Nina Gilkenson
Lindy Hopper. Belly dancer. Hair-removal Laser Technician. The mysterious figure that is known only as “Nina” (and sometimes “Naomi”) has many titles from prestigious dance competitions. But that’s only a small part of her accomplishments. For instance, she can swivel in midair. She can simultaneously create vintage-style dresses and then destroy them while dancing. She can make 12-minute biscuits in 10 minutes. She writes upbeat musical theatre involving funeral homes. And last, but not least, she is a part of the award-winning Lindy Hop team the Silver Shadows, which sounds like it’s a group of super heroes. And that’s what she is. A Super Hero–one whose main super power is doing swivels in midair. And one day, they might save the world. Until then, she lives in Washington D.C. and falls down a lot.
Nina currently resides in Baltimore, MD.
Andy Reid
Andy Reid is one of the most well known and influential Lindy Hop dancers out there. Since he started dancing in the late nineties, Andy has left an indelible mark on the dance scene. Andy’s style is a balance of the refined and the eccentric, and his soulful proficiency with rhythm and partnering make his dancing rich and inspiring to watch and experience.
He has performed and taught all over the world including Korea, Australia, Japan and all over Europe. He is a founding member of Silver Shadows, which is undoubtedly one of the most influential dance teams currently. He is also a member of the highly influential troupe Minnie’s Moochers. Finally, Andy is also a founding member of Mad Dog!, a Lindy Hop Crew who is infamous within the Lindy community for some reason.
Andy currently resides in New Orleans, LA.
Mike Faltesek
Mike Faltesek brings to the dance floor an incredibly diverse social and performance dance talent that includes not only Lindy Hop but also Cakewalk, Black Bottom, Traditional Jazz, Tap, Charleston, Breakaway, Balboa, Big Apple, Blues and many other Authentic Jazz dances.
Mike has been dancing for more than a decade, in that time he has traveled to instruct, compete, and perform internationally. From Harlem to Los Angeles and all throughout Europe. Mike is well known for his charismatic personality, approachability and passion for the essence of Authentic Jazz dance and music. He possesses an enthusiastic ability to convey ideas and movements explicitly, making him a popular instructor wherever he goes. He teaches workshops internationally, each time leaving a lasting impression on his students.
Casey Schneider
Casey’s love of swing dancing began in 1998. Whether social dancing, teaching, or performing, Casey is inspired by the playful spirit of traditional jazz dances and in “raising her voice” as a female dancer. In her teaching, she focuses on developing solid technique and partnering skills as the foundation for developing one’s style and sense of musicality. Casey also enjoys competing, with placements or wins at regional and national competitions. She frequently performs with and dabbles in a variety of dance forms with Sister Kate, an all-girl performance group.
Stefan Durham
Stefan “Danger” Durham has been doing the swing dance for over a decade. He first started with a Portland performance group called the “Dance Mafia.” That was in a pre-Patriot Act world. Since then he’s won placements at a few swing dance comps, and also at the 2010 Herrang twist competition, which he sometimes reflects back on while humming Chubby Checker tunes. Stefan “Danger” Durham thinks maybe 1930′s NYC jazz music and Lindy Hop were some BOMB REAL and doesn’t it seem like they never get old like the truth never gets old? A roller skating guru recently told him to work on his long flow, which should keep him busy.
Bethany Powell
Bethany Powell, a Maine native, was never “classically trained” but has found a haven in the dances of the proletariat. You know, getting down. She quietly achieved the threshold of Lindy Hop savvy in the Portland and (recently) DC scenes of the past few years and, having fared well in recent competitions throughout the country, would like to advert that she dominated three-legged-races as a child. Bethany is intrigued by the interplay of assertion and concession that makes for good cooperative art. She would rather dance to the hot hot jazz. In spite of herself, she’s really beginning to enjoy choreographing and teaching choreography. Bethany’s style of teaching is to keep the fun focused and the focus on fun, although she would be embarrassed to hear it described that way.
