Dance with me
Trained in old-school Lindy Hop and Charleston by both original dancers from the 1930s and the leading lights of the swing revival, I studied closely under world swing dance masters including Frankie Manning, Chazz Young, Chester Whitmore, Ryan Francois and Jenny Thomas. I teach authentic swing dances, in a historical context, combining good technique with personalised styling and flair, that emphases responding to the music.
A former UK Lindy Hop champion, I've performed and choreographed for many venues and events, as well as dancing on some of the best loved TV shows, in films, music videos and for private events. Liza performed Charleston with the Sophisticated Ladies dance group as part of the People’s Strictly Come Dancing on BBC One, for the Help for Heroes charity at the Chelsea Hospital and at major dance events around the UK. I was also privileged to dance an original tap choreography by Miriam Nelson, a star of vintage Hollywood musicals, in front of both Miriam and the legendary Fayard Nicholas.
Available for private classes and corporate activities, below are some of the regular in person events I can be found at.
Swingland's Monday night A-Train
A-Train is Swingland's weekly Monday night swing dance and music club at The Hammersmith Club in West London, with Lindy hop classes for absolute beginners through to intermediate/advanced dancers, plus freestyle dancing to top swing DJs and occasional live bands.
A typical night at A-Train attracts around 50 people from all walks of life, and all age ranges.
The classes are taught by Swingland founder Martin Ellis, Jessie Burgess, and Liza Patoux, with guest teachers on occasion.
Swingland's Sunday Workshops
Swingland workshops are designed to progress and improve your dancing with in-depth technique and styling points. The numbers are limited so that we can give you more individual attention than in our regular group classes. Sometimes as you are learning you might reach a plateau - for example, when moving from beginners to intermediates classes - and this is where a workshop can really help move your dancing to the next level!
