About us

ZazouSwing is the husband/wife teaching and performing duo of Todd Schmenk and Beth Donahue. They discovered Swing dancing in 1998 while planning their wedding and desperately looking for alternatives to the typical wedding reception dances. Since being bit by the Jitterbug they have traveled far and wide to dance and teach. After running a successful swing scene in Pennsylvania they relocated to Rhode Island in 2006 and continue to teach and perform in the New England area and sometimes beyond.

Testimonials

" Dance in the Parisian Twilight was a smashing success.We’ve had nothing but great reviews… and you and your team are a key part of them.  Please extend our sincere appreciation to everyone. Todd and Beth, thank you for your talent, professionalism, and excellent work!   It was fun event; good vibes all around. "

Robert Davis, of Minor Swing, Providence

"Thank you for taking the time to help us get ready for our wedding. We very much liked the approach you used. It will make it easy for us and one less arrangement to worry about. Thanks again for getting us into swing dancing!  Let us know when you visit the Bay Area!"

Dr. Christie Chung, Oakland Area Dancer

"Thanks for the Bal lessons!  You both are excellent teachers.  I'm
completely hooked on Bal.  I'm taking "Intermediate" Bal lessons from Tony and Aurelie which is wonderful.  However, I think it's essential to learn from many different instructors, so thanks again."

David Samanen, Boston Area Dancer

"Thank you for the time you spent teaching our girls a piece of their history. Your combination of facts, dance steps, and ability to blend these aspects with what they want had made you the talk of many a troop. These girls are still talking about you a month later and those who skipped wished they had not."

Marty Gifford, Laurel Girl Scout Council

"I was at our home coming ball at the Valencia on Saturday night for your lesson and thought you all did a great job instructing and performing for us! During the instruction I didn't have a partner, but one of your dancers approached and joined me. Thanks for a night full of great fun and dancing. Keep up the awesome work!!"

Laura Bortner (Student )

" Just wanted to tell you how much we enjoyed your presentation to our group last week. We have heard so many good things about it and your use of facts and humor made the evening come alive for us. Thanks for taking time to share your gift of dance with us in a way that got us up and moving! Conferences can be so dull. You were just what we needed! Thanks again and we hope to see you again next year!!"

Jessica Deihl, Geisinger Medical Center

"I thoroughly enjoyed your presentation yesterday. Your delivery was so engaging that my class and I lost all track of time. By any measure you are a very effective speaker and educator. I found your comments connecting healthy lifestyles, history, and dance to the students to have been quite clever. Thanks for a presentation and we all hope you will visit us again soon!"

Kathy Skiles, Teacher, York High School

"We wanted you to know how much we appreciate the way you have worked with our members over the past year. It is wonderful that you have found a way to use their past and their music to relate to them and get them up and moving. Several of the participants question me often as to when you will return. Thank you for and excellent job!"

Lisa Krout, Director of Program Development, White Rose Senior Center

"I wanted you to know that those present at our fundraising event last week were very pleased with the performance you provided. I sincerely appreciate your passion for us as an institution, your attentiveness to audiences, and the way you conduct business. I have recommended your services to others because of our satisfaction and look forward to working with you for years to come."

Deb Stock, Director, YWCA

Performance Experience

2011
· Phnom Penh Swing, Cambodia

2010
· Waterfire/Providence, RI
· Blue Moon Ball/East Hartford, CT
· Grand Opening of Studio One RI/Lincoln, RI
· Swingin’ Maineiacs/Portland, ME

2009
· Cavalcade of the Bands at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet/Cranston, RI
· Waterfire/Providence, RI
· Swing Into Ballroom/East Greenwich, RI
· Blues Cafe, Boston Balboa Underground - Medford, MA

2008
· Re-Opening of the Dunkin Donuts Convention Center/Providence, RI
· Wickford Harbor Fest/Wickford, RI
· Waterfire/Providence, RI,
· An Evening at the Roseland/Taunton, MA
· Swing City/Cambridge, MA

2007
· 4th of July Parade, Bristol, RI, Lindy Hopper's Delight
· Shape Up RI Event/Bristol, RI,
· Dance in the Parisian Twilight, Portsmouth, RI,
· Waterfire, Providence, RI, WaterFire Performance

2006
· Waterfire/Providence, RI Waterfire Swing Jam – Diga Diga Do Routine –
· Fourth of July Parade/Bristol RI/Diga Diga Do Routine -
· Fourth of July Parade/Bristol RI/Big Apple Routine

2005
· “A Swingin’ New Year’s Eve”/York, PA
· “Swing into Literacy” Fundraiser for the York County Literacy Council/York, PA
· V-J Day Celebration-York Historical Society/York, PA
· “Taste of York”/ York, PA
· Grand Re-Opening of the Martin Library/York, PA
· American Red Cross “Red, White, & Blue Gala”/York, PA

2004
· Gettysburg College Jazz Festival/Gettysburg, PA
· Martin’s Potato Chips (Private Event)/York, PA

Student Awards

• 1st Place, Intermediate Lindy, Wicked Lindy, Adam Dau, 2008

• 2nd Place, Intermediate Lindy, Wicked Lindy, Diana Karas, 2008

• 1st Place, Novice Lindy J&J, Boston Tea Party, Adam Dau, 2007

• 1st Place, ALHC, Junior Division, Seth Tuten & Janelle Sowers– 2006

• 1st Place, Virginia State Open, Seth Tuten and Janelle Sowers – 2005

• 2nd Place, Virginia State Open, David and Wendy Blair - 2005

Awards

• Finals, Boston Tea Party, Jack and Jill, Todd, Round 1, Round 2 - 2007

  3 rd Place Open Jack and Jill/American Lindy Hop Championships (Todd) - 2006

  4 th Place Open Showcase / Northeast Lindy Hop Championships - 2006

  2 nd Place Advanced Strictly Lindy/Virginia State Open Swing Dance Championships – 2005

  2 nd Place Team Division/Virginia State Open Swing Dance Championships – 2005

  2 nd Place Advanced Jack and Jill/Virginia State Open Swing Dance Championships (Todd) – 2005

  3 rd Place Lindy Jam/ Virginia State Open Swing Dance Championships (Todd & Janelle Sowers) – 2005

  2 nd Place Advanced Strictly Lindy/Swing Fling – 2005

  1 st Place Intermediate Strictly Lindy/Swing Fling – 2004

• 3 rd Place Jack and Jill/Boston Tea Party (Beth)- 2003