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, Sarah Stembridge, Jennifer Lee, Matt Mitchell, Jennifer Barnett,  Julie Roman, Josiah Keagy, Amanda Pincock, Zach Lockett-Streiff, Tabitha Robinson, Joe Robinson, and Scott Angelius.

​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.

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Sarah developed a love for the music and films of the 1930s and 40s at a very young age. Growing up watching films like A Day at the Races and Disney’s “All the Cats Join In” cartoon, she always dreamed of learning how to dance like the people she saw on the screen. In the early 2000s, she decided to make that dream a reality and quickly found herself madly in love with all things swing. As a dancer, Sarah values the playful collaborations and creative possibilities that emerge in a social dance, and loves to explore the ways in which developing one’s technique, connection, and body awareness can bolster confidence and individual expression. As an instructor, she hopes to help other dancers develop their sense of self-efficacy, confidence, and curiosity in the classroom and beyond.

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.

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).

Josiah Keagy is known for the energy he brings to the dance floor. He emphasizes connection, creativity, musicality, and a healthy dose of goofiness, making every dance both expressive and fun. He was introduced to swing dancing in the LA and OC dance communities in 2012 where he was influenced by the amazing dancers around him. Josiah pushes the limits of his own dancing while contributing to the larger community. As an instructor, Josiah frequently teaches at local venues such as Lindy Groove, where his classes highlight technique and connection. For him, dance is more than movement—it is communication, a dialogue between partners where individuals balance not only their connection with music but with a partner as well. Whether teaching, social dancing, or performing, Josiah’s goal is to create spaces where dancers feel empowered to connect, experiment, and celebrate through this experiential artform.

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.