Motor City Jam

Band and Instructor Bios
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Wixom Slim & the Wyze Gyze
Jump Blues & Rockin' West Coast Swing!

Lead vocalist and harpist, Wixom Slim, has been honing his blues skills in the Motor City for over 2 decades. Since teaming up with the Wyze Gyze, he and the group have developed a Jump Blues and Jazzy Swing style that is really the tip of the whip!

Thayrone, Dj of WQKL's Bone Conduction Show: "Wixom Slim's version of V-8 Ford is IT man! The Chromatic work on this song gave me goosebumps the size of gator eggs!"

Chubby Brown, Editor of Bluestime West: " These Wyze Gyze have the best collection of Jump Blues and West Coast Swing that I've heard in over a decade!! "

Erik Robison and Sylvia Skylar

Erik and Sylvia specialize in maintaining the authenticity of America's most beloved dance - swing. This range of dance includes the early 1900's Blackbottom, the 1920's Charleston, the 1930's Shag and Balboa, and the 1940's and 50's Lindy Hop. They have taught across the US and in Europe. They are the originators of the Hollywood Style of Lindy. They are the ALHC 1998 American Showcase champions. Performers, too, they have appeared in a number of movies and on Broadway in the musical Swing!

Jim Minty

Jim is currently the top competitive male west coast swing dancer in the Pacific Northwest, Jim Minty is a certified G.S.D.T.A instructor, judge and national competitor. He has been teaching and competing all over the U.S. and Canada since 1996 Jim specializes in West Coast Swing, Night Club 2 and Hustle.

Mike Topel

Mike Topel is a U.S. Open Swing Dance Championships Showcase finalist and winner of many Jack & Jill competitions. Although he loves it when his dance partner never touches the floor, most of his technical expertise comes from his social dance training, where experiment, trial and error honed his craft. Mike is looking forward to the Motor City Jam and can't wait to shake it on the dance floor!"

Bill Borgida and Julie Mertz

Bill's emphasis on strong basic technique has had a profound influence on Lindy Hop. He has been invited to teach workshops all over the world including Sweden, Singapore, Japan, France, Finland, Australia, Holland, and London. He also judges regularly at national competitions including ALHC.

Bill's is renowned for his teaching expertise. He will help you to help yourself as you deepen your understanding of good partnering technique and strong basics, styling and body movement.

Bill is proud to call Julee from Chicago his new full-time teaching partner ! Julee has been dancing since she could walk. She hung up toe and tap shoes when she discovered Chicago's burgeoning Lindy Hop scene in 1997. She was hooked by the music, the the dance's energy.

Julee shares Bill's philosophy of dance - which is that strong basics and sound technique are the basis for better dancing. Julee's keen insight into body movement and partner connection adds to Bill's strong focus on technique. "

Tim Brown and Connie Coufal

Tim Brown has ballroom and swing dance background. He is an active competitor on both circuits. He has placed in many Jack and Jill and
Strictly Swing contests. And has twice placed in the US Open Swing Dance Championships Masters Division. He brings his expertise in Hustle and Cha Cha to this year's Motor City Jam.

Paulette Brockington

Paulette is an international workshop teacher and judge who also happens to be event director for the premiere Lindy event in the country, The American Lindy Hop Championships. She is, also, an award winning choreographer, stage director and actress versed in many dance styles and has been a finalist and winner of many dance contests.

Deor Orzame

Deor Orzame is known coast to coast for being Deor. An event and exchange traveler, he is a talented dancer who swings from style to style with aplomb - much to the chagrin of his fellow competitors. His family thinks his middle name is Deor but we all know that's it's Fun.

John Ross

Jon Ross is not only a champions dancer who have been both a Star Search and Dance Fever winner, but he is also an illusionist whose "Witness the Magic" is a theatrical magic, music and dance production that has captivated the imagination of audiences around the world. Jon will teach the Learn to Hustle Intensive with Paulette.

Motor City Jam Home Page | Online Registration | Event Schedule | Contact Paulette
For more information contact Paulette Brockington at 313.790.2311 or
askartspectrum@yahoo.com