Stompology / Authentic Solo Jazz Dance Weekend

June 1-3, 2012 / Rochester, NY

Teachers

Mike Faltesek

Mike FaltesekMike 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 almost 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.

Sharon Davis

Sharon DavisSharon Davis hails from Perth Australia, and is internationally known for her distinctive and feminine style in Lindy Hop, 1920s Charleston, Blues and Burlesque. Sharon is now based in London, and travels the world teaching with her dance partner Juan Villafañe from Argentina. She holds 1st place titles at the International Lindy Hop Championships, Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown, Canadian Swing Championships, Camp Hollywood, Camp Jitterbug and Stockholm Jazz Jam, and has claimed numerous other awards internationally.  As an instructor and a DJ, she is known for her dedication to the history of vernacular jazz dances and the music they evolved to. With her bright and bubbly personality, Sharon's teaching style is energetic, creative and fun. She is also the founder of the European Swing Dance Championships in Barcelona. Visit www.sharondavis.com.au to find out more about her.

Juan Villafañe

Juan VillafañeJuan hails from Buenos Aires, Argentina and has been a leading proponent in the revival of vintage jazz dances in South America. Juan brings to The Killer Dillers a wealth of talent, known internationally for his stylish Lindy Hop, Charleston, Vintage Jazz, softshoe Tap, Cane and Acrobatics. His background in gymnastics and martial arts strongly influence his dancing, giving him a unique perspective on body movement and awareness, and a distinct - and often spectacular - personal style. Known for his high-flying aerials and eye-catching slides, Juan is a consummate performer and a creative dancer.

Juan holds first place titles at the International Lindy Hop Championships, National Jitterbug Championships, Canadian Swing Championships and other competitions internationally. He  has performed in Sweden, Italy, Germany, Ireland, Spain, France, Czech Republic, UK, Canada, USA and Argentina. With his dance partner Sharon Davis, he has performed with renowned Swedish swing dance company The Harlem Hot Shots, and has taught Lindy Hop across the globe.

Stefan Durham

Stefan DurhamStefan Durham has been teaching Lindy Hop for a few years now (most recently in Portland, DC and San Francisco areas), and he has been flattered to win stuff at some competitions along the way. But his unflagging loves for partnered jazz dance and for the music that engendered it are at the heart of his devotion to Lindy Hop. Stefan likes to teach ideas, rhythms and moves that feel good and are useful to a variety of dancers. Stefan likes dancing really fast and really slow. He likes Charlie Chaplin and ice-cream cookie sandwiches. And he likes swinging his steps as he's walking down the street, all cool-like.

Laura Glaess

Laura GlaessLaura grew up in a little hick town with more cows than people. It didn't have much dancing, and the only radio stations were country, rap, and country. However, she was always enchanted by the classical CDs her parents had and danced around the living room constantly.

She bumped into Lindy Hop, Swing, and Jazz ( ♥ ) in San Antonio while at Trinity University. She learned her first swingout from Mike Lenneville and Lani Steffens and, since then, has been dedicating every spare moment (and dollar) to learning more about this amazing dance. She has taught in Canada, France, Estonia, Australia, New Zealand and throughout the US.

Andrew Nemr

Mentored by Gregory Hines, Andrew is considered one of the most hardworking and diverse tap dance artists today. Whether playing with Nat Adderley Jr., directing  CPD PLUS, or co-founding the  Tap Legacy™ Foundation, Inc., Andrew has garnered a reputation for impeccable musicianship and sensitivity, and respect for the craft that he loves. The artist in residence for the Quarterly Arts Soiree (QAS) at Webster Hall, Andrew received an  NEA Masterpieces: Dance Initiative Grant to reconstruct the works of classic tap dance soloists, garnering critical and popular acclaim upon their presentation in  Echoes In Time.  Collectively, Andrew's choreography and solo work has been described as "a welcome return to the elegance of simplicity and the tap dancer as maker of aural magic" (exploredance.com) and "deeply touching" (Daily Gazette).

Jojo Jackson

Jojo Jackson is an internationally acclaimed Lindy Hop, Charleston, and Classic Jazz Dance instructor. Hailing from Ithaca, NY, she has taught, competed, judged, and performed vintage jazz dances since 1998. She is an American Lindy Hop champion, an Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown champion, and is best known for her solo jazz choreography and high-energy  classes.  Above all, Jojo loves to dance, to create, and to empower others to do the same.