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Featured Instructor Line-up
Prepare to be star-struck at Whistle Stop with lessons from some of the best dancers in the galaxy!
Laura Glaess
Laura Glaess has been an influential voice in Lindy Hop competition, performance, and education for the past 20 years. She has won countless awards and acknowledgments at international competitions, and has taught at festivals in 22 countries spanning 5 continents. She has performed at the Joyce, Jacob’s Pillow, and the Guggenheim, as well as at Lindy Hop and Authentic Jazz festivals worldwide. She is an instructor at Steps on Broadway. Her Youtube channel dedicated to Lindy Hop history, vocabulary, partnering, and body movement is one of the most popular and influential in the scene.
AJ Howard
Meet AJ Howard, a vibrant force in New York City's Lindy Hop scene. As a celebrated dancer, teacher, and competitor, AJ brings undeniable energy to the floor—his dynamic style and deep love for the dance have made him a standout at events across the globe. He’s performed in productions like SW!NG OUT! and earned his place in the California Swing Dance Hall of Fame.
When he's not dancing, AJ keeps the rhythm alive as an emcee, hyping crowds at world-class events like ILHC,
Paris Jazz Roots, and the International Swing Dance Championships. Whether leading a packed workshop or lighting up the social floor, AJ blends skill and showmanship with a deep commitment to community, creating spaces where dancers of all levels feel welcome, inspired, and connected.
Breonna Jordan
Breonna Jordan is a New Orleans-based Lindy Hop and Vernacular Jazz instructor who has taught at festivals and workshops around the world. She appeared as a dancer in the juke joint scene of Sinners, directed by Ryan Coogler, and taught Lindy Hop on set, helping bring the film’s Black social dance traditions to life. She teaches at the Louis Armstrong Summer Jazz Camp, where she highlights the connections between music, movement, history, and culture. She invites students to experience dance as a conversation with the music, their community, and themselves, encouraging each dancer to discover an authentic voice.
Guest Instructors
We have even more dazzling dancers to enlighten your mind and light up the night!
Zoe Imani Shepard
Jazz violinist, Zoe Imani Shepard, is a performer and educator based in Bloomington, Indiana. Her life is marked by love for pedagogy, creativity, and the intersection between music and dance. Shepard regularly teaches, performs, and competes at swing dance events across the country, as well as maintains a busy schedule organizing local swing dance events in her community. Known for her musicality and joyful energy, she emphasizes groove, movement quality, and follow technique in both her dancing and teaching.
A graduate of the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, Shepard earned a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance in 2024 and a Masters of Music in Jazz Studies in 2026 after falling in love with Lindy Hop in 2022. She quickly immersed herself in the world of improvisation and Swing Dance culture, leading to her success competing at events such as LindyFest, Second City Swingout, St. Louis Getdown, and more. Whether it’s on stage, the social floor, or in the classroom, you’ll never fail to see a wide smile on her face whenever there’s dancing involved!
Lauren Reed
Lauren graduated from Butler University with a BFA in Dance Performance. Aside from performing and choreographing, she has taught various styles in dance studios, schools, and after school programs for over 10 years. Lauren is an enthusiastic educator who values imagination, presence, and play; she believes that dance is a thrilling way for children and adults alike to become more fully human. Lauren continues to tune her teaching values with ongoing training; she holds certifications in IMAGE TECH for Dancers™, Spiral Body Techniques™, and Danscend mental health for dancers. Lauren is a professional grant writer and arts administrator, and has been running a youth development program called Teen Leaders Club since 2013.
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