Our Teachers
Learn to dance from swing champions! Our all-star cast of teachers are competition medalists in swing dances such as Lindy Hop, West Coast Swing, Balboa, Shag and Blues. They're dynamic, energetic dancers, as well as fun, professional teachers!
Byron Alley
Director
Founder of Swing Dynamite, Byron also co-founded the highly successful Studio 88-Swing in Montreal in 2002, as well as creating Lindy Hoppers Anonymous in Victoria in 2001. He is also a member of Canada's famous Swinging Air Force.
Byron's great passion is social dancing - the spontaneous interaction of two inspired hearts on the dance floor. He also enjoys winning things, and on the competitive side of swing he's won dozens of medals and trophies, including:
- 1st place, Blues — Canadian Swing Championships 2010
- 1st place, West Coast Swing Advanced Jack 'n Jill — Canadian Swing Championships 2010
- 1st place - Toronto Open Swing Dance Championships 2008 - Triple Dance Challenge
- 1st place - Toronto Open Swing Dance Championships 2008 - Advanced Lindy Hop Jack 'n Jill
- 1st place, West Coast Swing Advanced Jack 'n Jill — Canadian Swing Championships 2006
- 1st place, Showcase — Swingin' New England 2005
- 1st place, Team — Swingin' New England 2005
- 1st place, Fast Dancing — Canadian Swing Championships 2004
- 1st place, Team — Canadian Swing Championships 2003
- Canadian Vice-Champion — Canadian Swing Championships 2005
- 2nd place, Inter-Regional Competition — Canadian Swing Championships 2009
- 2nd place, Blues — Canadian Swing Championships 2007
- 2nd place, Balboa — Canadian Swing Championships 2004
- 2nd place, Blues — Canadian Swing Championships 2004
- 3rd place, Advanced Balboa Jack 'n Jill — Montreal Baloba Revue 2010
- 3rd place, Canadian Showcase — Canadian Swing Championships 2008
- 3rd place, Blues — Canadian Swing Championships 2008
- 3rd place, Canadian Showcase — Canadian Swing Championships 2007
- 3rd place, Open Showcase — American Lindy Hop Championships 2005
- 3rd place, Showcase — Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown 2005
- 3rd place, Advanced Lindy Hop Jack 'n Jill — Canadian Swing Championships 2004
As a performer, Byron has been featured on MuchMusic, Radio Canada's Match des étoiles, TVA, Rogers, ATV and in the Movie Gleason (2003). He's choreographed and danced in shows including the National Arts Centre with the NAC Orchestra, Ottawa's Parliament Hill on Canada Day, the Casino de Montreal, and the Salle Wilfred Pelletier at la Place des arts, not to mention numerous other performances in Canada and the US.
Teaching swing since 1999, Byron has given classes across Canada and in the US, including:
- The Quebec Swing Rendez-Vous (QSRV) in Quebec City
- Swingin' New England in Cape Cod
- Canadian Swing Championships
- Norwich, VT
- Kingston, ON
- Poughkeepsie, NY
- New Year's Extravaganza in Danvers, MA
- Syracuse, NY
- Toronto, ON
- Waterloo, ON
- Victoria, BC
Known for his emphasis on partner connection and the original swing spirit, on the dance floor Byron combines vintage Lindy Hop, Charleston, Blues dancing, and Balboa, creating a dance ranging from smooth and subtle to dynamic and creative. Byron is also known as one of Canada's foremost swing aerials experts.
Byron speaks English and French fluently. He's working on his Spanish and Chinese!
Natalia Rueda
Artistic Director
"Better than Nutella!"
A full-time dance teacher, Natalia's many competition awards include winning first place at the Canadian Swing Championships two years in a row, earning six 1st places in 2010 alone and having won 1st place in almost every style of dance represented at CSC! Born in Colombia, Natalia grew up dancing Salsa and Merengue. As she puts it, "I never went to a party where people didn't know how to partner dance until I came to Canada!" Luckily, as soon as Natalia arrived in Canada, she discovered swing dancing, rising quickly to become one of Canada's top swing dancers. While her first swing love is Lindy Hop, she's developed a sweet spot for Blues, West Coast Swing, Charleston, Shag and Balboa. In short: everything swing!
Coach and choreographer for every Swing Dynamite team except for the D-Boyz, Natalia began her career as a choreographer in Colombia, where her song and dance routines won dozens of 1st place prizes. She also won 1st place in her provincial cheerleading championships, making her a natural for swing acrobatics! Not only is she a Lindy Hop champion, she's been seen performing on stage with the National Arts Centre Orchestra at the NAC, at the Casino du Lac Leamy, on TV with Rogers and ATV, as well as numerous other performances!
- Swing Dynamite's Dynamite Girls — Coach and Choreographer 2007-present: the Dynamite Girls took home 2nd place at the Canadian Swing Championships in 2007 and then again in 2010!
- Swing Dynamite's TNTeam — Coach and Choreographer 2007-present: TNTeam placed 5th at the Canadian Championships in 2007, and again in 2009 competing against 16 other teams!
- Swing Dynamite's Rhythm Blasters — Coach and Choreographer 2009-present
- 1st place, Blues — Canadian Swing Championships 2010
- 1st place, Solo Blues — Canadian Swing Championships 2010
- 1st place, West Coast Swing Advanced Jack 'n Jill — Canadian Swing Championships 2010
- 1st place, West Coast Swing Strictly — Canadian Swing Championships 2010
- 1st place, Balboa Strictly — Canadian Swing Championships 2010
- 1st place, Balboa Jack 'n Jill — Canadian Swing Championships 2010
- 1st place, Advanced Balboa Jack 'n Jill — Montreal Balboa Revue 2010
- 1st place, Int WCS Strictly — Toronto Open Swing/Hustle Championships 2010
- 1st place, Int WCS Jack 'n Jill — Toronto Open Swing/Hustle Championships 2010
- 1st place, Advanced Jack 'n Jill — Canadian Swing Championships 2008
- 1st place, Triple Dance Challenge Toronto Open Swing Dance Championships 2008
- 1st place, Strictly Lindy Toronto Open Swing Dance Championships 2008
- 1st place, Advanced Jack 'n Jill — Canadian Swing Championships 2007
- 2nd place, Cabaret — Canadian Swing Championships 2010
- 2nd place, Advanced/All Star Lindy Hop Jack 'n Jill — Swingin' New England 2009
- 2nd place, Blues — Canadian Swing Championships 2007
- 2nd place, Cabaret — Canadian Swing Championships 2007
- 2nd place, Lindy Hop Open Jack 'n Jill — Canadian Swing Championships 2006
- 3rd place, West Coast Swing Novice Jack 'n Jill — Canadian Swing Championships 2009
- 3rd place, West Coast Swing Novice Jack 'n Jill — Swing Niagara 2009
- 3rd place, Advanced Lindy Hop Jack 'n Jill Toronto Open Swing Dance Championships 2008
- 3rd place, Canadian Showcase — Canadian Swing Championships 2008
- 3rd place, Blues — Canadian Swing Championships 2008
- 3rd place, Open West Coast Swing Jack 'n Jill — Canadian Swing Championships 2008
- 3rd place, Canadian Showcase — Canadian Swing Championships 2007
- Attitude Prize — Canadian Swing Championships 2006
- The Swing Dynamite Team Challenge — Coach and Choreographer - 2006
- The Elgin St. Stompers — Choreographer and performer - 2006.
- The Topsy Girls — Coach and Choreographer for this group that performed at the OSDS 7th Anniversary party in front of over 350 guests - 2006.
- Pie à la Mode — Dancer: Described by dancer Heather Horak as "a turning point for the Ottawa scene... simply fabulous!" - 2005
As a teacher, Natalia's known for her positive energy and her ability to inspire her students to push themselves. Students appreciate how Natalia's precise feedback helps them learn, and they rave about how her enthusiastic encouragement makes it all worthwhile. Natalia's taught a wide range of ages, including children and teens aged 7-17, in groups as large as over 200 people!
Natalia's been invited to teach at a number of major events:
- The Quebec Swing Rendez-Vous (QSRV) 2009, one of Canada's and North America's biggest swing dance events (Quebec City, QC)
- Montreal Bagels and Blues 2009, Montreal's popular blues dance event (Quebec City, QC)
- Followlogie 2008 (Quebec City, QC), Canada's popular annual event devoted to inspiring and teaching female swing dancers. Natalia was invited as a panelist to inspire and discuss the perspectives of female swing dancers.
- The Quebec Swing Rendez-Vous (QSRV) 2008 (Quebec City, QC)
- Queen's Swing Club (2007) (Kingston, ON)
- Swing Explosion (2006 & 2007) (Ottawa, ON)
- The Blues Fuse 2007 & 2008 (Ottawa, ON)
- The Ottawa Swing Dance Society (Ottawa, ON)
- St. Pius X High School (Ottawa, ON)
- Bell High School (Ottawa, ON)
Natalia speaks English and Spanish fluently, and she's working on her French!
Olivier Henchiri
Teacher and Coach
"The O-Train"
Coach of Swing Dynamite's Rhythm Blasters team, Olivier co-choreographed the very first routine that Swing Dynamite ever performed. "O-Train" Henchiri has been known in Ottawa for years for his innovative Charleston moves that have inspired his Rhythm Blasters choreographies as well as his social dancing. Since 2002 he's done an enormous amount of travelling to social dance at major swing events across North America, which has helped to fuel his passion for the dance and his creativity on the dance floor. His dance students love his sense of humour, his knowledge and precision when he explains technique, and the way his passion for social swing dancing makes classes fun.
As co-founder of the University of Ottawa Swing Club (SwingUO) in 2003, he was responsible for a major expansion of Ottawa's swing dancing community. Olivier is also a classically-trained cello player specializing in Baroque music, and a dedicated member of the Ottawa Baroque Consort ensemble. He also loves to play jazz, and his musical talents are obvious in his swing dancing. As he puts it modestly, "so I know where the one is," but his powerful musicality is obvious in his dancing and choreographies.
With his natural style, easy smile and music background, Olivier is a natural for performance, competition and choreography. Some of his credits include:
- Swing Dynamite Rhythm Blasters: Coach and choreographer - 2007 to present
- 1st place, WCS Newcomer Jack 'n Jill — Boston Tea Party 2009
- 1st place, Jack 'n Jill — Boston Tea Party 2008
- 1st place, Advanced Jack 'n Jill — NYDE 2006
- 2nd place, Balboa Jack 'n Jill Balboa Explosion 2009
- 2nd place, Triple Dance Challenge Toronto Open Swing Dance Championships 2008
- 2nd place, WCS Open Jack 'n Jill — Canadian Swing Championships 2008
- 2nd place, Strictly Lindy — NYDE 2006
- 4th place, WCS Novice Jack 'n Jill Toronto Open Swing Dance Championships 2009
- 4th place, Just Do It — Canadian Swing Championships 2008
- Prix Cool Cat — Canadian Swing Championships 2007
- NAC Pops Concert Series with the National Arts Centre Orchestra - 2007
- Casino du Lac Leamy Performance - 2007
- Impressions in Jazz Orchestra Performance - 2007
- RÉSAFF Show - 2007
- Elgin St. Stompers troupe: Choreographer and performer - 2006
Before joining the Swing Dynamite teaching crew, Olivier began his teacher career at the University of Ottawa swing club. In addition to his regular classes at Swing Dynamite, Olivier's teaching credits include:
- The Ottawa Swing Dance Society (Ottawa, ON)
- Swing Explosion (2006 & 2007) (Ottawa, ON)
- Queen's Swing Club (2007) (Kingston, ON)
- Tokyo, Japan
Olivier speaks French and English fluently, as well as some Spanish!
Dave Ward
Dave 'The Kid'
Teacher
Dave's the perfect synthesis of fun and perfectionism. Known for his friendly smile and easy-going attitude, his talent and determination have taken him far in just four years of dancing! In 2008 alone he took first places at the Canadian Swing Championships (Jack 'n Jill division), the Toronto Open Swing Dance Championships, and Ottawa's own Swing Explosion Jack 'n Jill. In that same year he took home top three placements in West Coast Swing and Lindy Hop in other events including Swing Niagara.
An extremely versatile dancer, Dave has been a member of most of the Swing Dynamite teams: TNTeam, the D-Boyz, the Rhythm Blasters, and the Westie Bombers, of which he was a founding member! His competition and performance credits include:
- 1st place, Advanced/All Star Lindy Jack 'n Jill — Swingin' New England 2009
- 1st place, Advanced WCS Strictly — Toronto Open Swing/Hustle Championships 2010
- 1st place, Intermediate WCS Strictly — CASH Bash 2009
- 1st place, Team Division (with Swing Dynamite's Westie Bombers) — Swing Niagara 2009
- 1st place, Open Lindy Hop Jack 'n Jill — Canadian Swing Championships 2008
- 1st place, Lindy Hop Jack 'n Jill — Swing Explosion 2008
- 1st place, Level II WCS Jack 'n Jill — Twosome Dance 2009
- 2nd place, West Coast Swing Advanced Jack 'n Jill — Canadian Swing Championships 2010
- 2nd place, Advanced WCS Jack 'n Jill — Toronto Open Swing/Hustle Championships 2010
- 2nd place, Strictly West Coast Swing — Canadian Swing Championships 2010
- 2nd place, Jitterbug Contest Swing Explosion 2009
- 2nd place, Jack 'n Jill — Canadian Shag Dance Championships 2009
- 2nd place, WCS Jack 'n Jill — Ottawa John Lindo Weekend 2008
- 2nd place, Team — Swing Niagara 2008
- 3rd place, Advanced WCS Jack 'n Jill — Toronto Open Swing/Hustle Championships 2010
- 3rd place, Strictly Blues — Canadian Swing Championships 2010
- 3rd place, Intermediate WCS Jack 'n Jill — CASH Bash 2009
- 3rd place, Strictly Blues Canadian Swing Championships 2009
- 3rd place, Triple Dance Challenge Toronto Open Swing Dance Championships 2008
- 4th place, Balboa Strictly Canadian Balboa Championships 2009
- Finalist, Advanced Jack 'n Jill — Canadian Swing Championships 2010
As a teacher, Dave's known for his smile and enthusiasm as well as his attention to detail, which he's shared while teaching at a number of different places and events in addition to regular Swing Dynamite classes:
- Swing Dynamite (Ottawa, ON) - Teacher 2008-present
- WCS:Infinity and Beyond 2009
- Zero to Hero 2009
- Zero to Hero 2008
- The Boathouse, Ottawa's popular summer swing dance (Ottawa, ON)
- Saturday Night Swing (Ottawa, ON) - 2008-present
- The University of Waterloo, where he was also a member of the swing club executive (Waterloo, ON)
- The University of Ottawa Swing Club (Ottawa, ON)
In addition to his swing addiction, Dave has explored some hip hop, jazz, and tango.
Bill Ewanick
Teacher/Assistant Coach
As one of Swing Dynamite's top dancers, Bill is a member of three Swing Dynamite teams, two of which he also helps to coach: the explosive TNTeam, the badass D-Boyz, and the Atomic Crew. In 2007 Bill took both the Hardcore and the Attitude awards at the Canadian Swing Championships, only to return in 2008 to take top three placement at both the Canadian Swing Championships and the American Lindy Hop Championships! He's performed with Swing Dynamite at many events for clients including the National Arts Centre Orchestra, the Canadian War Museum, the Bytowne Museum, and the city of Gatineau, as well as with the teams at CSC and ALHC. In addition to teaching and performing with Swing Dynamite, Bill was also the founder and President/Teacher of Carleton Swing Dance Club. Bill believes that in swing, having fun always comes first... and speed and attitude are part of what makes it fun!
A highly competitive dancer in Lindy Hop, Bill is also one of Canada's top Shag dancers. He's won some impressive awards:
- 1st place, Jitterbug Contest (Strictly Lindy) — Swing Explosion 2009
- 1st place, Blues Jack 'n Jill — Blues Blast 2009
- 1st place, Jack 'n Jill — Lindy Bomb 2009
- 3rd place, Cabaret — Canadian Swing Championships 2010
- 3rd place, Jack 'n Jill — Boston Tea Party 2009
- 3rd place, Jack 'n Jill — American Lindy Hop Championships 2008
- 3rd place, Inter-Regional Challenge Canadian Swing Championships 2008
- 4th place, Fast Dance Canadian Swing Championships 2010
- 4th place, Jack 'n Jill — International Lindy Hop Championships 2008
- Hardcore Award Canadian Swing Championships 2007
- Attitude Award Canadian Swing Championships 2007
Known for his humourous, boisterous teaching style, Bill's taught swing at a number of events and venues:
- Swing Dynamite (Ottawa, ON) - Teacher 2008-present
- Zero to Hero 2009
- Zero to Hero 2008
- The Boathouse, Ottawa's popular summer swing dance (Ottawa, ON) 2008
- Saturday Night Swing (Ottawa, ON) - 2008-present
- Carleton Swing Club, (Ottawa, ON) Founder, and both president and teacher 2006-2008
Bill's all about being awesome, aggressive and... alliterative.
Gabrielle Desmarais
Teacher
Although currently Swing Dynamite's youngest teacher, Gabrielle is one of our most senior dancers. She won her first major competition award with the Dynamite Girls in 2007 at the Canadian Swing Championships, and ever since then she's been one of Ottawa's local stars! Gabrielle is also one of Ottawa's top Balboa dancers, having taken first place at the Canadian Swing Championships!
Gabrielle has a lot of impressive competition awards as well as performance experience, including:
- 1st place, West Coast Swing Novice Jack 'n Jill — Canadian Swing Championships 2010
- 1st Place, Blues Jack 'n Jill — Blues Blast 2010
- 1st place, Balboa Jack 'n Jill — Canadian Swing Championships 2008
- 1st place, Balboa Jack 'n Jill Balboa Explosion 2009
- 1st place, Lindy Hop Jack 'n Jill — Swing Explosion 2008
- 2nd place, West Coast Swing Novice Jack 'n Jill — Toronto Swing/Hustle Championships 2010
- 2nd place, Cabaret — Canadian Swing Championships 2010
- 2nd place, Lindy Hop Jack 'n Jill — Canadian Swing Championships 2009
- 2nd place, Lindy Hop Jack 'n Jill — Lindy Bomb 2009
- 2nd place, Cabaret — Canadian Swing Championships 2007
- 3rd place, Balboa Jack 'n Jill — Boston Tea Party 2010
- 4th place, Balboa Strictly Canadian Balboa Championships 2009
- Finalist, Balboa Jack 'n Jill — Canadian Swing Championships 2009
- Finalist, Cutting Contest — Blues Blast 2009
- Finalist, WCS Newcomer Jack 'n Jill — Boston Tea Party 2010
- Performances with the IJO at Billings Estate in July 2009
- Big Band Spring Gala - 2008
- Swing Explosion - 2008
- RÉSAFF Show - 2007
- Big Band Spring Gala - 2007
- Swing Explosion - 2007
Gabrielle's known for her friendly, easy-going teaching style, which she's refined teaching at a lot of local venues and events:
- Swing Dynamite - Teacher 2008-present
- Zero to Hero 2009
- Saturday Night Swing (Ottawa, ON) - 2008-present
- The Boathouse, Ottawa's popular summer swing dance (Ottawa, ON) 2008
- Zero to Hero 2008
Gabrielle speaks English, French and Spanish--which is her minor at the University of Ottawa.
Clare Hopkins
Teacher
Clare Bear
Clare has been a member of the Dynamite Girls, TNTeam and the Atomic Crew performance groups in Swing Dynamite, as well as president of the University of Ottawa's swing club, SwingUO. Drawing on her strong dance background including 12 years of ballet training, Clare is another rising star in the Ottawa swing scene, winning 3rd place at the Canadian Swing Championships.
Clare has some impressive competition awards and performances under her belt, including:
- 1st place, Cutting Contest — Blues Blast 2009
- 2nd place, Cabaret — Canadian Swing Championships 2010
- 2nd place, Inter-Regional Competition — Canadian Swing Championships 2009
- 3rd place, Jack 'n Jill — Canadian Swing Championships 2008
- Performances with the Impressions in Jazz Orchestra at Mackenzie King Estate August 2009
- With the IJO at Billings Estate in July 2008 and 2009
- Ottawa Gala 2009
- With the Dynamite Girls at Followlogie 2008
- With Big Band Caravane at the NAC, Ottawa Jazz Festival 2008
- Canadian War Museum fundraising gala in Fall 2007
Swing students love Clare's fun and encouraging attitude, and she draws on a variety of dance teaching and leadership experience:
- Swing Dynamite - Teacher and assistant coach 2007-present
- Carleton Swing - Teaching
- SwingUO - President 2008/2009
- SwingUO - VP Internal 2006/2007
- Assistant ballet teacher 2000-2005
As a Clare has also explored many other forms of dancing, including modern, jazz, hip-hop, Spanish, Irish, Highland and various other national dances.
Travis Matte
Teacher
Travis is one of Swing Dynamite's most senior members and one of Ottawa's most impressive dancers. He was a founding member of TNTeam and the Atomic Crew, starting with the very first Team Challenge in 2006 performing the "Shout 'n Feel It" choreography. As a university student, he discovered Youtube as a never-ending source of inspiration, and he admits to looking kind of silly copying moves in his living room. Still, with a growing collection of wins from the Canadian Swing Championships and a number of other competitions, it seems to be working! As a jazz musician and music teacher, he incorporates his love of playing jazz into his dancing to make his movements a living creation in the moment.
- 1st place, Strictly Balboa — Canadian Swing Championships 2010
- 1st place, Balboa Jack 'n Jill — Canadian Swing Championships 2010
- 1st place, Balboa Jack 'n Jill — Canadian Swing Championships 2009
- 1st place, Balboa Jack 'n Jill Balboa Explosion 2009
- 1st place, Balboa Couples Balboa Explosion 2009
- 1st place, Inter-Regional Challenge Canadian Swing Championships 2008
- 2nd place, Charleston Challenge Canadian Swing Championships 2009
- 3rd place, Fast Competition — Quebec Swing Rendez-Vous 2008
- 3rd place, Slow Competition, — Quebec Swing Rendez-Vous 2008
- 4th place, Strictly Balboa — Montreal Baloba Revue 2010
- Finalist, Advanced Jack 'n Jill — Canadian Swing Championships 2010
- Finalist, Advanced Jack 'n Jill — Canadian Swing Championships 2009
- Finalist, Advanced Jack 'n Jill — Canadian Swing Championships 2008
- Finalist, Jack 'n Jill — American Lindy Hop Championships 2007
- Finalist, Jack 'n Jill — Quebec Swing Rendez-Vous 2008
- Finalist, Shag Jack 'n Jill Shag Explosion 2008
In addition to swing, Travis has been teaching guitar for many years, giving him a wealth of teaching methods that have easily translated to swing instruction. He's taught at many local venues and events:
- Zero to Hero Balboa 2010 (Ottawa, ON)
- Swing Dynamite (Ottawa, ON) - Teacher 2008-present
- Zero to Hero 2008
- The Boathouse, Ottawa's popular summer swing dance (Ottawa, ON) 2008
- Saturday Night Swing (Ottawa, ON) - 2008-present
Particularly in love with Lindy Hop, Blues, Charleston and Balboa, Travis aims to make every dance a comfortable, and--most of all--fun experience.
Sari Zelenietz
Teacher
Power Girl
In Swing Dynamite, Sari is known for her ability to make things happen, whether it's teaching, performing, or coaching. She's a senior member of the Dynamite Girls, an assistant coach for the acrobatic Lindy Hop team TNTeam, and a founding member of the Westie Bombers, which makes her one of Ottawa's most versatile dancers. Her friendly attitude makes her fun to learn from, and her analytical eye and ability to break things down really help demystify the dance experience! Ironically, Sari didn't enjoy her first dance experiences: as a kid she hated ballet so much she'd hide when it was time for lessons (although she says she really liked the outfit!) She's since discovered a love of swing dancing, including Lindy Hop, West Coast Swing, Balboa and Charleston!
Sari's competition awards show her versatility in mastering Lindy Hop, West Coast Swing and Balboa. Some of her past competition wins and major performances have included:
- 1st place, Jack 'n Jill — Lindy Bomb 2009
- 1st place, Team Division (with Swing Dynamite's Westie Bombers) — Swing Niagara 2009
- 2nd place, Cabaret — Canadian Swing Championships 2010
- 2nd place, Strictly Balboa — Balboa Explosion 2009
- 2nd place, Team — Swing Niagara 2008
- 3rd place, WCS Newcomer Jack 'n Jill — Canadian Swing Championships 2009
- 4th place, Fast Dance Canadian Swing Championships 2010
- 4th place, Lindy Hop Jack 'n Jill — Canadian Swing Championships 2009
- Performed live on stage with the the National Arts Centre Orchestra for the Pops Concert Series - 2010
- Performances with the Impressions in Jazz Orchestra at Mackenzie King Estate in 2008 and 2009
- With the IJO at Billings Estate in July 2008 and 2009
- Ottawa Gala 2009
- With the Dynamite Girls at Followlogie 2008
- A Channel News TV Performance 2008
Sari's swing teaching and leadership experience include:
- Swing Dynamite - Teacher and assistant coach 2008-present
- SwingUO - Teaching 2006-2007
Alec Mills
Teacher
In September 2002, Alec tentatively handed $10 for a membership to the Queen's Swing Club. The club rep said "It's the best $10 you'll ever spend." More than 7 years later, Alec has now logged over 2000 hours dancing, teaching and loving swing with no end in sight. Having taught and trained teachers at both McGill and Queen's Universities, he is known for inspiring dancers of all levels to feel and express music in new and exciting ways.
In the little time he spends outside of swing, he makes a living watching you with satellites.
He's danced with the following teams:
- Swing Dynamite's TNTeam
- Swing Dynamite's D-Boyz
- Swing Dynamite's Westie Bombers
- Swinging Air Force Patrol
- Balboa ConneXion
- ConneXion Crew
- SCX Big Apple Dancers
- Frisky Whiskers (As Coach and Choreographer)
- McGill Swing Kids (As Coach and Choreographer)
- Swinger's Dozen (As Coach and Choreographer)
He's also won the following awards:
- 2nd place Univerity Team Challenge, TUX, 2008 with the Frisky Whiskers (as choreographer and coach)
- 2nd place Strictly Balboa, Balboa Explosion 2009
- 2nd place, CSC Pro-Am 2007 Canadian Swing Championships
- 2nd place, CSC Open Jack and Jill 2006 Canadian Swing Championships
- 3rd place, Cabaret — Canadian Swing Championships 2010
- 4th place, CSC Team Division 2008 with Balboa Connexion
- 5th place CSC Team Division 2009 with TNTeam
- 3rd place CSC Cabaret 2006 with Swinger's dozen (as choreographer and coach)
- 3rd place Jitterbug contest, Petit Medley, 2005
- 4th place Showcase, Balboa Revue, Montreal 2009
He's been an invited instructor at the following events:
- Two guys, a Girl and a Pizza Party workshop, Kingston 2009
- MusiCamp Alberta, 2004, 2006, 2007
- T&A workshop, Kingston, 2007
- Dancing in the Park, Calgary, 2007
Alec has also been asked to perform at events across Canada:
- Dancing in the Park, Calgary, 2007
- Swing into Spring Dance -Watertown, New York - 2004
- The Ultimate Jam, Montreal Smackdown, 2006
- Exposure! at Queen's University, 2006
- MusiCamp Alberta, 2006, 2007
- A Tribute to Benny Goodman at the Ottawa NAC, 2009 (with TNTeam)
- Swing l'ete, Montreal, 2008 (With les Mecs du Swing Connexion)
- Balboa Rendez-vous in San Diego, 2008 (with Balboa Connexion)
- Billings Estate with the Impressions in Jazz Orechetra, 2009 (with Swing Dynamite)
- NCC Gatineau Park with the Impressions in Jazz Orechetra, 2009 (with Swing Dynamite)
- McGill Undergraduate Cancer Research Fund 15th Annual Charity Ball,
- 2008 (with the Frisky Whiskers)
- Swing Out Tonight: Le spectacle de la SAF. Montreal, 2008 (With the Swinging Air Force)
- McGill International Education Week, 2007 (with the McGill Swing Kids)
- McGill School of Computer Science Christmas Party (with Cat's Corner)
- Frontenac Big Band Dance, Kingston, 2006
Pauline West
Teacher
Pauline is a real Swing Dynamite success story: she started with our very first Swing I class at Swing Dynamite, and only months later joined the Dynamite Girls to earn a silver medal at the Canadian Swing Championships in 2007! Now one of the most senior Swing Dynamite members, she's now president of the Carleton Swing Club where she teaches classes Swing club as well as with Swing Dynamite. You may well have taken classes with her already at Saturday Night Swing! Pauline loves Lindy Hop, Solo Charleston, Balboa and Blues, and she's now exploring West Coast Swing!
Known as just as strong in her solo Charleston and Blues as she is in her partnered dancing, some of Pauline's dance credits include:
- 2nd place, Cabaret — Canadian Swing Championships 2010
- 2nd place, Cutting Contest — Blues Blast 2009
- 2nd place, Cabaret — Canadian Swing Championships 2007
- Performances with the Impressions in Jazz Orchestra at Mackenzie King Estate August 2009
- With the IJO at Billings Estate in July 2008 and 2009
- Ottawa Gala 2009
- Canadian War Museum fundraising gala in Fall 2007
Pauline is known for her energy when she teaches, and she's acquired a lot of dance teaching and leadership experience in just a few years:
- Swing Dynamite - Teacher 2008-present
- Carleton Swing - Teacher 2007-present
- Carleton Swing - President 2008/2009
- Saturday Night Swing (Ottawa, ON) - 2008-present
Laura Smith
Teacher
A recent import from Kingston, Laura already had quite a bit of swing teaching experience even before joining Swing Dynamite! She was Dance Instruction Co-ordinator for the Queen's Swing Club in 2007-2008, where she developed the overall teaching strategy for the club that year, including training and evaluating new teachers.
In addition to her strong teaching background, Laura's showcased her dancing ability in a number of contests:
- 1st place, Jitterbug Contest (Strictly Lindy) — Swing Explosion 2009
- 1st place Univerity Team Challenge, TUX, 2008 with the Swinger's Dozen
- 2nd place, Cabaret — Canadian Swing Championships 2010
- 2nd place, "Dancing with Props" contest, Swing Dynamite workshop for the Queen's Swing Club, 2008.
- Finalist, Lindy Hop Jack 'n Jill — Canadian Swing Championships 2010
- Finalist, Lindy Hop Jack 'n Jill — Canadian Swing Championships 2009
- Finalist, Lindy Hop Jack 'n Jill — Canadian Swing Championships 2007
- Performed live on stage with the the National Arts Centre Orchestra for the Pops Concert Series - 2010
- Performance with the Impressions in Jazz Orchestra at Billings Estate in July 2009
- Performed at Ottawa Gala 2009
- Performed at Exposure! show at Queen's University, 2006
Laura's swing teaching and leadership experience include:
- Swing Dynamite - Teacher 2009-present
- Queen's Swing Club - Dance Instruction Co-ordinator 2007-2008
- Queen's Swing Club - Coach, Beginner Troupe 2007-2008
- Queen's Swing Club - Teacher 2005-2008
Scott Piffard
Teacher
Scott feels that he was somehow born in the wrong era--and that swing dancing is probably the best way he can connect with some of those good old-fashioned sensibilities. Scott's swing dancing story started and continues with his obsession with trying new things. He began dancing with the Carleton Swing Club and soon jumped into Shag dancing with Shag Explosion. After joining Swing Dynamite with the Lindy Hop team, the Rhythm Blasters, he's since trained with TNTeam, and began dabbling with West Coast Swing only to also join our Westie Bombers team! Lately he's become positively ecstatic about dancing the Hustle.Teaching and leadership experience:
- Swing Dynamite since 2009
- Zero to Hero Workshop 2009
- Carleton Swing Dance Club, Exec Member 2008-2009
Scott's been seen dancing around town! Some of his performance and competition experiences include:
- 1st place, Team Division (with Swing Dynamite's Westie Bombers) — Swing Niagara 2009
- 3rd place, Cabaret — Canadian Swing Championships 2010
- 4th Place WCS Newcomer Jack 'n Jill – Swing Niagara 2009
- 4th Place, Jitterbug Contest (Strictly Lindy) — Swing Explosion 2009
- Performances at the National Arts Centre for the Pops Concert Series - 2010
- Performances with the Impressions in Jazz Orchestra (IJO) at Mackenzie King Estate in 2009
- With the IJO at Billings Estate in July, 2009
- Ottawa Gala 2009
- NAC as part of the Rideau River Festival, At Le Cafe, 2009
- Kissmas 2008 & 2009
Guest Teachers
While they no longer teach regular classes at Swing Dynamite, we're lucky to periodically bring in these guest teachers for special classes!
Maria Ford
Guest Teacher
Maria has danced since she could walk. She trained in contemporary jazz, tap and ballet for 13 years, as well as gymnastics and synchronized swimming. She holds 17 provincial dance competition medals, including gold and silver places for solo jazz work. Recently Maria has been adding WCS medals to her list, with a collection of wins from Swing Niagara, the Toronto Open Swing Dance Championships, CASH Bash and many others. Together with her partner André she's been enjoying travelling to WCS competitions to compete and dance. Maria was the original coach of Ottawa's first competitive WCS team, the Westie Bombers, from 2008-2009!
André Danis
Old Skool!
Guest Teacher
In his 40s, André decided he wanted to "discover his inner rhythm": that's when he started dancing West Coast Swing, and André quickly made up for lost time to become a strong and creative West Coast Swing leader, winning top three placement at competitions including the Canadian Swing Championships, Swing Niagara and CASH Bash. He brings exceptional musicality, a flair for choreography, and martial arts training to his dancing. That and some occasional screwball comedy, guaranteed to loosen you up for dancing! André coached Ottawa's first competitive WCS team, the Westie Bombers, from 2008-2009!
