Invitational Competitors

Defending Champions

Bianca Yaghoobi

Bio:
  • Bianca discovered swing dancing in 2019 in Davis, inspired by a performance from the Midtown Stompers, and quickly immersed herself in the Sacramento dance scene.
  • A lifelong fan of jazz and swing music, she found a new way to express herself through dance, particularly enjoying Collegiate Shag and Balboa.
  • Now based in Los Angeles, Bianca has competed in national and international events, winning multiple contests.

Ian Dawson

Bio:
  • Ian Dawson entered the world of Swing Dance through his passion for vintage clothing and jazz music, discovering dance at the Cat’s Corner in San Francisco.
  • He has contributed to Shag scenes in multiple cities, competed globally, and taught workshops across the US, emphasizing improvisation, rhythm, and connection.
  • Ian is excited to share his love for dance, fostering a sense of community and enjoyment in the swing dancing experience.

Collegiate Shag and Balboa Competitors

Cami Asher

Bio:
  • Cami Asher is a California-based dancer obsessed with Balboa since 2016. Achieving successes at top events on both the National and International such as Cal Bal, Camp Hollywood an European Bal fest.
  • While most would consider her a switch dancer, she finds herself never actually switching – always mentally being in both roles simultaneously.
  • As an instructor, Cami is known for fostering conversation, exploration, and inspiring others to push the bounds of Balboa.

Mark Soraci

Bio:
  • Mark Soraci is a Southern California-based swing dancer known for his high energy, silly facial expressions, musicality, and deep love of Collegiate Shag.
  • Mark has been taking the Shag world by storm with top-three finishes at Camp Hollywood, Hot Rhythm Holiday, and Shag Summer Camp.
  • He is especially drawn to exploring fun and unexpected transitions in and out of classic patterns and has enjoyed experimenting with dynamic ways to incorporate air steps.

Juanita Dickhaus

Bio:
  •  Juanita fell in love with music and dancing at a young age, but balboa was the first partner dance to steal her heart.
  • She has  placed in national and international competitions, in addition to being a volunteer, teacher, and organizer.
  • With a diverse and technical background, she constantly seeks different ways to move, think, and communicate for different people. She loves diving deep into connection and body mechanics.

Jacob Spinney

Bio:
  • Known by his friends as "Spinney," Jacob Spinney has been obsessed with swing dancing for well over a decade.
  • Spinney’s love for swing dancing has helped him create a unique style focused on creativity and expressiveness.
  • Jacob enjoys sharing his passion for swing dancing, doing slides, and being a goofball.

Sam Chan

Bio: Coming Soon

Grace Durant

Bio: 
  • Grace was first introduced to swing dancing in 2009 when she instantly fell in love. She has been dancing, competing, and teaching ever since.
  • As an instructor, Grace loves seeing people grow through dance and finds joy in empowering her students as they learn.
  • With a focus on connection, she teaches versatile techniques that help dancers express themselves freely and dance confidently with anyone.

Bios in Instructor Page

Julie Roman

Haily Holt

Hannah Manning

Jonathan Ng