VISCOUNT DANCE STUDIOS INSTRUCTORS:

TIFFANY MATESKI SLOTTKE(Belly Dance):
Tiffany fell in love with Middle Eastern dance in 1995. She was attracted by the artistic expression, physical fitness, and elaborate costuming, that make up this exciting dance form. Tiffany is an active member in the Bellydance community and performs at many local venues. With her experience as a Licensed Massage Therapist, Tiffany brings her knowledge of the human body into the classroom. Encouraging safe and proper warm-up, and technique. Tiffany prides herself on dancing with energy and grace and encourages her students to do the same, while providing a fun and community oriented environment to learn in.
You also find Tiffany at her web site www.tiffanybellydancing.com

SELENA BEKAKIS: (Hip Hop) Selena has danced throughout her life, in love with the expression because of its highly independent and self-contained nature: no props,
no tools, just oneself. The enchantment she finds in dance inspires not only her choreography, but spills over into the rest of her life... "a thing like dance is best when you allow it to take over; let it have its way, let it consume you. the relationship that is generated is one that will be with you always."

After six years of teaching, Selena appreciates most the practice of remaining a student of her craft. "In order to continue teaching, I must continue to learn." She feels that, just as dance evolves, so too does the role of those who teach it. Most her weeknights are spent in the studio as a student of other choreographers and dance forms.

After many years on the Portland dance scene, Selena is ever-grateful to the dancers and choreographers who make the community. Many, many special thanks to Evie Graham who has had faith in Selena's ability, provided opportunity after opportunity to her, for all the love and support that Evie gives and has given to everyone she encounters.

CHRIS JONES: (West Coast Swing)
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 recognition by the California Swing Dance Hall of Fame. Because of his unique style, he has been affectionately called "No Bones Jones," and was very influential in the acceptance of West Coast Swing by the country dance community.

GEORGE CACERES (Salsa & Latin Dance):
George is one of Portland's true Salseros and Salsa pioneers. Originally from New York, he grew up in a family where dancing Salsa was as natural as learning how to walk. His smooth and unique style of Salsa is comprised of influences from New York, Los Angeles, Puerto Rico and the Cuban influence that he found in Portland when he arrived in 1994.

George is currently the Artistic Director of Sabor Latino Dance Company, Portland's premiere salsa dance company which has been representing Portland, Oregon on the international salsa scene with performances at the 2000 Salsaweb Convention in Toronto, Canada, the 2002, 2003 and 2004 World Salsa Congresses in Los Angeles, California and three full-length dance concerts in Portland and Salem.

George's dance instruction includes, Salsa, Mambo, Casino Rueda, Cha-Cha and Merengue. His focus is on making his partner the center of attention when dancing. His motto in Salsa is, "A couple should be like a rose. The man is the stem allowing the woman to bloom on the dance floor." If you ask anyone that has danced with George, the first thing they will tell you is how smooth he leads you across the dance floor. It's as if you are dancing on air.

SARAH RIDDLE (Salsa & Latin Dance & Studio Manager): 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, Chemeketa Community College Theater).

Sarah has been teaching salsa in Portland for five years; independently, at the Viscount Ballroom, with Viscount Studios, and through Sabor Latino events/workshops. With over fourteen years training in ballet, modern dance, and jazz, Sarah has a developed a unique style of salsa that has been described as 'Fossie meets Flamenco', but with a true mambo flair.

Having learned salsa from "native" salsa dancers, in combination with her own dance background, Sarah has a great appreciation for style variation, and the individuality of dance expression. She has also been a school teacher for nearly a decade which makes her an exceptional instructor for all learning types. For these reasons, her classes are fun, energetic, and non-intimidating for all levels!

GUY WALLMAN (Lindy Hop & Vintage Swing Dances): 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 performed with BoogieBack Productions Swing Dance Performance Troupe.

MELISSA ROANE : 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 Steve and Carla. Here
in Portland, Melissa zips across dance floors blending
smooth Lindy, East Coast swing, and balboa. She began
teaching in 2003 and has performed at various events
around town. If you're lucky, you may catch a glimpse
of her famous swivels.

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 have taught this dance for Cascade Zydeco around Oregon and at Portland State University. They have been featured dancers at both large and small events including the Waterfront Blues Festival. Their philosophy about teaching Zydeco is based on a strong foundation that advanced through intermediate, advanced and free style steps, but foremost, Zydeco should be fun! Janine and Roland are dedicated to furthering Zydeco’s popularity and having a great time with this hot dance from Louisiana.

Et Toi’!

KEVIN O'BRIEN (Lindy Hop & Vintage Swing Dances & Owner): A highly visible member of the Portland Swing Dancing community for the past 10 years, Kevin comes to the Viscount Dance Studios with a great deal to share. He served as Board President, choreographer and dancer with BoogieBack Productions and has traveled extensively during the past few decade in his pursuit for top notch Lindy Hop education and late night dancing. As a result, he has studied and danced with some of the world's most famous Lindy Hoppers.

A competitor as well as a performer, Kevin placed 3rd in the Northwest Regionals, Strictly Lindy division and 2nd at The Bridgetown Swing Boogie.

Kevin's other teaching experience comes from teaching Shotokan Karate and Physics while in graduate school.

ANN MARIE HATHAWAY (Lindy Hop & Vintage Swing Dances) : Studied Jazz with world famous Choreographer Michael Rooney in Santa Monica. She now performs with a multicultural dance troupe "Mythobolus", with modern dance troupe, "Nexus",and with "BoogieBack". She is Secretary of The Dance Coalition of Oregon, and performed in the 2005 Blue Sky Concerts, Featuring Northwest Choreographers.

In 2005 she was the featured dancer in a music video produced in the Portland area.

Ann Marie's style of Vintage Jazz is reminiscent of the "Golden Era" but with a "new twist".

She now teaches dance to children at Camp Willowbrook in Tualatin, Newberg High School, and Whitford School in Beaverton. Dance Instructor at "Madison High School of Portland", and
"Bolton Elementary School of West Linn"

Dance Competition:
2002 - Spokane, NW Regional, Lindy Hop Teams - 1st Place
2004 - Portland, Salsa, Jack and Jill - 2nd Place
2004 - Seattle, Lindy Hop, Jack and Jill - 3rd Place
2005 - Portland, Oaks Park, Lindy Hop - 1st Place

MEGAN PINGREE (Argentine Tango): Megan was studying ballroom and swing dancing when she unsuspectingly took the first Argentine Tango class ever offered at Clay Nelson's Dance Studio, about eight years ago. Having been among the initial wave of Portlanders to take an interest in the dance, she has enthusiastically studied in Seattle, LA, San Francisco, Boston and the Netherlands. Twice she has made the pilgrimage to Buenos Aires to take intensive "professional teacher" trainings. Megan has become one of Portland's most experienced, responsive, and "enabling" tango dancers. She has been teaching regularly (with other local teachers and solo) for several years, and was Clay Nelson's principal teaching and dance partner for two years, performing with him in "Tango Nights" at the Aladdin Theater in November 1999. She is often asked to partner visiting Argentine instructors. Particularly adept with multiple styles of tango, Megan has been influenced by a broad range of Argentines, including Luciana Valle, Julio Balmaceda and Corina de la Rosa, Lucia Mazer, Fabián Salas, Gustavo Naveira, Lorena Ermocida, Daniela Arcuri, Marcelo Solis, Fernanda Ghi, and Susana Miller. Megan's teaching emphasizes a comfortable connection between partners, good navigational skills, musical sensitivity and organic lead and follow.

BILL ALSUP (Argentine Tango): Bill has obsessively pursued tango for over five years and has studied with nearly three dozen visiting Argentine masters, some of them several times! He has been most influenced by Fabian Salas, Graciela Gonzalez, and
Susana Miller, and most inspired by Mariano "Chicho" Frumboli and Cecilia Gonzalez. Bill's two decades as a professional French hornist contribute to his awareness and interpretation of the music. He coordinates and is one of the teachers at the Sunday afternoon practica at Viscount Dance Studios.Bill has facilitated the local workshops of Argentine tango masters Graciela Gonzalez, Mariano "Chicho" Frúmboli, Cecilia Gonzalez, Jean-Sébastien Rampazzi, Brigitta Winkler, Rebecca Shulman, and Brooke Burdett. Along with Gillian Leichtling, Bill danced in six acclaimed performances of Jenny Levison's Yiddish tango show "Shtil, Mayn Corazon" in December, 2000.

Rashad Henry (Salsa) - Rashad first started salsa dancing in 1998. Quickly acquiring a deep
passion for the rhythms of Salsa and Latin Jazz he has been a regular in Portland's salsa scene ever since. Through hard work and persistence he has developed a smooth style, with an emphasis on subtle fluid body movements.

He is currently a member of Portland's premiere Salsa dance troupe, Sabor Latino Dance Company.

Beto Guimaraes (Samba) - Beto Guimaraes was born in the historic town of Olinda (UNESCO heritage City),in the northeast of Brazil. Olinda is worldwide known for its vibrant carnaval,and welcomesevery hundred of thousands of visitors from all over the world,that comes to participate in this one of a kind cultural celebration of dance an rhythms. For the past 15 years Beto has dedicated to the study,performance and teaching of comteporary Brazilian Dance,and hasperformed locally,Nationally and internationally. Beto have spaecial carnaval appearances in Rio de Janeiro,Salvador (Bahia),Recife and Olinda. Beto delivers his dance
instruction with contagious enthusiasm and caring for his students. His yearly workshops at the California Brasil Camp in Cazadero, California are a huge success and leave people exhausted and delight at the same time. Beto can bring together a variety of traditional Brazilian Dance rhythms such as: Samba,Samba reagee, Maracatu ,Samba de Roda, Coco de Roda, Frevo, Pagode and more...

Beto teaches private lessons,workshops and he is also available for performances. betoguimaraes.org

The following Guest Instructors also join us from time to time:

KRISTIN ALDRIDGE (Broadway Jazz & Jazz) - Kristen Aldridge hails from the East Coast, bursting at the seams with that Broadway flair! In the olden days (read: pre-3 kids) she was an avid singer-dancer-actor in Toronto, Montreal and New York. Back East, she has taught in a university setting and still provides choreography long distance to a tight-knit theatre troupe, The Essex Theatre Company, in New York. As a full-time working supermom, Kristen adores hip-hop, tap, jazz and technique, and mixes it all up for maximum style. She appreciates being part of an exciting atmosphere that emphasizes successful development of the individual, the persona, and ultimately, the dancer. She looks forward to bringing signature flashy jazz moves to the table, and having fun with those that are up for the challenge.

MIJA SANDERS: Mija is a dedicated instructor who prides herself her ability to greet students on the dance floor and provide fun relaxed classes for all dance levels.
Mija grew up studying ballet, modern, tap and jazz. She is an avid swing dancer of 5 years. When she is not dancing she can be found studying swing dance clips, painting on a canvass, or taking Middle East Studies classes full time at PSU. She plans to graduate in 2007.
During the summer of 2004 Mija took her dancing abroad enjoying classes at the world renound Herrang African-American Dance Camp in Sweden and teaching Lindy Hop in Ankara and Istanbul Turkey. Mija trained and performed with the national champion team Zah-Zu-Zay in Seattle where she learned about pushing the limits of speed and agility with her dancing. In 2003 she placed 1st in the American Lindy Hop Championships in the Pro/Am division, placed 1st in the Advanced Jack and Jill division of the Pacific North West Lindy hop Championships in 2004 and has placed highly in several other competitions throughout the NW.??
In the coming year she intends to compete nationally and hopes to attend Herrang African-American dance camp in Sweden once more.
On the weekends she runs a local swing dance company called SNAP! She hopes that this non-profit group of dancers will gain attention with spring debut performances in the local dance community.
This spring she will be choreographing a dance piece for the Dance Coalition of Oregon’s Blue Skies concert that will involve recreating dances from the Savoy Ballroom infused with modern expressions of movement.
When teaching dance, Mija encourages enthusiasm for improvisation, an eye for detail and the philosophy that dance is for fun and anyone can make it their own.