Staff
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Barry Jones Barry Jones has 4 U.S. Open titles, three being from the Showcase Division. Barry has been very instrumental in the development of several dance communities, most notably Tulsa, Chicago, Minneapolis and Dallas. The mayor of St. Louis, Missouri bestowed a great honor of declaring April 5, 1996 "Barry Jones Day" for his work in training and working with the youth in swing dancing. Barry and his partner, Johnny Siharath, are the Event Directors of the Challenge, which is based in Houston and VIP Adv./All Star Open and Westie Awards Gala in Burbank, CA. Barrt was honored and inducted into the National Swing Dance Hall of Fame in 2006. He won the Feather Award both as Best Showcase and Classic Couple, and Best Choreographer Award. He is a respected national judge, coach and choreographer. Barry's workshops are always fun and full of knowledge and energy. Barry's swing dancing is described as "Timeless." |
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Patty Vo As one of the most creative and dyamic dancers around, Patty Vo is known for her unique style of dance. Patty has been dancing for over 15 years and is recognized as one of the top female West Coast Swing Dancers on the scene. She is known for her incredible "feel for the music", creativity, versatility, and especially, her charisma on the dance floor. Patty is also a highly respected international instrctor, judge and competitor. She competes at the Showcase Division and Champion level and has won numerousd national competitions and awards, including placing five times at the U.S. Open Swing Dance Championships. Patty teaches all over the world including; France, UK, Australia, Russia, Canada, USA and many more. In her teaching style, Patty focuses on connection, centering, musicality, footwork and lead/follow techniques. |
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Patti Jobst Patti Jobst is a 2-time US Open Champion and has been involved in the dance community through teaching, judging and competing for nearly 20 years. Currently, she resides in Tampa, Florida after spending 10 years in Southern California. Patti is passionate about dance, especially West Coast Swing, and it show brightly with every routine, performance and workshop she presents. Learn more about Patti at www.PattiJobst.com |
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Hugo Miguez Hugo Miguez was born and raised in Hialeah, FL and began dancing at a young age starting with hip-hop and break dancing. From that point on, dance became a driving force in his life. In 2009, Hugo joined 1st Danz Studio. To date, Hugo Miguez has won multiple National titles in West Coast Swing, Hustle, Salsa, and Hip-hop. In 2010, he won the Tampa Bay Golden Ticket with Angie Jones. In 2011, Hugo and Cindy-Lee Overton got 2nd place in Pro Cabaret at the International Hustle and Salsa Competition in Orlando, FL. and won 3rd Place in the World Professional Triple Threat Championships (Salsa, Hustle, and West Coast Swing) at IHSC. In late 2011, Hugo Miguez and Brianne Cline started competing with their first Showcase routine and won 1st place in Summer Hummer's Rising Star Division. They are looking forward to competing in 2012. |
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Brianne Cline Brianne Cline began dancing at the age of six, training in tap, ballet, jazz and contemporary. She competed for 7 years in those styles until fall of 2007 when she stumbled upon West Coast Swing and it captured her heart. After only a couple months of training, Brianne placed 5th in the 2007 US Open Young Adult Division. Since then, she has been travelling all over the nation competing in the social and routine divisions. Currently, Brianne competes in the Advanced Division and has a handful of first place wins, as well as being awarded several scholarships from the dance community. Along with taking on the Classic and Showcase divisions in 2012, Brianne is also working on her Bachelors degree in Photography. |
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Doug Rousar Time spent on the stage, as well as being heavily involved in the performing arts arena, exposed him to a number of different dance styles. But, it was West Coast Swing that really sparked an interest and fueled a new passion. Having now travelled an average 40 weekends a year, he has achieved recognition and success on the WCS competitive circuit and has built quite a following of students over the last several years. He is now a full time teacher and loving every moment of it! He has been hired as a featured Workshop Instructor, Judge and Chief Judge at many dance events around the country. To schedule lessons with Doug go to www.spotlightdanceandarts.com . |
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Sabrina Paxmann Sabrina Paxmann was born and grew up in Germany. She started dancing at the age of 9. In her country, she achieved many titles in both International Latin and Standard championships. She is a certified instructor and adjudicator. Sabrina started teaching at the age of 14. She is a very diversified dancer and holds several different national titles in Country and Western Dance as well as a World Championship title. Sabrina came to the US in 2008 to work for Fred Astaire Dance Studios. Together with her dance partner, Stephen White, she is now travelling the country teaching, performing and competing in West Coast Swing. |
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Sheven Keekoolani Sheven's philosophy is simple, "Learn how to have fun and you can learn anything." He teaches and competes in West Coast Swing with the same mentality. If you aren't enjoying what you are doing, how are you going to do it well? He dances to the music even when there is only silence. Sheven's passion for music and dance beat strong in his heart. |
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Jeanne Degeyter Jeanne has been dancing since 1994, when she began in West Coast Swing and quickly moved into country dancing on the UCWDC circuit, in couples and teams. In Swing, she has earned 6 US OPEN Swing Dance Awards, including 2 Championship titles. In 2007, she earned a NASDE Showcase Championship title, finished in the top 10 Females for the NASDE Tour and placed 6th in the WSDC J&J Tour. In country, she competed extensively in Teams and even traveled to Europe for an invitational demo performance with the Rockin' Country Ladies. Her focus soon returned to West Coast Swing, fulfilling a passion for variation and interpretation. To schedule lessons with Jeanne go to www.jeannedegeyter.com . |
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Kyle Patel Previously a ballroom dance instructor, Kyle discovered West Coast Swing when he moved to Kansas City. Since then, he has traveled the country dancing with people from Boston to San Francisco and learning with some of the top competitors in the world. As a competitor, Kyle dances at the All-Star level. As an instructor, Kyle teaches the West Coast Swing classes at Kansas City Swing Dance Club and helps many people with their dancing, from wedding couples to up and coming competitors, as well as teaching workshops around the Midwest. At home, you'll find him bringing swing to people all over the city, from ballrooms to blues bars. Contact Kyle at patel.kyle@gmail.com or visit his site at www.westcoastswingkc.com |
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Will Carlton Will Carlton began dancing when he was 4 years old and grew up in the West Coast Swing community. When he was 14, he realized that girls like guys who dance, so he knew he had to take it seriously. At the age of 18, he started competing nationally and went from Novice to Professional in only 9 months. Among his many national titles, Will is a US Open Swing Dance Champion, multi-time Dallas Dance Champion, and member of the Dallas Dance Hall of Fame. Will travels all over the midwest teaching, competing and judging while juggling graduate school and a full-time job. He has an earnest desire to infuse others with the joy that dancing has brought to him and continues to learn and improve his own dancing. His unique style, innovative moves, creative teaching methods and down to earth personality makes him one of the most sought after dancers in the midwest. |
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Lasonda Campbell & William Mattocks William and Lasonda (WILLAS) are West Coast Swing Competitors who compete, judge and teach workshops across the country in various swing dance venues. Between the two of them, they share hundreds of awards and recognitions. Their style is reminiscent of a classy, smooth, yet funky mix. Will is a native of Harlem, NY, but currently resides in Maryland. At a young age, he fell in love with partner dancing and wandered into the world of West Coast Swing. He has won several awards to map his sucess in his new found love. Lasonda hails from Mason, TN, but currently lives in Dallas, TX. Lasonda curently teaches West Coast Swing and Swing Out and is proud to have won Top Teacher Awards at several large competitons. Lasonda formed S-Factor Dance Troup in 2004 and her team has been blazing new trails in the swing dance world with their cutting edge and innovative dance routines. S-Factor has over 7 first place wins from California to Massachusetts in 2011. Lasonda is also the Event Director for Run The Floor and Dallas Rocks 2012. With workshops and judging requests from coast to coast, William and Lasonda are evidence that opposites attract and sometimes create The Perfect Storm! |
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Trent & Michelle Haynes Trent and Michelle Haynes met in 2003 and started dancing and competing together in 2004. They have won City, State, Regional and National Championships in the Pro Am divisions and are 3-tim National Slow Whip Champions at America's Classic Championships. Recently they placed 2nd at the 2010 Dallas Dance in the Advanced Jack & Jill Division. Trent and Michelle have been teaching West Coast Swing and Whip since 2005 and their students enjoy the combination of humor and technical skill that they bring to each class. They began teaching Slow Whip in 2008 as demand for this dance has grown. Trent has been dancing since he was 17 and he has been hooked ever since to Whip and West Coast Swing. Trent is a sought after teacher, known for his attention to detail and technical knowledge of the dance. Michell has been dancing West Coast Swing since 2001 and is currently a Rising Star competitor, having won City, State, Regional and National championships at the Novice Amateur levels. Trent and Michelle currently teach West Coast Swing Advanced Techniques at SSQQ Dance Studio in Houston. They are available for private lessons individually or as a couple. Learn more about them at www.whipdance.wordpress.com/about/ |
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Shawn and Kristen Moody Shawn has been competing for 10 years (Pro Ballroom, Latin, West Coast Swing). Kristen has been dancing since age 3 and owns her own dance studio. They have competed, taught and performed on the National Swing Circuit since 2000 and were US Open Finalists in 1999. Both Shawn and Kristen are passionate about dance and their students, often taking top Teacher Awards for their commitment and dedication Shawn and Kristen can be found on Facebook if you’d like to schedule lessons. |
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Stevie Blakely Stevie Blakely has recently relocated to Ft. Worth, Texas, from Wichita, Kansas, and is looking forward to teaching in the Mid-Cities/Fort Worth area. Stevie has been dancing since the age of 2 and has owned and operated several dance studios over the years. She is a competitive West Coast Swing Dancer who is currently competing in the All-Star Division. Stevie loves West Coast Swing and is really excited to have the opportunity to share her knowledge and love of the dance with her students.
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Terry Roseborough Terry Roseborough, AKA "Trose," is a Champion Pro who travels across the world teaching. He is known everywhere for dancing with any lady and leaving them smiling after each dance. He is also known for bringing fun and great style with him as he travels to events around the country as a competitor, judge, and choreographer. You can learn more about TRose or schedule lessons with him by going to www.terryswingprince.com, on Facebook and Utube. |
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Michael O'Connor & Linda Cuccio Michael has been dancing West Coast Swing since he was 10 years old and started competing when he was 12. In 2008, he did his first routine in the Juniors Division and then did three other juniors routines in the following years. Linda has been competing and performing in figure skating, ice dance, gymnastics and various forms of dancing since the age of five. In 2008, Linda decided to commit her focus on West Coast Swing. In early 2011, Michael and Linda joined forces and put together a professional Classic Division routine. They are currently competing and teaching around the country. |
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Event Director: Lori Hayner
Facilities: Glenn Boren
Head Judge: Doug Rousar
Tally Room: Ed Vonadelung, Kelly Strause
Head DJ: Kelly Faust
DJ’s: Stan Graves, Lloyd Cookie Chevis, DJ Bolo, Joe Wright, Henry de los Reyes
Master of Ceremonies: Chris Van Houten, Shawn Moody, Sheven Kekoolani,
James Bailey
Videographer: Louis Oliver
Registration/Security: Mary Davis, Sonia Wynne, Jimmy Torres
Workshops: Dave Smith