Instructors

 

Mikey & Nikki

 

Since 1998, Mikey Pedroza has been dedicated to the understanding and preservation of classical American Jazz dances such as, Charleston, Lindy Hop, Balboa, Slow Drag (Blues) and Solo Jazz. Hailing from Orange County, California, he passionately developed his own perfect blend of powerful movement and classic grace with a hard edged and playful style which is evident each time he steps onto the floor. Such dedication and originality has earned him numerous awards at national dance competitions as well as opened avenues for teaching and performing.

 

The same passion and energy Mikey exudes on the floor, he brings to students around the world. And as an instructor, he encourages his students to be self-expressive and creative while establishing a strong understanding of connection, lead/follow technique, frame, body awareness and mechanics. By building a good technical base, students are then free to develop their own personalized style with confidence. Mikey hopes that by sharing his love and knowledge of these dances with others, that they too will find joy in this classical American art form.

 

Nikki Marvin is a woman of many talents. Wife, mother, and ATOMIC Ballroom owner by day, Champion Lindy Hopper by night. Nikki travels the country teaching, performing and competing with her partner Mikey Pedroza. Together they hold winnings from: National Jitterbug Championships, US Open Swing Dance Championships, Boston Tea Party, Camp Jitterbug, Swing in the Colony, Lindy and Party Weekend, Rhythmic Arts Festival, Reno Dance Sensation, California Girl Jam and may other local competitions. In 2007, Nikki was a featured performer on ABC's hit show Dancing with the Stars. Nikki is also a prominent member of one of the largest Swing Dance scenes in the country. She is an organizer of the Orange County Swing Dance Club, 24 Hour Cancer Dance-a-thon, Inspiration Weekend, and founding member of the all female dance troupe the ATOMIC Cherry Bombs.

 

MIKE & LAURA

Mike Roberts has been dancing Lindy Hop and associated dances including Charleston, East Coast Swing and Blues since 2000. He started teaching locally in 2001 and has been teaching on an international level since 2008. Over the years, Mike has traveled the United States and Europe attending workshops and competitions, honing his craft. Mike now regularly manages the monumental undertaking of being both an international dance instructor and a full time worker. His wife is very impressed with him

 

Laura Glaess bumped into Lindy Hop, Swing, and Jazz in San Antonio while at Trinity University. She learned her first swing out from Mike Lenneville and Lani Steffens and, since then, has been dedicating every spare moment (and dollar) to learning more about this amazing dance. She has taught in Canada, France, Estonia, Australia, New Zealand and throughout the US.

 

Currently, Mike & Laura share a teaching company, The Lindy Project with Scott Angelius, where they teach Lindy, Swing and Blues to the Austin locals. They go out to dance most nights of the week, and pimp Austin out to whoever will listen.

 

Click here to learn more about Mike & Laura.

 

ANDREW & KAREN

Karen Turman was first seen on stage at age 9 performing a tap dance to Lollipop in a striped leotard and has been dancing ever since. She discovered Lindy Hop during the Swing craze in 1998 and has never looked back. Karen has since been having an amazing time performing and teaching in the US and Europe--she has won some stuff at competitions too, but she is most honored to have received the first ever Spirit of Lindy Hop award at both Camp Jitterbug in Seattle, WA (2005) and the International Lindy Hop Championships in Washington, DC (2010-with Andrew Thigpen). Karen originally honed her dance skills in Minneapolis, MN and now currently resides in Santa Barbara, CA (when she's not in her favorite place on earth, Paris).

 

Andrew Thigpen was first exposed to the Lindy Hop back in 1998 but didn’t actually develop rhythm until booty dancing in college. Since 2005, Andrew has developed a uniquely energetic style of Swing dancing with a focus on fun and just making things work. His only hope is to share his love of the dance and the energy it brings forth with as many people as possible.

 

Andrew and Karen are basically the same person except Karen likes unicorns and rainbows while Andrew likes dragons and beer. All they want to do is dance the Lindy Hop and make each other laugh. Having fun is awesome. They hope you like awesome too.