FEET ON THE FLOOR

We’re just a bunch of dancers, hopping around Southern California, hiding out in the secret corners of juke joints and dance halls. To the layman, just like any other scruffy hoofers. But When you feel it, you know. In coming together Mike Foncannon and Ellie Jay bring to life a passion for the bygone era that fuels them. It's a passion for swing. A passion for community. A passion for connecting to the world around them in a way often forgotten. 

Each story is unique, and the ones that brought this troupe together vary as much as any. From feeling addicted to a dancers high from a young age, to grabbing the energy of it all by the horns and holding on for dear life. Lindy Hop, the great mover, connecting them to a rich history of conflict and belonging.

Ellie Jay

Executive Director

Ellie has a passion for dance and has dedicated her life to the art form. Ellie started dancing in Colorado where she studied ballet, contemporary, modern, jazz, and more under Nancy Tracy and at Sangre de Cristo Art Center under Stephen Wynne. In 2016, Ellie moved to Orlando, Florida, and found a new home in swing dancing, which brought her to Southern California in 2021.

Mike Foncannon

Director

Mike first started dancing when a collegiate couple taught him how to swing at the ripe age of twelve and by fourteen he was teaching large group classes in Central Florida. From swing he branched into traditional jazz and hip hop, then found himself in the fiercely competitive world of Ballroom Dance while studying at Brigham Young University. While the competitive aspect of Ballroom was thrilling, the authenticity of Lindy Hop and other vintage street dances pulled him back to his roots.