2013 staff will feature many of the same great talents!
2012 PROFESSIONAL STAFF
Workshops & Performances
by Swing Superstars:
Kyle Redd & Sarah Vann Drake
John Lindo & Jessica Cox
Robert & Nicola
Royston
Greg Scott & Lemery Rollins
Luis Crespo & Taletha Jouzdani
Markus Smith & Trendlyon Veal
Kris Swearingen & Rebecca Ludwick
More to be announced soon!
MCs:
Robert Royston
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 Also featuring:
Arjay
Centeno
Deborah Szekely
Jennifer Lyons
Bloch
Gary Jobst
Robin Smith
Doug & Lori Rousar
Jason Barnes
DJs:
Louis St. George
John Lindo
Helen Tocco
Tim Johnson
John Festa
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DCSX staff are available for private lessons during the weekend.
Contact them directly for rates and availability.
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Kyle Redd & Sarah Vann Drake
(CA) have been on the forefront of innovative west coast
swing for over 20 years. Residing in Fresno,
California, Kyle Redd & Sarah Vann Drake are the holders
of 11 US Open titles, are five time NASDE champions, and
eight time Grand National Champions, and they are the
only couple to hold US Open Swing Championship titles in
both the Showcase and Classic divisions. Competing
together for over 12 years, they are known for their
smooth footwork and precise, and direct teaching styles.
Kyle and Sarah have choreographed and performed over 24
routines. Travelling all over the world, Kyle & Sarah
teach both the fundamental roots of west coast swing,
and their own modern styles. |
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Robert & Nicola
Royston. Robert is one of the most successful competitive dancers
in Country and Swing, winning many World and US Open titles. He
is also a member of the UCWDC Hall of Fame. Together, Robert and
Nicola have won multiple Showcase Swing Championships, Division
1 Country Grand Championships, and Cabaret titles. They hold
multiple strictly swing and jack & jill titles, and are Top 5
NASDE finishers. They have performed on numerous NYC Stages and
on television shows, have choreographed for artists like Kellie
Pickler, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, and for films such as “Love N’
Dancing.” As internationally recognized judges and teachers, the
pair travels, teaching, judging and performing their exciting
choreography year-round.
www.robertandnicola.com |
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Greg Scott & Lemery Rollins
(MD) have over 20 years dancing experience combined. Greg
started in American Ballroom but competed in country winning
many titles. He also has a background in ballet, jazz and hip
hop. Lemery started in International 10 Dance (both Ballroom
and Latin) and won many titles including: 3rd in the world
pro/am 10 dance, 5Th in the world and 3rd in the USA pro/am
Latin. She is also skilled in American Ballroom, Salsa, and
Argentine Tango. Greg and Lemery are currently focusing on West
Coast Swing, Greg winning many All-Star J&J and Strictlys. Together
they have solidified their place within the top 5 couples in
Showcase Division this year and are both currently at the top of
the NASDE tour. They are a unique couple who are excited to be
dancing their third routine together. They are nurturing
instructors who believe that a strong foundation leads to a
higher obtainable level and look forward to sharing their love
of dance with you. |
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Luis Crespo (CA) & Taletha Jouzdani (TX)
Luis Crespo has over 10 years of dance experience in ballroom, latin,
and west coast swing. He is originally from New York City, and
currently resides in California. He feels the most expressive in
west coast swing. He earned a US Open Strictly champion title in
2002, and a US Open Showcase 3rd place in 2009. Luis is known for
his unique styling showcasing break-dance and ballroom backgrounds.
Taletha Jouzdani has been teaching partner dancing for over 14 years
and is known for her ability to create the perfect balance of
technical and playful in her instruction. Currently, Taletha teaches
independently in Austin, Texas, where she is a member of the staff
at Austin City Dance Club. She has extensive training in various
partner dance styles including Country, Latin Social, Hustle,
Ballroom and of course West Coast Swing. Taletha currently competes
in in Jack & Jill and Strictly Swing at the All Star/Champion level
(placing 2nd in
the NASDE Tour for 2010). Together, Luis and Taletha work as
professional, competitive dancers teaching across the US. They work
to recognize smooth, crisp, sharp style in both their classes and
performances. |
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Kris Swearingen (Overland
Park, KS) & Rebecca Ludwick
(Chicago, IL) are up and coming all-star champion dancers
working hard this past year to become a dominant in the Midwest
and on the national scene. They hold multiple top five
placements in the classic division and a number of titles in all
star jack and jill and strictly competitions. Recently, Rebecca
was a golden ticket tour champion at the US Open and Kris tied
for third place on the NASDE jack and jill tour. Both teach at
local studios in their cities of residence as well as at large
conferences across the United States.
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Markus Smith & Trendlyon Veal.
Markus Smith is an accomplished and award winning
dance competitor, choreographer and instructor. He has been
featured on Fox’s “So You Think You Can Dance”, BET’s “106 and
Park” program, and the movie Love N’ Dancing. He was a co-host
of DC DANCING TEENS, a youth hand dance show that has been seen
on Globaldancetv and shown on DCTV channel 95 in Washington DC.
Trendlyon Veal is a dance instructor, choreographer, and
competitor with over seven years of competition and teaching
experience. She has placed first in a number of Jack and Jill,
Pro Am and Strictly Swing competitions. Markus and Trendlyon are
both Tri State Connection Champions. Together they travel across
the United States and internationally teaching, competing,
judging, and performing at National Swing Dance events, in
addition to volunteer and community outreach. They both
routinely place among the top 5 in professional competitive
divisions and as performers, their entertainment value is
unmatched.
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Arjay Centeno
(NJ)
Arjay is from California
and currently resides in North Arlington, New Jersey. He
began his love of dance in high school with hip hop, and
after spending a few years in the Ballroom/Latin
circuit, had great success in west coast swing with his
then dance partner Melissa Rutz. He is still one of the
fastest male dancers to climb the ranks to the champions
division. Currently Arjay specializes in west coast
swing; performing, teaching and judging around the
world.
www.arjaycenteno.com
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Deborah Székely is a member of the Dallas D.A.N.C.E. Hall of
Fame and a five-time US Open Swing Dance Champion with over 25
years of performance and teaching experience. Deborah brings a
phenomenal style and presence to social and competitive west
coast swing. Her natural creative talents and years of technical
training in ballet, jazz, tap, and swing dancing make her a
remarkable instructor. Both in private and classroom
environment, she is an effective, brilliant instructor.
Continually, she places at or near the tops of invitational jack
and jill and strictly swing categories. Deborah currently
resides in Texas. http://www.szekelydance.com |
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Gary Jobst (AR)
began dancing in 1989 in the country western scene. He
competed in many UCWDC World Champion Division 1
competitions, and holds two US Open titles. He is the
chief judge at many swing events throughout the country.
He currently enjoys teaching, judging and performing all
over the United States and Europe.
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Stephanie McHenry (PA) has been dancing since 1998,
and teaching all over since. She was introduced to west
coast swing at age 17 and found her love for the dance
in jack and jill competitions. She is a four-time US
Open finalist known for her enthusiastic teaching and
her playful, interpretive style. She has won the coveted
Phoenix Champion of Champions Jack and Jill twice.
Currently, Stephanie travels extensively teaching others
the skills and insights she has acquired in over ten
years of experience. |
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Jennifer Lyons
Bloch is a US Open jack and jill All Star Champion with
19 years of sought-after experience teaching around the world.
She currently resides in Providence, Rhode Island where she owns
and operates TwirlTheGirl dance studio. She has multiple 1st
place awards across west coast swing, ballroom, latin, hustle,
and country. Her strengths lie in her commitment to her students
and being an effective teacher. She is a trained professional
who never fails to pull the best out of her students.
www.twirlthegirl.com
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Douglas Rousar
(OH) works full-time as a dance instructor, event
director, chief judge, coordinator, and competitor. He
has been involved in various forms of music and
performance arts since early childhood. Once discovering
west coast swing in 2001, was quick to fall in love with
the dance. Doug has competed successfully in
sophisticated swing divisions, and remains a repeating
finalist in many jack and jill and strictly champions
and all-star divisions. Although Doug feels technique is
the single most important aspect to becoming a great
social dancer; he builds his teaching philosophy and
approaches life and his students with the motto: If it’s
not FUN it’s not worth it! |
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Robin Smith has
been dancing, teaching, and competing in dance for over 25 years.
For the past 12 years, he has focused exclusively on west coast
swing, studying with only the best in the business. With a diverse
professional background in music, dance and martial arts, he has a
unique understanding of body movement and has a knack for conveying
that understanding to his students. He has won multiple top-teacher
awards and loves sharing his vast knowledge and passion for west
coast swing.
www.robinsmithswing.com |
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John Festa
(NY)
born into
a family of dancers, was dancing since the beginning.
Growing up in New York, John was taught Lindy Hop, and
fell in love with west coast swing to become a pivotal
figure in both the local and national west coast swing
scenes. He is trained and greatly experienced in many
styles of Swing. John not only competes, judges, and
teaches, but his choreography has been renowned and
influential throughout the nation. www.swingislove.com |
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Helen
Tocco
(Los Angeles, CA) is a vibrant, popular swing DJ for
jam-style competitions and social dance alike. She DJs
regularly at both local dances in and around her home in
Los Angeles, California, as well as many national
events. Before moving to California, she could be found
spinning tunes and teaching lessons weekly in Maryland
and the DC area. Though her roots are in lindy hop,
Helen started west coast swing dancing in 1999 and with
several first place wins through the advanced level jack
and jills and strictly competitions, became an all-star
level dancer. She has now over 10 years of experience
teaching and DJing west coast swing. Her mix of soulful
and inspiring music always gets dancers moving their
feet.
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Louis St.
George
(NH) is a full-time
professional DJ. Serving primarily the west coast swing
and line dance crowds, Louis travels year-round
providing the highest quality music for dancers of all
types. With over 30 years of DJ experience, DJ Louie is
never missing what to play next, and loves keeping a
dance floor rocking. |
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Tim
Johnson (MI) has been a professional DJ for over
13 years. Locally in Flint Michigan, he both teaches and
DJs a variety of dances year round. He has years of
study in music, science, physics, electronics and
computers. Travelling to many dance weekend events he
has had the pleasure of using his talents, and working
with some of the best in the business. Tim considers a
great DJ to be more than a collection of equipment, but
an artist, entertainer, and technician. He provides a
great mix of music to entertain an entire audience. |
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