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| NATIONWIDE
INSTRUCTOR DIRECTORY |
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This
is a nationwide directory of instructors who offer private
lessons and group classes designed for the wedding couple.
These instructors have been hand picked by us and are absolutely
outstanding in the field of dance instruction. They are our
favorites and we hope they will be yours too. Click on your
state to find an instructor in your area. |
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CALIFORNIA
SF
Bay Area:
Belinda
Ricklefs teaches weekly classes in swing and ballroom
dances, as well as teaching private lessons and running a monthly
wedding workshop. She has over 30 years teaching experience in ballroom,
Latin, and swing dancing. Teaching wedding couples is one of Belinda’s
specialties, she enjoys tailoring the lesson and the dance to meet
the different needs of each wedding couple.
Phone: 510-893-1519 Email: belindy@mindspring.com
Website: http://www.belindyhop.com
Alise
Halbert has been teaching partner dancing for 6 years in
both competitive and social styles. She teaches regular group classes
and is available for private lessons, or a group private for the
entire wedding party. She has extensive training and experience
in all of the ballroom and Latin dances, as well as various styles
of swing. She has prepared many couples for their first dance at
their wedding, and her philosophy is that it should be comfortable,
cozy and fun.
Phone: 415-333-9723 Email: Dansunah@aol.com
Val
Cunningham has taught partner dancing full time for the
last 4 years. She is trained in all of the ballroom and Latin dances,
as well as Argentine Tango and swing. Val is an avid social dancer
with a strong sense of lead and follow and the playfulness that
can exist between two people when they dance, and she is committed
to passing this feeling on to her students. Val teaches both group
classes and private lessons.
Email: valyourpal@irishabroad.com
San Diego:
Liz
O'Grady has been teaching dance for 14 years and has a
degree in music and extensive training in coaching and motivating
people. She teaches all levels, and especially loves to introduce
beginners to the joy of partner dancing. With great patience and
encouragement (and a solid sense of humor!) she teaches not only
steps and style, but straightforward "how to's" of lead
and follow, the essential communication between partners on the
dance floor. She is particularly skilled in working with couples
and has taught hundreds to move gracefully together for their weddings
and special occasions.
Dances: Ballroom (Slow Waltz, Viennese Waltz, Foxtrot, American
Tango), Latin (Salsa, Cha-cha, Merengue, Rumba, Mambo, Samba), Argentine
Tango, Swing--all styles (Lindyhop, West Coast, East Coast, Jitterbug,
Balboa), Country Western partner and line dancing, nightclub partner
and freestyle dancing, polka and some vintage and ragtime dances.
Email: lizzyhop@hotmail.com
Los
Angeles:
Josie
Say is a talented dancer, choreographer, and teacher with
experience in a wide variety of dance styles from tap to swing and
ballroom dancing, even hip hop. She travels and teaches throughout
the US and Europe. Josie is available for private lessons, and she
will tailor her teaching to meet your needs. She has helped many
wedding couple’s dancing to feel and look great for their
wedding day.
Phone: 714-225-4793 Email: hep2dajive@hotmail.com
Douglas Silton is the founder of the Wedding Dance Los Angeles. Douglas and his teaching staff want to make sure that the bride and groom are well prepared for their wedding day and their first dance. Either in the privacy of your own home or in a dance studio convenient to you, you will learn easy basic steps and moves to help you glide through your reception and first dance! Wedding packages can be customized to fit your needs and can include private lessons, group lessons, and performances. Phone: 310-485-0408 E-mail: info@weddingdancela.com website: www.weddingdancela.com
COLORADO
Boulder
Rob Leary and Shana Worel are available
for privates in Foxtrot, Waltz, East Coast Swing, Lindy Hop, and
Two Step. They can also set up a group private for your whole wedding
party, and are available to DJ swing tunes or teach at your wedding
reception. They are experienced and thorough teachers who run weekly
classes and swing dances in Boulder. Shana and Rob know how to break
the information down and get you dancing quickly and easily. They
will build up your confidence and teach you to have fun.
Phone: 303-443-9536 Email: robleary1@hotmail.com
Website: http://www.lindyhop.artshost.com
Denver
Dan and Tiffiny have been dancing for 7 years, and instructing for five. They have also placed in many contests as couples and as individuals, and with their team, 23 Skidoo!.
On Tuesdays and Thursdays, they run Denver's most popular swing nights at the Mercury Cafe, with regular attendance of over 200 people a night. They have recently started instructing at a national level. The also offer free beginning classes every Sunday to help you get started with partner dancing. They teach Lindy Hop, East Coast Swing, Foxtrot, Balboa, Shag as well as tricks and aerials.
http://www.23skidooland.com
ILLINOIS
Chicago
Howard
Bregman and Penny of Swingout Chicago teach a very popular wedding
workshop and are also available for private lessons. The class is
taught as a three week series and is generally offered every month.
They have developed their own way of teaching wedding couples which
focuses on having fun and not learning complicated choreography.
They teach a modified version of Foxtrot and Waltz and will really
have you dancing together as a couple in just a three week session.
This class is a must for beginners!
Phone: 773-782-1927 Email: info@chicagoswing.com
Website: http://www.chicagoswing.com
MASSACHUSSETS
Boston
Marilee Annereau has been teaching in Boston as well as traveling
and teaching at workshops throughout the US for the last 3 years.
Her specialties are swing and salsa, and she also has a strong background
in basic Foxtrot and Waltz. Marilee is an enthusiastic and confident
teacher, who will help you to communicate with your partner and
to relax and enjoy dancing together. She is available for private
lessons.
Phone: 617-776-3544 Email: marilee@lindybaby.com
Website:
http://www.lindybaby.com
NEW
YORK
Rochester
Esther
Brill has been teaching in the Rochester area for 9 years. She and
Richard Newman started the Rochester Swing Dance Network which hosts
monthly swing dances and lessons. In addition to swing and Lindyhop,
Esther teaches Waltz, Foxtrot, slow dancing blues dancing, Cajun
and Zydeco. She is available to teach private or small group lessons
for wedding couples, the wedding party, rehearsal dinner, or a mixed
shower. Esther keeps lessons fun and relaxed, focusing on the partner
connection and the music. She charges $45 an hour for private lessons,
contact her for a quote on group lessons.
Phone: 585-244-2815 Email: ebrill@frontiernet.net
Website (for Rochester Swing Dance Network) www.ggw.org/rsdn
OREGON
TEXAS
Austin:
Matt
Jones and Laura Malloy are two of the most popular teachers in the
Austin area, and they travel and teach at national workshops as
well. The enjoy teaching wedding couples and will focus on getting
the two of you to relax and comfortably lead and follow through
basic open and closed dance patterns so that you can easily dance
together to your wedding song as well as with your guests later
in the evening. If you are ready to learn more or already have some
dance experience, they will teach you Waltz, Foxtrot, slow dancing,
swing, salsa, cha cha or whatever you request.
Email: matt@fouronthefloor.com
laura@fouronthefloor.com
Dallas:
Elaine Hewlett and Jeff Miller have been teaching dance for over
6 years and have extensive knowledge of swing, salsa, foxtrot, waltz,
slow dancing, rumba, cha-cha, and tango. They teach regular classes
in Dallas as well as travel and teach nationally at workshops and
festivals. Their supportive and patient teaching style will be just
what you need to get you ready for your big day. They are available
for private lessons and group instruction. Private lessons are $45
per hour or 4 lessons for $160 ($40 per hour).
Phone: 214-826-8282 Website: http://www.therhythmroom.net
Email: upswing@rocketmail.com
VIRGINIA
D.C.
Area
Donna
Barker has been teaching classes and private lessons in the D.C.
area for over 20 years. Her easy ,confident manner and real joy
in teaching makes her the perfect choice to prepare you for your
wedding dance. Donna teaches classes in Waltz, Swing, and blues
dancing, and is also available for privates where she can also teach
tango, two step, and foxtrot. Donna coaches many first time dancers
for their weddings and her hope is that her students will find dancing
to be fun and non threatening and want to make it part of their
lives together forever. You can check out a schedule of Donna’s
classes on her website.
Email: swing4me@erols.com
Website: http://www.dancedc.com
WASHINGTON
Seattle:
Viola
Spencer discovered the joy of social dancing in 1991, and has since
studied the swing-related dances including Lindy Hop, charleston,
balboa,shag, vintage jazz, blues, and boogie woogie, as well as
the basic ballroom and latin dances such as Foxtrot, waltz, rumba,
and salsa.
She helped originate the Lindy Hop dance community in Seattle and
was a founder of the Savoy Swing Club, Seattle’s first Lindy
Hop dance organization. She has taught workshops throughout the
Pacific Northwest as well as nationally. She enjoys working with
all levels and ages of dancers, and along with classes for adults,
she currently teaches dance, movement, and theater full time at
a Seattle area school. Viola enjoys coaching wedding couples, she
has helped many successfully prepare for their first dance together
. She is available for private lessons for singles, couples, or
groups.
Phone: 206-525-9429 Email: vthevi@jetcity.com
Guy Caridi
and Nancy Fry are the first couple from the PNW to teach Lindy Hop
and two of the pioneers of Seattle's swing dance community. They
have over 30 years combined dance experience, have been teaching
together since 1993, and have competed and placed at the national
level. Guy is an award-winning choreographer who has worked with
couples, teams and musical theater. A majority of their private
lessons involve wedding dance preparation and they also have been
hired to teach at receptions. They are known for their non-intimidating,
supportive approach to teaching and are widely respected. "We
believe a couple's first dance is a special and significant moment
during the wedding celebration which should be remembered for a
lifetime." References available.Dances taught: Lindy Hop/swing/jitterbug,
waltz, foxtrot, one-step,blues/schmooze, tango, rumba, nightclub
two-step, cha cha, balboa. If you already have a song chosen, they
will teach you the best style of dance to fit the music.
Phone: (206) 784-7398 Email: wiseguy@dbug.org
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