Dance N Play June 13 – 17, 2013

Dance N Play WCS Event Champion  Pro Team

Mary Ann Nunez  1st couples dance, Country 2-step was in 1981. By 1983 she was learning Swing by social dancing with anyone who would ask her.  Mary Ann, new kid on the block, took the Swing community by storm by winning the U.S. Open Swing Dance Championships Showcase Division 2 yrs in a row. Awards & Accomplishments: 1983 & 1984 –WCS U.S. Open Swing Dance Championship, Showcase Division 1990 – California Swing Dance Hall of Fame Inductee “Best Female Swing Dancer”Nova Division   1995, 1996 & 1997 – Feather Award Recipient as “Most Outstanding Female Swing Dancer in the Nation” 1997, 1998 & 2000 – Three Time Dancers’ Choice Award 2002 – WSDC National Swing Dance Hall of Fame Inductee

Barry Jones – Is a 4 time U.S. Open Champion,  honored and inducted into the National Swing Dance Hall of Fame in 2006 at the US Open.  Barry won the Feather Award both as Best Showcase, and Classic Couple also capturing the Best Choreographer Award at the Beverly Hills Hilton in Los Angeles California. He has won every award that could possibly be given and he continues to share his many years of experience toward the growth of West Coast Swing. Barry is still competing today, 1st place Showcase Division Dallas Dance with partner, Patty Vo. Barry is the Creator/Event Director of VIP Adv/All Star Open and WAG Awards.

Patty Vo is skilled in  Ballroom, Latin, Swing, Jazz, Hip Hop, Ballet, and Country. Through her versatility, Patty is able to mesh her unique styles of dance to create a look of her own, especially by teaching her unique “Women’s Styling” workshops. Patty Vo is considered one of the top female WCS Dancers. Currently teaching, judging, & competing on the WCS Circuit Internationally – 3rd at the 2009 US Open Swing Dance Championship Showcase Division – 2nd place at SwingDiego with a  partner their first time out in the Showcase Division – 1st place Showcase Division Dallas Dance with partner, Barry Jones. Also, many top placements in WCS Jack & Jills & Stictly Competitions.

Michael Kielbasa has been dancing since he was 5 years old. Michael teaches all of the American style Ballroom and Latin dances as well as Swing, Hustle, Salsa, Lindy Hop, and other current club dances. Michael has won several 1st place Championship Titles in the Swing venue, and is currently teaching, judging, and competing worldwide almost every weekend. Michael began competing in the WCS circuit and Classic Division in 2003. Since achieving his Business Degree, Michael devotes many hours to private dance lessons and choreography. Michael has many top placements in WCS Jack & Jill, Strictly, and Classic Division Competitions.

Katie Schneider (Katie McCaslin) has been dancing West Coast Swing for over 10 years, competing nationally at the Champion/All-Star level since 2005, & currently teaching WCS Internationally. Katie has a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education with a minor in Dance. She has studied Jazz, Ballet, Modern/Contemporary, Country, and Swing. Katie is known for her focus on technique, the lead/follow relationship, and creative musicality. Katie has many top placements in WCS Jack & Jill, Strictly, Showcase, and Classic Competitions.

Chief Judge – Dance N Play 2013 – Jim Minty began teaching dance in 1987. Jim trained /taught Social Ballroom & Country until 1992 – Taught & Competed in Country Western until 1992 – currently specialized in West Coast Swing, Night Club 2 & Hustle. Jim focuses on “connection” and “feeling the dance” vs. learning to dance patterns. Jim Minty teaches, judges, and competes Internationally – Won many WCS Swing Dance Championship Awards – Certified G.S.D.T.A. Instructor, Judge, National Competitor –  Chief Judge at many WSDC & NASDE Events Nationwide for nearly a decade – Director of NASDE Event Seattle Easter Swing for over 5 years. Jim Minty also has a Masters Degree in Project Management

Manny Viarrial has been dancing for over 34 years. His 1st dance styles were Freestyle Modern, Jazz, Hip-Hop, and Hustle. Manny began taking WCS lessons in 1982, studying the intricacies of WCS for years; winning many competitions. In 1986 Manny added Ballroom, Latin, & Swing from various world renowned dance coaches. 1994 U.S. Open “Most Improved Dancer Award – 2001 U.S. Open Champion Sophisticated Swing & many times placing in the top 5 positions in Sophisticated Swing & Masters Division –  1995 – 2012 “Top Dance Instructor Award” many times at various events – 1978 to present, Manny holds over 167 first place titles.

Doug Silton began dancing in 1992 and since 1999, he has been teaching, competing, and performing internationally. Doug is a three-time American Lindy Hop Champion: – 2001 Strictly Division – 2002 Classic Division – 2006 Blues Division – 2-Time World Swing Dance Champion, and is a top competitor on the Lindy Hop circuit, NASDE West Coast Swing Tour, and CSA Carolina Shag competitions. 2002 – Doug was/is the only competitor to ever be a finalist in Lindy Hop, West Coast Swing, and Carolina Shag in the same year at the US Open Swing Dance Championships. Doug has also been competing in the Salsa world – Jack & Jill’s, placing in the top 5 in the Advanced/Pro Level in a variety of competitions since 2007. Doug has choreographed for Bette Midler and works regularly with featured dancers and choreographers in the commercial dance industry. Doug’s soon to be wife, Nicki, enhances their dance instruction partnership with a variety of dance skills, talents, and accomplishments,

Eric Zimmer & Jenica Krolicki Zimmer: Jenica and Eric have been teaching and sharing their dance passion with students and audiences for 25 years. Jenica began dancing years ago in the country community, quickly rising to All-Star level in West Coast Swing. She has since become a prominent ballroom instructor as well as a professional adjudicator in swing competitions. Eric’s formal training is based in Ballet, Jazz, and Modern Dance. After dancing professionally for 8 years he found new passions in Argentine Tango and West Coast Swing.  Eric also has many certifications in Advanced Health and Fitness. Eric –  Choreographer and Performer in various Professional Theatre Performances: 1999 – 2009. Together, Jenica and Eric teach, perform, and mentor their students and audiences in dance communities across the nation. They currently live, work, and dance in Portland, Oregon.

Paul and Melinda Booth are certified PDIA teachers, certified GSDTA teaches, and certified NDDCB judges. They started dancing in 1995, and have worked their way to the advanced level of WSDC competition. Paul and Melinda love social dancing first: and have traveled extensively around the country to over 100 WSDC conventions. In 1995, they performed a routine at the U.S. Open Masters Classic division. Teaching is now the source of the biggest rewards for the Booths.  They teach regular group lessons on Saturdays in Kirkland, and teach private lessons by appointment. Paul D.J’s  at conventions coast to coast and in Canada, and has been drawing local dancers every Saturday night at Kirkland Dance Center since April 2002.

Additional Dance N Play Pro Instructor And D.J. Staff – Bios To Follow

Chris Jones

Trina Sierbert

Tschirhart

Martin Casillas