Hot Rhythm Holiday is proud to feature an incredible lineup of instructors teaching Balboa, Collegiate Shag, Lindy Hop, and a variety of special topic electives. 

Nick Williams, Laura Keat, Jeremy Otth, Shannon Butler, Stephen Sayer, Mickey Fortanasce, Jennifer Lee, Matt Mitchell, Jennifer Barnett, Amanda Pincock, Zach Lockett-Streiff, Tabitha Robinson, Joe Robinson, Scott Angelius, Julie Roman, and Sarah Stembridge.

​Nick Williams has embodied the passion and spirit of swing dancing ever since his first lesson in 1998. His in-depth understanding of Lindy Hop, Balboa, and Collegiate Shag stems from studying with the original dancers. His successes include World Lindy Hop Champion, U.S. Open Swing Dance Champion, American Lindy Hop Champion, National Jitterbug Champion, International Lindy Hop Champion, Ultimate Lindy Hop Champion, American Classic Balboa Champion and California Balboa/Swing Champion. He is also an accomplished choreographer and has been featured on the hit television show So You Think You Can Dance? ​As an instructor, he is known for his ability to break down movements and technique to create a fun and lighthearted learning environment.In 2004, Nick was honored to be recognized by the California Swing Dance Hall of Fame.

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 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 honored to share that breadth of knowledge and passion for these classic partner dances by entertaining and educating feet around the world from Southern California to Asia and Europe.

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.

Mickey Fortanasce began swing dancing in Los Angeles in '99. A year later he was teaching local swing classes at NYU. After graduating he worked with local teams in New York including Varsity Swing and Hop Swing and a Jump and later started running his weekly dance White Heat (something he's been meaning to start up again). Mickey and Kelly Arsenault have been dancing and competing since about 2005. During this time, their innovation and showmanship, coupled with their love of dance history and theory, have led them to become internationally recognized teachers and competitors in both Lindy Hop and Balboa.

JENN LEE (Seattle, WA) travels all over the world for Balboa. If there is great Balboa, you’ll find her there, dancing until the wee hours with the biggest, most contented smile on her face. Fourteen years ago, a friend took her swing dancing, and she’s been devoted to that scene ever since, first as a student, then later as an avid competitor, organizer, advocate, and now as a popular instructor. ​Her teaching style reflects her creativity, music background, collaborative approach, and partner communication. She is thrilled to be dancing and collaborating with some of the best Balboa partners out there. Her film titled “One Girl and Two Boys” won the Jazz Dance Film Festival, and she holds 1st place titles from the California Balboa Classic, All Balboa Weekend, the Eastern Balboa Championships, the Snowball and, Lindy Focus.

Since 1998, Matt has been honing his dance skills; starting with East Coast, he quickly moved into Lindy Hop and other Swing-era dances–with a very short detour into Ballroom. He’s studied with top Lindy Hop and Balboa contemporaries as well being influenced by the original greats (Frankie Manning, Dean Collins, Maxie Dorf and Willy Desatoff). From 2007 through 2011, he was one of the lead instructors for Get Hep Swing (assisting the incomparable Valerie Salstrom) and helped choreograph Hustle and award winning Swing routines. He strives to bring solid fundamentals and just-the-right amount of connection to Lindy Hop and Balboa, while creating room for musicality and playfulness. In 2011, he relocated to his home town of Austin where he’s enjoyed teaching Lindy Hop and Balboa for Four on the Floor, and is a contributing instructor for BalAustin.

Known for bringing a little math and science into the ballroom (don’t worry, just a little). As a teacher, Jen tries to balance her straight-forward manner and high expectations with lots of love, humor, and support for her students. Never forgetting to address both follows and leads, Jen blends a clear, technical presentation with the musicality and spirit that make swing dancing so enjoyable. Jen teaches and competes in Balboa on the international stage, having won the All Balboa Weekend J&J four times. She has also won the Canadian Balboa Championships and placed in various strictly competitions at events such as the California Balboa Classic.

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.

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.)

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.

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.

​Scott started dancing in 1998 in what became a mecca of swing dance, Austin, TX. He helped build the community by teaching, running a successful dance company, and organizing events. Now in Knoxville, TN, he regularly teaches and mentors dancers. Scott is passionate about teaching and working with dedicated, focused dancers of all levels. In class, he teaches what he loves: exploring and building on the fundamentals, partnership, listening, and self-expression. Scott has won numerous Lindy Hop competitions and was a member of the renowned team Lindy Hoppers’ Dozen.

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).

Sarah Stembridge