“That dance studio is the Bees’ Knees!”
Named for the popular 1920s slang, Bees’ Knees Dance strives to embody the impressive standard from which our moniker was derived. The compliment was often bestowed on those deemed terrific dancers and we believe the expression can apply to absolutely anyone.
Founded in 1999 by notable Toronto dancer Mandi Gould as well as Dan Amores, Bees’ Knees Dance has been one of Toronto’s main Lindy Hop studios. When Mandi stepped down in mid-2014, a new group of dancers took over and ran the initiative from 2014 through November 2019.
As of Fall 2023, Mandi Gould is reclaiming the brand and will be working alongside her sister, Zoey Gould.
Classes with Bees’ Knees Dance are innovative, relaxed, and infectious, providing individual attention to each student and appealing to beginner and experienced dancers alike. We offer classes in Lindy Hop, Charleston, and Authentic Solo Jazz.
Swing dancing in Toronto is so much more than a collection of steps − It’s joining a welcoming and supportive community; it’s building new relationships and colourful memories; it’s unleashing renewed confidence and limitless potential; it’s discovering live music so infectious, the rhythm reigns; and it’s the exhilaration of finding Toronto’s best kept secret brimming with joy, inclusivity, creativity and physical expression.
Zoey Gould
Zoey brings over 26 years of lindy hop experience, having travelled extensively to study with original lindy hop and tap legends including Frankie Manning, Norma Miller, Dawn Hampton, Fayard Nicholas, and Leonard Reed. Zoey also studied with second-generation dancers including the Rhythm Hot Shots and Harlem Hot Shots in Sweden, and Chester Whitmore in USA.
Zoey had a 10-year career as a circus artist and busker (trapeze, silks, rope, human statue), which brought her to Australia, and later Montreal. She opened a circus school in Toronto in 2009, and produced two theatre shows with her company. Zoey’s trained in an array of dance styles ranging from contemporary to hip hop. She’s a certified contortion coach and artist educator, and previously served on the Toronto Lindy Hop Board of Directors.
Jana Jedlovska
After taking some time off, Jana is excited to get back and share her passion for Lindy Hop with a new generation of dancers.
Click on this video to see Jana dancing in 2000 at Jazzin’ Up the Pier; she’s the nearest follower, seen here with Martin Nantel. (You’ll also see Mandi with Dan Amores in the middle and Alana Hock with Solomon Douglas at the back.)
Osman Omar
Mandi Gould
Mandi Gould has been passionate about Lindy Hop since she first laid eyes on the dance in 1998. The highlights of her life were assisting legendary swing dancer Frankie Manning with workshops in 2002, 2006 and 2008.
Mandi Gould has taught Lindy Hop across Canada, the United States, Switzerland, Sweden, Russia, China, South Korea, and Japan. She is the original founder of Bees’ Knees Dance in Toronto where she taught as Head Dance Instructor for 16 years. She was also a co-founder of Toronto Lindy Hop. From 2011-2020 she was a Member of the Board of Advisors for the Frankie Manning Foundation.
In 2002 she spent time in Saint Petersburg and Moscow where helped with the early development of the Russian Lindy Hop community. In 2003 she managed two North American tours for the Harlem Hotshots and from 2002 to 2004 she assisted as a key administrator for the Herräng Dance Camp, was Herräng’s original DJ Coordinator, and organized the Swing Bus in 2004. In May of 2014, she was the Overall Producer for the largest swing dance festival of all time, Frankie 100, in New York City, including the show Swingin’ Frankie’s Way at Harlem’s World Famous Apollo Theater. In 2016 she organized a special Lindy Hop event at the Rockefeller estate in Tarrytown, NY and Swedes in New York City in May 2019.
Since 2020, Mandi’s relationship with Lindy Hop has become more complicated. However, she is very supportive of the Black Lindy Hoppers Fund and, in alignment with the BLHF mission, she is passionate about Lindy Hop’s legacy and bridging the gap of knowledge, access, and development for Black Lindy Hoppers.