Instructors
PARKER DEARBORN & MELISSA RUTZ
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Melissa Rutz began her dance training at age four at Star Dance Studio in San Francisco. She has an extensive background in classical ballet, ballroom and theater arts. Currently, Melissa teaches, competes, judges, choreographs, and performs across the globe. She is ranked among the top west coast swing dancers in the world and has won numerous champion level competitions including Showcase, Classic, Strictly Swing, Team, and Jack & Jill's. Melissa is known for her dance versatility, soulful musicality and expressiveness.
Parker Dearborn began swing dancing at age 14 and was an active competitor, achieving notoriety early on, soon becoming a west coast swing dance champion. He is a multi-time US Open Showcase division champion and has won many Strictly Swing & Jack & Jill competitions. Parker is a passionate teacher, judge, emcee, and promotor. Today he is partnered with Melissa Rutz and together they are a spark of energy, creating dynamic action and reaction while maintaining a strong connection to their swing roots. Watch Parker & Melissa Dance! |
BEN & CAMEO MCHENRY
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Ben and Cameo (BAMEO) have been dancing WCS since they were children, although they didn’t become dance partners until 11 years ago. They have competed together, and separately, and have won many titles in Classic as well as Champions Jack & Jill and Strictly Swing divisions. Currently based in the San Francisco Bay Area/Central Valley, both have been inducted into the California Swing Dance Hall of Fame. From California, they have had the opportunity to teach, perform, judge, MC, and DJ all over the world. They are known for focusing on many of the most complicated concepts in WCS, and finding ways to simplify them, making them easier to understand and apply for WCS dancers of all experience levels. Their goal is to spread their love and passion for WCS to dancers all over the world, and they look forward to many years of doing just that.
Watch BAMEO Dance! |
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MICHAEL KIELBASA
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Michael has been training and dancing for the past 20 years, in most styles of Partner Dancing. As one of the top Master Instructors, Michael has been traveling, teaching and performing not only in the United States but in countries like Canada, France, Germany, Russia, United Kingdom, Brazil and Australia. He is known for his instruction, choreography, unique style, approach and quality. Michael is dedicated to the growth of all dance, its recognition as a sport and exciting social activity for everyone to enjoy!
Watch Michael Dance! |
JOANNA MEINL
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Joanna has a unique and diverse dance history, beginning her formal training in 1990 with ballet, jazz & hip-hop, and then studying modern, classical Indian and dances of the African diaspora in college. She holds a B.A. in Dance Performance/Choreography & Dance Ethnology and has been dancing professionally since 1998. In 2005 after becoming a Ballroom & Latin dance instructor, Joanna discovered West Coast Swing. She soon became immersed and has been a swing addict ever since! She has won many competitions including placing top 5 in Classic, Showcase, Champions Strictly, Champions Jack & Jill, Sophisticated Swing, Pro-Am Routines and Cabaret. Joanna has 20 years of teaching experience and incorporates both her technical training as well as her practical social dance experience into her dynamic style. She calls the Bay Area, CA home, but travels extensively, teaching, performing, judging, competing and sharing her love of dance!
Watch Joanna Dance! |
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* PRIVATE LESSONS ARE AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE DAY WITH ALL OUR PROS!
PLEASE CONTACT THEM DIRECTLY FOR DETAILS & SCHEDULING.
PLEASE CONTACT THEM DIRECTLY FOR DETAILS & SCHEDULING.
