Instructors
Bobby White & Kate Hedin (Baltimore/DC)
Bobby and Kate hail from the Southern dogwood groves of suburban Georgia, where they used to do nothing but rock on the front porch drinking mint juleps and wearing linen suits. That's why the began their bizarre hobbies of juggling, Elizabethan fencing, and finally, classic swing dance.
Choosing to capture the style and, more importantly, the spirit of the original jitterbugs, they have also managed to capture many top placements in regional and national competitions, including 1st place at the Eastern Balboa Championships (2005) and Boston Tea Party Balboa Division (2006), and 2nd place in the American Classic Balboa Championships at the All Balboa Weekend (2006). Both are veteran members and choreographers of Atlanta's Big George Savoy Bouncers swing troupe.
Recognized for their engaging teaching skills, Kate instructs with a thourough, analytical musicality and mechanics-based method, while Bobby prefers rubber-band analogies and whaaap--patang noises. They currently reside in the Baltimore/D.C. area, where they sit around on rocking chairs wondering why their mint juleps taste like crab.
David Rehm (Baltimore/DC)
David is a geek-turned-profesional-dancer specializing exclusively in partnered swing dances, Lindy and Balboa, and widely considered one of the top Balboa dancers and instructors in the world. he is regularly featured teaching and judging at the most prestigious events dedicated to those dances throughout North America, Europe and Asia. In addition to the numerous awards, in 2006 David captured both the American and European Balboa titles (with different partners) by winning the American Classic Balboa Championship and the Euro Bal Cup. He is also the creator of The Experiment, "the world's most intimate and intensive Balboa workshop", as well as the founder of the Northeast Balboa Corridor (NEBC) project. David is best known for his ability to capture both broad thematic abstractions and technical details all in the form of conceptual principles.
Adam Speen (Greensboro, NC)
Adam has been dancing Balboa since 2006, studying under many of the prominent instructors worldwide. He challenges himself to improve by competition but mainly enjoys social 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.
Patricia Brodeur (Montreal, QC, Canada)
Dancing since her childhood, Patricia joined the Swinging Air Force performance team in 2006. Shortly after she partnered with Frederic Barbe, and together they created a new balboa team in Montreal, the SAF Ballistic. That same year, they became the first Canadians to win the American Classic Balboa Championships amateur division. She participated in the 2009 Experiment, and has taught at the Montreal Balboa Review, the Canadian Balboa Championships, the Nashville Balboa Experience and the Eastern Balboa Championships. She has also placed in many competitions, including the Twin Cities Balboa Festival 2009 (1st place J&J), the Canadian Balboa Championships 2009 and 2010 (1st place open strictly) 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 passions, BALBOA!
Heather Ballew (Denver, CO)
Heather Ballew has always been drawn to music and movement. Inspired by a certain movie, Heather was thrilled to discover swing dancing in Denver and tried to enlist friends to join her in her desire to dance. Unbelievably to her, none of her friends had that same interest and for five years she dragged different people with her to beginner lessons. Finally, frustrated with being a perpetual beginner, she struck out on her own, taking classes and meeting people with a similar passion for dance.
Heather is dedicated to being the best all-around dancer she can be and she loves studying as many styles of dance as she can. Since 2003, she has performed and competed with the Denver swing dance troupe, 23 Skidoo. She has been an instructor at Beantown Summer Camp, Balboa Rendezvous, and Rock That Swing. Her proudest dance achievement to date has been organizing and growing a group of mighty fine balboa dancers. She is known for her personal investment in her students’ success and is a popular instructor in greater Denver for both Lindy Hop and Balboa.
Krista Haskins (Minneapolis, MN)
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.
David Lee & Chelsea Lee (Washington, DC)
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.
Jason Swihart & Shana Worel (Boulder, CO)
Shana has been a swing dance instructor and DJ in Colorado since 2000. Jason was introduced to Lindy Hop in 2005 by his (now) wife, Shana, and fell in love with Balboa not long after. Together, Jason and Shana have studied Balboa intensively with many contemporary “masters” and have placed in numerous competitions, including All Balboa Weekend, Rocky Mountain Balboa Blowout, the Canadian Balboa Championthips, and Twin Cities Balboa Festival. They are known for their clear teaching style and for inspiring their students' confidence by focusing on fundamentals of movement.