INSTRUCTOR

JENN LEE (She/Her) started swing dancing in 2001 and has loved being a part of this amazing community ever since. If there is great jazz music playing you’ll find her there, dancing until the wee hours with the most contented smile on her face.

Her devotion to swing dancing was first as a student, then later as an avid competitor, organizer, advocate, and now as a popular instructor.

Her teaching style reflects her creativity and playfulness. She has a strong music background and uses this along with a collaborative approach in her classes.

Jenn is one of the few professional follows who did not develop her craft with a dedicated partner, as a result she has a dance style that works with many people and is able to work with multiple dance partners for teaching and collaboration.

Her film titled “One Girl and Two Boys” won the Jazz Dance Film Festival, and she holds many titles including 1st place titles from the California Balboa Classic, All Balboa Weekend, the Eastern Balboa Championships, Hot Rhythm Holiday, the Snowball and, Lindy Focus. https://therealjenniferlee.com/

INSTRUCTOR

Jacob started swing dancing in 2003 and has been hooked ever since.

Jacob discovered his love of Balboa in 2005 and began traveling to various events and competitions not much later. His first love is social dancing but he also enjoys competing as a way to set goals and push himself. As a teacher he enjoys using a mix of humorous analogies and serious instruction to create a fun and exciting learning environment.

Jacob has been teaching at national and international events for the last 15 years. He has honed his ability to break down and analyze the dance to make complex and dynamic movement happen with ease and comfort. He is known for his intricate, yet traditionally based, Pure Bal, as well as his unique shapes and movement in Bal Swing. He is also known for his continuous flow and effortless way of floating across the dance floor, while maintaining a highly rhythmic feel.

Jacob’s primary goal in all his partnerships has been to connect in a way that works for both him and his partner to find what they can create together. This has resulted in numerous placements and wins at all levels of competition, but more importantly, having ever-evolving social dances.

INSTRUCTOR

Desiree has loved dancing her whole life. At the age of four, she began learning Irish Dance. Soon after, she was competing around the country and started teaching dance in early middle school.

Around 2002, Desiree switched her focus to swing dancing and began studying Lindy Hop, Blues, and Balboa. Desiree continues to travel to swing dance events around the world to learn, teach, and compete. Desiree especially loves balboa because of its circular momentum, close connection, and intricate footwork.

She has received balboa awards from events across North America. Desiree has three graduate degrees in education and provides training for teachers in Chicago public schools. She is currently working on her PhD in Instructional Technology.

In 2011, Desiree started Chicago Balboa Underground and she remains dedicated to growing the swing dance scene in Chicago and across the globe. As an instructor and swing dance organizer, Desiree values inclusive practices, trauma-informed approaches, and social justice.

INSTRUCTOR

Dominic is a dancer and dance enthusiast based in the Triangle region of North Carolina. He has been dancing balboa for almost 10 years, and is deeply fascinated by the elements that compose the feel and aesthetics of balboa.

His dancing has been described as musical, smooth, playful, and connection centered. As an instructor, Dominic is known for his open communication style, and his ability to tangibly share concepts in various forms.

INSTRUCTOR

Theresa has been a dance enthusiast for as long as she can remember. She has extensive experience in ballet, modern and aerial arts, but nothing captures her heart like jazz music and swing dancing. She adores all styles, especially Balboa, Collegiate Shag, Lindy Hop and solo jazz.

As an instructor, Theresa is known for having a keen eye for body mechanics with a strong focus to encourage her students to listen to the music as a way to influence movement.

INSTRUCTOR

Travis Whetman has been sharing his love of swing dancing in the Seattle area since the early 2000s.

He is known for his ‘classic’ style of Balboa but also enjoys exploring how to take the dance in new directions. As a well-known Balboa DJ, Travis also loves talking about the music and how we can connect to it as dancers.

Connecting with your partner and with the music are always topics that are close to Travis' heart.

INSTRUCTOR

Laura Keat has been specializing in dancing, performing and teaching jazz dances of the swing & big band era since 2003. Laura values inclusivity, individuality, clear instruction and uplifting dance experiences.

Laura has experience teaching and performing across the globe spending most of her time traveling within the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia and Australia.

She has many accolades including championship titles at ILHC (International Lindy Hop Championships), NJC (National Jitterbug Championships/Camp Hollywood), US Open and many more.

She has had to opportunity to perform on the TV show, "Dancing With The Stars," "Agent Carter," as well as multiple commercials and music videos.

INSTRUCTOR

Jeremy Otth amassed a great amount of knowledge on the historic essence of vintage swing dances and personal stories and interactions with some of the original jitterbuggs and swing dancers. His interest has focused on the Lindy Hop, Balboa, Jazz and Collegiate Shag. Along with his seemingly inexhaustible amount of energy,

Jeremy’s natural talent and dedication led him to accumulate championship titles at many acclaimed dance competitions such as the International Lindy Hop Championships, National Jitterbug Championships, American Classic Balboa Championships, California Balboa Classic and the US Open Swing Dance Championships. Jeremy is now able to share that breadth of knowledge and passion for these classic partner dances by entertaining and educating feet from Southern California to around the world.