Instructors || DJ's & Bands || Emcee || Event Organizer || Sponsors Corina Acosta Los Angeles, CA Hailing from Los Angeles, Corina is one of L.A.'s favorite competitors and without a doubt one of the fastest follows dancing in the scene today. Her competition background stems from a long history of 1st place titles in the local, national, and world competition circuit since 1997. Corina was inducted into the California Swing Dance Hall of Fame in 2004 and excels in all areas of vernacular jazz dance, as well as other dance forms such as Polynesian, Hip-hop, Post-modern, and Ballet. She has made her mark in TV commercials, film, and music videos. Her recent performances include The Apollo Theater in Harlem, N.Y., The 55th Annual Emmy Awards in Los Angeles, California, and the Los Angeles Finals for the upcoming reality series called "Shall We Dance". Her desire to share her passion with others has introduced her as a guest instructor across the map from Hawaii, Seattle, Atlanta, Chicago, and Florida, to Germany, Norway, Sweden, England, France, and Japan. Giselle Anguizola Laguna Beach, CA Giselle is one of a kind. She has competed in the national scene for over four years, and has won championships at ALHC, ULHS, NADC, New Years Extravaganza, and the Rhythmic Arts Festival. She is an active organizer of the L.A./O.C. Binge and co-founder of the line dance "Hot Pockets". As a judge, instructor, DJ, choreographer, and performer, she strives to preserve the art form known as American Vernacular Dance. Giselle is an all around dancer that focuses on Lindy Hop, Jazz Movement, and Charleston. To her, these dances were created to provide a freedom of expression through the means of body improvisations, directly correlating with the improvisation of Jazz Music. She sees dancing as a communication between two people, equally important, and would like to see follows express their OWN style and creativity. Around the country, she is known for her intricate footwork, spontaneity, style, and creative vibe. Out on the dance floor her love for jazz music and dance create a synergy of uniqueness and free spirit. She hopes to inspire others to feel the music and search for their own expression through dance. Chance Bushman San Diego, CA Chance has been dancing Lindy Hop since 1999 and is still highly addicted. While he has judged and competed nationally, he is a social dancer at heart. He also organizes the San Diego Rhythmic Arts Festival, which is held annually New Year's Eve Weekend. (www.rhythmicarts.com) Chance has quickly become one of the top leads in the country. His New Years event in San Diego, the Rhythmic Arts Festival, was a smashing success. Chance has amazing leading abilities and repertoire to make each dance with him wonderful. Emily Hoffberg Los Angeles, CA Emily Hoffberg has been dancing lindy hop since 1999. Originally from San Francisco, she is now a well-known dancer in the LA scene. As a nationally ranked competitor, she is an ALHC and ULHS champion. After spending a year dancing in Japan, she came back to the States and won the 2003 US Open. Nothing excites her more than the great shapes that come from solo jazz, charleston, swivels and a bad ass rock step. Amy Johnson Los Angeles, CA Amy has been a lindy hopper for several years now and is still continually inspired by the intense passion of the musicians and dancers of the past. She draws on this as well as modern dance ideas everytime she steps foot on the floor. Inspired by old contests like the Harvet Moon Ball and the needs to the modern lindy hop scene, Amy created The Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown, a lindy hop celebration/competition that utilizes live music in all its contests. Showdown is held annually in Minneapolis, MN. www.rhythmpursuits.com Laura Keat Littleton, CO Laura Keat first entered the competitive lindy hop scene with 23Skidoo,Denver's competitive performance team, in 2003. In 2004 Laura began competing on her own as well. Some of her most memorable wins was the Classic division at 2004 American Lindy Hop Championships, the Strictly Lindy at 2004 US Open, and being a finalist at the Centennial Basie Ball Hellzapoppin Contest, as well as many other reputable successes. Teaching regularly in Denver, and semi-regularly nationally, she enjoys teaching a combination of skills ranging from partner connection, to movement, styling, and musicality with an emphasis on styling and musicality. She is always excited for another chance to share her joy and passion for the dance! Nikki Klaus Orange County, CA Nikki is a leader in the Orange County Swing Dance Club and an organizer of The OC Lindy Exchange. She is a well-known competitor, performer, DJ and teacher of Lindy Hop in the Orange County area. Nikki most recently won first place in the Sugarfoot Stomp Jack n' Jill contest. Shesha Marvin Orange County, CA Shesha Marvin is president of The Orange County Swing Dance Club and runs one of the most successful swing dance scenes in the country teaching over 300 dancers a week and running 2 packed swing nights. He is also an avid tap dancer and is well known for his famous 101 hat tricks. Shesha has performed and toured with Hot Stop and Rhythm, a local dance team headed by Audrey Wilson, and Hop Star, a national corporate dance troupe. His movie and television work include dancing in The 13th Floor, Hang Time, and The Teacher Awards. Sean Morris Los Angeles, CA Sean taught East Coast Swing for a long time because Lindy Hop was a lot harder. Since that doesn't count, he uses 1998 as a benchmark for the start of his passion for Lindy Hop. Having lived all over the country - from Hawaii to Boston - Sean has not only had numerous dancing influences, but has also learned how to fake a bunch of different accents – 75% of which are pretty funny. His true inspirations for the dance have come from a myriad of Charleston, Lindy Hop and Solo Jazz movie clips in the 1920s and 30s. Sean was an American Lindy Hop Champion in 2002 and has taught all over the US and internationally. His excitement and enthusiasm for early jazz music is contagious and comes across in his teaching. Tonya Morris Los Angeles, CA Tonya has been performing, teaching, djing and promoting swing events for over 8 years now. Specializing in Lindy Hop, Charleston and other early jazz forms, she loves to share her passion and excitement for dancing with others. Tonya has placed in many national dance competitions including Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown, Camp Hollywood, National Jitterbug Championships and more. She has taught and dj'd all over the world including Melbourne, Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver BC, Los Angeles, Hawaii, Boston, Seattle, Albuquerque, Houston and Washington DC to name a few. Jeremy Otth Los Angeles, CA Jeremy Otth has won numerous prestigious Balboa and Lindy Hop Competitions including the 2002 Camp Hollywood NJC Balboa Championship. One of LA's finest Jitterbugs whose unique style and creativity have been an inspiration to many. He has also appeared in movies, music videos and on TV. Mikey Pedroza Orange County, CA Mikey has been dancing, performing, and competing for over 7 years now, not stopping for more then a week. Some credits include US Open '99, American Lindy Hop Champs. '04, and Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown '04. His love come the dance comes from every part of it; the music, the style, the movement, the people, the history, and the way they all come together in the dance. Hoping to inspire others with his creativity, energy and playfulness he can't wait to share his passion with all of you at The Rhythm is Jumpin! Sylvia Skylar Los Angeles, CA Swing Dance Hall of Famer Sylvia Skylar began dancing in 1996. After winning the American Lindy Hop Championships in 1998, she went on to travel the world spreading her love of vintage dance. She has appeared in numerous movies, television shows, and commercials. Her greatest dance achievement was being an original cast member of the hit Broadway musical 'Swing'. Minn Vo Los Angeles, CA Hailing from Los Angeles, Minn is one of L.A.'s favorite competitors and without a doubt one of the fastest leads dancing in the scene today. His compeition background stems from a long history of 1st place titles in the local Southern California competition circuit since 1997. Minn excels in all areas of vernacular jazz dance, and has an exstensive history in the contemporary movement of freestyle street dance. He's made his mark in tv commercials, film, and music videos. His most recent performances include The Apollo Theater in Harlem, N.Y., The 55th Annual Emmy Awards in Los Angeles, California, and the Los Angeles Finals for the upcoming reality series called "Shall We Dance". His desire to share his passion with others has introduced him as guest instructor across the map from Hawaii, Seattle, Atlanta, Chicago, and Florida, to Germany, Norway, Sweden, England, France, and Japan. Chester Whitmore Artistic Director & Choreographer Dancing since 1974, Chester Whitmore originally studied to be a cinematographer. An encounter with famed tap dancer Fayard Nicholas changed his life. Eventually, Mr. Nicholas became his teacher and mentor. Mr. Whitmore has been jumping ever since. Lately, he has been traveling around the world on tour as a dancer, teacher, choreographer, director and entertainer. He has performed with the Lionel Hampton Orchestra, the Duke Ellington Orchestra under the direction of Mercer Ellington, the Count Basie Orchestra under the direction of Frank Foster, and the great Mile Davis. Chester Whitmore’s choreography can be seen in music videos by Weird Al Yankovic, Teena Marie, Boys II Men, and Sugar Ray. The NAACP Image Awards (1989-1994), Soul of American Music, and Stellar Awards (Gospel Music Awards) show Mr. Whitmore’s versatility in choreographing for diverse groups, such as the Nicholas Brothers with Savion Glover, M.C. Hammer, Levert, BeBe and CeCe Winans, Vickie Winans, and in dance tribute to Dick Clark and The Artist (formerly known as Prince). Website Design: © 2005  DeAmicis Design