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Norma Miller, daughter of actor-writer Flournoy Miller, is a dancer, award-winning choreographer, show producer, stand-up comedienne, TV / film actress and author.

She shared her touching historical memoirs of Harlem's legendary Savoy Ballroom and the phenomenal music and dance craze that took the world by storm in three books and many documentary films. The Savoy was the Mecca of social dance during its tenure and birthplace of memorable dance crazes like the Big  Apple, Shag, Truckin' Peckin', Susie-Q, Boogie Woogie, Shimmy and tap dancing.

While at MCJ/AO Ms. Miller will share fascinating anedotes about her youthful encounters with many musical legends including Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie, Benny Goodman, Billie Holiday, Artie Shaw, Duke Ellington, Ethel Waters and even boxer Joe Louis.


Tim Johnson & Becky Larson are well-known in the area for presenting the popular West Coast Wednesday dances. Tim is, also, a sought after DJ who has spun for a number of our events since clocking in as a dance at the 1998 Swing Fling with Robert Cordoba and his then new partner Deborah Szekely. Since that time they have grown as competitors, teachers and djs.

While at MCJ Tim and Becky with teach. Tim will DJ.

Read Tim and Becky C&G Newspaper interview
 




Markus Smith and Deonna Ball started their partnership in 2000 as students of Lawrence Bradford/Smooth 'N' EZ Hand dance Institute. Since then these college upperclassmen have garnered awards at the Michigan Classic, the USA Grand Nationals, The Ball, Swing Fling, Adunde and the National Hand Dance Association Youth Division.

Not limited to Hand Dance both excel at Salsa and Freestyle Hip Hop. The performances and competition routines are filled with a mix of West Coast Swing, Salsa, Hip Hop, Hand Dance and attitude.

See a clip of Markus and Deonna dancing on BET.

Bishop Ford teaching Club Ballroom.

 

Alex Torres teaching West Coast Swing.

Chester Whitmore is a one of a kind performer and dance personality. He is multi-talented. He is a master of Karate, a highly renowned drummer and leader of the Opus One Big Band. He is a highly in demand high speed and tricky breaks tap dancer. Off stage he is a Hollywood stuntman, choreographer and a director of stage, screen and the ballroom.

He most recently trained Haile Berry for her role in "Catwoman" and appeared in the HBO film "Lackawanna Blues, and choreographed for Disney Television's "That's So Raven.""
He directs the Central Avenue Dance Ensemble  and is mastermind of  the Swingin' in the Hood dance series.

He was named a Living Legend in 2005.


Paulette Brockington has been a leading for  in the development of swing dance in the Great Lakes area as a teacher, dancer and event coordinator starting with the first Swing Fling at which she introduced Lindy Hop, West Coast Swing and Chicago Stepping to the metro Detroit area. Also an active competitor, she has since broaden her competition experiences to include judging (including being chief judge), chief tabulator and contest coordinator for a number of events.

Paulette is a versatile performer who performs onstage, screen and television and does voice-over work. She has competed in traditional ballroom, traditional Latin and swing dance competitions. She is winner of the 2004 World Swing Dance Championships West Coast Swing Jack and Jill, the 2000 Virginia State Open Swing Dance Championships Open Hustle Jack and Jill and the 2000 World Fast Dance Championship. (video takes a while to load.)



Andrea Deaton has had a passion moving to music since before she could walk.  She studied jazz, tap and ballet with Thommie Walsh (original "A Chorus Line" cast member, Joe Tremaine, award-winning choreographer and director Mallory Graham and while competing in Latin coached with Rick Valenzuela (from the "Dance With Me" cast). Andrea formed her own unique, sensual, funky style of West Coast Swing, which has brought her the national acclaim as West Coast Swing dance champion and continues to win competitions across the U.S. and abroad.