Laura Keat
Laura Keat has been specializing in dancing, performing and teaching jazz dances of the swing & big band era since 2003. Laura values inclusivity, individuality, clear instruction and uplifting dance experiences. Laura has experience teaching and performing across the globe spending most of her time traveling within the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia and Australia. She has many accolades including championship titles at ILHC (International Lindy Hop Championships), NJC (National Jitterbug Championships/Camp Hollywood), US Open and many more. She has had to opportunity to perform on the TV show, "Dancing With The Stars," "Agent Carter," as well as multiple commercials and music videos.
Jeremy Otth
Jeremy Otth has amassed a great amount of knowledge on the historic essence of vintage swing dances from many of the original jitterbugs and swing dancers. Along with his seemingly inexhaustible amount of energy, Jeremy’s natural talent and dedication led him to accumulate championship titles at many acclaimed dance competitions such as the International Lindy Hop Championships, National Jitterbug Championships, American Classic Balboa Championships and the US Open Swing Dance Championships. Jeremy is now able to share that breadth of knowledge and passion for these classic partner dances by entertaining and educating feet from Southern California to around the world.
Shannon Butler
Third generation jitterbug, Shannon Butler learned swing and mid-century dances from her mother, who passed on the tradition and love of dance her shag-dancing grandparents started, while receiving formal training at her great aunt’s school. Shannon credits this social-focused introduction to dance for shaping her welcoming approach to teaching. By 1997 she was competing in, teaching, and performing 20th century vernacular dances. Shannon studied with original-era dancers including Frankie Manning, Norma Miller and Big Apple and Shag dancer Betty Wood, and partnered with dance historian Lance Benishek. Her favorite dance moment was the honor of sharing a stage with Norma Miller and The Nicholas Brothers. She teaches dance to elementary school students by day, and in the evenings, dancers of all ages and ability. Sought equally for her knowledge of Shag and uncommon dances as her reputation as a patient instructor and community builder, she has taught nationally and internationally including: Camp Hollywood, Rock That Swing, Hep Cats Holiday, Boston Tea Party, Nevermore Jazz Ball, Midwest Lindy Fest, Jamborama, and Hot Rhythm Holiday. Wherever she goes, she strives to make learning fun and ensure dance is accessible to all.
Tabitha Robinson
Tabitha Robinson fell in love with swing dancing in 2001 in Orlando, Florida. She quickly jumped into Lindy Hop, Shag, Balboa and Charleston just wanting to dance as much as possible. She met her now-husband Joseph Robinson there, and the two began a partnership of competing and teaching together. She helped start and run two Collegiate Shag teams, one in DC and one in Austin, and most recently helped start a Chorus Girl team. One of her passions is choreographing team routines and routines for her and her husband. She also loves to fly through the air and is always up for trying new air steps.
Joe Robinson
Joseph Robinson found swing dancing in 1998 in Orlando, Florida after being persuaded by some friends. He danced 6-7 nights a week, never wanting to take a break. He was instrumental in starting the UCF Swing Club and has one of the most vast collections of vintage dance clips. He eventually met his dance partner and wife Tabitha Robinson and the two began to compete and teach together. He loves the music and the dance and his focus has always been on maintaining the authenticity of the original dances and being creative within that structure.
Amanda Pincock
Amanda discovered swing dancing as a teenager in 1994 in Southern California, and feels lucky to have been part of the “Swing revival” of that time. After moving to Austin in 2014, she started focusing on Shag. She fell in love immediately, spending countless hours studying it, watching clips, and of course discussing it with other Shag dancers. That same year, she won her first Shag competition, and has been teaching and performing regularly ever since.
Amanda loves spreading her love of Shag and other swing dances with new and experienced dancers alike, and regularly travels to instruct. With a background in gymnastics and many years of teaching in and out of the classroom, she brings years of experience of teaching adults to her classes, and enjoys blending serious technique with fun, self expression, and love for the dance. Currently, she teaches regular Collegiate Shag classes at The Swing Syndicate in Austin, Texas, and leads an all-female Collegiate Shag team, The Shag Hags.
Amanda loves spreading her love of Shag and other swing dances with new and experienced dancers alike, and regularly travels to instruct. With a background in gymnastics and many years of teaching in and out of the classroom, she brings years of experience of teaching adults to her classes, and enjoys blending serious technique with fun, self expression, and love for the dance. Currently, she teaches regular Collegiate Shag classes at The Swing Syndicate in Austin, Texas, and leads an all-female Collegiate Shag team, The Shag Hags.
Zach Lockett-Streiff
Zach’s first encounter with partner dancing was overhearing his dad’s attempt to sign him up for lessons as a child. He promptly screamed in terror, and the studio never called back. He joined his college swing club in 2010 – much to his dad’s bewilderment – and the rest went downhill from there!
Sporting a bit of a rebellious streak, Zach likes to question convention through a respectful but pragmatic lens. The historical record is deeply important to swing dancing, but equally important is not forgetting the foundational African-American dance values in the process. In this spirit, Zach values authenticity and actively-engaged partnership. And puns. He’s a bit of a smart-aleck.
Locally, Zach is one of the leaders of the Texas Shag scene (which is very near and dear to him). He is especially invested in helping the Austin Shag community grow, and refining his skills and self to meet the challenge. Teaching and social dancing are his passions, and he can’t wait to share both of them with you! *ahem* with y’all.
(He also does Lindy and Balboa.)
Sporting a bit of a rebellious streak, Zach likes to question convention through a respectful but pragmatic lens. The historical record is deeply important to swing dancing, but equally important is not forgetting the foundational African-American dance values in the process. In this spirit, Zach values authenticity and actively-engaged partnership. And puns. He’s a bit of a smart-aleck.
Locally, Zach is one of the leaders of the Texas Shag scene (which is very near and dear to him). He is especially invested in helping the Austin Shag community grow, and refining his skills and self to meet the challenge. Teaching and social dancing are his passions, and he can’t wait to share both of them with you! *ahem* with y’all.
(He also does Lindy and Balboa.)
Jeron Tuell
Jeron has loved dancing Collegiate Shag ever since he had the chance to see it on the dance floor, at his first-ever social dance. Ever since then he has done everything he can to learn as much Shag as he can.
Outside of just learning to dance Shag, he is passionate about teaching it, as well spreading the love of Shag wherever he goes. As he spreads his love for Shag, he also wants to make the Shag community welcoming for everyone, and allow for others to have the space to show their love for it, too.
Outside of just learning to dance Shag, he is passionate about teaching it, as well spreading the love of Shag wherever he goes. As he spreads his love for Shag, he also wants to make the Shag community welcoming for everyone, and allow for others to have the space to show their love for it, too.
Julie Roman
Julie Roman is a Phoenix-based artist. As a classically trained concert pianist/vocalist (with a career as a certified music educator, musical director, and private vocal coach), she is passionate about pursuing excellence and spreading a love for the arts.
She enjoys collaborating with vintage swing dancers from around the world to compete, teach, choreograph, and perform. While she studies, social dances, performs and competes with as many Jazz dances as she can, Julie is especially in love with Collegiate Shag (and flying aerials).
She enjoys collaborating with vintage swing dancers from around the world to compete, teach, choreograph, and perform. While she studies, social dances, performs and competes with as many Jazz dances as she can, Julie is especially in love with Collegiate Shag (and flying aerials).