Kevin & Jo

Kevin St. Laurent is internationally recognized for his energy and innovation as a Lindy Hop dancer, instructor, performer and choreographer..  His creativity on the dance floor stems from a command of musicality and partner connection, features of his dance that make him such an engaging performer, and his priorities in both improvisation and choreography.  As an instructor, he concentrates on the technique of these elements at all levels, teaching his students the ability to adapt the style of their dance to that of the music and to create a dynamic dance with their partner.  Kevin's energy and focus on fun are a constant backdrop to all of his work.

Although Jo Hoffberg calls California her home, she spends most of the year traveling with her dance partner Kevin St. Laurent. She holds 1st place titles from the US Open, Canadian Swing Championships, Camp Hollywood, American Lindy Hop Championships, and Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown. Her first international working experience was in Japan working for Universal Studios, and since then she has taught in the US, Asia, Australia, South America, Western and Eastern Europe. Currently performing with The Killer Dillers, she is thrilled at the idea of new costumes. She is a passionate and avid dancer, instructor and competitor.

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Joel & Dominique

JOEL PLYS began his swing dance career in the summer of 1998 on a date in Chicago.
Joel taught swing full-time out in Cleveland, OH for 4 years (1999-2002) and started Get Hep Swing, LTD
He co-created the very first All Balboa Weekend with Valerie Salstrom (June 2001)
He moved to San Diego in 2002 and travels the globe sharing his love of Swing dancing.

Joel has a high quality, energetic approach to the dance that makes every lesson with him and any partner a blast!
As a regular teacher at major events all over the world, his down to earth, enthusiastic attitude is contagious.
He has taught all over the US (24 states and counting) as well as Australia, Canada,
England, France, Germany, Hungary, Scotland and Sweden. 

He has a full knowledge of various styles from years of study that he shares in his instruction of Balboa,
Lindy, Charleston, Collegiate Shag, Jazz Movement, and Pre-Swing dances (Texas Tommy, One Step, etc)

To 'preserve' a dance, you must understand the technique and characteristic fundamentals of that dance.
For a dance to 'evolve', you must be open to everyone adding creative elements to that dance.
Joel encourages students to study and be open to “differences” so that they can make the dance their own.

He embodies these qualities in his instruction and dancing while remembering the true reason we dance - for FUN!

Dominique Blouin (Quebec City) has been teaching dance for the past nine years.  Having studied several dance disciplines including salsa, flamenco, lindy hop, charleston and balboa, she is much sought after as an instructor and is recognized among the top dancers for her sense of style and grace on the dance floor.

She began competing in balboa for two years and has already made a name for herself, placing first in the Eastern Balboa Championships as well as placing 2nd at Camp Hollywood's National Jitterbug Championships and the Canadian Swing Championships.   A versatile and dedicated social dancer, Dominique has also shown her ability by makig the finals of the Balboa Rendezvous and the All Balboa Weekend within her first 8 months of learning the dance.