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Hep Cat Instructors
Andrea (Andie) Gill
Instructor, Workshops Coordinator, and Hep Cats founding member
The following is a list of PDF uploads. You can use these links in your articles. just assign your link to "http://www.hilohepcats.org/media/[your file name]"
For example, http://www.hilohepcats.org/media/saleflyer.pdf
Workshop Instructors
Workshop Instructors
Andrew Sutton  Andrew Sutton is the 2nd place World Lindy Hop Champion of 2002. He resides in California, teaching and competing worldwide. Andrew is dedicated to finding fun and inventive ways of teaching connection and effective lead/follow techniques. Andrew's Smooth Savoy Swing workshop has been held nearly every year in Hilo since 2005. Click his name above to download instructional video clips featuring Andrew Sutton and other great dancers! Each clip teaches you one dance move, and there are moves for both leads and follows. New moves and instructors are always being added. Each clip costs between $0.99 and $1.99. Styles include Lindy Hop, Charleston, Balboa, Bal-Swing and Tap. Contact iDance.net: info@idance.net, or phone 828-280-6836. |
International swing dance champions Marcus Koch and Bärbl Kaufer have brought their inimitable energy to Hilo every year since 2003! Click on their names above to read their bio, see their schedule, contact Marcus and Bärbl, and buy their instructional videotapes and DVDs online. |
Campbell loves living in Austin, where she teaches social dance courses celebrated to be the most popular on the UT campus. Her approach fosters an appreciation for fusion by drawing connections between the varied styles she has studied--some of her favorites being lyrical, waltz, lindy hop, and tap. While her warmth and patience create an inviting atmosphere for all levels of students, she carefully challenges them to realize their full potential. Chris was drawn into Blues by the freedom and expression that sets this dance apart, and he's never looked back. As an addict since 2006, Chris has been slowly developing a style all his own, taking the parts he loves from other dances and molding them into the blues "aesthetic": the footwork and the precision of argentine tango, the energy and exuberence of lindy, the smoothness and sly attitude of west coast swing, the rhythm and motion of latin, and moves and tricks that could only come from the depths of his bizarre mind. |
Anna Whitmire, an award-winning dancer, performer and instructor, taught a Lindyhopper's Weekend in Hilo, January 12-14, 2007, emphasizing creativity and fun styling. You can e-mail Anna at "starling @ rice . edu" without the spaces or quotes. |
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 Kevin Clark has been dancing and performing for as long as he can remember, but his introduction to swing came in 2003. Lindy Hop quickly became his number one passion. He has since traveled extensively around the U.S. honing his social and performance dance skills. He emphasizes the rhythm, the flow, and the energy of connection in his dancing and teaching. He is particularly proud of his work with Groove Juice Special and their win in the Choreography Division at the Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown 2009. Kevin studies, teaches and performs based in Albuquerque, NM. Get more info on him at the Rhythm Project website, http://abqrhythm.com/
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Joel and Alison Plys  Joel and Alison Plys of 2PlySwing are internationally known stylists based out of San Diego who specialize in all styles of swing dance from the 1920s through the 1950s. They brought their high-energy, high-quality, highly entertaining workshops to Hilo, June 2007. As regular teachers at major events all over the world, Joel and Alison's down-to-earth, enthusiastic attitudes are contagious and offer a very personal learning experience, never forgetting that the reason we dance is for FUN! Learn more at 2PlySwing.com.
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Mihai Banulescu has taught swing dancing at Dartmouth College, where he earned a Psychology degree. As an experienced high school teacher and tutor, he applies his expertise in theories of learning on the dance floor, responding sensitively to his students’ needs. Mihai began concentrating on blues dance after moving to San Francisco, where he has established a reputation as a workshop instructor along the West Coast. Mihai offered his High Energy Blues workshop in Hilo in January 2005, and returned to the Big Island with workshops on Nov. 30 and Dec. 2, 2006. You can e-mail Mihai at "lindymihai @ mac . com" without the spaces or quotes. |
Blues specialists Solomon Douglas and Mia Goldsmith shared their blues dancing and Lindy styles in Hilo during June 2004. Solomon came back for a return engagement in November 2005. You can e-mail Solomon at "srcd @ alum . mit . edu" without spaces. |
Swing sensations Peter Strom and Christy Vasiliauskas offered a workshop focusing on Lindy technique in Hilo during May 2004. Christy V. also organizes the Cowtown Jamborama swing camp in Omaha, Nebraska. You can contact Peter Strom at "peter @ lindymovement . com" and Christy V. at "christy @ pecking . org" without the spaces or quotes. |
David Rehm, a renowned swing historian as well as an internationally sought after instructor, received first-place honors dancing Balboa at several major U.S. competitions in 2005. He brought his workshop, "Architecting Dance," to Hilo in January 2006. In October 2007 he instructed a "Crafting Balboa" workshop. You can contact David at "david @ davidrehm . com" without the spaces or quotes, and check out his website at http://www.davidrehm.com. |
Where to Dance
Local Swing | Ballroom | Latin | Live Music | Contra | International | Other Islands
Local Swing Dancing
For a calendar of ballroom dancing events on the Big Island, check out www.bigislanddancing.com. Besides ballroom in the Hilo area, the calendar lists West Coast Swing, Tango and other regular instruction and socials.
What Is Swing?
Louis Armstrong, when once asked, “What is swing?” was silent for a while, and then responded, “If you don’t know, don’t mess with it.” In the Swing Book, author Degen Pener asserts, “Swing isn’t a particular type of music at all. It’s a way of playing music, the manner in which a beat moves, something you can hear and feel and, best of all, do.
