Featured Instructors

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  Dan Amores (Toronto, ON) — Known internationally as an eye-catching performer, and a passionate teacher, Dan emphasizes musicality and momentum, with special attention to the communication between lead and follow. Invited to judge and teach at major events across North America including the Boston Tea Party and Lindy Bout, he's a champion's champion, having earned top placement at competitions including the American Lindy Hop Championships and the Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown. Still, as a teacher Dan knows that, really, it's all about tapping into the heart and soul inside each one of us.

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  Joanna Kassoulides (Toronto, ON) — Joanna Kassoulides has quickly become one of the top Lindy Hop follows in Toronto. Her love of the music and her passion for the dance accelerated her progress as a dancer and an instructor. Joanna's past dance training, teaching and leadership skills have transformed her into a mentor to young dancers. Her understanding of natural body movement and dancing style leave leaders and followers in awe. She's danced in movies and TV shows as well as on stage, and you may have seen her in competitions such as the American Lindy Hop Championships and the Canadian Swing Championships.

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  Jason Herron (Quebec City) was the 2005 Canadian Strictly Balboa Champion, and he's placed in numerous other competitions, including the Intergalactic Balboa Competition (2005), the American Classic Balboa Championships (2004), the All-Bal Weekend (2007) and the National Jitterbug Championships Balboa Competition (2004, 2007). Well-known for his dedication to Balboa as a teacher and dancer, Jason has taught at many Balboa events, including: The Big Bag O' Bal (Dayton, Ohio); The Quebec Swing Rendez-vous (Quebec, QC); The Oberlin Jazz Dance Festival in (Oberlin, Ohio); The Balboa Rendezvous (San Diego, CA); The Canadian Swing Dance Championships (Quebec, QC); Studio Hop Summer Camp (Eauze, France); and the All Balboa Camp (Detroit, MI)!

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  Dominique Blouin (Quebec City) has been cleaning up Balboa competitions this year, winning medals at the Canadian Swing Championships Balboa division, the All-Balboa weekend, and the Pro Balboa division of the National Jitterbug Championships. Dominique was also one of the very first swing teachers in Quebec city. A versatile and dedicated social dancer, she's taught Lindy Hop, Balboa and even Salsa over the years, and has been recognized among top dancers for her sense of style and grace on the dance floor.

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  Nathan Shetterley (Quebec, QC/Detroit, MI) — Organizer of the now-famous Quebec Swing Rendez-Vous, Nathan is also known as one of Canada's best Shag leads. As the 2005 Canadian Shag Vice-Champion, he's been invited to teach at a number of Canadian cities to spread his love of the dance. He's also one of the most personable instructors you'll meet. A popular DJ, Nathan is passionate about vintage swing music, even using original vinyl recordings on occasion.

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  Geneviève Kérouac (Quebec, QC/Detroit, MI) — Geneviève came to swing dancing with a background in gymnastics and acrobatics, which helped to propel her quickly to success in Lindy Hop. In 2005, her routine with Benjamin Ricard won the Showcase division of the World Lindy Hop Championships, and she has accumulated a long line of competition successes. Most recently she was awarded the 2007 National Jitterbug Championships Grand Slam award for the best overall scores in Shag, Lindy and Balboa.

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  André Danis (Ottawa, ON) — In his 40s, André decided he wanted to "discover his inner rhythm": that's when he started dancing West Coast Swing, and André quickly made up for lost time to become a strong and creative West Coast Swing leader. He brings exceptional musicality, a flair for choreography, and martial arts training to his dancing. Maria and André teach group lessons in their private studio and through their school, SmoothStyle Swing.

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  Maria Ford (Ottawa, ON) — Maria has danced since she could walk. She trained in contemporary jazz, tap and ballet for 13 years, as well as gymnastics and synchronized swimming. She holds 17 provincial dance competition medals, including gold and silver places for solo jazz work. Recently Maria has been adding WCS medals to her list, and together with her partner André she's been enjoying travelling to WCS competitions to compete and dance.

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  Byron Alley (Ottawa, ON/Montreal, MI) — One of Canada's best-known swing dancers, Byron has won over two dozen awards at swing competitions in the US and Canada, including the Canadian Swing Championships, the Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown, the American Lindy Hop Championships, and Boston Tea Party, dancing everything from Lindy Hop to Blues to West Coast Swing. He's also performed on TV and stage numerous times, but his first love is social dancing. As founder of Swing Dynamite, Byron is passionate about sharing the spirit of all swing dance styles. He strives for authenticity and excitement in his classes, and he's enjoyed sharing his love of swing with dancers in well over a dozen cities in Canada and the US.

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  Natalia Rueda (Ottawa, ON/Montreal, MI) — A native of Colombia, Natalia grew up dancing Salsa and Merengue. As she puts it, "I never went to a party where people didn't know how to partner dance until I came to Canada!" Natalia's many competition awards include a gold medal at the 2007 Canadian Championships as well as a silver medal for one of the teams she coaches, Swing Dynamite's all-girl Charleston team, the Dynamite Girls!

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  Olivier Henchiri (Ottawa, ON/Montreal, MI) — Olivier "Tiger Baby" Henchiri has a reputation for smooth leading that makes girls across North America melt in his arms. He's also known for his innovative Charleston moves and his "yummy" blues dancing. As an accomplished Baroque cellist, he has a heightened sense of musicality, which has helped him win prizes at events including the Canadian Swing Championships. Still, his greatest passion is for social dancing, and he's attended well over 40 major swing dance events around the world.

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  Bryn Morin (Ottawa) — Known among many swing dancers internationally as "the girl with the hips" for her sensual and expressive blues dancing, Bryn is also completely addicted to fast Lindy Hop and Charleston. Most of all, she's loved by students and dance partners for her exuberance in the classroom as well as on the dance floor. That's probably why, in addition to her other medals at the Canadian Championships this year, Bryn was awarded the CSC 2007 Cool Cat prize.

Now check out the schedule!

Want to know what you'll be learning from these awesome teachers? Check out the schedule!