About The Teachers

Patrick Szmidt — While in Montreal in 2002 studying organic chemistry, Patrick discovered Swing dancing. In 2004, he decided to take the plunge into teaching Swing full time. After playing an important part in the founding of a Swing scene in his hometown Paris, he moved to Israel to repeat the same there. In 2006, Patrick moved to Montreal to teach at Studio 88-SWING and join the Swinging Air Force (S.A.F.). It's around this time that his partnership with Natasha Ouimet was born. Together they have won many titles from events such as the International Lindy Hop Championships, Swinging New England, Boston Tea Party; and the Underground Lindy Focus Championship. Their talent and reputation as dancers and teachers was noticed by the Cirque du Soleil, who hired them in 2009 to train artists of their show "Banana Shpeel" in the art of Swing aerials. During his time in Montreal, Patrick has taught Lindy Hop, Shag, Balboa, Charleston and West Coast Swing. He also coached the S.A.F. "Bootcamp" team. Enthusiastic about sharing his passion for Swing Dance and full of humour, Patrick is also known for his clear and detailed teaching methods in class.
Natasha Ouimet — Having danced in a variety of styles since a very young age, Natasha Ouimet became a performing and competing member of the Swinging Air Force, a Montreal based Swing Dance team, in 2005. She has taught Lindy Hop, Charleston, West Coast Swing, Shag, Solo Blues, Tap and more at Studio 88-SWING in Montreal, as well as coaching four of the Swinging Air Force teams: a Lindy team, a Solo Blues team a Balboa team and a West Coast Swing team. With her partner Patrick Szmidt, she has also coached artists of the Cirque du Soleil show Banana Shpeel. The impressive list of titles she has won since 2006, includes several titles from the International Lindy Hop Championships as well as others from events such as the Canadian Swing Championships, 2010 Boston Tea Party, the ULFC at Lindy Focus, and Swinging New England. She has appeared in several Canadian television shows; La Vie est un Cirque, La Culture pour ou Contre, Ben et Jarrod, Relève en Folie, and L'heure de Gloire. She has even found herself replicated hundreds of times for a Sam Roberts video clip ''Them kids''. When teaching, Natasha is known for her friendly smile, her adaptability to her students and her clear and detailed teaching methods.
Byron Alley — As one of Canada's most versatile swing dancers, Byron has won dozens of shiny awards at national Canadian and American competitions in Lindy Hop, Blues, West Coast Swing and Balboa. As a full-time swing dance teacher since 2003 and the founder of swing organizations in three different cities, Byron is known for his strong pedagogy. For years he's sought to debunk the myths of swing teaching, to eliminate popular but ineffective teaching strategies to make learning more fun AND get right to the heart of swing dancing. He's known for his controversial opinions, but literally dozens of his students have gone on to become swing champions, and swing teachers from other cities have travelled many miles to take teacher training classes with him.
Natalia Rueda — With her recent sweep of six champion titles at the 2010 Canadian Swing Championships--including taking first place in both the Advanced Jack 'n Jill and Strictly West Coast Swing divisions, and both Blues divisions--Natalia once again confirmed her place as one of Canada's most talented and versatile swing dancers. One of Canada's few full-time swing dance teachers, Natalia is known for her fun and motivating approach to teaching, as well as an unmatched eye for detail. Natalia's many competition awards include winning first place in all of her favourite dances--West Coast Swing, Blues, Balboa, and Lindy Hop--at the Canadian Swing Championships, as well as awards at a number of other Canadian and American competitions. Natalia is Swing Dynamite's Artistic director, in charge of all of the dance teams, four of which she has personally coached. Dancing is clearly in her blood: a native of Colombia, Natalia grew up dancing Salsa, Merengue, Cumbia, Vallenato and Mapale. As she puts it, "I never went to a party where people didn't know how to partner dance until I came to Canada!" Her energy and creativity make her an exciting dancer to watch, and an equally fun teacher to learn from!
Travis Matte — Travis is a three-time Canadian Balboa Champion, winning the Balboa Jack and Jill competition at the Canadian Swing Championships in 2009 and again in 2010, as well as winning the Strictly Balboa contest at CSC the same year. One of Swing Dynamite's most senior members, Travis was a founding member of TNTeam, Ottawa's first competitive Lindy Hop team. As a university student, he discovered Youtube as a never-ending source of inspiration, and he admits to looking kind of silly copying moves in his living room. Still, with numerous awards from the Canadian Swing Championships and other events such as the Quebec Swing Rendez-Vous, it seems to be working! As a musician and guitar teacher, he incorporates his love of playing jazz into his dancing to make his movements a living creation in the moment. A versatile dancer, whether it's Balboa, Lindy Hop, Blues or Charleston, Travis aims to make every dance a comfortable, and--most of all--fun experience.
Laura Smith — Laura made her mark this year at the Canadian Swing Championships, winning 2nd place in the Fast Dance division with a combination of super-speed dancing and acrobatics. Before teaching with Swing Dynamite, Laura was Dance Instruction Co-ordinator for the Queen's Swing Club in 2007-2008, where she developed the overall teaching strategy for the club that year, including training and evaluating new teachers.
Bill Ewanick — Bill's first competitive awards were the Hardcore and Attitude prizes at the Canadian Swing Championshps, which showcases his approach to swing dancing! He's known for his fast Lindy Hop and explosive aerials, as well as his Shag mastery and solo Charleston. Amazingly, he's also a local slow blues dancing champion. In addition to teaching and performing with Swing Dynamite, Bill was also the founder and President/Teacher of Carleton Swing Dance Club. Bill believes that in swing, having fun always comes first... and speed and attitude are part of what makes it fun! Bill has a number of top 3 placements at major competitions such as the Canadian Swing Championships and the American Lindy Hop championships. He's also placed 4th at the International Lindy Hop championships... twice!

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