FOUNDER / ARTISTIC DIRECTOR / INSTRUCTOR

Carla Crowen has been teaching Lindy Hop and other forms of Vintage swing dancing for over 20 years. She has traveled the globe as an invited instructor and artist of swing dancing in order to share her passion & knowledge. She is currently the creator and director of The Rhythm Lounge (Lindy Central) and is working hard to cultivate a strong community of dance in the Central Pennsylvania area.

She lays claim to some of the most prestigious competition titles including American Lindy Hop Champion, US Open Lindy Hop Champion, World Lindy Hop Champion, and International Lindy Hop Champion. She has also choreographed for the well-known and well-loved hit dance show, “So You Think You Can Dance." In 2011 Carla was creative director for a new hit dance show featuring several full-sized orchestras and professional dancers entitled “Let’s Dance,” which toured parts of the US and Canada.

She has also been inducted into the California Swing Dance Hall of Fame and has danced in various movies such as "The Polar Express" and "In Love and Dancing."

Social dancing, teaching, and community wellness and connection are the heart and soul of motivation for Carla. She thinks that learning to dance is something everyone is capable of doing and that dance communities can be a valuable place to connect and grow as an individual. Her favorite things to explore in teaching and in working on dance for herself include personal self-expression and improvisation. She strives to share dance ideas in authentic ways and has been experimenting with combining her passion for movement in dance with her yoga training.

She has an amazing ability to communicate movement and partnering in her teaching and is an avid fan of having fun while learning.

"There is something so unique in the art of social dancing - to be moved by music that sparks ideas and feelings and then be able to translate that into connection and communication with a partner feels quite magical and empowering."

Carla truly believes that if more people found dance in their lives, the world would be a happier, healthier, safer place to be.

Coming soon . . .

Lindsey started dancing in Pennsylvania in 2015 and has practically lived on the dance floor ever since! She loves all things vintage, especially the swing dance styles she dances and teaches, predominately Lindy Hop, Collegiate Shag, Boogie Woogie and Solo Jazz. She co-founded a swing dance studio in Texas with her partner Fabio before returning to her native Central PA! She has performed and choreographed for various dance troupes over the years and routinely travels to workshops to further her own knowledge of swing dance; which she loves to share with students and peers, especially her passion for Collegiate Shag!

As a kid, Fabio got his start with ballroom dances and European “Rock’n’Roll”. Later, as an adult, he discovered swing dancing and simply fell in love with it. While living in Texas, he expanded his dance repertoire from Lindy Hop, to Balboa and Collegiate Shag (his favorite!), and even Boogie Woogie. Fabio loves to share his knowledge with others, and has been teaching swing classes and workshops since 2014. With his partner, Lindsey, he co-founded and ran a swing dance studio in Houston. He has performed and created choreographies in various styles and routinely attends swing dance events in the US and Europe.

Details coming soon . . .

Since 2017, Hana has been hooked on Lindy Hop because of 1) how it invites EVERY individual into authentic self-expression; and 2) how it creates cherished opportunities to connect with so many unique humans in such a incredible community! Hana's love of teaching is informed by her desire to stay true to the foundation of Lindy Hop and expressed by providing guidance and support, giving her students the space to learn, take chances, and discover their unique voice.

Aaron Jones began dancing Lindy Hop at his college’s swing dance club in 2009. Shortly thereafter, he began teaching, competing, and performing in local events around central Pennsylvania. In 2016, he became involved in the Lehigh Valley’s swing dance organization, currently known as Lehigh Valley Lindy. Today, Aaron continues to teach in the area, as well as learning and competing in national events. He loves encouraging his students to listen to the music, their partner, and their own bodies to make every dance special.

Samantha loves to dance. She becomes a very shiny person when she dances and she says it ‘feels the most like home’. Contrastingly, when she’s not teaching and dancing you’ll find her in the coat room of any party reading a book.

Anna started dancing in 2014 and immediately fell in love.

Starting with Lindy Hop, West Coast Swing, and some ballroom, Anna developed a love of connection and improvisation in partner dancing. In 2022 she started attending classes regularly at The Rhythm Lounge and ever since has been a wonderful part of our community, sharing her joy and love of dance.

Coming soon …