INSTRUCTORS
Two of Denver's best instructors, Joe and Nelle DeMers are known for their performance Swing, Lindy Hop, and Blues. They are continually ranked the best instructors at workshop and competition weekends in which they teach. They are the owners of Overstreet Dance Gallery in Littleton, CO; a ballroom venue for music, dance, and art.
Joe and Nelle are part organizers of and teachers at Mile High Blues and have toured the world teaching and performing Blues and Lindy Hop in countries such as South Korea, Japan, Canada, France, Hungary, England, and all over the United States. They are proponents of Frame Matching and the creators of ΔPTED, a framework for teaching partner dance connection. Their level of instruction is exceptional and they always innovate creative moves and movements while adhering to the aesthetics of the dances they teach.
They have been competing since 2003, and have taken home several National Championship titles at events such as Blues Shout, International Lindy Hop Championships, Swingtime in the Rockies, Camp Hollywood, and Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown. Their performance troupe, the Woodside Jumpers, have placed at events such as International Lindy Hop Championships and Camp Hollywood. In 2008, they were awarded the Spirit of Lindy Hop award at Camp Jitterbug.
Shane & Keri have an outstanding passion for dance and travel both nationally and internationally to share their knowledge. They instruct, perform, coach & judge all ages & ability levels. With their diverse experience & FUN approach they appeal to a wealth of students who enjoy what Keri, Shane, and their company Gravity Dance Productions has to offer. Transforming the face of dance, Shane & Keri are technicians on the cutting edge, morphing body mechanics with revolutionary style.
Patrick has been dancing West Coast Swing and Lindy Hop since 2002. He competes at local events in the professional divisions and all-star on the national circuit. He loves to teach West Coast Swing and it shows in his fun and entertaining classes! Lisa has been dancing over fifteen years in numerous styles including Jazz, Ballet, Tap, Ballroom, and Swing. She’s been competing for over six years and teaching for over three. She’s also been a finalist in national events for both Ballroom and West Coast Swing, but finds her true passion through teaching others and sharing her love for dance.
Trevor and Chelsea Spika compete, train and travel on the national West Coast Swing circuit at the Allstar/Champion level. They have also competed on the national Country Dance circuit performing in Nightclub Two-Step, Cha Cha, Waltz, Country Two-Step, and West Coast Swing. Trevor's clean technique and Chelsea's playful musicality makes the two of them a perfect combo. Their smooth, yet fun and energetic, dance style has a strong focus on connection.
Haider Khan and Aly Yorek are All-Star, local swing dancers that travel nationally to teach and compete. They have a strong passion for dancing and a desire to give others the gift of dance that will last a lifetime! Haider is also a nationally recognized DJ.
Terra Summers has been dancing Swing for 8 years. She began teaching Country and line dancing and quickly became involved in West Coast Swing. She has won numerous awards on the West Coast Swing competition circuit, sanctioned by the World Swing Dance Council. Terra is frequently traveling and competing Swing, and teaches West Coast Swing at Overstreet Dance Gallery with her partner Michael Miller and at the Rocky Mountain Swing Dance Club upon request.
Michael Miller is originally from Albany, Oregon. He started dancing on the WCS circuit in 2005 and soon after began teaching throughout the Willamette Valley before moving to Phoenix. Upon moving, he quickly became the teacher of the beginning class for Desert City Swing. He taught in Phoenix every weekend for a year and a half and after finding a better job, moved to Denver. He now teaches with Terra Summers at Overstreet Dance Gallery every Thursday and also at the Rocky Mountain Swing Dance Club upon request.
Enchanted by "The Nutcracker" as a child, Jami took ballet and gave up. Twice. Instead, she danced around the living room to all kinds of music. Then, a friend introduced her to the Mercury Café in 1997. For 10 years, Jami was a constant Lindy Hop beginner. Always returning to swing dancing after months away, Jami finally determined to make lindy hop a permanent life choice. As a result, she has been dancing Lindy Hop, Charleston and Balboa for nearly 4 years, one year as a member of the Charleston Chasers and three years on Woodside Jumpers. Jami's personal philosophy about dance is that there are few situations where it is inappropriate to dance. Additionally, she thoroughly believes that there are no mistakes, only variations! She encourages her friends to dance out their emotions and enjoys finding new ways to express her feelings or music through her dance. When not teaching, practicing, performing or attending dance events, Jami can be found snuggling cats, playing video games or drinking tea.
Kenny Nelson has been dancing lindy hop and west coast swing since 2001. In west coast swing, he competes nationally at the Adv/All-star levels and professionally at state events. His multiple dance styles lend a unique perspective to his west coast swing classes. He is known for his solid technique, connection, creative moves, and welcoming teaching style. Most recently, he was teaching for WCS Melbourne in Victoria, Australia.
Fafa Blagogee is a very popular and well respected Salsa and Mambo dancer in Colorado. He is the leader of Rocky Mountain Mambo, which has recently performed at the Ugandan North American Association convention. He is known for challenging lessons focusing on personal style and technique. His dance partner, Deb Enoch, compliments his flare with her sassy musicality.