Ryan Francois is a swing dancer, choreographer and actor, who played a central part of the revival of the Lindy Hop . Specialising in dances related to the Jazz & Swing era - including the Lindy Hop, Charleston, Tap and Authentic Vernacular Jazz, Ryan has over 30 years dance experience.
Ryan learned from and danced with Frankie Manning as well as Pepsi Bethel, George Lloyd and Mama Lu Parks.
Biography
Choreography for the UK TV shows: Strictly Come Dancing So You Think You Can Dance (UK Series 1) So You Think You Can Dance (UK Series 2)
Founder and artistic director of the dance companies: Swing X-Treme and Zoots and Spangles.
Choreographed the swing dance Jitterbug Stroll (1992).
Appeared in the musical Swing! by Paul Kelly.
Co-choreographer for Feelin In The Mood musical.
TV DANCING WITH THE STARS ABC Network TVGuest Artist
STRICTLY COME DANCING BBC1Choreographer & Performing Artist
BRITAIN’S GOT TALENT
DANCING ON ICE
SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE
THE ALAN TITCHMARSH SHOW
THE PAUL O’GRADY SHOW Channel 4 Choreographer Artist
STRICTLY DANCE FEVER – SERIES 1 AND 2 BBC1 Coach & Performing Artist
COME DANCING BBC1. Ballroom Dance Series Choreographer & Guest Artist
THE ROSIE O'DONNELL SHOW Sing Sing Sing the cast of Broadway’s 'SWING' Choreographer
THE TONY AWARDS The cast of' 'SWING!' Choreographer & performer
MACY'S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE the cast of Broadway’s 'SWING' Choreographer
THE CHILDREN'S ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE BBC. TV Charity Event
WE SING WE DANCE Channel 4 Documentary about "The Nicolas Brothers"
TALKING TELEPHONES Carlton TV. Phone in Game Show
Movies
IDLEWILD Universal Pictures – Starring Outkast Own Choreography
THE POLAR EXPRESS Castle Rock – Director Robert Zemeckis Swing Elf
LACKAWANNA BLUES Emmy Winner HBO FILMS Dancer
MALCOLM X M.G. M. Movie - Director Spike Lee Dancer
SWING KIDS Disney Movie - Director Thomas Carter Assistant Choreographer
SHORE LEAVE British Film School Short - Starring Joanne Whalley Kilmer Choreographer
COMMERCIALS
RUFFLES CHRISP'S
CADBURY'S CHOCOLATE
KAPPAL CLOTHES
BUBBALICIOUS
MUSIC VIDEO'S
TWO COUSINS
DR. DR. Artists: SHAKATAK Choreographer & Main Artist
SAY ITS NOT TOO LATE Artist: MATT BIANCO Dancer / Choreographer
WHY CAN'T WE LIVE TOGETHER Artist: TIMMY THOMAS Dancer / Choreographer
THIS IS THE RIGHT TIME Artist: LISA STANSFIELD Dancer
WOMAN TO MAN Artist: HARRIET Dancer / Choreographer
RIDING HIGH Artist: ROBERT PALMER Dancer /Choreographer
MAKE IT WITH YOU Artists: THE PASADENA'S Choreographer
Awards
Twice winner of the U.S. Open and American Swing Dance Champion.
Nominated for a Tony Award on Broadway.
References
External links
Biography, ryanfrancois.com The Real Harlem Globetrotters, TEDxAlbertopolis tedxtalks.ted.com Ryan Francois Gives TEDx Talk on Lindy Hop History Home Page