Welcome to Swing It!  Swing It is a dance school that specialises in the authentic dances from the 1920s, 30s and 40s including Lindy Hop, Charleston and more.  We run regular classes, courses, workshops and events that focus on the world of Swing music and Swing dancing.  Our staff include some of the best dancers in the country including international level teachers and internationally recognised Swing DJs.

All of us here at Swing It! are self confessed Jazz music and Jazz history geeks and take pride in teaching classes that not only involve the dancing side but also include great tid bits on the music, clothing and events of the era.  There’s really no better place in Perth to start your Swing journey than the Swing It Dance School.

With new students starting every week our classes have a fantastic social atmosphere (some of our students even bring freshly baked cookies and cakes!  We officially have no problem with that).  Why not pay us a visit, kick up your heels and prepare to be bitten by the Lindy Bug…if for no other reason than the cookies.

For all further information please contact Swing It! either by phone 0407 086 863 or via email shane@swingit.com.au

The Swing It! Team

Shane McCarthy

Shane McCarthy, owner of the Swing It! Dance School, is also an internationally published author, DJ, motivational speaker, 2006 Australian Hellzapoppin’ Champion and the first international Lindy Hop teacher to come out of Perth.

Shane has been imparting his love of the dance via teaching for eight years and enjoys spreading his thoughts and opinions on Lindy Hop via confusing analogies involving super heroes, sci fi and obscure 80s children’s television.  Shane has been a prominent feature of the Perth Swing scene for almost a decade now and was one of three people responsible for pioneering the formation of the ‘Perth Swing Dance Society’.

Shane is well known for his passionate and vibrant approach to teaching and for the high level of fun and enjoyment he delivers in his classes.

Apart from having taught around Australia Shane has also taught internationally in Japan, LA, Sweden and London.  In 2008 and again in 2009 Shane taught at the ‘Herrang Dance Camp’ (Sweden) the world’s #1 international Swing dancing camp.  Shane and Ruth are the first Australian Swing teachers ever to be invited to teach at the prestigious camp.

Shane teaches weekly at the Subiaco venues.

Ruth Jeffery

Ruth Jeffery is easily one of the most impressive follows to ever come out of the Perth Swing scene. With many years of dancing and teaching under her belt Ruth frequently impresses on lookers with her diversity of movement and powerful dancing style. Ruth’s eagerness to always improve and push her dancing is what has made her the outstanding dancer she is today and is what continues to inspire her students wherever she goes.

Ruth has been wowing crowds around Perth, Australia and internationally for years. She won the Australian Jitterbug Championships Fast Foot Competition in 2003, remains one of the fastest follows we’ve ever seen here in Perth and can do a mean handstand!

Apart from having taught around Australia Ruth has also taught internationally in Japan, Sweden and London.  In 2008 and again in 2009 Ruth taught at the ‘Herrang Dance Camp’ (Sweden) the world’s #1 international Swing dancing camp.  Ruth and Shane are the first Australian Swing teachers ever to be invited to teach at the prestigious camp.

Ruth teaches weekly at the Subiaco venues.

Jarrad Marshall

Jarrad Marshall has been a prominent member of the Perth Swing scene for many years and is well known for his charming personality and humble nature.

Jarrad is also a prominent fixture in the Perth Jazz scene having been an influential member of the extremely popular ‘Oz Big Band’ for some time.  Because of this Jarrad has an extensive knowledge of Jazz music and Jazz history which tends to put him in direct competition with Trevor for the title of ‘Biggest Jazz Geek’.

Jarrad’s dedication to his students shines through as does his outstanding musicality on the dance floor.

Jarrad teaches weekly at the West Perth venue.

Lexi Rollins

Lexi Rollins has a smile and personality that immediately brightens whatever room she’s in and her Lindy Hop style smacks of classic Savoy strength with a dash of Perth craziness!

Lexi has a wild passion for Lindy Hop, classic Jazz and Charleston steps, Swing music & the Perth scene.  Because of this Lexi has been a strong influence on the Perth follows with her ever present drive to share the authentic history of the dance.

Lexi succeeds in inspiring the rest of us to thoroughly enjoy everything we do, whether it be dancing, practicing or teaming up on Jarrad in some way.

Lexi teaches weekly at the West Perth venue.

Chris Lee

Addicted after his very first lesson, Chris has been a big feature of the Swing It family ever since he first started.

Warm, friendly and eager to get out on the dance floor any chance he gets, Chris is also a mad keen Aerialist and thoroughly enjoys throwing Kate through the air (as long as she says it’s ok).

Chris’s charming personality and style make him a welcome feature to the Swing It team.

Kate Hackett

A rising star right from the very beginning, Kate has been an absolute standout in the Perth Swing scene. Always quick with a smile and bristling with passion for Lindy Hop, Kate never says no to a dance (and is often seen hunting down leads on the social dance floor!).

Kate has had experience in other dance styles including Jazz & Tap and after being ‘dragged down’ by her sister she took to Lindy Hop like a fish to water.

When not dancing Kate can generally be found in a park somewhere being thrown through the air by Chris.

Ben Basell

Since Ben has been a professional musician for many years it only makes sense that he would be one of the most musical dancers in the Perth Swing scene. Constantly working on a new variation or new piece of styling, Ben is forever looking for ways to push his dancing to an even higher level.

Ben has a warm, welcoming personality and a quick sense of humour and is certainly one of the real gentleman of the Perth Swing scene.

It’s no wonder he’s so sought after for a dance! We’re certainly lucky to have him.

Trevor Hutchison

Trevor Hutchison is widely known and respected for his exuberance and creativity on the dance floor. Trevor exhibits a rare flare for musicality, is immediately noticed due to his incredibly playful dance style and always leaves his follows grinning after each dance.

Trevor is also an accomplished Jazz DJ and has garnered the respect of some of the best dancers and DJs from around the world.

Trev is responsible for the design and look of Swing It!’s site and advertising (but not the “words and stuff.”) and is the best right hand man a guy could ask for.