Balboa Workshop
with Mel & Jo

31.01 - 02.02.2025

Bern - Switzerland

Join us for a weekend full of Balboa and Music in the charming city of Bern.
You'll learn new moves, variations and concepts with Mel and Jo.
And with three parties, you'll get to dance a lot during that weekend!

>> Register here <<

We look forward to seeing you! :-)
Mel and Jo

Mel and Jo are dance enthusiasts who dedicate their time to encourage swing dancing in the United Kingdom.  Being familiar with lindy hop and blues, their current passion is mastering Balboa and Bal-swing - a journey of continuous learning.

They started salsa dancing in Singapore and after moving to the United Kingdom in 2000 began their journey in swing dancing.  After dancing lindy hop, charleston and blues for several years they then fell in love with Balboa and became dedicated to learning this dance from 2008.  However, they still love and continue dancing all styles to this day.

Jo has been athletic since she was a teenager and currently holds a brown belt in Xen-Do Martial Arts.  Mel, who also accomplished medals in various sports, was a break-dancer and a DJ in his younger years.  From this personal experience, they apply the techniques of physical motion to help them understand and master the nature of dance movement.

Currently, you can find them social dancing and competing at various events across Europe and the United States.  They also teach Balboa/Bal-swing and facilitate pilot sessions throughout the United Kingdom and Europe.  Their “down-to-earth” and positive attitude helps to make the classes they teach not only informative but also very enjoyable.  Mel still continues his love for music as a DJ and emcee at dance events across Europe and the United States.

Their aspirations to be balboa ambassadors stems from their drive to continuously learn and share the passion and knowledge of dance to enthusiasts alike.

Intermediate

You have been taking weekly classes for at least one year and know the basic steps (down-hold and up-hold) and figures (like paddles, toss-out, lollies, out-out-ins, cross-overs, swivels, crab walks, etc.).

Advanced

You have been dancing Balboa for several years. You can execute a variety of figures and variations, and you feel comfortable dancing these at higher tempos. You want to improve your musicality and styling or explore more conceptual ideas.

Feuerwehr Viktoria

Parties on Saturday and Sunday and all classes

Gotthelfstrasse 29a

-> There is a restaurant / bar in the same building: loescher.be


Rhythm Rebels, Bern

Party on Friday

Aarbergergasse 40, 3011 Bern



Special thanks to Swingmachine Bern and Balboabern for their invaluable support in realizing this event!

Thanks to SwingPlanIt for listing our event.
Acknowledgements image