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This exciting weekend brings Sylvia Sykes, absent from the DC scene for far too long; 2005 World Lindy Hop Champion Nick Williams; David Rehm, local resident who now travels all over the world; and bright new dance star Laura Keat.
SYLVIA SYKES
NICK WILLIAMS
DAVID REHM
LAURA KEAT
JEAN VELOZ |
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 Sylvia Sykes Sylvia is California's premiere swing dance instructor and choreographer. An internationally recognized authority on most types of swing dance, Sylvia has been teaching and judging for over 20 years throughout the US, Europe, and Australia. Sylvia studied with the great 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, and is a US Open champion along with numerous other titles. She was twice voted Swing Dance Teacher of the Year, and is a four-time Feather Award winner as Best Female Lindy Dancer in the US. A "teacher's teacher", Sylvia instructs teachers worldwide in Balboa and Lindy...come learn with the best! Back to TOP ^ |
 Nick Williams 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, 2003 American Lindy Hop Championships, and the 2005 World Lindy Hop Championship. 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. Back to TOP ^ |
 David Rehm David currently resides in Maryland, dancing and teaching full-time in the Washington, DC metro area and throughout the US and Europe. He has competed and placed at the American Classic Balboa Championships, American Lindy Hop Championships, and National Jitterbug Championships, among others. He is also an avid collector of vintage Lindy Hop and Balboa footage on film. Having never taken a formal lesson, David learned to dance and continues to develop his understanding through extensive research, collaboration, and social dancing around the world.
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|  Laura Keat Laura Keat is well known for the individual style and energy that she brings to all aspects of swing dancing. She first entered the competitive Lindy Hop scene with Denver's competitive performance team, 23Skidoo, in 2003. Since then, Laura has won numerous national competitions including Strictly Lindy at the US Open and Classic Lindy at the American Lindy Hop Championships. Laura's classes emphasize individual styling within the partner connection. She enjoys teaching a combination of skills ranging from partner connection, movement, and styling to musicality. She is always excited for another chance to share her joy and passion for the dance!
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 Jean Veloz It all began when Jean Phelps and her brother Ray made the trip from their home town of Santa Maria, California to Los Angeles for a big dance contest at the Hollywood Legion Auditorium. Avid swing dancers who made it to all the big band concerts in the Santa Barbara area, Jean and Ray won the contest—a Screen Actors Guild membership card and a role for Jean in the movie Swing Fever. Jean quickly became a devotee of Dean Collins, and eventually was featured in the 1944 MGM comedic short, Groovie Movie. Tom and Debra featured Jean and Ray at their first dance workshop weekend, Hooray for Hollywood in 1998, and have been happy to welcome them back to the DC area many times since, including hosting them as featured guests at the dedication of the World War II Memorial activities in May 2004. Back to TOP ^ |
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