Brennar Goree (VA) & Torri Smith (CA) are the current US Open Swing Dance Champions! Brennar, from Virginia Beach, VA, and Torri, from Murrieta, CA, have overcome a 3000-mile distance to bring together a fusion of swing and shag that they proudly call Swag. Since partnering in 2007, Brennar & Torri have won the youth US Open Youth Swing titles for 2007, 2008, and 2009. Torri also became the first female competitor to win both the Showcase and the Classic divisions at the US Open last November, competing in showcase with Benji Schwimmer. Together, Brennar & Torri placed 2nd place at the US Open with their Shag team, Southern Dozen. The pair continues to utilize their extensive dance backgrounds in new, innovative ways while staying true to the foundations of each dance.

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.

Ben Morris & Mellissa Rutz (CA) have extensive accomplishments both as individuals and with previous partnerships. They live in Orange, and San Francisco, California, and both travel all over the United States and the world teaching, competing, judging, and performing. Both a champion lindy hopper, and a champion west coast swing dancer, Ben Morris began swing dancing at age 12. He is a three time US Open Swing Dance Champion. Melissa Rutz has over 22 years of dance experience. Her extensive background in ballet, and a variety of solo work both on stage and in the industrial scene give her an extremely versatile style. The couple has been competing together since 2010. They competed together in the US Open 2010’s Classic division, where they won fourth place.

Robert & Nicola Royston (NY) 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.

Arjay Centeno & Jennifer Deluca are talented performers and teachers with years of dancing experience. 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. Jennifer Deluca currently resides in Orlando Florida. She has been dancing since the age of 5 with credits that include a college ballroom dance team at age 13 and placing second in the NASDE circuit overall in 2007 and 2008. Currently, both Arjay and Jennifer focus on west coast swing; performing, teaching and judging around the world.

Barry Jones & Patty Vo (TX) Barry Jones is a 4 time US Open Swing Dance Champion and was honored and inducted into the Swing Dance Hall of Fame in 2006. Barry has won the Feather award for best showcase, best classic couple, and choreographer of the year. He currently resides in Katy, Texas. Patti Vo has been dancing west coast swing since 1995 and since, has earned a division 3 UCWDC world championship title, multiple showcase pro/am titles with her students, and is a consistent finalist in jack and jill and strictly competitions throughout the US. As one of the most creative and dynamic dancers in the world, Patty is becoming known for her unique style of dance. Barry and Patti’s recent accomplishments include professional Showcase wins at Liberty Swing 2010, and Dallas DANCE 2010. Together they enjoy travelling across the United States to perform and share their wealth of knowledge in west coast swing.

Robert Cordoba (FL) & Deborah Székely (TX) are legends in the dance world as performers, competitors, teachers, and choreographers. They were among the original pioneers of west coast swing across the world. Robert Cordoba is a 7-time US Open swing dance champion and a member of the World Swing Dance Hall of Fame. Deborah Székely is a member of the Dallas D.A.N.C.E Hall of Fame and a 5-time US Open swing dance champion. Together, with over 25 years of dance experience, the pair has two US Open Classic Swing titles, two US Open Sophisticated Swing titles, and they secured the NASDE circuit titles for four years in a row 1998-2001. Both in private and a classic teaching environment, they convey amazing technical information and extensive knowledge of the dance.

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. 

Erik & Anna Novoa (CT) are one of the only couples to have both a competitive west coast swing and a hustle routine in the circuit. Erik is a nationally ranked competitive dancer in both hustle and west coast swing who has titles competing in both. He has over 10 years competing in west coast swing and hustle, and has excelled in strictly swing and jack and jill competitions at numerous national events. His extensive ballet, jazz, and tap training are evident in his highly intricate routines and expert teaching style. Anna has trained in both classical and modern styles of ballroom and latin dance. She combines the discipline of ballet with the creativity of partner dancing, and is known for her spins, turns & technique. The pair resides in southern Connecticut and are sought and remembered for their impeccable technique and professional teaching methods.

Danny McGee & Jameson Kilburn (PA) are the co-founders of the widely successful Top Hat Studios in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. For over 15 years, Daniel has continued to teach, perform and compete in the Ballroom, Latin, and Hustle dance forms. He is currently one of the top ranked hustle competitors in the country and is undefeated in the pro-am theatre arts hustle division. Jameson can be seen at many different dance events throughout the country teaching, judging, performing, and competing. For the past ten years he has excelled at teaching, and performing in professional partner dancing. The pair have choreographed and danced in a number of stage performances, and they are known for impeccable technique and de-mystifying teaching methods.

Tybalt & Hazel Ulrich (NJ) have over 30 years combined dance experience. From their home in Houston they travel across the country teaching, competing, performing and judging both hustle and west swing competitions. As competitors, Tybalt and Hazel are previous MADjam Swing & Hustle champions, 2-time World Hustle Champions, and often place high in invitational jack and jills for both hustle and west coast swing. As performers, they are known for bringing power and subtlety to their dances. In teaching, the couple puts an emphasis on partner connection and bringing joy and confidence to your dancing whether through basic or advanced patterns, together they help students understand the fundamentals to add groove and flow to your dancing.

Jason & Amy Barnes (NC) currently teach in Asheville, North Carolina but travel extensively throughout the United States and Europe as a teachers, coaches, judges, competitors, and performers. Jason has been teaching dance for over 13 years. Amy has danced in the competitive college circuit, and through line dance and jack and jill competitions. Together, the couple teach American style ballroom and enjoy travelling and competing throughout the United States.

Dean & Dawn Garrish (MD) are two of the most prominent teachers of both country and west coast swing dance in the Maryland/DC area. They have been teaching and competing in the dance community for over 25 years. With extensive knowledge in competitive dancing they have won two UCWDC World Titles, 6 US Open Swing Titles, and over 50 Top Teacher Awards. Dean and Dawn are legends of the dance world and continue to influence dancers of all levels seeking to refine their skills.

Bill Cameron (CT) holds both US Open, and American Swing Dance Championship titles. Currently, he is a NASDE event director, and 10 year member of the World Swing Dance Council. He has been teaching west coast swing since 1997 and is known for his easy-going and relaxed teaching style. Yuna Davtyan has been dancing west coast swing since 2002. Since then, she has worked her way from newcomer through advanced to her current status consistently placing as an all-star. She has been teaching for the last five years continuing to develop an intuitive eye and refining her technique. Their styles together make for workshops and private lessons that get results, as they are caring and committed to their students.

Stephanie Batista (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.

Taletha Jouzdani (TX) has been teaching partner dancing for over 13 years. She showcases a playful and technical ability whenever she performs. With her previous partner Jake Haning, she rose confidently through the NASDE Classic swing division to be ranked among the top swing dancers in the world. Currently, she teaches full-time at Go Dance Studio in Austin, Texas where she is one of the most popular instructors on staff.

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.

Debbie Ramsey-Boz (NC) has been dancing since the age of three and teaching for over twenty-five years. She has been competing for over 22 years, and has won many titles, including World Swing Dance Champion. She is a three-time winner of the feather Award for “Top Female Teacher in the United States,” a professional actress, dancer and choreographer for MGM and Paramount pictures having worked in many movies and television shows, and she is a two-time inductee into the Swing Dance Hall of Fame. Together, her and her husband Wesley Boz own and operate Mad About Dance Academy in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Robin Smith (NC) 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.

Silvana Gallagher (PA) is known as one of the top theater and hustle dancers in the United States. Having a successful 10-year partnership with partner Brian Gallagher, Silvana is now focusing on her ever-increasing skill as an instructor. Based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, she travels nationally teaching, judging and competing in hustle. Silvana’s enthusiastic approach to teaching and performing are evident on her audiences as well as her students.

Donna Boyle (PA) is one of the original partners of Hustle USA Dance Championships, and is the driving force behind “Disco America.” She is recognized as a major contributor and a pillar of the hustle dance community. A full-time dance instructor, a DJ, and a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award by the World Hustle Dance Championships, Donna continues to host and promote events through the Philadelphia and New Jersey Area.

Billy Marti teaches at Stepping Out Studios in Manhattan. He began dancing at age 18 and quickly realized that it would be one of his life’s passions. Currently, Billy Travels the US competing and teaching. Billy takes pride in teaching and has a great ability to thoroughly prepare students for competition and showcase performances. He never fails to enhance the student’s musical and technical articulation of the hustle dance.

Erica Lyons (CA)has been into the West Coast Swing scene for almost 12 years, currently dancing at the All Star level. About five years ago, she delved into the world of DJing to explore another aspect of her love of the dance. Since then, Erica has DJed a large variety of dance events and weekly dances from coast to coast. She enjoys keeping people on the dance floor, and can't wait to keep the ballroom rocking all night long!"

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.

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 15 years of DJ experience, DJ Louie is never missing what to play next, and loves keeping a dance floor rocking.

Tim Johnson (MI) has been DJing professionally 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.