Andréas Olsson
Social Dancer, Teacher, Performer
Competitor and Choreographer
Balboa, Lindy Hop, Saint Louis Shag, Authentic Jazz and more
Balboa, Lindy Hop, Saint Louis Shag, Collegiate Shag and more.
Teacher, organiser, performer, social dancer and competitor
"Andréas is a great teacher, not only for his pedagogy, but also because he is naturally open and generous toward his students. He can teach classes with high degree of technique, focused on musicality or styling, with a deep knowledge of swing culture and history of the dance.
As a dancer, he has great awareness of the artistic choices that make his dancing unique. Always open to discussion and playful, he is crazy and energetic on the dance floor, warm and welcoming in every situation. I have always been satisfied about his job at our festivals; he is really flexible and precise, always looking for a good compromise to make everybody happy."
Carlotta Bianco, Dancer, teacher and festival organiser, Turin, Italy
"It's easy to fall into the trap of feeling like I know all the moves and at the same time feeling stuck in my progress as a dancer. I turned to Andreas to break down my bad dancing habits and get back to fundamentals. Not only did he identify problems, he also offered some practical solutions to them and personal eye-opening pointers. He also created exercises my dance partner and I can apply right away that would elevate our dancing.
Andreas showed me through his thorough and personalized feedback and exercises ways to keep improving. With his endlessly encouraging, positive and up beat attitude; there was never a dull moment. I would not think twice about taking privates with Andreas."
Luis Arrendondo, Dancer, teacher and founder of the Lindy Hop Revolution Dance school, Toronto, Canada
"I’ve had the pleasure of taking both classes and a private with Andreas and Olga. Their classes are well constructed, with material presented in a way that enables you to easily build on the concepts presented. They really involve you as a class member, asking for your thoughts and ideas. They encourage critical thinking by asking you to observe and then comment on what it is you saw demonstrated. Most importantly, they exude fun. This is a social dance and I think it is so important that the fun and social nature of the dance is preserved and celebrated and this is something that these two definitely do.
From a private lesson perspective Andreas and Olga are well skilled in analysis, easily identifying where your technique could be optimised. They take the time to both dance with you and to observe you, bringing together these inputs along with your goals to help you develop your skills. Most importantly they are kind and sensitive, recognising that it can be nerve wracking taking a private lesson and receiving such direct feedback."
Kate Patsky, Dancer and teacher, Melbourne, Australia
”Andreas Olsson is consistently one of the hardest working dancers I know. He has been consistent in his drive to practice and improve his dancing. He is creative with his ideas and movement. He is also extremely detail oriented and precise in his technique and class planning. I has been routinely impressed with dedication to improving his own teaching of dance. He also happens to be one of the most fun and at times ridiculous partners to dance with and watch, and I know that many other dancers agree with me. I recommend him without hesitation as a teacher and dancer.”
"Andreas Olsson is consistently one of the hardest working dancers I know. He has been consistent in his drive to practice and improve his dancing. He is creative with his ideas and movement. He is also extremely detail oriented and precise in his technique and class planning. I have been routinely impressed with dedication to improving his own teaching of dance. He also happens to be one of the most fun and at times ridiculous partners to dance with and watch, and I know that many other dancers agree with me. I recommend him without hesitation as a teacher and dancer."
Jennifer Lee, Dancer, teacher and teaching partner to Andréas. Seattle, USA
My Story
Andréas Olsson - Biography
Andreas Olsson lives in Stockholm, Sweden. He grew up on the wrestling mat, fighting other little boys in leotards. He won most of the time since he’s always given 100% in everything that he does. He also played the violin in his childhood. You might not think classical music and wrestling has much in common with Swing dancing, but it has definitely contributed to him becoming the unpredictable, creative, musical and interesting dancer he is today.
Andreas was introduced to Lindy Hop in 2001 and a few years later to Balboa and other dances. In his early career, Andreas focused on performance and competition. He was part of the Swedish National Lindy Hop team and the Stockholm based performance troop Shout n Feel it. His international teaching career started in the mid 2000´s. Since then, Andreas teaches Lindy Hop, Solo Jazz, Balboa, Saint Louis Shag, Collegiate Shag and other swing dances all around the world. He often competes and was awarded first place at events as Balboa division at National Jitterbug Championships (Camp Hollywood), Lindy and Balboa division at International Lindy Hop Championships, American Classic Balboa Championships (All Balboa Weekend), Rendezvous Championships (New York Balweek) and Rocky Mountain Balboa Blowout. Andreas is also the reigning champion of the American Classic Balboa Championships at All Balboa Weekend together with Olga Marina.
Andreas is not only involved in the swing dance community as a dancer. He has since many years back been the competition organiser and DJ coordinator of Snowball. He is organising events and is a founder of the Bal-Love festival in Prague, Czech Republic. He is also the launching an online Balboa class system called BAL-ACADEMY, in 2020.
Before working full time with Swing dance, Andreas was working as a maritime archaeologist in Stockholm. Diving, history and archaeology is still one of his greatest interests.
As a dancer, Andreas is known for his his unique style, creativity and musicality. He is a technical dancer who is highly appreciated for his social dancing skills and his ability to connect and dance with follows of many different styles. He thinks of himself as a swing dancer first and stresses the importance that dancers today learn a little bit of all the swing dances.
As a dance teacher, Andreas has a warm and comfortable approach towards students. He is known for being good at breaking down the dances in an understandable way through inventive exersizes and class contents. As Andreas sees it, teaching inspiring not only because it allows you to see dancers improve, but also because it offers a possibility to learn more about dancing and to contribute the ever-changing dance styles.
Andreas teach with:
Olga Marina (RUS) https://isolobalboa.com/about-olga/
Jennifer Lee (USA) https://jennleedance.wordpress.com
Moe Sakan (JPN/UK),
Mette Herlitz (SWE)
Mélanie Ohl (FR)
Gio Olla (SWE).