It's Always Lindy in Philadelphia 2026 Artist Bios
Updated: Sep 15
Here at Jazz Attack, we've put together an artist lineup that we couldn't be more excited about. They're incredible dancers, DJs, and archivists, not to mention incredible people. Get excited -- it's going to be a great weekend. To learn more, visit the It's Always Lindy page.
Hannah Lane
Hannah Lane (she/her) is a Lindy Hopper and Jazz dancer from Baltimore, Maryland. In addition to her love for jazz music and social dancing, Hannah is passionate about historical research. Her work focuses on historical jazz dancers and nightlife venues in Black American communities from her home state of Maryland to cities throughout the United States. Hannah’s project “Queens of the Nightclub” explores the lives, artistry, and careers of Shake Dancers, and seeks to uplift their legacies in the history of Jazz dance and in American popular culture.
Instagram: @hannahpilarrr
Jon Tigert
Jon Tigert is a world recognized Swing Dancer and musician. Specializing in Vintage dances such as Lindy Hop, Balboa, Blues, and Charleston, he has won titles from the International Lindy Hop Championships, The Canadian Swing Dance Championships, Lindy Focus, and many more. Swing Dancing since 2005, Jon has made a home in the swing community as a teacher, an MC, a performer, an organizer, and a musician. As a teacher, Jon is well known for his historical and musical knowledge, clear and concise communication, and endless supply of terrible dad jokes.
Jon now lives in Baltimore where he teaches at the Mobtown Ballroom and sings and plays drums with The Corner Pocket Jazz Band.
Hanna Yanello
Hanna has been teaching, performing, and competing in Lindy Hop for about 9 years and fosters a profound love and respect for the dance. With deep roots in her local community, she is enthusiastic about cherishing the integrity of the foundation of lindy hop and honoring the roots of the dance. In her classes, she is passionate about encouraging dancers at all levels of experience to become acquainted with their own creative expression through movement. As a teacher, Hana loves generating thoughtful engagement, and connects with her class attendees not ONLY as teacher but also as an active learner within jazz dance. Positive reinforcement in both the classroom and social dance floor setting is incredibly important to her. Both in teaching and in her personal training, she leans hard into excellence in movement choices and in cultivating personal creativity and connection.
Nii Attoh Okine
Nii Attoh-Okine is an avid Lindy Hop dancer, competitor, and DJ from Baltimore, Maryland. Over the past decade, Nii has traveled to dance scenes around the world, drawing inspiration from the diverse styles he’s encountered and sharing that perspective with his local community at Mobtown Ballroom. His classes emphasize the deep interdependence between partners and the music—focusing on how rhythm, connection, and shared creativity create a truly joyful dance.
Val Kutchko
Val Kutchko (they/she) started swingin' out 9 years ago in jazzy Kansas City. Val quickly became enamored by the energy and rhythms of jazz music and Lindy Hop. Val has since moved to Pittsburgh, PA, where they teach, organize, and DJ, sometimes playing multiple versions of a song in the same night to see how folks' dancing changes with each version.
Val delights in both following and leading, and their favorite dances are full of laughter. Informed by their enjoyment of both roles, as an instructor Val emphasizes communication, comfort, and playfully disrupting gendered dynamics of leading and following.
Doug Bae
Officially, Doug Bae (he/him) has been dancing for ten years, splitting time primarily between Lindy Hop, Blues, and Balboa. He occasionally dabbles in other styles, but is irrevocably drawn back to these dances under the blues and swing umbrellas because of the music. He currently lives in Pittsburgh, PA where he is an organizer of the Pittsburgh Swing Dance Community Pittsburgh Swing Dance Community as well as head organizer of PittStop Lindy Hop! Doug is continually finding new music that excites him and is very excited to share some of his favorites this weekend.
Andy Lee
You can always count on Andy Lee to make an entrance, and he’s doing just that as he joins the lineup for It’s Always Lindy in Philadelphia from September 25-27. He’s got the flash, he’s got the memes, and he’s a squat charleston machine. And while he may now call NYC his home scene, he was a Jazz Attack regular for years and brought a dedication to detail that consistently pushed the whole city to kick it up a notch. Andy’s ability to swap between a smooth, expressive styling in the vein of Leon James and the high-energy athleticism with echoes of Al Minns is a delight to watch, and I can’t help but think of two Philly tap legends – the Nicholas Brothers – whenever I see him nail a rhythm straight into a jazz split. Andy is generous with his time and laughter, and I can’t wait to learn from him at It’s Always Lindy in Philadelphia.
Scott Silbert
Silbert, a multiple woodwind player and arranger, was the chief arranger for the United States Navy Band for 15 years until his retirement in 2017. Before playing with the Navy Band, Silbert worked as a musician at Walt Disney World for nine years.
He is currently an active musician and arranger with the prestigious Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra.
Professionally, Scott has performed with or has written music for the National Symphony Orchestra, the W.C. Handy Jazz Festival, the Elkhart Jazz Festival, Natalie Cole, Kurt Elling, Stanley Turrentine, Rosemary Clooney, Bob Hope, Howard University, Red Skelton, Quincy Jones, Vanessa Williams , Terry Gibbs, Michael Buble, Josh Groban, Scott Hamilton, Chris Botti, The Les Brown Orchestra, Gloria Estefan, Johnny Mathis, James Taylor, Stevie Wonder, Eddie Daniels, Michael Feinstein, John Pizzarelli, Bill Crow, Lew Tabackin, Phil Woods, Hubert Laws, Christine Ebersole, and many others. Scott has studied privately with Manny Albam, Phil Woods, and Jerry Kalber.
Get excited to dance to the Scott Silbert Sextet at the Saturday night main dance of It's Always Lindy in Philadelphia on Saturday September 26th.
Ben Cohen
Ben Cohen is a Philadelphia-based percussionist and educator. He earned a Bachelor in Music in Jazz Performance in 2022 from Temple University’s Boyer College of Music and Dance and is currently continuing his studies to complete a Masters in Music (May 2024). Ben has studied with Dan Monaghan and Justin Faulkner, and was mentored by Dick Oatts, David Wong and Tim Warfield. Growing up in the Philadelphia area, Ben has performed at The Kimmel Center’s Verizon Hall as a member of the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra and Philadelphia Sinfonia, where he studied classical percussion with David Nelson. Ben regularly performs at live music venues around the Philadelphia area with various ensembles, and will be leading the seven-piece Ben Cohen & the Collaboration for the Friday night main dance at It's Always Lindy in Philadelphia on Friday September 25th
Katie Neary
She’s a girl who does it all, and always with smile on her face. Katie’s energy on stage is contagious and her playing is full of fun, driven by her love for music. Katie Neary is a jazz saxophonist, composer, vocalist, and violinist based in Philadelphia. Originally from Lower Merion, she currently attends the Boyer College of Music and Dance at Temple University. Through composing, performing, and organizing behind the scenes, Katie is driven to create a more connected world through music and the arts. Her music has joy and dance at the forefront, and her energy on stage always makes a great show!
Event Info
It's Always Lindy in Philadelphia is put together by Jazz Attack. The 2026 edition will take place from September 25-27 primarily at the Arch St. Meetinghouse in Old City. Check the IT'S ALWAYS LINDY 2026 page for more info.
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