Sophie Yesberg (Swing Zing Director)

After dancing Swing for two years, Sophie created Swing Zing in 2004 to share her Swing Dance passion. Swing Zing has since grown to become the biggest and longest running Swing Dance School in Perth, teaching in several venues and high schools, and performing at many community and corporate events.

Within the Perth Swing scene, Sophie is the only formally trained dancer, with a background as a professional contemporary dancer. She has taught and performed with two contemporary dance companies, Tasdance, and Buzz Dance Theatre, worked on many independent dance projects, taught in several private studios, primary and high schools and holds a Degree in Dance.

Swing Dance was immediately attractive to Sophie, as it has similar concepts, playfulness and creativity to Contact Improvisation, another passion of hers. Sophie also enjoys the spontaneity of Jack and Jill competitions and took first place in the 2004 and 2008 Hullabaloo Jack and Jill Lindy Hop Competitions in Perth, first place in the 2007 and 2008 Balboa On The River Jack and Jill Competitions in Brisbane, and first place in the 2010 Jack and Jill at Camp Oz, Adelaide. Sophie has developed a huge passion for Balboa, has visited the USA several times to meet the 'old timers' of the dance, and established a Balboa scene in Perth.

Sophie's aim, in teaching for Swing Zing, is to impart the immense joy of Swing Dance to the Perth community. She has a strong dedication towards broadening the Swing Dance experience in Perth by teaching a variety of Swing styles. She has organised many events with international teachers in Balboa, Blues, Lindy Hop and Charleston, has created the only regular Balboa and Blues classes in Perth, and often includes Collegiate Shag and line dances in her weekly classes.

Sophie loves mixing socially with the Australian Swing Dance community and has been privileged to teach at major events such as the Melbourne Swing Festival, Sydney Swing Festival, Camp Oz, Church City Blues, and Balboa on the River, in her favourite styles (perhaps that's everything) Lindy Hop, Shag, Blues, Balboa as well as a touch of Contemporary Dance!

Swing Dance complements Sophie's work in alternative health therapies, where she practises privately as a registered homoeopath and acupuncturist.