Allison Frey, owner of Boulder Swing Dance

Allison grew up with a strong love for the performing arts, seriously pursuing classical music from a young age. While studying abroad in India they encountered Indian classical dance and were immediately transfixed. She studied Odissi while abroad and also while studying for her Master’s degree back in the U.S., incorporating academic and personal studies of the dance into her research while also performing. Allison discovered Lindy hop in 2014 after moving to Colorado and loved the improvisational, freeing and rhythmic nature of the dance. They began teaching at Boulder Swing Dance a few years later, branching out to teach with Swingin’ Denver soon after. In 2020 Allison took over operations of Boulder Swing Dance after the previous owners decided to step down. The pause caused by the pandemic allowed her to dig into history, pedagogy, and solo practice in a deep and meaningful way. Now that classes are back she’s bringing energy to the local scene, collaborating with a variety of dancers, instructors, and musicians. She continues to constantly learn, committed to fostering an environment where students learn not just how to dance but about the Black American roots from which Lindy Hop grew. They are committed to creating a classroom environment that is encouraging, historically mindful, joyful, and full of dancing!