Meet Your Swing Aus Team!
Swing Aus Board
Jan Yanello
Secretary & TreasurerHi, I’m Jan, part of the Lancaster Swing Dance board and the Swing Aus organizing team. I first fell in love with social dancing almost a decade ago, and haven’t looked back since (though mothering a toddler and moving away from Lancaster City has meant far less time moving and grooving on the local dance floor).
I am passionate about community and love facilitating spaces for humans to connect and create together. You can find me at or around the front desk all weekend long, helping with registrations and doling out useful information. Feel free to ask me to dance!
Hanna Yanello
President, Venue, Instructors, & Social MediaHey, I’m Hanna! I first dipped my toes into Lindy Hop here at Lancaster Swing Dance in 2018. Someone let me on the Lancaster Swing Dance board a few years ago and the team has tolerated me this long. I wear many hats, including organizer, instructor, and dancer so you will often find me running around like a crazy woman trying to do all three at 110%. I love to travel but consistently maintain deep deep roots in my local community here in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
At Swing Aus, you will find me enthusiastically attempting to do bazillion things from teacher coordination, to playing bumping tunes before classes start, to juggling a mic, to sitting on the floor shoving food in my face. Ask me about our local scene, ask me questions about competing, ask me about where to find good food for lunch, or feel free to bring me a coffee because I will be running on pure caffeine and vibes over the weekend.
Katie Olsen
Band & DJ CoordinatorHi everyone! My name is Katie Olsen. I started dancing in the fall of 2023, and I’ve been hooked ever since! My favorite things about Lindy Hop are how it values connection to the music, the history, and the people who dance it.
When I’m not moving on the dance floor, I’m moving, singing, and engaging in other shenanigans in my classroom, where I teaches music to about 700 elementary students. A musician myself, I’m thrilled to bring great bands to Lancaster! I’ve been fortunate enough to have heard some great music, both here in Lancaster and up and down the East Coast, and I can’t wait to share some of my favorites with all of you!
If you see me around, please ask me to dance! I’m looking forward to seeing you all in our cozy city very soon.
Lori Yanello
Hospitality, Venue, & VibesHi, I'm Lori! This weekend at Swing Aus you'll find me taking care of all venue & hospitality related things! If you see me running around with toilet paper or chugging coffee in the corner, no you didn't... I've been dancing LindyHop for almost three years, and absolutely love it! Outside of dancing, you can find me cuddling up with my kitties, remodeling houses, or hiking. Ask me to dance!
Kelly Boose
Safer Spaces Advocate Kelly has always loved swing music and dancing, but didn't find social sing dancing until after she was widowed. The combination of community, great music, and the joy of swing dancing helped her start to enjoy life again. Her goal is to help everyone find support and joy at Swing Aus. If you need encouragement, support, or just a friendly face, look for her and let her know what you need. Life is good and dancing makes it better.
Weekend Staff
Brie Becker
Massage TherapistBrie is a Licensed Massage Therapist since 2018 and a member of the dance community since 2014. She can't wait to bring these two loves together for one epic weekend!
Brie will be offering 10-minute chair massages at the Iris Club from 12pm-4:30pm (this is during both the lunch break, 12:10 - 1:30, and the elective class timeslot, 3:15 - 4:30) on both Saturday and Sunday, as well as some times during the dancing (TBD). Massage prices are $15 for 10 minutes, payable via cash or Venmo. A physical sign-up sheet will be available at the Iris Club.
She will also be setting up a free self-care corner for use during the day on Saturday and Sunday. It will have foam rollers and massage tools available to help keep you loose and limber for all the swingouts and stylings your hearts desire!
Let's avoid being too "swungover" on Monday!
Jerry Almonte
PhotographerJerry S. Almonte has been fascinated by dance and it's associated communities since he began taking lindy hop lessons in 1999. He has organized dance events and DJed swing and soul parties. He now mostly documents people, dance, people dancing, people being people and the world in general But mostly around Washington, DC.
Website: J.S.ALMONTE productions
Michael Stoltzfus
PhotographerMichael is all about turning ideas into unforgettable moments. Whether it’s a photoshoot, wedding, or other event, he’s ready to dive in with passion, creativity, and the ability to thrive in any chaos. From capturing the action to handling tech, Michael helps solve your creative challenges and brings your vision to life.
Website: https://mstoltzfus.com/
Samuel Lisa
VideographerI am Sam and this is how the company started.
Back in 2010, I began my journey by using a simple DSLR, three basic lenses, shooting live music shows and capturing band photos. Touring around PA, MD, and NJ, it gave me the opportunity to shoot in some unique settings, lighting, and venues. It taught me a great deal but once I started to be asked to photograph couples, senior portraits, weddings, and events, those band days phased out quickly into something beyond.
My interest grew and weddings were exploding in the Eastern Pennsylvania region. They were bigger, more extravagant, and exciting and it drove me to work side-by-side with some great companies for photographing and filming all of these events in the greater PA area and Pittsburgh.
I, eventually, took what I learned and flowed it into the company to make it what it is today and continually will.
Website: https://www.edifyphotography.com/
SHOHAM BHADRA
EmceeShoham (he/him) has been described as “wholesomely raucous”, and that’s exactly the energy he brings to his emceeing. He’ll make sure you get all the info you need, and have a lot of fun along the way.