Our Dance Team

In alphabetical order, the members of the Swinging Air Force dance troupe:

Byron Alley

Flown in from the West Coast of Canada, Byron is a rather tall Lindy Hop addict who can't make up his mind whether he prefers smooth style or crazy Harlem style, but he's sure Charleston and aerials fit in there somewhere. He's utterly fearless when it comes to aerials, performing double-kips, MFs and Babyloos like they were nothing! (Although it has been pointed out that he's usually not the one being thrown) Off the dance floor, but near it nonetheless, Byron is well known for his DJ skills. In fact he is the man behind the Famous Petit Medley Tuesdays in Montreal and has performed at many swing and corporate events throughout the Northeast. A fierce competitor, Byron has been seen on the podium of many a dance competition, yet his passion for social dancing mean that he is always the first to ask newcomers to dance, leaving them amazed at what they can learn in 3 and a half minutes on the social dance floor with our import from British-Columbia!

Byron has been seen on TVA, MuchMusic and SRC, he has been heard on CKUT radio.

Stéphane ''Jiver'' Collin

One of the original founders of the SAF, his nickname Jiver refers to his roots in vintage Jive (not ballroom Jive), the first of many swing dances to capture Jiver's heart, and a dance not forgotten as Jiver is the 2003 Canadian Swing Championships winner for Jive. With a passion for accrobatics, jiver not only performs them but is responsible for inventing some of the SAF's signature aerials. Jiver is a man of many talents who has never lost the love of social dancing that drew him to swing in the first place, this shines through when he is teaching or performing. This owner-operator of Petrole Maurice on the South-Shore and excellent craftsman/electrician is also one of the nicest people you will meet in the Montreal dance scene, well known for what some people refer to as his "Jiver skillz"... What's that well, you just have to meet the guy to get it!

Jiver has been featured in GQ magazine and seen on TQS, TVA, SRC, MuchMusic and CBS, he has been heard on CKUT radio.

Isabelle ''Zaza'' Dubuc

As many other members of the Swinging Air Force, Isabelle began her dance career with the Studio 88 Swing, after several years of martial arts training. The result? A fearless aerials adept, always ready to try out a new flip, and an energetic dance bomb! Always the first to get on - and the last to get off - the dance floor. A lover of creamy leads, sugar-pushes, charleston and laughter, Zaza is much appreciated for her enthusiasm and dedication in all that she does.

Aidan Fisher

An avid swing dancer for 7 years, Aidan has recently devoted himself to the world of Swing dancing full-time since 2002. Reformed company owner, he sold it all to become a dancer and moved to Montreal in 2005 to become a member of the Swinging Air Force. Today as always, he travels endlessly around the world where he is recognized not only as a dancer, but also as a producer, teacher, and a general ambassador of Swing. He is behind many successful events, including the legendary Swing-Out Hawaii, the Montreal Swing-Fest and the weekly "Jazz-Hot" nights. Heavily influenced by teachers including Steven Mitchel & Virginie Jensen, as well as Paul Overton & Sharon Ashe, Aidan's teaching focuses on technique as the tool to achieve style and musicality, and the method by which his students learn to enjoy the music, the dance, and their partner.

Aidan has been seen on CBC, CTV and MuchMusic

Sunny ''Side Up'' Hum

Sunny's dedication, off and on the dance floor, has been put to the test numerous times. Sunny started out as a student of the Studio 88 Swing; always incorporating original and fresh ideas in his dancing, he also never tires of making up schemes to bring more and more people into swing dancing. His continuous motivation has people wondering: ''But how does he DO it all?''

Mélanie ''Jelly Bean'' Huot-Lavoie

Melanie's extensive formal training in Contemporary and Jazz dance, as well as a background that includes Ballet and Hip Hop, have made her a major asset to the SAF. Her innovative stylings on the dance floor have made her a Montreal favourite, and she's become known for the amazing Jazz routines she has created and taught in the many cities we've visited. Her love of street-style Hip Hop flavours her Lindy Hop with a unique b-girl attitude all her own. Her ability to break down the essence of a movement makes her a powerful teacher.

Melanie has been featured in: La Nouvelle de Sherbrooke and seen on TQS, TVA,SRC and CBS.

Didier Jean-Francois

Strategy consultant with McKinsey & Company and president of the SAF Entertainment Group Dee is our workaholic fearless leader. With a life-long love of Jazz and blues, and a background in Hip Hop and a strong affection for partying, he took to swing like a trumpet player to Miles Davis. His stage presence and charisma earned him the nickname ''Charmin' Dee'' early on in his swing career. A founding member of the SAF Family, Dee has been hired to spin tunes, MC and judge competitions for major swing events all over North America including The World Lindy-Hop Championships, New Years Extravaganzza in Danvers MA, ALHC, Camp Hollywood and the infamous Austin Exchanges. He has also become recognized on both sides of the border for his entertaining and effective teaching style.

Dee has been featured in: The Gazette, Clin d'Oeil, The McGill Reporter and the Taconic Press has been seen on Musique Plus, CTV, TVA, RDS, YTV and SRC His voice has been heard in various movie/TV translations and on SRC radio1, CKUT and CIBL radio stations.

Samantha Merlin

Samantha's dancing combines stylistic flair and glowing enthusiasm with the ever-ready calm of a Zen master. Her dancing melts sweetly into your eyes like warm fudge into your mouth. As a teacher her compassion and commitment as well as her rock-solid understanding of technique enable her to communicate complex concepts clearly and concisely.

Samantha has been featured in Le Charlebourg Express.

Olivier ''Chaton'' Morin

Olivier is one of the few dancers who navigates the contradiction between smoothness and dynamism, and between technique and self-expression, to create a personal style and innovative daring that is all his own. Directly influenced by many of today's top swing dancers, Olivier's strong technical grounding combined with his playful and energetic approach have made him a popular teacher as far as Finland!

Olivier has been featured in Le Charlebourg Express.

Natacha "Nat the Cat" Beausoleil

Une autre de Québec qui a démenagé vers Montreal et s'est joint à l'équipe SAF dans ses debuts. Natacha a amené une certaine rigueur au jeune groupe qui lui a permi de grandir et de devenir une troupe de danse respectée. En compagnie de Byron elle a même mis sur pied le premier syllabus du Studio 88-SWING. Natacha c'est avant tout une fille sincère et travaillante qui exécute les choses le mieux possible, le plus souvent possible... En fait pour plusieurs étudiants c'est LA prof que tu aimerais avoir près de toi pour te corriger car elle voit tout et connaît plus de mouvements à elle seule que plusieurs groupes entiers.

Natacha é été vue à SRC, TVA et CBS

Annie Trudeau

Annie's experience as a competitive gymnast has made her an amazing aerial expert and innovator. Known to be utterly fearless on the floor as well as in the air, Annie's dancing has been deeply inspired by the joyous enthusiasm and extreme dancing of Whitey's Lindy Hoppers, the legendary swing troupe of the 30's. She's a badass on the dance floor, havin won many international titles with world-class following skills, a love of ludicrous-speed dancing and some of the most daring improvisation you'll ever see. Annie also loves teaching and is known for her dedication in helping her students get it right. Beyond dancing Annie has been in charge of the SAF Entertainment Group's finances for the past few years, a job she did so well that the Desjardins Group's Asset Management team thought they should ask her to help them out with their "little business".

Annie has been featured in: Clin D'Oeil, GQ and Coup de Pouce magazine and seen on Musique Plus, CTV, TQS, TVA, SRC and CBS.

Ayasha Valji

Ayasha, is also one of the Studio 88-SWING's most brilliant and talented student, she was initially a member of the SAF: All Bal Team and later just became a fixture within the group. Her passion for social dancing and her all around good nature and party attitude made her a prospect that most could not wait to get on the team as in many ways she was part of the SAF Family way before she ever joined it officially. A speach laguage pathologist by day, she is used to dealing with people in a caring way and that is really helpful with a gang of misfits like the SAF!

Ayasha has been seen on Much Music.