Pep Espígol

Swing - Lindy HopTeacher

Emi Garrote and Pep Espìgol started dancing Lindy Hop back in 1999. They received dancing education in Barcelona and different workshops in Europe. For more than seven years the were teachers at the Balliball School (Barcelona) and participated in the organization of the Barswingona International Event.

Co-founders of the Jazz Cats troupe from Barcelona, they danced and coreographed with it from its start until its dissolution. During its five years of activity, they performed in important scenarios like l'Auditori, the Palau de la Música, and the Cap Roig Jazz Festival. They also shared stage with musicians and dancers like: La Locomotora Negra, Swing Set, La Vella Dixieland, Barcelona Jazz Orchestra, Ignasi Terraza, Guillem Alonso (tap dance), Laia Molins (tap dance) and Roser Font (tap dance), among others.

Since 2003 they teach at european level: Sweden (Herräng Dance Camp 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011), Swingin' Spring in Gothemburg 2007,  Russia (Moscow Xmas Camp 2009, 2010, 2011), Goodnight Sweetheart Londres (2005, 2011), Workshop “SäntisHop" Switzerland (2014, 2016), judges in the European Swing Dance Championchips 2011, 2012, France (París, Lille, Toulouse, Montpellier, Grenoble, Aspet), Switzerland (Bern), Italy (Swing Crash Festival, Como 2010), Grenoble Swing Festival 2006, Summer Camp Studio Hop (2008, 2016), Leapin’ Lindy in Bern (Switzerland) 2006,  Festival Jazz Terrassa (2017, 2016, 2015, 2012, 2011, 2010), Andorra (Swing in Andorrain’), Catalonia (Sitges Swing, Lloret), Spain (Madrid, San Sebastian, Vitoria, Castelló),  Swim Out Costa Brava 2014, 2015, ZaraSwing Festival in Zaragoza 2017, 2016 y 2015, etc.

They have performed in the Gamper Trophy in Camp Nou (2012), in Gala FAO Tv1 "Mira quien Baila" 2005, in Barcelona Dance Festival Barcelona 2009, in Barcelona International Jazz Festival 2008, in TV3 Show “La Sonora” 2012. They have also held performances in the Palau de la Música with La Locomotora Negra, in the 47 VOLL-DAMM FESTIVAL INTERNACIONAL DE JAZZ DE BARCELONA 2015, and in the Auditori de Barcelona with La Locomotora Negra ”XIII CONCERT PER AL TXAD 2016".

In 2007 they founded their own school "Escola de Swing Pep & Emi", in which they created a team to evolve arstitically and pedagogically until 2012. They also created their Lindy Hop exhibition troupe: the Swing Beats.

From 2008 to 2012 they were organizers and hosts of the Lindy Hop festival: the "Sinera Swing Festival" in Arenys de Mar (Barcelona).

Currently, they are still Lindy Hop teachers in regular courses, and in national and international workshops.

In their classes they strengthen the relationship of the dancers with the music and with their dance partner, with a main goal: having as much fun as the original dancers of Savoy Ballroom!

When they dance, they always have in mind the great legends that inspire them every day: Frankie Manning, Norma Miller, Dawn Hampton, as well as the big interpreters of swing, like Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie, and Duke Ellington.

www.pepiemi.com