STAFF FOR 2023
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Erik Robison, with then partner Sylvia Skylar, studied hours of old movies, soundies, and vitaphone shorts and actually had the opportunity to learn first-hand from many of the original dancers from these clips. They fell in love with the style and dedicated themselves completely to its revival of this Southerm California style. Erik and Sylvia named and trademarked their rendition of this authentic Lindy Hop style “Hollywood Style”. Hollywood style refers not to the geographic area of origin, but to the medium from which they learned, old Hollywood and its dancers. Just over a year after they started training the came and won ALHC's first American Showcase Division. That partnership took them all across the United States, and abroad, as performers and instructors. Now he calls New Mexico home but his passion for the dance has not waivered. He'll teach a master class for attendees this year.
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Chester Whitmore
The swing world knows Chester Whitmore as a tap dancer and eccentric dance protege of the late Leonard Reed, Fayard Nicholas and The High Hatters. He's a staple teacher at swing dance events and camps acround the world. Bringing humor and a quotient of fun into every class and performance. In addition he leads Los Angeles Opus One Big Band which last year won ALHC's first ever Battle of the Big Bands. Let's see if he can do it again.
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Zack Richard
Founder/director of Swing ConneXion in Montreal, QC, Zack Richard excels in Lindy Hop, Charleston, Balboa & Shag, He’s been all around the globe teaching and amassing an impressive list of prizes and accolades on the way. His love of Chaplin and silent movies has lead him to create the show “It Don’t Mean A Thing”, mixing live music, swing dance and silent comedy for the joy of all. Hs is also the author of the Jazz Monkey blog, a website about dance, music, lifestyle and all that jazz. |
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Nathan Bugh & Gaby Cook
Nathan Bugh and Gaby Cook back to teach and judge at this year’s event. They are award winning, champion swing dancers specializing in swing, jazz and vintage-dance entertainment.
Representing some of New York's most accomplished dancers, Nathan and Gaby travel internationally to share their knowledge and passion of the genre. They offer insightful, clear instruction meant to inspire dance students of all levels. Whether you are a beginner, building a solid foundation of dance skills, or a seasoned dancer looking for inspiration and challenge - their classes offer something for serious lindy hoppers of all levels. |
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Paulette Brockington
Paulette was a protege of the late Frankie Manning. She does a variety of swing dance styles & is active as a competitor, coach and judge. She has taught at Herrang, in London, Munich and Toronto. She teaches many dance styles but has a 6-week Lindy Teacher Bootcamp that certifies dancers to also teach after completing the program of 6 weekend intensives. She is a Fulbright Specialist available to countries around the world as a teacher through the U.S. State Department. She created Savoy Dance Bums during the COVID shutdown where she teaches Swing Era Hip Hop and has a Lindy Teacher Certification Series based on her teaching experience and vocabulary built under the tutelage of Frankie Manning. |
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Maryse Lebeau
Maryse Lebeau is one of Canada's most versatile dancers shining on the dance floor in Lindy Hop, Balboa and Shag. Maryse . has been coaching teams and individuals ever since since the early 2000s her as director of the Swinging Air Force. She founded Swing ConneXion in 2005. Creative with a keen eye for detail, her many talents brought her and her teams to podiums worldwide. She has taught in France, the US, Germany, Australia, to name a few.
As an Canadian swing dance couple, Zack and Maryse have a long history of success, by themselves or as coaches.
Known for her unique flair and elegance, she is happy to be back at ALHC as a judge and teacher this year! |
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Sonny Allen and Barbara Billups
The American Lindy Hop Championships is happy to welcome Sonny and Barbara back to teach. Sonny is a Harvest Moon Ball Lindy Hop/Jitterbug Division winner in 1958. It was during that time that time that he met Barbara, who, although new to Lindy, competed in 1958, too, finishing in third place. After his big win Sonny created a traveling cabaret show, which included Barbara and 1955 winner Sugar Sullivan. His Sonny Allen and the Rockets toured the United States and Canada nonstop for more than ten years. When the touring ended Sonny taught and performed Mambo, which had also been big at the Savoy ballroom in the 1950s, and tap dance. Barbara teamed up with her best friend, Sugar Sullivan, teaching around the world. |
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Milo "Milson" Saidl is a professional dancer and International Instructor & Coach from Prague, Czech Republic based in New York. He studied at Steps on Broadway. Milo has been performing and teaching throughout Europe and the US for more than 15 years. Prior to the pandemic he taught at Dancesport studio in NYC. He belongs to one of the first Lindy Hoppers Dance Troupe in the Czech Republic and was instrumental in creating what has become the center of the Lindy scene in Prague. Milo also performed in several musical productions in the Czech Republic. While he has been trained in all styles of ballroom dance (certified in ISTD) he cannot deny that his passions are Lindy hop, and all the styles associated with the '30s & '40s. |
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Nissreen Almazouni has been dancing the Lindy Hop for over 20 years and teaching in New Jersey for the past 10 years. She has been instrumental in growing and expanding the Jersey social swing scene. She is also one of NYC Swing Remix's instructors and currently teaches on Tuesdays in NYC. Nissreen often performs at jazz festivals, museums, libraries and private gigs. She has been mentored by NYC's iconic instructors who studied with Frankie Manning and had the honor to take his classes. She is passionate about teaching and helping her students build a solid technical foundation, foster their unique sense of musicality for the dance, all while having fun. |
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Kelly Palmiter, returns to reprise his role as Emcee, has been movin’ and groovin’ his way around the United States and Canada for the past 2 decades as a competitor, coach, teacher & performer. Initially focusing on Lindy (including Shag, Charleston, and Balboa), running the Motown Shagdown. Kelly, also, now teaches and competes in West Coast Swing, Hustle, Salsa, Argentine Tango, and other Swing, nightclub and social dances. Students of all ages (children through seniors) and all levels (beginner through professional) love his method of mixing fun, movement and technique to create the magic of dancing! |
| DJs |
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Ron Jones
DJ Ron is a freelance swing dance instructor, children's basketball coach, swing dance DJ and computer technician. He started Uptown Saturday Night swing dances (in partnership with Swing WIth Us NYC) in Harlem in 2018. Those dances ended with the COVID shutdown. He now teaches for NYC's Parks and Recreation Department at Pelham Fritz Recreation Center at Marcus Garbet Park, Senior Connect and for other organizations such as the Frankie Manning Foundation, Sunny Side of the Street, and Lindy Hop Beach Party along with other events.
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Odysseus Bailer
Odysseus Bailer is originally from Gainesville, Florida. He is an actor who attended AMDA. Outside of acting when not auditioning, in a class/workshop or on set he teaches dance. He is a professional swing dancer and blues dancer. And during his odd free time he teaches music.
Odysseus is one of the main staples in the NYC swing and blues dancing scenes. He has been DJing for 10yrs. Also a dancer for 20yrs, he has been one of many voices speaking out against cultural appropriation and how to advance the blues and swing scenes in a positive direction towards cultural appreciation going forward. |
Others TBA |
| Judges: Nathan Bugh, Crystal Johnson, Erik Robison, Gaby Cook, Barbara Billups, Zack Richard, Maryse Lebeau and others TBA |
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