Grace specializes in teaching the following swing/ballroom dance styles: Lindy Hop, East Coast Swing, Charleston, Balboa, Solo Jazz, Wedding Dance.  She has found a passion in the preservation of American Vernacular Jazz Dance of the 1920s through the 1950s.  Whether you have never danced before, or are looking to take your swing dancing to the next level, or looking to learn your first dance for your wedding, or wanting authentic swing-era dance for television/film/media content, Grace's breadth of knowledge, experience, and passion for teaching will help you shine! 

 
 

To schedule a private lesson or for any inquiries regarding guest teaching, group rates, or choreography, please email grace.babbes@gmail.com or click here. 

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Teaching bio

Growing up in a family of actors, Grace has been performing all her life - theatre, voice over, music.   With a lifelong love of jazz/big band music and a love of dance, she took her first Lindy Hop class in 2012 and quickly fell in love!  She began with social dancing and was often seen out 4-5 nights a week at venues throughout LA and Orange County. She was able to progress and develop quickly thanks to many hours spent on the social dance floor and in practice rooms with her partner Keegan Mullin and with various performance/competitive teams.

Grace regularly social dances and teaches all across Southern California, and competes in many regional and national competitions, both in partnerships and with the award-winning team Special Delivery Stomp. In addition, Grace is a member of the entertainment company The Hollywood Hotshots, performing in live events, music videos, commercials, and more.  She has found a passion for the preservation of American Vernacular Jazz Dance, and has choreographed and performed for film, music videos, and live events. 

Grace brings a sense of playful fun to her teaching, keeping a strong emphasis on connection technique. Her favorite part of Lindy hop is that the dance can be a conversation with your partner, and she believes the best way to learn to “converse” is through good connection, solid basics, and a lot of fun!  Whether you are looking to learn your first dance for your wedding, or have never danced before, or are ready to take your swing dancing to the next level, Grace looks forward to the opportunity to get you feeling confident, looking good, and having fun on the dance floor! 

 

Competitions

2017

  • Grace Babbes & Juan Cuadra 2nd Place, Inspiration Weekend Amateur Lindy Hop Battle, Fullerton, CA

2016

  • Grace Babbes 1st Place, Third Saturday Swing Holiday Jack and Jill, Pasadena, CA
  • Grace Babbes & Andrew Jose 1st Place, US Open Lindy Showcase, Los Angeles, CA
  • Special Delivery Stomp 2nd Place, US Open Team, Los Angeles, CA
  • Grace Babbes & Andrew Jose 5th Place, US Open Strictly Lindy, Los Angeles, CA 
  • Grace Babbes & Steven Seo 2nd Place, Swingin' at the Savoy History of Lindy Strictly, Oakland, CA
  • Grace Babbes 3rd Place, Inspiration Weekend Jack and Jill (pro-am), Fullerton, CA
  • Grace Babbes 2nd Place, Third Saturday Swing Pre-Camp Hollywood Jack and Jill, Pasadena, CA

2015

  • Grace Babbes 3rd Place, Fog City Stomp Jack and Jill, San Francisco, CA
  • Grace Babbes & Keegan Mullin 6th Place, National Jitterbug Championships, Los Angeles, CA

2014

  • Grace Babbes 3rd Place, Inspiration Weekend Jack and Jill (pro-am), Fullerton, CA