Our 2012 Camp Hollywood instructors:
*click on any of the names below to be directed to our instructors' websites*
Juan Villafañe and Sharon Davis have been dancing together since 2006. Juan is from Buenos Aires, Argentina and has a background in gymnastics, acrobatics and martial arts, strongly influencing his dancing and teaching. He has a unique perspective on body movement and awareness, and a distinct – and often spectacular – personal style. Sharon is from Perth, Australia, and is internationally known for her distinctive and feminine style in Lindy Hop, 1920s Charleston, jazz and Burlesque. Juan and Sharon are known for their dedication to the history of vernacular jazz dances and the music they evolved to. Their classes focus on developing dynamic connection, natural movement, flow and body awareness as a pathway to individual style, improvisation and musicality. Together they hold first place titles at the International Lindy Hop Championships, Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown, National Jitterbug Championships, Canadian Swing Championships and other competitions internationally.
Karen was first seen on stage at age 9 performing a tap dance to
Lollipop in a striped leotard and has been dancing ever since. She
discovered Lindy Hop during the Swing craze in 1998 and has never
looked back. Karen has since been having an amazing time performing
and teaching in the US and Europe--she has won some stuff at
competitions too, but she is most honored to have received the first
ever Spirit of Lindy Hop award at both Camp Jitterbug in Seattle, WA
(2005) and the International Lindy Hop Championships in Washington, DC
(2010-with Andrew Thigpen). Karen originally honed her dance skills
in Minneapolis, MN and now currently resides in Santa Barbara, CA
(when she's not in her favorite place on earth, Paris).
Andrew was first exposed to the Lindy Hop back in 1998 but didn’t
actually develop rhythm until booty dancing in college. Since 2005,
Andrew has developed a uniquely energetic style of Swing dancing with
a focus on fun and just making things work. His only hope is to share
his love of the dance and the energy it brings forth with as many
people as possible.
Andrew and Karen are basically the same person except Karen likes
unicorns and rainbows while Andrew likes dragons and beer. All they
want to do is dance the Lindy Hop and make each other laugh. Having
fun is awesome. They hope you like awesome too.
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!
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 fifth Camp Hollywood!
Nick Williams has embodied the passion and spirit of swing dancing ever since his first lesson in 1998. The depth of his understanding of Lindy Hop, Balboa, and Collegiate Shag stems 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, US Open Swing Dance Champion, American Lindy Hop Champion, National Jitterbug Champion, International Lindy Hop Champion, Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown 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 of music and dancing will forever inspire him to learn, teach, and grow. In 2004 and 2010, Nick was honored to be recognized by the California Swing Dance Hall of Fame. Nick is also a member of the performance dance troupe Hot Club Stomp.
Sylvia Sykes is regarded as one of California's premiere swing dance instructors and choreographers, and in particular is considered by most to be the world's leading authority on Balboa.
Sylvia Sykes studied with the Dean Collins and was a member of his last dance troupe. She also 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. She is a U.S. Open champion, was the NASDE top point winner, two time California Balboa Champion, took third place in the National Carolina Shag Dance Championships, and has won many Strictly Swing and Jack & Jill dance contests through the U.S. in Lindy Hop, balboa and West Coast Swing. 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 U.S.
She has performed with Count Basie, Glenn Miller Orchestra, Artie Shaw, and Les Brown, and she has appeared on many television shows such as American Bandstand and Gotta Dance for the American Movie Channel. She also represented the U.S. in the World Boogie Woogie Championships in Grenoble, France with her original partner Jonathan Bixby.
She is best known for reviving balboa, which is rapidly gaining popularity around the world, and is a regular guest at the balboa dance camps.
Jeremy and Laura united to create this dynamic dance partnership in January of 2006. Since then, they have been accumulating Championship Titles, have been teaching all around the world, and even performed on ABC's hit TV Show, "Dancing With The Stars." They have extensively studied and perform a variety of vintage dances including the Lindy Hop, Balboa, Charleston, Collegiate Shag and Vernacular Jazz.
Jeremy and Laura have successfully earned Championships at many International and National events such as: International Lindy Hop Championships, All Balboa Weekend, National Jitterbug Championships, American Lindy Hop Championships and the US Open to name a few and to top things off they were honored by the California Swing Dance Hall of Fame in 2008! They share a passion for preserving dance history which can be seen in their recreation of the classic dance performances such as The Congaroos performed by Frankie Manning and Maharaja by Hal and Betty Takier.
With over a decade of dance experience from teaching to competing they bring amazing insight and dance application into their classes. Laura’s gift of communication and connection along side of Jeremy’s talent for creativity and moves brings a fun and exciting learning environment for any level of dancer. They hope to make the whole world smile along with them as they dance to the music of the Jazz Era spreading their love by sharing its beauty and art!
In 2005 Mikey Pedroza and Nikki pulled each other in a Jack and Jill contest and won first place even though they never danced together before. Something special clicked with their styles, heights, and passions. Since then they have been traveling around the world teaching, performing and competing. Together they hold winnings from: National Jitterbug Championships, US Open Swing Dance Championships, World Swing Dance Championships, Boston Tea Party, Camp Jitterbug, Swing in the Colony, Lindy and Party Weekend, Rhythmic Arts Festival, Reno Dance Sensation, California Girl Jam and many other local competitions.
