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 know 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

Jason Herron and Andrée-Anne Tremblay instantly had a connection on the dance floor. It started with them taking second place at the 2008 Eastern Balboa Championships in their first ever competition together and continued with them taking 1st Place at the Twin Cities 2009 Strictly Balboa Division, 1st Place at the Boston Tea Party 2009 Strictly Balboa Division, 2nd Place at the 2009 International Balboa Championships (Balboa Rendezvous) in San Diego and 3rd Place in 2009 Canadian Swing Championships Strictly Balboa Division. They have been invited to teach across Canada and the United States. Some of the workshops they have taught at include the Sizzling Summer Workshop, Balboa Explosion, Swing Explosion, Eastern Balboa Championships, Montreal Smackdown and The Canadian Swing Championships. Together they organize the Canadian Balboa Championships in Quebec City that will take place October 2 – 4, 2009. Check it out at www.CanadianBalboaChampionships.com

Information coming soon

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!

Information coming soon

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

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.