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About Gina
Dance Bio
Gina Helfrich began dancing the Lindy Hop in 1999 with the Boston College Swing Kids, where she was taught to swing out at her very first lesson. She was completely hooked and has maintained a deep (some might say obsessive) love of the dance ever since. Gina is also a talented dancer of the Balboa, Charleston, and vernacular jazz. She has studied extensively at camps and workshops across the US and Europe, including the (in)famous Herrang Dance Camp, and is an accomplished teacher, competitor, and performer of swing era dances. She also likes to DJ.
Gina currently lives in Atlanta, where she is an active teacher and organizer. She teaches classes regularly in Atlanta for Down South Swing and travels frequently to teach weekend workshops. She was a founding member of Atlanta's Big George Savoy Bouncers dance troupe and is currently head choreographer for Atlanta's second-best troupe, Tiny Bunch. Gina was a main organizer of both the 2004 and 2005 Atlanta Lindy Exchange, and has been a behind-the-scenes organizer and helper at many Atlanta-based workshops. Gina is the creator and co-organizer (with Jaya Dorf) of the South's only all-girls' Lindy Hop and authentic jazz dance weekend, the Southern Belle Swing Bash. In 2005 Gina helped to organize the first Lindy Focus mini-camp in Asheville, NC, and has been a fixture on its yearly teaching line-up.
Gina performs and competes around the country, consistently placing in top national swing dance contests. In 2006 Gina was invited to be a Peer Judge at the international Lindy Hop competition, the Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown. A testament to her versatility and social dancing prowess, Gina has taken top prizes in a variety of swing dance competitions, including Lindy Hop, Charleston and authentic jazz dance, Balboa, and numerous Jack & Jill contests.
Gina's teaching style focuses on the social dance floor and on empowering her students to really "own" their dancing. She is especially committed to helping followers find their voice and confidence in the dance. Gina emphasizes partner communication and body awareness as the essential building blocks of comfortable social dancing. Her number one goal is to share the joy of jazz dance and swing music with others.
Gina is known for her smooth connection and her creativity on the social dance floor.
When she's not out cutting a rug, Gina is a philosophy and women's studies graduate student at Emory University.
Awards & Accomplishments
2008
2nd Place - Sugar Foot Jam - Partner Contest (with Robert Barbier)
2007
1st Place - Vintage Rhythm Valentine's Uproar Lindy Hop Jack & Jill
1st Place - Vintage Rhythm Valentine's Uproar Solo Blues
1st Place - Hot Jam 2nd Anniversary Partner Charleston Jack & Jill
2nd Place - Vintage Rhythm Valentine's Uproar Solo Charleston
2nd Place - Harvest Moon Melee Sudden Death Social Dance Competition Challenge
2nd Place - Harvest Moon Melee Overall Team Contest - Tiny Bunch
3rd Place - Sugarfoot Stomp Solo Charleston
Camp Jitterbug, Jump Session show cast member
2006
1st Place - Northwest Balboa Fest Advanced Jack & Jill
1st Place - Northwest Balboa Fest Open Jack & Jill
2nd Place - Boston Tea Party Advanced Lindy Hop Jack & Jill
3rd Place - Boston Tea Party Strictly Lindy (with Jamie Cameron)
4th Place - Grand Nationals Strictly Lindy (with Jeramie Anderson)
2005
1st Place - Bal Jam Intergalactic +1 Pure Balboa Endurance Contest
2nd Place - Lindy Focus IV Invitational Lindy Hop Jack & Jill
2004
2nd Place - Music City Mini Camp Lindy Hop Jack & Jill
2nd Place - Music City Mini Camp Balboa Jack & Jill
A list of Gina's workshop teaching experience can be found on the Calendar.
