Our 2010 Camp Hollywood instructors (more to come!):
*click on any of the names below to be directed to our instructors' websites*
Marcus and Bärbl are from Munich Germany and have danced together since 1991. They both started with ballroom dancing in 1984 before they lost their hearts to Boogie Woogie and Swing. Marcus and Bärbl have a lot of experience in competing and teaching all around the world. They studied and worked a lot with the original swing masters and featured movie dancers from the West Coast and East Coast. They worked with Frankie Manning (Hellzapoppin), Gil Bradey (Don’t Knock The Rock), Jean Veloz (Swing Fever, Groovie Movie), Freda Angela (Rock Around The Clock, Don’t Knock The Rock), John and Anne Mills (our Balboa mother), Willie Desatoff (Master of Balboa), Hal Takier (Twice Blessed), Bob Hefner (Into Swing), and Lee Laitz (who worked a lot with Dean Collins). Their performing and teaching skills comprise Boogie Woogie, Lindy Hop, 30’s and 50's Jazz, Shim Sham, Charleston, Collegiate Shag, Balboa, Jitterbug Stroll, Big Apple, Swing Rueda. A specialty of Marcus and Bärbl is their ability to improvise and interpret music. They are long time competitors, instructors, and event organizers who have traveled the globe sharing their love of swing era dances. They are pleased to return to their eleventh Camp Hollywood!
Much in demand all over the world for their fun and lighthearted teaching style, David and Kim are the only Lindy hoppers with the unique distinction of having placed 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th at the US Open Swing Dance Competition. Their choreographing skills have been used in the feature films The 13th Floor and Pearl Harbor, and countless music videos. Be sure to catch their fun and energetic classes at this year's Camp Hollywood!
Zack Richard and Maryse Lebeau, from Montreal, Canada, are two of the top swing dancers in Canada. Their versatility in various forms of vintage swing dances has brought them many accolades and successes throughout the years, amongst others being five times Canadian Showcase Champions, and National Jitterbug Championships Showcase and Balboa Champions in 2009. They train numerous teams and individuals each year: Zack even had the honor of being invited by Carla Heiney to choreograph on the US edition of So You Think You Can Dance, making him the first and only Canadian swing dancer to have choreographed on the show.
Having been in the swing dance scene for ten years, they've seen fashions come and go and have developped a strong partnership in all vintage swing dance forms, an expertise they bring in their classes with their clear and concise style of teaching... But most of all they are two very energetic, insanely fun teachers, and that winning package has brought them to teach in various locations around the world: Germany, France, Australia, England, and of course many US and Canadian cities.
Kevin St Laurent & Jo Hoffberg
Kevin and Jo bring a fresh edge to Lindy Hop with inventive aerials, musical routines and high speed dancing. They began their partnership in 2007, and together they hold titles at the US Open, American Lindy Hop Championship, the Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown, and the International Lindy Hop Championships. Since 2000, their professional careers have taken them to over 16 countries on five continents including North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. With clear and humorous instruction, these two creative and versatile dancers will entertain, inspire and help you become the best dancer you can be.
Mike Faltesek & Casey Schneider
Mike and Casey have partnered since early 2006, and have been teaching and performing regularly since. They focus on the roots of lindy hop and jazz dance, and find inspiration from the originators of the dance. Mike and Casey thrive on the spirit of jazz music, letting it guide their creativity and innovation on the dance floor. As teachers, Mike's and Casey's strength lies in their ability to simplify the complex, teach to various levels of dancers simultaneously, and make their students laugh – usually by telling bad jokes. They have 23 cumulative years of experience with Lindy Hop, authentic Jazz, Charleston, Black Bottom, Tap, other early jazz dances, making them favorites wherever they teach. They are glad to be back for their fourth Camp Hollywood!
Nick Williams has embodied the passion and spirit of swing dancing ever since his first lesson in 1998. His in depth understanding of Lindy Hop, Balboa, and Collegiate Shag stem from studying with the original dancers. Nick's desire for authenticity, combined with his passion for dance evolution, leads to a style known for precision, lightness, musicality and dynamic energy. His successes include World Lindy Hop Champion, U.S. Open Swing Dance Champion, American Lindy Hop Champion, National Jitterbug Champion, International Lindy Hop Champion, Ultimate Lindy Hop Champion, American Classic Balboa Champion and California Balboa/Swing Champion. He is also an accomplished choreographer and has been featured on the hit television show So You Think You Can Dance? As an instructor, he is known for his ability to break down movements and technique to create a fun and light-hearted learning environment. His true love for music and dancing will forever inspire him to learn, teach, and grow. In 2004, Nick was honored to be recognized by the California Swing Dance Hall of Fame.
Carla Heiney has worked with great artists such as Aretha Franklin, Jeff Tyzik, B.B. King, Erich Kunzel, Nell Carter, and Rita Moreno. She has had the wonderful opportunity to dance at prestigious places such Carnegie Hall & the Kennedy Center as well. She has appeared on ABC's revival of the TV show "Dance Fever" in 2003 and was a featured dancer using Motion Capture technology in the 2004 Feature Film "The Polar Express" in 2004. Carla will also be featured in the upcoming 2008 movie "Love and Dancing." Among many of her titles, Carla is a 2008 Camp Jitterbug Champion, Canadian Swing Dance Champion & International Lindy Hop Champion. She is also the 2007 National Jitterbug Champion, 2007 American Lindy Hop Champion, & 2006 US Open Showcase Champion. She has also won the US Open Lindy Showcase division with in 2001, 2002, 2004 and the US Open Strictly Lindy division in 2003. She is a 6 time American Lindy Hop Champion and the 2005 World Lindy Hop Champion in the Improvisational division.
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.
