Bio

Jaredan Braal began swing dancing in 1997 after seeing the neo-swing band Lee Press-On and the Nails. That was all it took, he was hooked! He has been social dancing and actively helping develop dance communities ever since. After moving to Memphis in 1999, he quickly became one of the lead dance instructors. In 2005, Jaredan along with other Memphis dancers, founded the not for profit corporation Red Hot Lindy Hop Inc. He is currently working to promote swing dance by creating social dance and workshop opportunities in Memphis and the surrounding areas. He has planned countless events including the 2008 Red Hot Lindy Exchange, the 2009 & 2010 Snap! Crackle! Hop! Lindy Hop Workshops and Epicenter Memphis - Vintage Swing Dance Workshop for 2013. Jaredan teaches Lindy Hop, Balboa and Charleston classes and trains teachers who teach at the weekly dances for Red Hot Lindy Hop. He has also choreographed routines for the Red Hot Lindy Hop dance team. His choreography generally focuses on musicality, partner connection and a flow of movement, similar to his social dancing. Jaredan attributes his greatest advancements to social dancing. His personal dance concepts center around the ideas of continuation of motion, and social dancing as a three-way conversation between the lead, the follow and the music. The extensive experience he has gained by attending events throughout the U.S. has fine-tuned his technique and concepts about leading and following. He has also studied under some of the most distinguished names in Lindy Hop and Balboa, including his introduction to Lindy Hop by Frankie Manning.

Awards / Accomplishments

1st Place:

Strictly Lindy - River City Mess-Around - July 2013
People's Choice Jack & Jill Contest - Greenwood Swingout - May 2013
Red Square Challenge - Balboa Rendezvous - April 2013
Solo Charleston Challenge - Balboa Rendezvous - April 2013
Open Strictly Balboa - Rocky Mountain Balboa Blowout - February 2012
Inter-Gen Any Swing Goes - San Francisco Bal Fest - December 2011
Bal-Swing Jack and Jill - Camp Balboa Seattle - September 2011
Super Secret Competition (Blindfolded Balboa) - Tied for first - Camp Balboa Seattle - September 2011
Strictly Lindy - Southern Fried Swing - September 2010
Jack and Jill - Southern Fried Swing - September 2010
Strictly Balboa - New Orleans Dance Renaissance - January 2009

2nd Place:

EPIC DJ Battle - Matt & Chris Wedding Workshop Exchange - March 2013
Amateur Couples - Blaboa Rendezvous - April 2012
Collegiate Shag Open - San Francisco Bal Fest - December 2011
Pure Balboa Battle - San Francisco Bal Fest - December 2011
CBS Couples - Camp Balboa Seattle - September 2011
Jack & Jill - The Rhythm Is Jumpin' - July 2011
Strictly Balboa - New Orleans Dance Renaissance - January 2010
Strictly Balboa - San Francisco Balboa Festival - December 2010
Same Sex Any Swing Goes at San Francisco Balboa Festival - December 2010
Jack and Jill - Southern Fried Swing - October 2009
Blues Jack and Jill - Bluesalicious 2008
Team Competition - Harvest Moon Melee - September 2007

3rd Place:

Open Jack & Jill - Nevermore Jazz Ball - November June 2013
Barrelhousin’: A Slow Dance Contest - Nevermore Jazz Ball - November June 2013
Strictly Balboa - American Lindy Hop Championship - June 2013
Open Jack & Jill - Rocky Mountain Balboa Blowout - February 2013
Open Jack & Jill - California Balboa Classic - Januarey 2013
Pro Am with Kelly Arsenault -Eastern Balboa Championship - November 2012
Amateur Open Clasic with Mimi Liu - Eastern Balboa Championship - November 2012
Ameteur Jack & Jill - Eastern Balboa Championship - November 2012
Strictly Lindy - Southern Fried Swing - October 2012
Jack and Jill - Southern Fried Swing - October 2012
Open Jack & Jill - Rocky Mountain Balboa Blowout - February 2012
Balboa Jack & Jill - San Francisco Bal Fest - December 2011
Balboa Swing Open - San Francisco Bal Fest - December 2011
Pro/Am Jack & Jill - The Rhythm Is Jumpin' - July 2011
Amateur Strictly Balboa - Eastern Balboa Championship - November 2010
Strictly Lindy - New Orleans Dance Renaissance - January 2009