Based out of New York City, Lainey Silver is a globetrotting jazz era dancer, performer, choreographer, DJ, and vintage fashionista. She specializes in Jazz Era dancing including lindy hop, balboa, charleston, shag, and solo jazz. Lainey currently teaches weekly group classes and private lessons at You Should Be Dancing Studios in Midtown, Manhattan. She also hosts dance events such as Tuesday night balboa and White Heat. Previous teaching credits include Dance Manhattan and Harlem Swings.
Lainey encourages her students to embrace the history of jazz dance while supporting the growth of modern lindy hop. She emphasizes connection to your partner, solid fundamentals, proper body mechanics, and movement inspired by the feel of the music.
Her mission: To help you find your own voice and creativity on the dance floor while building body awareness skills.
Lainey has performed in several classic New York City venues including: Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center's "Midsummer Night Swing," the Rainbow Room, and the Edison Ballroom. She's also performed in numerous groups including: Gatsby Entertainment and The Lindy Hop All-Stars. In 2016, she was a featured principal dancer in the Danny Strong film "Rebel in the Rye."
Teaching
Group Lessons:
Lainey teaches group lessons, private lessons, and workshops at You Should Be Dancing...!
Private Lessons:
Please contact Lainey to schedule a private lesson.
Weekend Workshops:
Will travel to dance! Contact Lainey for rates and availability.
Performance
Lainey is available for solo, couple, or ensemble event performances. She can perform to a live band or with her own music.
Event Organization
Lainey runs a number or local events on a weekly, monthly, and annual basis.
DJ Lainey
Lainey has an in-depth knowledge of 1930s swing, big band music, 1920s jazz, and charleston music. She regularly DJs at Frim Fram Jam, White Heat, YSBD's Balboa Practice, Prohibition Productions, and Dances of Vice. Book her for a your next gig.
Vintage Fashion Modeling
Hire Lainey for modeling, styling, and acting for a Jazz Era vintage fashion flare.
Testimonials
"Lainey is the "bee's knees." Enthusiastic, patient and committed to the swing era. My wife and I have been taking lessons from Lainey for two years and we couldn't be happier."
-Joe O.
"Lainey is the best!!!! She is a great dancer and teacher and always finds a way to help us learn that new step! Also, she is so upbeat and full of energy. We love her."
-Ellen O.
"Lainey Silver is a brilliant swing dance instructor! We've been her students in private and group lessons for over 5 years, for East Coast Swing, Lindy Hop, Charleston, and Blues dancing. She taught us everything from basic and advanced steps, posture and connection, and essential skills for leaders and followers, to how to use the music, move fluidly, syncopate, and improvise. Her friendly, enthusiastic, and encouraging approach makes lessons a joy! She is very gifted at identifying problems with movement and customizing how to correct and improve them. She can teach both leaders and followers equally well. Now, we get videotaped when we dance! Lainey is the most amazing swing teacher ever!"
-Mary and Alan M.
"Lainey is a gifted teacher. I learn more in one lesson with her than I could going to class for a month. She's super positive but she also challenges me. She's that rare combination of patient educator and awesome performer. I know I'm in good hands!"
-Anya W.
Dance Competition Awards
2018
1st Place: Intrepid Battle of the Big Bands Strictly with Bobby White
3rd Place: California Balboa Classic with Mickey Fortanasce
3rd Place: Great Lakes Balboa Escape Pure Balboa with Joe Pangburn
3rd Place: Great Lakes Balboa Escape Slow Balboa with Joe Pangburn
Semi-Finalist: All Balboa Weekend Open Mix and Match
2017
1st Place: Midwest Lindyfest Invitational Jack and Jill with Ryan Calloway
3rd Place: Great Lakes Balboa Escape Slow Balboa with Joe Pangburn
3rd Place: Great Lakes Balboa Escape Balboa Shuffle
Finalist: LindyFest All-Star Jack and Jill
Finalist: LindyFest Open Balboa Jack and Jill
Finalist: All Balboa Weekend Open Mix and Match
2016
1st Place: LindyFest Open Balboa Jack and Jill with Andrew Muñoz
2nd Place: Amateur ACBC at All Balboa Weekend with Rafal Pustelny
3rd Place: Intergalactic Balboa Championships at All Balboa Weekend w/ Freddie Karlbom
4th Place: LindyFest All-Star Jack and Jill with Rafal Pustelny
4th Place: Balboa Strictly at Balboa Castle Camp with Patrick Austen
2015
1st Place: Lonestar Championships at LindyFest Open Balboa Jack and Jill with Patrick Ye
1st Place: Amateur Balboa Couples at Music City Shuffle with Andy Yong
2nd Place: Lindy Focus Underground Championships Balboa Edition with Andy Yong
Finalist: Lonestar Championships at LindyFest All-Star Jack and Jill
Finalist: Lonestar Championships at LindyFest All-Star Strictly with Dan Newsome
Finalist: Balboa Strictly at International Lindy Hop Championships with Dan Newsome
Semi-Finalist: Amateur Balboa Jack and Jill at All Balboa Weekend
2014
1st Place: Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown (ULHS) Slow Dance with Dan Newsome
1st Place: Nevermore Jazz Ball Challenge with Dan Newsome
2nd Place: Lone Star Championship Open Balboa Jack and Jill with Dan Newsome
2nd Place: Lindy On The Rocks Blues with Dan Newsome
3rd Place: Midwest Lindyfest Advanced Strictly with Dan Newsome
3rd Place: Lindy On The Rocks Jack and Jill with Alex Parker
3rd Place: Nevermore Jazz Ball Barrelhousing Blues with Dan Newsome
5th Pla ce: Lone Star Championship All-Star Strictly with Dan Newsome
5th Place: Boston Tea Party Lindy Hop Advanced Jack and Jill with Lee Chauncey Tucker
Finalist: Boston Tea Party Lindy Hop Advanced Strictly with Dan Newsome
Finalist: Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown (ULHS) Jack and Jill with Alain Fragman
Finalist: Nevermore Jazz Ball Jack and Jill
2013
1st Place: Miss Camp Hollywood pin-up contest
1st Place: Lindy Focus Team "Four Corners" (Choreo by Jon Tigert/Jenna Applegarth)
2nd Place: ILHC Advanced Jack and Jill with Pontus Spelmans
3rd Place: Lindy Focus Short Showcase with Dan Newsome
5th Place: ILHC Showcase with Dan Newsome
Finalist: ULHS Slow Dance with Dan Newsome
Finalist: Lone Star Championship All-Star Strictly with Dan Newsome
Finalist: Camp Hollywood Advanced Jack and Jill
2012
1st Place: Gypsy Jam Jack and Jill with Milson Saidl
2nd Place: Empire City Swing Jitterbug Championships Strictly with Adam Lee
2010
1st Place: Yehoodi.com's Y12A Strictly Lindy Contest with Adam Lee
2009
2nd Place: ALHC College Team Division "Columbia's Roarin' Rhythm"
5th Place: ALHC Open Jack and Jill with Robert Morisset