexej's relationship with music and movement• Discovering Lindy Hop in Stockholm and falling in love with social dancing• Why Balboa continues to fascinate him after many years of dancing• The role of musicality in creating memorable dance experiencesThere is a strong sense of gratitude throughout this episode. Gratitude for teachers who generously shared their knowledge, for communities that made learning accessible, and for dance partners who brought unexpected moments of joy and creativity.This episode is for anyone who dances because they love the music. And for anyone who keeps coming back because of the people.A shout-out to Herräng Dance Camp:This episode has been recorded in the beginning of July 2026 during Herräng Dance Camp, Sweden. Thank you for the space, the music, and the people who make conversations like this possible.______________________________________________​Subscribe & review the podcast to help me grow 🌟​Connect with me on Instagram @Sia.Dancing ✅#HerrängDanceCamp #SocialDance #DanceCommunity #SalsaBachata #DanceBalboa

What keeps someone coming back to the dance floor for more than two decades?In this episode, I sit down with Sean Cedric Bischofberger lig during Herräng Dance Camp in Sweden.We talk in a quiet moment between classes, social dancing, and waving at Sean's friends passing by.Sean grew up around dancers, spent every summer at Herräng, and eventually found his own way into dancing thanks to a very persistent Chester Whitmore. What keeps him here today is not competition or achievement. It's friendship, joy, and feeling connected to people.We talk about:• Growing up at Herräng Dance Camp• How Chester Whitmore got Sean into dancing• Why friendships are the biggest reason he still dances• Dancing while travelling and discovering scenes through Swing Calendar• How lighting shapes the feeling of a dance space• Dance floor etiquette, hygiene, and helping partners feel comfortableThis episode might resonate with you if you have ever wondered why you keep coming back to social dancing year after year. Not because of the steps but because of the people.A shout-out to Herräng Dance Camp:This episode has been recorded in the beginning of July 2026 during Herräng Dance Camp, Sweden. Thank you for the space, the music, and the people who make conversations like this possible.______________________________________________​Subscribe & review the podcast to help me grow 🌟​Connect with me on Instagram @Sia.Dancing ✅#HerrängDanceCamp #SocialDance #DanceCommunity #IsThereHop #SwingCalendar

Have you ever wondered if where you stand on the dance floor changes how you experience the music?In this episode, I sit down with Maka, a Lindy Hop teacher, musician, DJ, bandleader, and jam facilitator from Toulouse, France.We recorded this conversation during Herräng Dance Camp, in the middle of a busy week filled with dancing, music, and late nights.We talk about:• Why dance offers a unique connection between body, emotions, culture, and music• The difference between playing music for dancers and for seated audiences• How lighting can shape the feeling of a performance without dancers even noticing it• Bringing new sounds, fresh ideas, and unexpected musical flavours into the swing scene• What really matters at the end of a dance• Why beginners should not be afraid to dance closer to the stageThere is something very honest and raw about this conversation. Maka speaks with humour and warmth while sharing observations about how dance communities work. From stories about metalheads hearing "only three songs" at swing events to reflections on musicality and belonging, this episode is full of small insights that stay with you.If you've ever felt like you were standing at the back of the room, unsure if you belonged, this episode might gently encourage you to take a few steps forward.A shout-out to Herräng Dance Camp:This episode has been recorded in the beginning of July 2026 during Herräng Dance Camp, Sweden. Thank you for the space, the music, and the people who make conversations like this possible.______________________________________________​Subscribe & review the podcast to help me grow 🌟​Connect with me on Instagram @Sia.Dancing ✅#HerrängDanceCamp #SocialDance #DanceCommunity #SwingDance #Herräng

Do you leave a little part of yourself in Herräng, and take a little piece of it home with you?In this episode, I sit down with Marie Sörqvist, Camp Director of Herräng Dance Camp and a member of the Herräng community since the mid-1990s.We recorded this conversation during the first weekend of Herräng Dance Camp 2026, surrounded by the everyday work, conversations, and small moments that make this place feel different from ordinary life.Marie shares why people often come to Herräng for the dance but stay for the people, and why she believes (or, more accurately, hopes) that spending time here can make us better humans.We talk about:• Why Herräng became much more than a dance camp for her• Taking a piece of Herräng back into everyday life• Being the best version of yourself in a supportive community• What makes a good dancer and a good dance teacher• A beautiful sunset boat ride on the lake behind Folkets Hus the day before the camp has startedAre you also the best version of yourself when you're in Herräng?For dancers who care about community.For anyone who has ever found a place that feels a little like home.A shout-out to Herräng Dance Camp:This episode has been recorded in the beginning of July 2026 during Herräng Dance Camp, Sweden. Thank you for the space, the music, and the people who make conversations like this possible.______________________________________________​Subscribe & review the podcast to help me grow 🌟​Connect with me on Instagram @Sia.Dancing ✅#HerrängDanceCamp #SocialDance #DanceCommunity #SwingDance #Herräng

What if dance is the language that helps us find home anywhere in the world?In this episode, I sit down with Shehan - a dancer, community builder, and dance facilitator who was born in Sri Lanka, grew up in New Zealand, and eventually built a thriving swing dance scene on Reunion Island.We recorded this conversation during his short visit to Stockholm, as part of his european tour - back in May.This episode is about connection - to yourself, other people, and the history that lives inside social dancing. Shehan shares how dance became a way to communicate across cultures for him.We talk about:• Growing up in Sri Lanka and New Zealand• Discovering Lindy Hop through a love of music and movement• Building a dance scene from scratch on Réunion Island• Why Shehan prefers the word "facilitator" over "teacher"• How lighting and atmosphere shape the feeling of a dance event• Staying connected to the roots of a dance while developing your own voice• The importance of community, resilience, and shared joy.If you've ever walked into a dance event without speaking the local language, wondered where you belong on the dance floor, or felt that special moment when dancing connected you to someone you had never met before, this episode will likely feel familiar._______________________________________________​Subscribe & review the podcast to help me grow 🌟​Connect with me on Instagram @Sia.Dancing ✅#SiaDancing #LindyHop #SwingDanceCulture #SocialDancing #DanceCommunity

What if the best part of dancing is not the moves, but the connection?In this episode, I sit down with Spela Sedej, a long-time member of the Herräng community, originally from Slovenia and deeply passionate about swing dancing and the people who make it meaningful.We recorded this conversation during a quiet spring visit to Herräng, while we were both volunteering there for a weekend, far away from the busy festival weeks. The calm atmosphere gave us space to reflect on dancing, community, and what keeps bringing people back year after year.This conversation is really about the human side of social dancing. About connection, trust, encouragement, and the small moments that stay with us long after a song ends.We talk about:Why Spela keeps returning to dancing after all these yearsHow social dancing creates connection between complete strangersWhat Spela has "soft knees" for (a hint: it's eatable) Dancing, hiking, and finding joy in unpredictable momentsA beautiful memory of dancing by moonlight, with candles and the moon reflecting in a lakeCreativity, encouragement, and making space for one another on the dance floorMany dancers know the feeling of wondering whether they are doing enough, taking too much space, or not enough space. This episode is a reminder that dancing does not have to be perfect. Sometimes the most meaningful dances are simply the ones where we feel accepted and encouraged to be ourselves.This episode is for anyone who loves the people behind the dancing. And for anyone who wants to feel a little more at home on the dance floor.This episode has been recorded in May in Herräng, Sweden. Thank you for the space, the music, and the people who make conversations like this possible._______________________________________________​Subscribe & review the podcast to help me grow 🌟​Connect with me on Instagram @Sia.Dancing ✅#SiaDancing #HerrängDanceCamp #LindyHop #SwingDance #SocialDancing #DanceCommunity

Have you ever had something go wrong and just had to begin again? ...I did, with this very episode. The recording randomly stopped without making it visible, meaning that we had to re-record. It was unexpected. A bit messy. But also honest.In fact, the first 4 minutes of the recording are pretty badquality due to background noises so you might enjoy our quite conversation recorded several weeeeeks after.This episode is with Jacob, a social dancer who has explored many styles over the years. We talk about:- Why dancing feels like a natural part of being human- Exploring styles like salsa, bachata, tango, lindy and balboa and mizing them up on the social floor- Jacob's experience in Cuba with rumba and Orisha dances- Small crushes in social dancing and how to handle them with care (thanks Hadeel to that question)- Seeing each dance as a short and complete momentThere is a soft thread through this episode. Things do not need to be perfect to be real and to be enough.______________________________________________________A shout-out to Minor Swing Festival:This episode has been recorded in the beginning of May 2026, during the Minor Swing festival at Gothenburg, as a collaboration with the festival. (and later on re-recorded, but that's another story). Thank you for supporting me and giving me the time and space to talk to such lovely talented and dedicated people. _______________________________________________​Subscribe & review the podcast to help me grow 🌟​Connect with me on Instagram @Sia.Dancing ✅#SiaDancing #MinorSwing #Orishadances #CubanSalsa

Hadeel grew up in Libya, in North Africa, where people dance whenever there is music, whenever there is a celebration. However, the dance there is often gender-separated. Even if you dance together, you do not touch each other. How does coming from this culture affect Hadeel in her partner dancing? Well, listen in to find out ;)In this episode, I talk with Hadeel during Minor Swing, in the middle of a busy dance weekend filled with music, classes, and people passing through the room.This conversation is about how culture shapes the body, and how dancing can slowly become a place of freedom. It is about learning to follow without losing yourself. And about being a person who may dance as a follower, but still carries a strong leader energy inside.We talk about:growing up with gender-separated dance culture in Libyastarting Lindy Hop as an adultlearning to feel safe in partner dancinghow close embrace can feel different in different danceslighting, comfort, and what helps people relax on the dance floorThis episode may speak to you if you have ever felt unsure in partner dance. If you have ever tried to be “good” instead of being yourself. Or if you are still learning how to stay present, open, and fully there in a shared dance. This episode is for followers who want more space - or the other way round, who are curious to get inspired to.______________________________________________________A shout-out to Minor Swing Festival:This episode has been recorded in the beginning of May 2026, during the Minor Swing festival at Gothenburg, as a collaboration with the festival. Thank you for supporting me and giving me the time and space to talk to such lovely talented and dedicated people. _______________________________________________​Subscribe & review the podcast to help me grow 🌟​Connect with me on Instagram @Sia.Dancing ✅#SiaDancing #MinorSwing #CloseEmbrace #DancinginLibya #PartnerDancing

What if dancing is not about impressing, but about listening?In this episode, I chat with Giovanni Ligorio and Shieva Norusian during Minor Swing.They are dancers and teachers who care deeply about connection and how we show up with each other.We talk about:​Why teaching brings them more joy than performing​Dancing as a way to communicate and listen​Being introverted in a very social dance world​The difference between social dancing and competing​How lighting shapes intimacy and comfort on the dance floor​What it means to take care of the community, one dance at a timeThis episode in itself feels like a dance - you will know what I mean once you take a listen.A shout-out to Minor Swing Festival:This episode has been recorded in the beginning of May 2026, during the Minor Swing festival at Gothenburg, as a collaboration with the festival. Thank you for supporting me and giving me the time and space to talk to such lovely talented and dedicated people. _______________________________________________​Subscribe & review the podcast to help me grow 🌟​Connect with me on Instagram @Sia.Dancing ✅#SiaDancing #MinorSwing #Balboa #LindyHop #Blues

When was the last time you let yourself be bad at something… and enjoy it?Jenn Lee is a swing dancer and teacher based in the US, and we recorded this episode together during Minor Swing Festival in Sweden.This conversation is about learning, letting go, and remembering why we dance in the first place.We talk about:​Starting dance later in life and being a student for a long‑time (not giving up!)​The courage to be bad and how that leads to growth​Why joy and humour matter on the dance floor​Switching roles and finding new perspectives in partner dance​Building community through inclusivity and creative projects​How light, movement, and connection inform one otherThis episode reminds me that dancing does not have to be perfect to be meaningful. If you have ever felt not good enough, or unsure where you fit in, this conversation will meet you there.This episode is for you if you want to feel more free.Links to what has been mentioned:A nonprofit event and initiative Jenn runs: www.therrealjenniferlee.com and www.swingartsfoundation.com A performance project done by her sister: ⁠www.susiejlee.comA shout-out to Minor Swing Festival:This episode has been recorded in the beginning of May 2026, during the Minor Swing festival at Gothenburg, as a collaboration with the festival. Thank you for supporting me and giving me the time and space to talk to such lovely talented and dedicated people. _______________________________________________​Subscribe & review the podcast to help me grow 🌟​Connect with me on Instagram @Sia.Dancing ✅#SiaDancing #MinorSwingFestival #Balboa #LindyHop #SwingArtsFoundation