Jonas started dancing at the age of 8 years old, and it quickly became his main hobby. Lindy hop was the first dance that captured him and it made all his interest focus on African American dance and music. All spare time was spent in the dance studio, practicing to develop his skills, or at home listening to old jazz recordings. The weekends was spent at competitions or performing with swing dance company Basie's Bunch.
In his early twenties Jonas moved to Stockholm to study professionally and since graduating from the Ballet Academy in 2006 he has been working as a freelance dancer, teacher and choreographer.
In 2010 Jonas, together with Larsa Jemt and Andrew Liebmann, founded Stockholm Tap Festival which has grown in to one of the major tap dance events in the world.
Current projects are listed at: PÅ SCEN)
EDUCATION
2002-2003, 1-year dance program, Danscenter Stockholm
2003-2006, 3-year dance education, Ballet Academy Stockholm
2017-2018, 1-year halftime studies, Royal College of Music, Stockholm
+ a vast number of festivals/camps/workshops, which include learning from the following masters of tap, swing and jazz: Frankie Manning, Norma Miller, Arthur Duncan, Dawn Hampton, Brenda Bufalino, Dianne Walker, Ivery Wheeler, Savion Glover, Sarah Petronio, Skip Cunningham, Chazz Young, Chester Whitmore, Sam Weber, Heather Cornell, Ted Louis Levy, Marshall Davis Jr, Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards, Derick Grant, Roxane Butterfly, Tamangoh, Jason Samuels Smith, Michelle Dorrance, Ayodele Casel, and many other great dancers.
WORK & STAGE EXPERIENCE
Choreographer/dancer in various productions and events including Rolling Stones official video "Plundered My Soul", Swedish Museum of Performing Art, Swedish National Television (SVT), Swedish Grammy Awards.
Ten years member of swing dance company Basie's Bunch, touring all over the world; New York City, Washington DC and London, doing shows and performances, tv-broadcasts and musicals.
Member of the Swedish Lindy Hop National Team, a 5th place in the 1995 World Championship, 2nd place in the 1999 World Championship and a bunch of gold, silver and bronze medals in the Swedish Championships.
Jonas is regularly teaching at dance studios in Stockholm and at workshops and festivals around Sweden and abroad.
"Tap dance became my favorite form of expression and in 2009 I founded House of Hoofing to help spread my love for this art form. I want people to be more educated about tap, and learn about the African American history and tradition.
In 2010 I co-founded Sthlm Tap Festival, which has become one of the main tap events in the world and now is an all-year-round occupation for me as producer & artistic director.
Another dream and goal was to be member of a band and show how tap is also a muscial instrument and that's what I do with Bagis Bebop"
