Workshops

Anthony Chen & Irina Amzashvili

Lindy Hop Workshop Weekend
Uptown Swing Dance with Gordon Webster

Friday, November 29, 2024 to Sunday, December 1, 2024

Anthony Chen and Irina Amzashvili will be joining us again, and we couldn’t be more excited. You may have had classes with them at the workshops last year, at Beantown Camp, or other events they’ve taught at. If so, you may already know what fantastic teachers they are. In addition, Gordon Webster will be back at Uptown Swing.

This event has always been a highlight of the year, and with Anthony, Irina and Gordon on board again, it will be for this one as well. You won’t want to miss it!

Anthony ChenAnthony’s first ingress into the performing arts was at age 8 when his parents convinced him to learn and perform Chinese lion dances. He then stumbled upon breakdancing during a national speech and debate tournament in middle school, and at the age of 16, he had his first foray into swing dancing alongside other young interns from a research laboratory. Since then, he has trained in other dance styles ranging from hip-hop to West Coast Swing, but most of all he enjoys using this background to expand upon his technique and creativity in Lindy Hop. On the social dance floor he is known to be playful, musical, creative, and clear. He holds first place titles from events such as Lindyfest and Lone Star Championships, Montréal Swing Riot, Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown, Lindy Focus, and International Lindy Hop Championships. Combined with his professional background in education, his love of both leading and following have been instrumental to making the classes that he teaches both clear and intuitive. He is an active scene builder in his community and founded the non-profit Salt City Swing, where he teaches locally.

Irina AmzashviliIrina has had a lifelong passion for all forms of dancing. In 2009, at the age of 15, she stumbled upon Swing dancing and it took only one night of social dancing for her to fall head over heels in love with it. Though Lindy Hop was her gateway into the world of Swing, Irina’s passion quickly expanded to include Balboa, Collegiate Shag, and solo jazz. She owes her rapid progression in part to spending her formative years of dancing in Southern California, home to some of the best Swing dancers, teachers, and music in the world.

Irina has since received numerous accolades from events such as Camp Hollywood, The International Lindy Hop Championships, and Lindy Focus and has taught these dances all across the U.S., Asia, Europe, and Australia. Additionally, she is honored to have been inducted into the Camp Hollywood Hall of Fame in 2019 and the California Swing Dance Hall of Fame in 2022.

Irina’s teaching style can best be described as patient and encouraging. Her goal is to guide her students through building solid foundations while inspiring individuality in personal movement, as well as helping build confidence through dance.

The weekend includes three days of workshops on Friday evening, November 29 to Sunday afternoon, December 1, 2024 at Lower Falls Community Center, Newton, MA, plus Uptown Swing dance with the Gordon Webster Band on Saturday night at the Social Hall, Congregation Kehillath Israel, Brookline, MA. The full class schedule is in the process of being finalized, and registration will be opening shortly. There will be Early Bird Full Package and A La Carte discounts.

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