Ryan Francois

Jazz Dancer, Producer, Director, Choreographer, Instructor and Historian. A two-time US Open and American Swing Dance Champion and the recipient of the Frankie Manning Award. Ryan Francois is one of pioneers of the resurgance of Vernacular Jazz Dance in the UK He is internationally known for popularising the dance styles of the Charleston and the Lindy hop for the primetime television shows Strictly Come Dancing, Dancing with the Stars and So You Think You Can Dance, and for his choreography and leading role in the Broadway show “SWING!” as well as iconic scene changing movies like Malcolm X, Swing Kids & Idlewild. Ryan began his career as part of the “Black British” resurgence of interest in authentic jazz dances growing in popularity in eighties Britain. In 1985 as a founding member of the dance company “The Jiving Lindy Hoppers” he travelled to New York to learn from the original masters. Mama Lu Parks, Pepsi Bethel and the legendary Ambassador of Swing Frankie Manning.