Instructors
Anthony Chen & Irina Amzashvili (Lindy Hop)
Dancing has always been a passion for Irina, her expression completely and boundlessly inspired by music. She began learning Lindy Hop at the age of 15 and fell in love with it after her first night of social dancing. Since then, her passion for Swing dancing expanded to include solo Jazz, Balboa, and Collegiate Shag.
Since her start in Lindy Hop in 2009, Irina has competed and taught across the U.S. as well as Europe, Asia, and Australia. As a teacher her goal is to patiently guide her students through building solid foundation and technique as well as inspiring unique and personal movement and rhythm. Irina’s greatest joy as a teacher is to see her students progress with their dancing, no matter the increment. |
Beginning with his more traditional roots, Anthony started dancing at age 8 when his parents convinced him to learn and perform Chinese lion dances. At age 15 he was introduced to breakdancing at a speech and debate tournament, and shortly thereafter he found his home in the local swing community in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he quickly fell in love with Lindy Hop. Throughout his dancing career he has trained in several other styles from hip-hop to Argentine Tango to West Coast, but most of all he enjoys using this background to expand upon his technique and creativity in Lindy Hop. On the social dance floor, he is known to be playful, musical, and clear. He holds first place titles from events such as Lindyfest and Lone Star Championships, Montreal Swing Riot, Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown, Lindy Focus, and International Lindy Hop Championships. His teaching style focuses on energy, technique and connection theory, and his love of both leading and following has been instrumental to making the classes that he teaches both clear and intuitive. He is an active scene builder in his community and founded Salt Lake Swing, where he also teaches locally. |
Stephanie Le Pollotec & Jean-Christophe Recht (Balboa)
Stephanie & JC have starting learning Balboa in France and used to practice relentlessly in any place they could - including at a subway station. When they moved to Bangkok 6 years ago, they helped grow the Balboa scene and have organized Bangkok Balboa Blast for the past four years, bringing in renowned international Balboa instructors to South East Asia. They have competed and placed in international competitions, most recently at Asia Balboa Classic in 2016 and Korea Balboa Weekend in 2017. They have welcomed a baby boy a year ago and we are excited to welcome them at the event to help spread the joy of Balboa.
Stephanie & JC have starting learning Balboa in France and used to practice relentlessly in any place they could - including at a subway station. When they moved to Bangkok 6 years ago, they helped grow the Balboa scene and have organized Bangkok Balboa Blast for the past four years, bringing in renowned international Balboa instructors to South East Asia. They have competed and placed in international competitions, most recently at Asia Balboa Classic in 2016 and Korea Balboa Weekend in 2017. They have welcomed a baby boy a year ago and we are excited to welcome them at the event to help spread the joy of Balboa.