Laurie started dancing at age 5 and began WCS in 1981 (introduced by Buddy Schwimmer).  She has since been a choreographer to many Young America, Young Adult, Formation Team, Classic, Showcase, Masters, and Sophisticated Couples. She won the formation team division with Buddy and Laurie Schwimmer’s “Jump Start 2” as director and choreographer.  Laurie has taught WCS all over the world…countries including U.S., Canada, Germany, England. She has taught WCS at several Congresses in Germany including Hanover, Bad Harzburg and Hamburg.  Performed WCS in a Doubles Show with World Latin Champions Donnie Burns and Gaynor Fairwhether named “The Lean, Mean Dancing Machine for 5 years and then danced with Buddy Schwimmer…

Janie Deroche is from Mobile, Alabama but has lived on the Gulf Coast her entire life. By trade, they call her “Doctor” at work, but her passion will always be for gymnastics and all things dance. Since reaching her goal of becoming a level 10 gymnastics champion, Janie has added competitive dancer and aerialist to her performance repertoire. Janie has trained in belly dance for the past 15 years with some of the world’s top teachers and performers. She’s had many years of performing all over the Gulf Coast with her troupes that feature choreographies encompassing the multiple genres of belly dance including cabaret, folkloric, tribal fusion, Spanish fusion, Indian,…

I’m a Brazilian Polish woman living in Poland, I started dancing ballet at the age of 3 and since I was a child I knew that dancing would be my life’s passion. At the age of 7, I started dancing tango and a year later I started Zouk and in the following years I learned bachata, salsa, samba, tcha tcha and several other types of dance that complement who I am today. I remember when I was 11 years old I traveled to a workshop of a different dance called WEST COAST SWING, and from the first moment I fell in love with this new style that had just arrived…

I was born and raised in Greenville, SC. I have an extensive background in emergency medicine. I started dancing here, then moved to Clearwater, FL to work as Hugo Miguez and Stacy Kay’s apprentice and teach at their studio, The District. My goal was to become a good dancer, an inspiring teacher, and a quality community builder. After a few years with Hugo and Stacy, I moved back home to Greenville to become the local West Coast Swing professional. I also teach East Coast Swing, Lindy Hop, Shag, Salsa, Bachata, Hip Hop, and other dances on request. I subscribe to the KISS philosophy of teaching (Keep It Super Simple) and…

Over the past twelve years, Taletha Rivas has confidently progressed in the NASDE WC Swing circuit. In 2010, she took 2nd place Female in the Nationwide Tour, as a result of consistent top 5 placements in the Classic Division with her previous partner Jake Haning. Their “Never There”, “Soul Man” and “It Hurts So Bad” routines showed their diversity in style and attitude and were certain crowd pleasers. In 2011, she formed a new Classic partnership with Luis Crespo. “Flip Fantasia” was their very first routine together and showed a playful side to their dancing while their following routines were known for more emotional intensity. Their “She’s on Fire” routine…

Sebastian began ballroom dancing at 8 years old with an extensive training in American Rhythm and American Smooth styles for over 15 years. He began Country & Swing dancing in 2014 and is a two-time Pro/Pro Open 1 World Champion as well as a two-time Line Dance RisingStar World Champion. He is currently a Masters level couples dancer and SuperStars level line dancer on the Country dance circuit; in addition to being an All-Stars level competitor on the West Coast Swing circuit. He moved to Austin and began teaching at Go Dance Studio in 2023. He loves to share his dance expertise in all Ballroom, Country, and Swing dance styles…

Pirate Challenge What to expect:~ Hours of Leveled Workshops ~ 2x Intensives with Michael Kiehm and PJ Turner~ Hours of social dancing with Hall of Fame DJs~ WSDC Competitions Newcomer, Nov, Intm, Adv, All-Star, Invitational ~Mix & match level Strictly Swing (ex partnership: novice lead/ intermediate Follow)~Role Switch Jack and Jill~Pirate Challenge ~Thursday Night Social Under the Stars at the Space & Rocket Center Planetarium “Always be yourself, unless you can be a pirate… Then be a pirate.” Favorites: Pirate Challenge WSDC Competitions! Friday Evening Show (heavy hors d’oeuvres available at the bar) Extracurricular opportunities including Planetarium Experience, Bar Hopping, hiking and Yoga New this Year:  Intensive with Markus and Tren  Join us at Westies…

Competition Schedule Competitions: WSDC Jack & Jill: Newcomer, Novice, Intermediate, Masters, Advanced, All Star, Invitational Strictly Swing Mix & Match Levels: Nov/Intm, Adv/All Star Strictly Swing Generational  Role Switch Jack & Jill Pro Am Strictly Swing Novice, Intermediate Pro Am Jack & Jill Pro Am Routines Novice, Intermediate/Advanced Routine Amateur Open Routine Caberet  Rules

Workshop Schedule Specialty Workshops Intensives Intensive with PJ Turner Intensive with Michael Kiehm

With nearly 25 years in the West Coast Swing community, Doug’s expertise is affluent in many roles; Teacher, Coach, Choreographer, Event Director, Producer, MC, Judge, Contest Coordinator, Contest Administrator and Consultant. Not only did he pursue a Music Education Degree, Doug is also a certified teacher and certified judge of WCS. He currently competes at the Champion level and has won numerous WCS awards and titles, including US Open Champion in the Teams Division. As an innovator and ambassador of WCS he is known for some of the most unique and creative events and contests, one of which is the popular Tournament Style J&J. “If it’s not fun, it’s not…