Dara's got the key to the highway - and he shakes like jelly on a plate!
Anyone who’s spent any time with Dara knows he’s a huge Blues nerd. He’s been teaching Blues and Lindy Hop internationally for over 15 years and has taught, competed, performed, and judged at the biggest Blues events in Europe.
As a cultural outsider, he believes in emphasising history, and exploring movement with an awareness of the context that shaped it. He loves exploring the range of Blues music and dances that exist, and helping people find their own way to express what the music brings out in them.
Dara focuses on how fundamentals create everything that follows. Understanding how pulse gives life to the Fishtail, to rhythm, and to lead-follow connection. He emphasises polycentrism, rhythm, and groove as ways to train ourselves, not just technically, but artistically. His goal is to help dancers see where their movement sits within the Blues continuum and how they can contribute to it authentically
Dara teaches Blues Dance, Lindy Hop, Authentic Jazz, blues DJing and blues history both in his home scene in Valencia, Spain; and at international blues events. (Check out the Calendar here)
For more, read Dara & Leigh's joint bio
Dara also teaches Blues with:
Bibi
Jenna
Renske
Julia
Dara teaches Lindy Hop with:
Hanna
Bibi
Jenna
Renske
Julia
Sonnie
As a cultural outsider, he believes in emphasising history, and exploring movement with an awareness of the context that shaped it. He loves exploring the range of Blues music and dances that exist, and helping people find their own way to express what the music brings out in them.
Dara focuses on how fundamentals create everything that follows. Understanding how pulse gives life to the Fishtail, to rhythm, and to lead-follow connection. He emphasises polycentrism, rhythm, and groove as ways to train ourselves, not just technically, but artistically. His goal is to help dancers see where their movement sits within the Blues continuum and how they can contribute to it authentically
Dara teaches Blues Dance, Lindy Hop, Authentic Jazz, blues DJing and blues history both in his home scene in Valencia, Spain; and at international blues events. (Check out the Calendar here)
For more, read Dara & Leigh's joint bio
Dara also teaches Blues with:
Bibi
Jenna
Renske
Julia
Dara teaches Lindy Hop with:
Hanna
Bibi
Jenna
Renske
Julia
Sonnie
Community & Events
A mover and shaker in more ways than one, Dara is one of the founders of blues in Delft (Holland) and co-organises “Crash! - the Delft Blues Festival” every February.
Dáire is a passionate voice in the development of Safer Spaces in Europe, which began with organising talks on Safer Spaces topics at “Crash!” 2014. As well as contributing to the development of Safer Spaces policies and discussions; he’s been on the ground in Care teams for many blues events such as Blossom Blues (Zurich), European Blues Invasion (London), Moose Blues (Oslo), Octoblues (Heidelberg), Paris New Year Blues, and The Spoonful (Edinburgh). |
Lindy Hop & Authentic Jazz
Dara is an encyclopedia of Jazz moves; moving through life with happy feet and a permanent bounce. Dara first fell in love with the contagious rhythms of big band swing at university and can’t get enough of Lindy hop; a happy, vibrant dance that puts joy in your soul. When not swinging out with a partner on the social floor, Dáire loves to dance out his wee heart out with some solo jazz.
Dara’s approach to practice is to start with the music; breaking down lindy hop and jazz movements to their simplest components and experimenting, combining, and embodying them in the music. Dara’s classes provide the tools and techniques to better connect with the music and express yourself within the framework of the dance. Whether you’re polishing your Charleston or brushing up your ABCs of Jazz Steps, join Dara for lindy and jazz workshops that are joyful, playful, and most of all fun! |
DJingDara likes his music like he likes his whiskey; aged and mellow. He was born under a bad sign in Holland and has both lived, taught and DJed blues all over Europe.
Infamous on the blues dance circuit for his outstanding DJ skills, Dara meticulously researches and discovers new (sometimes quirky!) blues music to incorporate into his exciting sets. He also delights in introducing us to lesser known versions of the mainstream blues songs that we love. Dara is always researching and expanding his knowledge of blues music both on and off the floor. |
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