Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Jamica Zion takes pride in being a dynamic follow and growing lead. Jamica aims for range, not just in connection and style, but across genres too! Jamica holds multiple titles in Blues and Lindy Hop contests from top US events including Lindy Focus, Camp Jitterbug, Beantown, and Camp Hollywood. When Jamica is not social dancing, teaching, or working on choreography, they are likely working on research for their dissertation which focuses on these scenes (that they have been a part of since the age of 15)!
An infinite source of positive energy, Lunou (Trois-Rivières, QC) has been dancing swing for almost two decades. A teacher by profession, she always brings out the little details that will make you go “aaah!” Generous of her passion, Lunou is always eager to help and inspire others in finding their way.
Shelby is a dance instructor, DJ and lecturer based in Columbus, OH. He’s been in the scene since 2011, but he grew up dancing to hip hop, R&B, Funk, Electronic, and, due to the local Latin scene, Salsa. Growing up, he also experienced a wide array of Jazz music ranging from Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker, George Benson, and David Benoit. So when he started dancing Lindy Hop in Orlando, Florida, he already had a knack for solo movement, musicality, and, fairly quickly, partnering.
Jonathan started his dance journey almost 15 years ago at Montréal’s Cat’s Corner. At first to keep him busy once a week, and hopefully help him develop a social circle in a new city, he was quickly bit by the Lindy Hop bug. Within a few months, what had started as a once a week hobby became an obsession. That obsession led him to teach locally, nationally and in the US, coach multiple troupes, compete all over North America, and share his love of Jazz music and vernacular Jazz dance.
Dee started Swing Dancing at the age of four with her Dad in the basement, wearing her Mom’s heels and her favorite plaid skirt. With a hiatus into hip-hop during her school years, she was called back to Lindy Hop, and co-founded her college swing dance club. She has became an influential member of the Minneapolis scene. For over a decade she’s shared her love of Lindy Hop with dancers young and old, teaching and dancing nationally at swing dance events.
Gordon has been a long time Beantown favorite, bringing his fabulous band to camp. We’re thrilled he’s also back on our teaching staff for a music class.
Javier learned to feel the music in Atlanta in early 2005 and literally has not stopped dancing since that day. Now living in the Hartford area, he has founded Hartford Underground and travels to teach and compete at events around the country. While Balboa is his specialty, Lindy Hop and Charleston are his first loves.
Since his start in 1998 Peter has won titles at ALHC, ULHS, and ILHC and has taught for 20 years at dance camps all over the world. Peter is driven by his love of social dancing and works to create an easy flow with the music and between partners. In addition to teaching he brings with him his skills as a sought after DJ and experienced Master of Ceremonies. He is the founder of Uptown Swing in his hometown of Minneapolis, Minnesota where he also runs the Uptown Swingout every August.
Richard has been a full time dance instructor since 1989, teaching Lindy, East and West Coast Swing, St. Louis Shag and Cajun Jitterbug. He started the Swing scene in North Carolina and is a founder of the Triangle Swing Dance Society. Besides local classes, he has taught workshops in Europe, Canada and Mexico, and at Duke University. Richard has been a Beantown regular, having missed only one previous week. In addition to dancing, Richard is an avid practitioner and instructor of Tai Chi.
