FR
West Coast Swing
Teachers
Jordan & Tatiana have been partners since 2000. They are the recent US Open Classic Champions, and share 13 additional US Open Titles, and numerous Grand National Titles. They have dominated the Classic Division since 2004, and are considered the most Celebrated Couple in West Coast Swing. Their TV and movie appearances include 30 Seconds to Fame, Star Search, Good Morning America, The Polar Express, Love N’ Dancing, CMT Video Awards and the LeAnn Rimes “Swingin” Video. They are GSDTA Certified Teachers, and travel 47 weekends per year teaching and performing all over the world.
This young and vibrant US Open Jack & Jill All Star Champion brings talent, sass and 21 years of sought after teaching experience around the world. As a cross-trained professional holding multiple 1st place awards in West Coast Swing, Ballroom, Latin, Hustle and Country, Jennifer owns TwirlTheGirl dance studio in North Providence, RI. Jennifer is a leader in flourishing the community with new dancers and her powerful, effective and interactive teaching style is noted by her strong following of winner students nationwide. From owning a studio, nurturing a home community, teaching full time, competing, judging, and she STILL stays up all night to social dance; Jennifer does it all! Her strength lies in her commitment and passion to be an instrumental part in the growth of an individual dancer, and sets the example by being relevant and current in her own personal dancing with her unmatched soulful expression on the dance floor.
John and Alyssa are a partnership that formed at the beginning of 2012. John began West Coast Swing about 11 years ago, and quickly became one of Canada’s best dancers and instructors. He has traveled around the U.S. and Europe spreading his personal love of Swing. All his students love his playful personality and the connection he makes with the music. John has earned many titles in the All Stars and Champions divisions around the Swing community. Alyssa started West Coast about 4 ½ years ago, and fell in love with the dance, especially the creative aspect drawn in from other dances. She has experience in Lindy Hop, Hip Hop, Ballroom, Jazz, and Ballet. Living in the San Francisco Bay Area has given her many opportunities to teach and grow in her own dance. She has two US Open Swing Dance Championship titles, in Jr. Strictly and All Star Jack and Jill, and she has competed and placed top 5 in All Stars and Champions divisions over the past year. Together their partnership emphasizes musicality and connection. They plan to debut their Classic routine at this year’s US Open Swing Dance Championships.
Bio Coming Soon.
Staff & Special Guests
- Rob Glover
- Victor Loviera
- Dave Damon
- John Festa
- Mariel Manzone
- Davis Thurber
- Estelle Bonnaire
- Patrick & Lisa Toepel
Bio Coming Soon.
Originally from Houston, TX, Victor has over 30 years experience as a DJ and over 15 years experience as a swing DJ. Victor’s first West Coast Swing (WCS) event to DJ was The Texas Classic in 1995 in Dallas, Texas. From that point on, he has had the good fortune of DJing many of the countries’ top swing events including The US Open, Dallas DANCE, Boogie by the Bay, USA Grand Nationals, Americas’ Classic, Liberty Swing, Swing Diego, Swing Fling, Summer Hummer, Nashville Classic, Worlds and Phoenix. Victor has also traveled internationally to DJ at prestigious swing events in London. To his credit, Victor is considered by peers to be one of the top Swing DJs in the business and travels approximately 40 weeks in a given year. In 2005, Victor was honored with the AllSwing DJ of the Year Award. He has also been a finalist for the last 5 years for the AllSwing DJ Hall of Fame Award. Most recently, he won Best DJ of 2011 at the first annual Westie Awards Gala, an honor bestowed on him by his west coast dance peers.
Festa was born into a New York family where swing dancing was vital. He was taught the Lindy Hop at an early age as dancing happened at every family function from barbecues to funerals. After a career in ballet, John rediscovered Lindy Hop in the burgeoning swing scene of NYC in
the late 80′s. It was at his first swing weekend that John was introduced to West Coast Swing. What was most attractive to John was the diversity of music. He quickly became a pivotal figure in the national West Coast Swing world. While he no longer competes, he still wears many hats in the swing world as teacher, judge and DJ.
Having been raised in a music-filled house, John’s passion for music began early on. The combination of extensive knowledge and an intimacy and appreciation for music gives John a distinctive sound as a deejay.
Recognition has taken place over his many years of service to the community. Festa has been the recipient of the DJ of the Year award, is a Living Legend of Dance, and been inducted into the Kenny Wetzel DJ Hall of Fame and the World Swing Dance Council Hall of Fame, to name a few.
Davis Thurber and Claudia Joyal Laplante have been dancing together since January 2009 when they started training for the Frankie95 Hellzapoppin’ performance (see below) with The Ninjammerz in 2009. They are now World Lindy Hop Champions, ILHC Champions, Snowball Champions, Lindy Focus Champions, ALHC Champions, Canadian Swing Champions, and Montreal Balboa Revue Champions. Click to see their YouTube Playlist.
Davis and Claudia dance a variety of styles: Lindy Hop, Charleston, Balboa, West Coast Swing, Blues, Solo Jazz, Tap, and Solo Blues. They enjoy traveling around the world and sharing their passion of Vernacular Jazz Culture.
Estelle Bonnaire commence la danse à Montpellier à l’age de 15 ans avec le lindy hop et s’est tout de suite passionnée pour la danse de couple. Elle eu la chance de pratiquer et d’apprendre des meilleurs comme Thomas Blacharz, Alice Mei et Max Pitruzzella … elle découvrit le wcs grâce au SSS (partiellement wcs et lindy à l’époque) en été 2004, mais c’est en 2005 qu’elle s’y penchât plus sérieusement, elle approfondira sa danse grâce a Maxence Martin et Olivier Massart.
Estelle commença les compétitions en 2010, et décida de voyager plus pour apprendre plus. Elle est maintenant professeur à Montréal depuis juin 2011, et continue sa progression dans les catégories en compétitions WSDC. Elle a pour premier but de se perfectionner pour pouvoir transmettre le mieux et le plus possible.
Patrick & Lisa Toepel have been dancing together for the last two years on the West Coast Swing circuit. Patrick originally started in Lindy Hop over eight years ago and then soon found his way into West Coast Swing and became addicted. He’s been competing on the national circuit for over six years and made his way through the ranks and now competes at the all-star level, and showcase division. Lisa started dancing in Ballroom when she was twelve years old and then went on to compete and teach Ballroom for three years. Lisa has also studied ballet, tap, and jazz through her youth and performed in dance teams and choreographing musicals. Together they teach at Overstreet Dance Gallery in Denver, Colorado, and enjoy sharing their passion to everyone they can.
Lindy Hop
Teachers & DJs
- Pontus & Isabella
- Mikey & Nina
- Annie Trudeau
- Davis Thurber
- Zack Richard
- Alain & Gen St. Lo
- Janne Borjesson
Mikey Pedroza is a powerhouse of a dancer in the world of swing, having competed, performed and taught American Jazz dances – Lindy Hop, Charleston, Balboa, Slow Drag (Blues) and Authentic Jazz – throughout the United States and the world. Earning international acclaim for his impeccable style and technical precision. With classes focusing on developing individual style and a confident connection through proper lead/follow techniques and body awareness. And as an instructor, his rigor can only be overshadowed by the joy and self-confidence Mikey inspires in his students.
Nina began Lindy hopping in 1998, after breaking down some sweet moves from the movie “Swing Kids”. Her teaching career started when she was 14 and she’s been touring the world ever since. She is a founding member of the Silver Shadows and has won dozens of competitions nationally and internationally. Sadly, she is no longer 14, and so she has taken on a variety of new roles in the Lindy Hop community. In 2008 she co-founded the International Lindy Hop Championships in Washington DC. When she’s not traveling, teaching, judging, organizing, or watching Law & Order SVU, Nina spends her time in Baltimore running The Mobtown Ballroom (believe the hype) with some dude named Michael Seguin. Basically, she’s a really big deal.
Annie’s passion for dance was first well demonstrated when she chose her career as a dance teacher and performer over her engineering physics degree’s possibilities. She is a co-founder and co-owner of Studio 88-SWING in Montreal (Canada) where she has taught swing since 2001. As the artistic director, she also manages and dances in the Montreal Swinging Air Force dance performance troupe, which has been 2008 Team Divisions Champions of the Canadian and American Championships and International Lindy Hop Champions in 2010 and 2011. She is passionate and enthusiastic as a swing dancer, teacher and competitor. Her style joins dynamism and power with a subtleness that is very feminine. She is also a proud member of the Ninjammerz team of Lindy Hoppers. She has numerous titles in competition including first places at the last 4 ILHC in Washington in Showcase. She also won the Frankie95 Hellzapoppin Contest, she was part of the recreation of Hellzapoppin at Frankie95 and at Camp Jitterbug2011, worked with Cirque du Soleil as a choreographer with their show ”Viva Elvis!” and danced at the Montreal Jazz Fest with the electro-swing band Caravan Palace
Davis Thurber and Claudia Joyal Laplante have been dancing together since January 2009 when they started training for the Frankie95 Hellzapoppin’ performance (see below) with The Ninjammerz in 2009. They are now World Lindy Hop Champions, ILHC Champions, Snowball Champions, Lindy Focus Champions, ALHC Champions, Canadian Swing Champions, and Montreal Balboa Revue Champions. Click to see their YouTube Playlist.
Davis and Claudia dance a variety of styles: Lindy Hop, Charleston, Balboa, West Coast Swing, Blues, Solo Jazz, Tap, and Solo Blues. They enjoy traveling around the world and sharing their passion of Vernacular Jazz Culture.
Zack Richard hails from Montreal, Canada, where he founded the Swing ConneXion Studios in 2005. A fun-filled and energetic teacher, he always thrives to get every single student to have a good time, all the while learning valuable lessons about dancing and life (actual life results may vary). His love of dancing has lead him to teach as a staple instructor in many places including Australia, Germany, France, England and, of course, the US and Canada. His approach of dance, and Lindy Hop in particular, is fun and free-form despite his technical prowess, and leaves a great place for improvisation, communication between partners and follower input. Most of all though, he loves to watch in a student’s eyes the cloud of confusion make place for the glitter of hope, and finally the joy of understanding.
One of the most versatile social and competition leaders around, he has won numerous prizes in Lindy Hop, Charleston, Balboa, Collegiate Shag and Blues, and is most notably five times Canadian Showcase Champion. Recently, he has placed in a slew of competitions both in Lindy Hop and Balboa, most notably taking both the Balboa and Open Showcase division at Camp Hollywood 2009, a rare feat. In his free time, he enjoys staging various shows, both pretend and real, with his daughter Camelia, playing guitar and being generally awesome.
Alain Wong has been swing dancing for over a decade. Initially helping to grow his hometown Montreal scene with the McGill Swing Kids, he later joined the Cat’s Corner swing dance school where he still teaches today. His students describe him as being funny, creative and spontaneous, and that he has the talent to make complex dance concepts simple to understand. In his teaching, Alain focuses a lot on musicality, leading his students to explore and express themselves creatively from the get go.
Winner of many prizes, including 1st place in the Adv. Lindy Hop Jack and Jill at the Canadian Swing Championships 2012 and in the Adv. Strictly Lindy Hop at the International Lindy Hop Championships 2011, Alain is known both for his improvisational and choreography skills. People recognize him by his unique style, and say that he is authentic, creative and inspiring.
Alain is a founding member of the Northern Lights, with whom he has performed at the Frankie Manning 95th birthday celebration in New York City, as well as at the Jump Session Show in Seattle.
Although he proudly represents Quebec and Canada abroad, Alain is most keen on building the community back in his hometown and country, and looks forward to sharing his love of the music, the dance and its history during his visit.
Geneviève St-Laurent (aka Gen St-Lo) is a Lindy Hop nut. This past year, she won 1st place in the Strictly Lindy at Lindy Bout and Boston Tea Party as well as the Advanced Lindy hop Jack and Jill at Beantown Camp. As a two time Canadian champion with her team Swing Connexion, Geneviève has also competed extensively in the US with her teammates, winning 2nd place at both Camp Hollywood and the International Lindy Hop Championships. Her most recent choreography Lay Your Racket was performed to live music by the Showdown All Star Band in New Orleans, and on stage in Seattle during the Jump Session Show. Always on the lookout for new ways to enjoy the Lindy Hop, she recently became a member of Northern Lights.
On the dance floor, Gen is known for her playfulness, elegance and boundless energy. She’s not afraid to talk, and has lots to say. Gen loves the way Lindy Hop combines the conversation between two people and freedom of movement.
As a teacher, Gen conveys her passion of swing with her enthusiasm and humor. She loves to take care of her students and tackles each learning challenge with positive energy and an infectious smile.
Balboa
Teachers
Mickey and Kelly began dancing together in New York City in 2004. They hold repeat victories at the Balboa Rendezvous for 2006, 2007, and 2010. They are 2008 ABW American Balboa Classic Champions and 2012 ABW Showcase Champions. They have won the Balboa Strictly Divisions together at ILHC and the European Swing Dance Championships as well. Their love for swing dancing and teaching has taken them all over the United States and across the world, including Canada, Europe, Korea, and Australia.
One of the world’s busiest Lindy and Balboa instructors, Marty has a reputation for clear and concise explanations in the classroom. He stresses connection through rhythmic dancing, beginning with athletic changes in body energy – regardless of the style of dance.
Marty began teaching and competing full time in the fall of 2002, and has since taken home the following National Championship titles:
Camp Hollywood – National Jitterbug Championships 2003 & 2006 NJC Grand Slam Champion (Pro Lindy, Balboa & Shag) 2004 & 2006 NJC Balboa Champion 2006 Pro Lindy Champion
American Lindy Hop Championships 2007 ALHC Champions Striclty Champion 2004 ALHC American Showcase Champion
2007/2008 Rhythmic Arts Festival Lindy Champion
2006, 2007 and 2008 Swingin’ New England Bookends Champion
From 2003 to 2007 Marty was the co-organizer of the infamous ‘All Balboa Weekend’ held annually in Cleveland, Ohio. The Biggest (and BEST!) Balboa event in the world!
Marty has taught all over the United States, Canada, Europe (France over 35 times!), Australia and Asia. He currently resides in Montreal, Canada and in the summer of 2011 was inducted into the Camp Hollywood Hall of Fame.
Javier learned to feel the music in Atlanta in early 2005 and literally has not stopped dancing since that day. Now living in the Hartford area, he has founded Hartford Underground and travels to teach and compete at events around the country. While Balboa is his specialty, Lindy Hop and Charleston are his first loves.
Zack Richard hails from Montreal, Canada, where he founded the Swing ConneXion Studios in 2005. A fun-filled and energetic teacher, he always thrives to get every single student to have a good time, all the while learning valuable lessons about dancing and life (actual life results may vary). His love of dancing has lead him to teach as a staple instructor in many places including Australia, Germany, France, England and, of course, the US and Canada. His approach of dance, and Lindy Hop in particular, is fun and free-form despite his technical prowess, and leaves a great place for improvisation, communication between partners and follower input. Most of all though, he loves to watch in a student’s eyes the cloud of confusion make place for the glitter of hope, and finally the joy of understanding.
One of the most versatile social and competition leaders around, he has won numerous prizes in Lindy Hop, Charleston, Balboa, Collegiate Shag and Blues, and is most notably five times Canadian Showcase Champion. Recently, he has placed in a slew of competitions both in Lindy Hop and Balboa, most notably taking both the Balboa and Open Showcase division at Camp Hollywood 2009, a rare feat. In his free time, he enjoys staging various shows, both pretend and real, with his daughter Camelia, playing guitar and being generally awesome.
Annie’s passion for dance was first well demonstrated when she chose her career as a dance teacher and performer over her engineering physics degree’s possibilities. She is a co-founder and co-owner of Studio 88-SWING in Montreal (Canada) where she has taught swing since 2001. As the artistic director, she also manages and dances in the Montreal Swinging Air Force dance performance troupe, which has been 2008 Team Divisions Champions of the Canadian and American Championships and International Lindy Hop Champions in 2010 and 2011. She is passionate and enthusiastic as a swing dancer, teacher and competitor. Her style joins dynamism and power with a subtleness that is very feminine. She is also a proud member of the Ninjammerz team of Lindy Hoppers. She has numerous titles in competition including first places at the last 4 ILHC in Washington in Showcase. She also won the Frankie95 Hellzapoppin Contest, she was part of the recreation of Hellzapoppin at Frankie95 and at Camp Jitterbug2011, worked with Cirque du Soleil as a choreographer with their show ”Viva Elvis!” and danced at the Montreal Jazz Fest with the electro-swing band Caravan Palace
Blues
Teachers
Dan & Jenny are both full-time international dance instructors traveling to share the joy of dance. They’ve won competitions around the country both separately and together in Lindy Hop and Blues. Dan & Jenny have found themselves teaching Lindy Hop and Blues together with ease at many events with a focus on musicality, fine movement detail, and play between partners.
Since Dan’s start in Swing and Blues he’s gathered knowledge and great experiences quickly. In his teaching, whether it’s Charleston, Lindy Hop, or Blues, Dan brings a focus on innovation, connection, and attention to your partner. Dan is also a veteran DJ, spinning for events across the continent and locally on a weekly basis. He’s dabbled in organizing for events and local dances, and runs weekly classes in his hometown of Baltimore.
Jenny, based in NYC, is also a DJ and Director of nycBABBLE.com and Brooklyn Swings. Jenny has been training in dance for over twenty years and teaching for over fifteen, with a BA in Dance and Theater from San Diego State University. Her background influences her teaching and general style through musicality, variation, expression, and an understanding of body mechanics. She has studied in 34 different styles of movement including Ballet, Tap, Hip Hop, West African, Capoeira, Aikido, Tango, Salsa, Lindy hop, Balboa, and Blues. Jenny believes the dance floor is a ‘World of Yes’ where we accept and are inspired. In turn we take classes in a ‘World of Intention’ to expand our ‘World of Yes.’ Check out more at jennysowden.com.
Dan & Jenny’s general vibe is uber playful; just watch them dance! They like to challenge and play with their students, sharing both classic and new approaches while keeping one’s own unique style.