Um... It's Sylvia Sykes ok? What else needs to be said?

Sylvia is California's premiere Swing Dance Instructor and Choreographer.

Sylvia, an internationally recognized authority on most types of Swing Dance, has been teaching and judging for over 30 years throughout the US, Europe, Asia and Australia.

Sylvia studied with the great swing dancer Dean Collins, and was a member of his last dance troupe. She studied Balboa with Maxie Dorf and spent years learning from the greatest Southern California Balboa dancers. Sylvia is an inductee into the National Swing Dance Hall of Fame, as well as the California Swing Dance Hall of Fame. She is a U S Open champion, was the NASDE top point winner, two time California Balboa Champion, took third place in the National Carolina Shag Dance Championships, and has won many Strictly Swing and Jack & Jill dance contests through the U.S. in Lindy, Balboa and West Coast Swing. She was twice voted Swing Dance Teacher of the Year, and is a 4 time Feather Award winner as Best Female Lindy Dancer in the U.S.

She has performed with Count Basie, Glenn Miller Orchestra, Artie Shaw, and Les Brown, and appeared on many television shows such as American Bandstand and Gotta Dance for the American Movie Channel.

A "teacher's teacher", Sylvia instructs teachers worldwide in Balboa and Lindy ...come study with the best!

Nick Williams has embodied the traditionalist style of swing dancing since 1998. He is known for his "fast and fancy" footwork. His understanding of Lindy Hop, Collegiate Shag, and Balboa come from learning from the original masters. His accomplishments thus far include: 2001 Jitterbug Jam, 2002 and 2003 National Jitterbug Championships, and the 2003 American Lindy Hop Championships. His inspiration for the dances comes from a desire for accurate authentication, and can be seen in his great lines, general presence and command on the dance floor. Above all, he exhibits musicality, creativity, and continuity. Nick is a true leader for the next generation of swing dancers, as well as an accomplished choreographer. He is also co-founder of The Rhythm Rollers.

David currently resides in Maryland, dancing and teaching full-time in Maryland, Virginia, and the Washington, DC metro area. He has competed and placed at the National Jitterbug Championships, the American Lindy Hop Championships, and the North Atlantic Dance Championships, to name a few. He is also an avid collector of vintage Lindy Hop and Balboa footage on film. David learned to dance and continues to develop his understanding of dance through extensive research, collaboration, and social dancing around the country.

The French call her "le talon du chocolat," and refer to him solely as "Booby." Such praise only begins to describe this couple who teach classes in everything from balboa to hand-to-hand lindy combat. Together they took 2nd place medals at the American Classic Balboa Championships in 2006 and, with the cunning use of chloroform and an Ayn Rand paperback, were also able to get one of the first place trophies. (Sorry, David). Kate is also the Intergalactic Balboa Champion 2005 and Bobby the ACBC Jack and Jill Balboa Champion 2005. They are happiest, however, in the class room or on the social dance floor. When they aren't falling down, Kate spends her time stealing follower's footwork variations and climbing trees, and Bobby continues to work on a novel about a vampire that goes to college.

Mickey - as a professional Tough Guy, Super Hero and Spelling Bee Champion, finding time for dance was not easy for Mickey Fortanasce, nor was it an accepted activity among his fellow Crime fighters. But having defeated most evil doers in the New York City metropolitan area and having and become bored with their monotonous monologueing coupled with their stubborn refusal to except his superior skill and ability, he made his way down a different path.

In search of more powerful adversary Mickey Fortanasce began dancing THE lindy hop and THE balboa in the Summer of '99. For years he competed and worked tirelessly towards a goal he could neither see nor reach. Battling opponents whose dorkdom surpassed even his own. Completely unprepaired and surrounded by people who probably wanted to kick his ass, Mickey was certain he'd found his way back to high school.

It wasn't until 2004 Mickey while walking the dark and dusted streets of New York that Mickey bore witness to an freak accident when a Mac truck collided with a two men carrying a large pain of glass. At that moment a Vat of glowing green ooze toppled from the truck and onto a unsuspecting super-model. Remembering the well known Vat of ooze to Super Hero ratio, Mickey decided to ask the girl to join him on his quest only to find out later that in fact, she had been given the super human power of Dance Ass Kicking.

Together MIckey and Kelly have competed and won numerous competitions in Lindy Hop and Balboa, including most recently receiving the prestigious title of 'BEST DANCERS EVER' at the 'Mickey wins Everything Invitational 2008'. Mickey and Kelly have taught accross the US and in Europe and have also been featured in dance articles in Time Out New York Magazine, The New York Times and www.priceless.com. Performed freestyle swing demo on Good Day New York and been interviewed and filmed for a story on balboa aired on HDTV.

Kelly - Kelly Arsenault is a native of Knoxville, Tennessee, and she has been dancing as long as she can remember. As a child she took ballet and jazz, but she was especially drawn to modern dance. At age 11, Kelly joined the Tennessee Children's Dance Ensemble. She was with the modern dance company for 6 years, performing around the globe including Taiwan, Singapore, and Indonesia.

Kelly attended the University of Tennessee (Go Vols!) from 1997-2001, during which time she was a member of the UT Dance Company. One highlight from those days was being chosen to perform with the company at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC in 1998. Her time in college opened her eyes to a variety of modern dance styles and techniques including Graham, Horton, and Limon. Even after graduating, Kelly came back to perform with UTDC and she was commissioned to choreograph a piece for the company in 2003.

Following college Kelly joined Circle Modern Dance Company for which she was a dancer and choreographer. She also joined the Knoxville Swing Dance Association and took workshops whenever she had the chance. Finally in 2003, Kelly decided to bite the bullet and pursue her dance dreams in New York.

During her four-year residency in NY, Kelly joined two modern dance companies: Von Ussar Danceworks and MAD About Dance. She was also fortunate enough to meet her amazing dance partner Mickey Fortanasce. Mickey and Kelly have taught accross the US and in Europe and have also been featured in dance articles in Time Out New York, The New York Sun and www.priceless.com. Performed freestyle swing demo on Good Day New York and been interviewed and filmed for a story on balboa aired on HDTV.

Kelly continues to pursue her love of dance and teaching in her new home city of Washington, DC.

Check Out Their Website: www.MickeyAndKelly.com

Holly is know for her grace and strength in lugging Chris around the floor due to his sack of potato style of dance. Chris is known for his sack of potato style of dance. They have competed and taught across the country and are your hosts for EBC. For more information or booking, please click over to: WhatAShuffle.com

JOEL PLYS began his swing dance career in the summer of 1998 on a date in Chicago. He learned very quickly from countless workshops and non-stop dancing and brought his skills to Cleveland, OH.

Joel taught swing full-time out in Cleveland, OH for 4 years (1999-2002) and started Get Hep Swing, LTD He co-created the very first All Balboa Weekend with Valerie Salstrom (June 2001) He moved to San Diego in 2002 and taught all over the world with Alison Scola. Joel continues to travel the globe sharing his love of Swing dancing.

Joel has a high quality, energetic approach to the dance that makes every lesson with him and any partner a blast! As a regular teacher at major events all over the world, his down to earth, enthusiastic attitude is contagious. He has taught all over the US (26 states and counting) as well as Australia, Canada, England, France, Germany, Hungary, Scotland and Sweden.

He has a full knowledge of various styles from years of study that he shares in his instruction of Balboa, Lindy, Charleston, Collegiate Shag, Jazz Movement, and Pre-Swing dances (Texas Tommy, One Step, etc)

To 'preserve' a dance, you must understand the technique and characteristic fundamentals of that dance. For a dance to 'evolve', you must be open to everyone adding creative elements to that dance. Joel encourages students to study and be open to “differences” so that they can make the dance their own.

He embodies these qualities in his instruction and dancing while remembering the true reason we dance - for FUN!

One of America's busiest Lindy and Balboa teachers, Valerie has a reputation for her finesse on the dance floor. She emphasizes musicality and connection regardless of the style of swing. Since 2002 Valerie has taken home the 2003 National Jitterbug Championships (NJC) Grand Slam Championship, became both the 2004 NJC Balboa Champions and the 2004 American Lindy Hop Championships (ALHC) American Showcase Champions and most recently, (in 2005) she returned to ALHC to place 2nd in the same competition.

Valerie is the organizer of the 'All Balboa Weekend' held annually in her home town of Cleveland. This Weekend event first started in 2001 and was the first major dance camp dedicated solely to Balboa. It features the American Classic Balboa Championships (ACBC), one of the nations most respected and sought after Balboa competitions. www.AllBalboa.com.

Jeremy and Laura united to create this dynamic dance partnership in January of 2006. Since then, they have been accumulating Championship Titles, teaching all around the world, and even performed on ABC's hit TV Show, "Dancing With The Stars." Jeremy and Laura were each individually honored by the California Swing Dance Hall of Fame in 2008!

Jeremy and Laura have earned Championships at many National events such as: National Jitterbug Championships, American Lindy Hop Championships and the US Open to name a few. They won both first place titles at NJC (at Camp Hollywood) in Shag and Pro Balboa in 2008. They took 2nd in the American Classic Balboa Championships at All Balboa Weekend, were 3rd in the Champions Lindy at the International Lindy Hop Championships in 2008, and in 2007 were Fast Dance Lindy Hop Champions at the US Open! They travel to teach all across the United States and around the world both individually and as a couple, including jobs across the US, UK, France, Germany, Sweden, Canada and Japan.

Jeremy and Laura teach regularly in Southern California and combine their interests to bring well-rounded, interesting and entertaining swing dance classes to the floor. Jeremy's focus on style, authentic movement and unique moves along with Laura's passions for styling and musicality using good connection and technique will inspire and elevate dancers at all levels.

(Montreal, Canada)

In 2004, Frederic had to make a decision of which of his passions to follow and decide to spend most of his time dancing. Not long after he discovered balboa and became obsessed with it. Not shortly after Jason Herron moved to his hometown, which changed everything. With Jason's help and the help other international teachers’, Frederic was ready to start his career in the competition world. In 2008, with his new partner Patricia Brodeur, Frederic joined Studio 88-SWING in Montreal and found the “Ballistic”, the second balboa team in Montreal. The same year, he became the first Canadian to win the American Classic Balboa Championships amateur division. From there, his adventure truly began. He was accepted for the Experiement 2009, hired to teach both for the Montreal Balboa Review and the Canadian Balboa Championship. Lately, Frederic has placed in almost every competition he has competed in: Rocky Balboa Blowout 2009, TCBF 2009, Swingtime in the Rockies, Canadian Balboa Championships 2009 and the Eastern Balboa Championships 2009. Above all of this, Frederic’s real kick is to communicate his passion to others and to keep inspiring those who need a model. Frederic continues pushing himself further and deeper in the infinite world of Balboa.

Dancing since her childhood, Patricia was accepted in the Swinging Air Force, a performance team, in January 2006. She first discovered the Charleston and danced with the Sultry Flappers who happened to win the first place in the Canadian Swing Championship cabaret division two years in row (2006/2007). Her talent was quickly noticed within the SAF and supported by her education degree; she joined Studio 88-SWING and helped them to further develop their teaching program. Shortly after she met her partner Frederic Barbe, who introduced her to Balboa, she won the Canadian Balboa Championships 2008 J&J division. Continuing with her want to share her passion for Balboa she created a new balboa team in Montreal, the SAF Ballistic. This same year, she became the first Canadian to win the American Classic Balboa Championships amateur division with her partner. From there, all the pieces have come together. She was accepted for the Experiment 2009, and has taught at the Montreal Balboa Review, the Canadian Balboa Championships and Nashville Balboa Experience 4. She has also distinguished herself in many competitions, like the TCBF 2009 (1st place J&J division), the Canadian Balboa Championships 2009 (1st place open couple) and the Eastern Balboa Championships 2009 (1st place open J&J) . Nice and genuine, she will welcome you with open arms to share one of her most sacred passion, the BALBOA!

Adam has been dancing Balboa for three years, studying under many of the prominent instructors worldwide. He challenges himself to improve by competition but mainly enjoys the social aspects of dancing. In the classroom, Adam offers his own experiences and knowledge in order to foster a creative and comfortable learning environment. He believes that social dancing and individual innovation are paramount in a dancer’s education.

Nelle has been dancing since she was 3 years old. Beginning with tap, jazz and ballet she was then introduced to swing dancing during college. Balboa came into her life as the first predominant style of swing dancing she focused on. For the last 3 years she found balboa to be the dance that fit due to its elegance and refined technique which complimented her dancing background. Since then, she’s been able to use her dancing background as a teacher to share her love of balboa with others. She stresses comfort and teamwork in the classroom and continually strives to pursue a constant goal of perpetual awesomeness through social and competitive dancing.

Together Adam and Nelle have competed and won competitions in balboa throughout the country over the last 3 years. Some of these competitions include: 1st place- Balboa Jack and Jill ILHC 2009; Finalist – Pro Balboa at All Balboa Weekend 2009; 1st Place – Strictly Balboa at Rocky Mountain Balboa 2009; 1st Place – Strictly Balboa at the Int’l Lindy Hop Championships 2008; 3rd Place – Eastern Balboa Championships- 2008; 6th Place – Pro Balboa at Balboa Rendezvous 2008 and 1st Place- Amateur ACBC All Balboa Weekend 2007

Since 1998, Matt has been honing his dance skills; starting with East Coast, he quickly moved into Lindy Hop and other Swing-era dances--with a very short detour into Ballroom. He's been heavily influenced by Jeremy Otth, Marty Lau, and Peter Strom; has studied under Steven Mitchell, Frankie Manning, Carla Heiney and Valerie Salstrom, Nick Williams and David Rehm. In addition to teaching for Valerie for the past four years, he's helped choreograph Hustle and award winning Swing routines. He strives to bring solid fundamentals and just-the-right amount of connection to Lindy Hop and Balboa while creating room for musicality and follows to play. Matt has been an instructor at Boogie By The Bay, the Eastern Balboa Championships, Canadian Balboa Championships, and Dance Renaissance. He competes regularly in Balboa and Lindy Hop. He was also a stand-in for Kevin Bacon in Footloose.

Despite Susan’s desire to learn balboa, Corey first hated the dance until he saw it done in all its glory one fateful year at Camp Hollywood, and together, they have been learning & dancing it for 7 years. They are one of the few balboa instructors in the southeast and have been teaching workshops & private lessons for several years. Their focus is to spread balboa like a plaque across the country…but in a good way…starting with organizing the Nashville Balboa Experience. They are most comfortable on the social dance floor, teaching & participating in workshops, instigating late night shenanigans and occasionally competing. Most notably, they took 3rd place in the American Classic Balboa Championship 2009 Amateur Strictly and Corey took 1st place in the 2010 Amateur Jack & Jill. Corey also holds the highly coveted EBC “Jackass” award for 2008 and 2009….which he would be happy to pass on to someone else this year.

Corey and Susan were honored to be participants of The Experiment in 2010 and 2011, dancing and learning with their balboa peers from across the world. As a constant student of balboa, their strength is relating their own dance struggles (and accomplishments), so students will experience success sooner in their own dancing and create their own personal style.

They are honored to be a part of this year’s EBC instructor line-up, along with some of their personal dance mentors, and look forward to dancing with you.

info coming soon

Graceful and fiery. Feminine yet dynamic. Known for her swivels. Starting out in the beautiful Northern Colorado, Teni Lopez-Cardenas began dancing Lindy Hop as a lucky fluke in college. Within a year, she was invited to join the Denver-based team 23 Skidoo!, which went on to win 4 National Championships over the next 2 years. Since then, Teni has become an accomplished competitor, teacher, and performer, and has had the pleasure of working with many well-known leads and teams.

In the classroom, Teni maintains a fun and accessible attitude while focusing on the importance of connection, body awareness, and technique. Her passion for the dance shines through in her teaching, and she strives to instill a sense of playfulness while encouraging her students to develop their own personal style. To achieve these goals, she makes a lot of sound effects, draws pictures in the air, makes faces, and generally just makes a fool of herself.

Teni is happiest when dancing her heart out, and she loves to perform and compete; she has performed for events such as All Balboa Weekend, the Great Southwest Lindyfest, and Camp Jitterbug’s Jump Session Show, as well as for various events in the Denver and Austin area. On the competition circuit, Teni consistently places in top Lindy Hop and Balboa divisions at many prestigious events including the Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown, American Classic Balboa Championships, American Lindy Hop Championships, Lindy Focus, Eastern Balboa Championships, National Jitterbug Championships, and Lindy on the Rocks.

Heather Ballew has studied all things swing dance since 2000 and is continually refining her teaching, always looking for better ways to explain moves and concepts. Since 2007 she has directed and choreographed for balboa dance teams The Grabtown Grapplers and Ballyhoo. Past teaching credits include Balboa Rendezvous (San Diego), Provence Swing Festival (Aix, France), Beantown Summer Camp (Boston), Rock That Swing (Germany), Twin Cities Balboa Festival (Minneapolis), and Rocky Mountain Balboa Blowout (Denver).

Krista is a big fan of Balboa--whether dancing, teaching, competing or performing. Her extensive knowledge of the dance (and empty bank account) is due to her travels to many national balboa events where she has had the opportunity to learn from and dance with top-level instructors. She shows well in competitions, making finals at many events and has been honored to teach at the Canadian Balboa Championships and the Eastern Balboa Championships. She has been instrumental in starting and growing a balboa scene in her hometown and is proud to be the mastermind behind the Twin Cities Balboa Festival. (www.tcbal.com)

Chad and Tia enjoy traveling to Balboa events and taking classes and private lessons. They both attended The Experiment in 2011. Together they placed 3rd in the Open Strictly at Twin Cities Balboa festival and won the Jack and Jill - Pre-Hot Rhythm Holiday Finale 2010.

Chad started swing dancing in 2008. He disliked swing music when he started because he only new neo-swing. However the joy of dancing, learning, and helping others to grow attracts him to swing dancing in a big way. Chad was elated to find tons of swing music to enjoy along his swing dancing journey. Chad regularly teaches in Texas for three different swing organizations including BalAustin. Chad values learning and social dancing over competing, but does have the following accolades.

Second place - Balboa Jack and Jill - Dance Manhatten, New York 2011 Finals - Balboa Jack and Jill - LindyFocus 2010 Third place - Amateur Balboa Jack and Jill - Twin Cities Balboa Festival 2010

Tia exerts a passion for bal that shows in her dedication to the dance. She finds enjoyment in musicality and quality of movement. She believes that there are lots of life lessons to be learned on the dance floor. Most of all, she pities the fool that doesn't bal.

info coming soon

Since 2007 David and Chelsea have crafted a dance partnership dedicated to Balboa, Collegiate Shag, and Lindy Hop. They are especially known for their boundless enthusiasm, musicality, and creativity on and off the dance floor, and they excel at breaking down mechanics in a way that is accessible to dancers of all levels and learning styles. Their dance accomplishments include 1st place at the 2010 Amateur ACBC at All Balboa Weekend, finalists at the 2010 Eastern Balboa Championships Open Classic and Intergalactic, 1st place at the 2009 Canadian Shag Championships, as well as many Jack & Jill placements in Balboa and Shag. They have taught at events such as the Canadian Balboa Championships, Hot Rhythm Holiday, Shag Explosion, and others. They reside in Washington, DC.

Bryant Tyson began his step training as a student at Peachtree Middle School where he was a member of their boys step team. During his time at Salem High School in Conyers, Georgia, Bryant was mentored and coached by Jonathan Headen, member of the Mu Omicron Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Under the direction of Mr. Headen, Bryant and the Kings Of Execution Step Team began competing in competitions throughout the Metro Atlanta area where the team scored in the top three percentile. During his sophomore year in high school, Bryant was elected as captain of the team. During that time Bryant also held various leadership positions ranging from Section Leader and Drum Major in the Marching Band to Loading Crew Director and SGA Treasurer.

Bryant co-found the Farmville Central High School Pulse Step Team in the fall of 2009 where he took on the role of Step Master. He is the founder of the Award-Winning Nouveau Step Team, which is a teen mentoring program based out of Greenville, NC. Bryant has a passion for stepping. Stepping is a form of percussive dance in which the body is used as an instrument to produce complex rhythms and sounds through spoken word, footsteps, and clapping. His mission is to “strive for the highest” and excellence while achieving high standards. He realizes the importance of involvement in the community as a way to impact confidence in his students’ growth.

Ronald West II began studying dance in 2005 under Kirstie Spadie and hip hop teacher Dywon Fischer. He has also studied at "the pulse" student and teacher workshops in Atlanta and NYC under Wade Robson, Brian Friedman, Gil Duldulao, LaurieAnn Gibson, Dave Scott, Shane Sparks, Cris Judd, Luam and others, briefly at "Koresh" in Philadephia under Collette Tini, and at the Cary Ballet Conservatory. A natural study, Ronald began assisting six months into his training and went on to teach by the end of his first year.

Since then he has choreographed for several televised events including the high end fashion show "Strut08," the 2007 NBC17 Tree of Lights, NCSU's College of Design Art to Wear Show, and the 2009 Educator's Ball. He has also choreographed for performing artist Morrison Poe, with future projects in works. In the past several years, several area high schools have invited him to teach as a guest artist. While Ronald's resume reflects a largely Hip Hop related background, he takes influence from Modern, Contemporary, Ballet, and even every day life to inspire his pieces. He continues to grow both as a student and teacher.