Instructors


	Sarah Riddle Ballroom Dancing, Casino Rueda, Cha Cha, Latin Styling, Merengue, Salsa, Wedding Dance, Zydeco Sarah Riddle has been an active member in Portland's salsa dance scene since 1997. As co-director of Sabor Latino Dance Company, Sarah has performed in events ranging from International Salsa conventions (L.A. Salsa Congress 2002, 2003, 2004 and Toronto Salsa-Web 2000), nonprofit fundraisers (Multnomah County Library, Perry Center Auction...etc.), commercial programs (Liz Claiborne, Fred Meyer, Camel), and three full length dance concerts (Hollywood Theater, Dolores Winningstad Theater...Continue Reading
	Melissa Roane Vintage Swing Melissa studied tap, jazz, and hip-hop before falling in love with Lindy Hop, and she fell hard. The music, fashion, dancing, and even the movies of the 1930s and 40s are a huge part of her life and really inspire her style. She began learning Lindy Hop in 1999 in the Washington, DC area, and danced socially three to four times a week. As the trend in swing was leaning toward a smoother version of Lindy Hop known as Hollywood, she learned some of this styling from international champions...Continue Reading
	Beto Guimaraes Afro-Brazilian Samba Beto Guimaraes was born in the historic town of Olinda (UNESCO heritage City),in the northeast of Brazil. Olinda is known worldwide for its vibrant carnaval which welcomes the hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over the world who come to participate in this one of a kind cultural celebration of dance and rhythm. For the past 15 years Beto has been dedicated to the study, performance, and teaching of comteporary Brazilian Dance on a local, national, and international level. ...Continue Reading
	Carrie Whipple Argentine Tango It was while still in high school that Carrie taught her first dance class . . . to a group of energetic 9 year olds wearing exciting tap shoes. Predictably, it was a complete disaster. Rising to the challenge, she learned over the years to teach many different dance forms (Argentine tango, Swing, Blues, and Salsa) with simple explanations, playful exploration, and a friendly sense of humor. Since becoming captivated by the intense beauty of Argentine Tango in 2001, Carrie has led...Continue Reading
	Bill Alsup Argentine Tango Bill started obsessively pursuing tango in 1997, and has studied with dozens of Argentine tango masters, some of them several times. Bill's dancing is reknowned for its creative and playful musicality, due in no small part to his two decades as a professional French hornist. He hosts the weekly Sunday Afternoon Practica at the Viscount Dance Studios, started in 2000, Bill is also active as a tango DJ, having played music at events in Eugene, Bend, Ashland, Seattle, and in Mexico...Continue Reading
	Chris Jones Hustle, West Coast Swing (WCS) Chris has been dancing since 1980. He has competed and taught extensively on the national country and swing dance circuits. He is a U. S. Open Swing Dance Championships finalist and a Country Western Grand Champion as well as winner of numerous Jack and Jill Championships. Chris judged the first Country Western World Championship in Nashville, Tennessee. He also owned and operated the popular Southern California dance studio, Dance Magic. While living in California, he was nominated for...Continue Reading
	Selena Bekakis Burlesque Cabaret, Hip Hop After nearly ten years of teaching, Selena's passion and excitement for sharing dance remains fierce. As a long time Hip Hop insturctor, Selena believes that giving students the fundamentals of counting, basic movement and choreography through repetition strengthens not only the early dancers' skills, but their confidence as well. She understands that learning a new dance can be awkward at first , which is why she makes sure there is plenty of laughing, joking...Continue Reading
	Sushmita Modi Bhangra, Bollywood Sushmita Modi is the founder and creative director of Portland’s first Bollywood Dance School Bollywood Movez since 2007. She hails from the city of Kolkata, India, and has formal training in Bharatnatyam (Indian Classical) and Indian Folk Dance. She has participated and won numerous awards for her dance routines in India. “Dancing is my passion,” Sushmita says. “I believe that everyone has a dancer in them and a person’s willingness and effort to dance helps...Continue Reading
	Zighala Zurah ("Ziggy") Belly Dancing The old saying - “If you can walk, you can dance…” - rings true to Bellydance instructor, Zighala Zurah (but we call her Ziggy!). She began formal dance training at the age of 4 years old with Scottish Highland Dancing, then moved into Irish dancing, Ballroom, Latin dance, Argentine Tango, Hip-Hop, and many others. Ziggy found her true dance passion in Belly Dance in 2005 and has been...Continue Reading
	Guy Wallman Vintage Swing While Guy learned the basics of Swing in Los Angeles he is Oregon born and raised. He has performed with The Swingline Cubs and has been teaching in Portland since 1998. Guy has won awards in numerous dance competitions and has appeared in a music video for a local Swing band. Guy has brought his unique style to the Portland area and has taught and danced socially at among other places, The Crystal Ballroom, The Temple Ballroom, Berbati's Pan and The Viscount Ballroom. Guy has also...Continue Reading
	Janine Tebeau-Jemerson & Roland Jemerson Zydeco Zydeco is the blues and dance music of the French Speaking Creoles of Southwest Louisiana. Zydeco music and dancing is hot and fun! No longer just isolated in the southwest regions of Louisiana and Texas, this hot and infectious music and dance has reached around the world. The Pacific Northwest is no exception, the music and dancing has found a home. For over eight years Roland Jemerson and Janine Tebeau-Jemerson have been dancing their style of Zydeco across Oregon and Washington. They...Continue Reading
	Eric Zimmer Dancer's Workout Eric is active in Portland’s dance and theatre community as a fitness trainer, dance teacher, choreographer and performer. His extensive training in Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Musical Theater and Ballroom gives him a unique ability to showcase diverse dance styles and combine forms to create new “...Continue Reading