Julie Roman – Phoenix, AZ
Julie Roman – Julie Roman is a Phoenix-based artist. As a classically trained concert pianist/vocalist with a former career as a certified music educator, she is passionate about pursuing excellence and spreading a love for the arts. While she studies as many jazz dances as she can, Julie is madly in love with collegiate shag (and flying air steps). She has taught at, judged, and won contests at shag events such as the Warsaw Shag Festival, the Barcelona Shag Festival, Hot Jazz Jamboree, Camp Hollywood, Swingin’ by the Sound, the LA Shag Festival, and Hot Rhythm Holiday. Julie is an active contributor and learner in many global and local jazz dance communities. She has a passion for helping people hit their goals and creating spaces where people are encouraged to discover what they are fully capable of…whether that’s comfortable and safe social dancing, community growth, personal growth, contest dancing, performance, fitness, or anything else dance has to offer.
Jacob Spinney – Phoenix, AZ
Jacob Spinney – Known by his friends as “Spinney,” Jacob Spinney began swing dancing socially after graduating high school in 2004 and by 2015 he turned that hobby into a full blown obsession. Having placed and won in several notable state and national contests, Spinney’s love for swing dancing has helped him create a unique style focused on creativity and expressiveness. Jacob has also performed in, choreographed for, and taught in several award-winning teams over the years. What he enjoys most is syncopation, tension and compression, slides, and being a goofball. He drinks a Roy Rogers, easy on the ice, extra cherries.
Sean and Andria Johnson – Phoenix, AZ
Sean & Andria Bio: Andria and Sean both began their artistic journeys in classical dance, theater, and music from a young age. Sean discovered Lindy Hop in 2007, with Andria following suit in 2011. For over a decade, they have been active in the Phoenix Valley, both social dancing and teaching. While their greatest passion is Lindy Hop, they also excel in other vernacular jazz dance styles, such as Charleston and Balboa. Their dedication extends to a deep study of jazz dance history from the 1920s through the 1950s. In 2018, Andria won the Amateur Social Dance competition at The Northwest Lindy Hop Championships. Sean has competed at the Advanced and All-Star levels, earning titles from renowned events including the International Lindy Hop Championships, Lindy Focus, Inspiration Weekend, Northwest Lindy Hop Championships, and The National Jitterbug Championships. Andria and Sean’s primary goal is to spread the love and joy of swing dancing, jazz history, and culture. Nothing brings them greater happiness than connecting with friends and newcomers alike on the social floor.
Chiadi – Phoenix, AZ
Chiadi – Chiadikaobi Njoku (Chiadi) from Arochukwu Local Government, Abia State, Nigeria . I am from Igbo tribe which is located in the southeastern part of Nigeria . I started dancing as a kid with Anglican Children ministry performing at my local Church and my school in Gombe state Nigeria. I am constantly learning how to embody different rhythms with the igbo music and Jazz . I have three dance philosophies, Be on beat , have fun and don’t hurt your partner . Dance makes you alive , the dance floor has this exchange of energy where you put something on the floor and it gives something back to you . When I am not dancing, I like reading books and collecting antique books . “ Dance enables you to find yourself and loose your self at the same time “ -unknown Comps : 2023 Lindy Focus New Comers Mix and Match Winner , 2024 ILHC Open Mix and Match Winner , 2nd place in 2024 all Lithuanian open Mix and Match, 2024 Lindy Focus Strictly Winner
Amy – Phoenix, AZ
Amy – Amylene has been dancing since 2016, starting at the UCI Swing club. She quickly fell in love with the dance and dance community. She found herself in leadership for the club, and continued to dance and contribute to the community after graduating. She’s enjoyed competing at dance events and loved teaching at local venues and events in San Diego. Now after recently having moved to Arizona, she looks forward to sharing her values of respect for history and the legacy of the dance, follower autonomy, conversation, and play
Mishu – Phoenix, AZ
Mishu – Mishu is a transplant from Southern California who has been dancing since 2013 and formerly ran the local “Fast Feet Thursdays” here in Tempe! His dancing draws from his passion in Musicality, Connection, Movement, and finally embodying the “Spirit” of dance across whatever styles he explores. Mishu has a PhD in Physics and conducts research on quantum magnetic sensing technology. Outside of dance he is often gaming, watching anime, reading manga, or diving in thick math and physics textbooks. He is always willing to say ‘yes!’ to a dance or practice together so please ask him!