Ryan Francois

London

Lindy Hop, Authentic Jazz

Legendary Dance partners for 8 years, Ryan Francois and Jenny Thomas most recently starred in the Broadway Musical "Swing". The Musical was nominated for 6 Tony awards including Best Musical and Best Choreography. Ryan as Associate choreographer and Jenny as assistant contributed most of the choreography to the show, earning them lasting respect from the cast and the Broadway community.

They have appeared at the Tony Awards, Macy's Thanks Giving Day Parade and the Rosie O' Donnell Show performing Ryan's popular finale number 'Sing Sing Sing'. They have also appeared as special guest artists with Wynton Marsalis and The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra.

Known as one of the top Lindy Hop couples in the world, they have taught master classes Worldwide. They were American Swing Dance and U.S. Open Swing Dance Champions (Lindy Division) in 1997 though they are not ready to give up their competition shoes just yet. So watch out all you Lindy competitors out there!

Jenny has been dancing since the age of 4. In her teens she was All England Tap Champion for 3 consecutive years. She then went onto performing arts school and soon after graduating joined the London cast of Andrew Lloyd Webbers "Song and Dance". After appearances in West End Musicals, television and theatre, she joined Ryan's Dance Company "Zoots and Spangles", which Ryan founded in 1987.

Ryan started dancing at 18. A self taught dancer he honed his skills watching old film footage of his dance hero's such as Whitey's Lindy hoppers, Fred Astaire and The Nicholas Bros. He danced in the Spike Lee Movie 'Malcolm X' and was a choreographer of the cult movie classic 'Swing Kids'. His Dance Company has appeared in TV specials, commercials, Music Videos and countless theatre productions.

Recently Ryan Choreographed "A Man for all Seasons" a Dudley Moore tribute at Carnegie Hall, which Jenny assisted and performed at.

www.ryanandjenny.com

Ryan and Jenny