About Us ...
Nina Gilkenson and Andy Reid are some of the most well known and respected teachers, performers, and competitors in the international Lindy Hop scene. Since 2003, Nina and Andy have been traveling the world together inspiring dancers with their knowledge and love of the dance. Between them, Nina and Andy can lay claim to more than 25 national Lindy Hop titles from some of the most prestigious swing dancing competitions in the world, including the International Lindy Hop Championships, the American Lindy Hop Championships, Hellzapoppin', and the Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown. Performance credits include television appearances on PBS; Apollo Theatre; Lincoln Center and concert performances with the Brian Setzer Orchestra and Aretha Franklin. Their classes focus on authentic Lindy Hop technique, musical interpretation and the history and future of the dance.
Nina and Andy are two of the founding members of Silver Shadows, a dance troupe that helps set the bar for the height of Lindy Hop group performance. Nina and Andy are also founding members of The Jam Cellar, a groundbreaking dance party and troupe in Washington, DC.
When Andy and Nina are not dancing together, you can often see her drop kicking him. In fact, sometimes she dropkicks him while dancing in front of hundreds of people who paid a lot of money to watch. Life is funny sometimes.
About Nina
Lindy Hopper. Belly dancer. Hair-removal Laser Technician. The mysterious figure that is known only as "Nina" (and sometimes "Naomi") has many titles from prestigious dance competitions. But that's only a small part of her accomplishments. For instance, she can swivel in midair. She can simultaneously create vintage-style dresses and then destroy them while dancing. She can make 12-minute biscuits in 10 minutes. She writes upbeat musical theatre involving funeral homes. And last, but not least, she is a part of the award-winning Lindy Hop team the Silver Shadows, which sounds like it's a group of super heroes. And that's what she is. A Super Hero--one whose main super power is doing swivels in midair. And one day, they might save the world. Until then, she lives in Washington D.C. and falls down a lot.
Nina currently resides in Baltimore, MD.
Nina is also a co-organizer of The International Lindy Hop Championships, which happens next August 19-22, 2010.
About Andy
Andy Reid is one of the most well known and influential Lindy Hop dancers out there. Since he started dancing in the late nineties, Andy has left an indelible mark on the dance scene. Andy's style is a balance of the refined and the eccentric, and his soulful proficiency with rhythm and partnering make his dancing rich and inspiring to watch and experience.
He has performed and taught all over the world including Korea, Australia, Japan and all over Europe. He is a founding member of Silver Shadows, which is undoubtedly one of the most influential dance teams currently. He is also a member of the highly influential troupe Minnie's Moochers. Finally, Andy is also a founding member of Mad Dog!, a Lindy Hop Crew who is infamous within the Lindy community for some reason.
Andy also holds a variety of regional, national and international competition titles.
Andy currently resides in New Orleans, LA.