Lisa Boucher
I began dancing as a child standing on my father’s feet. Social dancing was a regular activity in my large, musical family. I studied ballet, jazz and tap through my teens and continued dancing as an adult in jazz/lyrical styles. I am also a musician and vocalist and bring a deep understanding of rhythms and musical styles to both my dancing and teaching.
In 2010, I discovered Cross-Step Waltz and Night Club 2-Step and was hooked on partner dancing. In 2011, I found my passion in both Ballroom Dance and West Coast Swing and immersed myself in group classes, workshops and private lessons. To deepen my knowledge and further develop my skills as a dancer and instructor, I joined a teacher training program in 2012, studying the DVIDA Syllabus. I have earned both the DVIDA Rhythm & Smooth Professional Certifications. I also train and compete in International Standard Ballroom and perform regularly with my dance partner, Rick Davis.
I bring my boundless energy and enthusiasm to the dance floor. I particularly enjoy working with new dancers as they develop their skills and confidence. There is always that moment for new dancers when they realize they ARE dancers, and it is so rewarding and inspiring to witness that moment and see the joy on their faces as they move around the dance floor!
Joy Davina
Joy is an accomplished dancer and performer, and travels nationally and internationally each year to broaden her horizons.
She continues to study dance, improve her teaching methods, perform, choreograph and teach on a daily basis. She has a passion for social dancing and her teaching style is fun, creative and supportive while inspiring students to think outside the box.
Accomplishments:
Apprentice with Zenon Dance Company
Toured and performed with Minneapolis Children’s Theater Company
Performer with Beyond Ballroom Dance Company
Puerto Rico Salsa Congress performer & choreographer
Miss Minnesota Pageant choreographer
WCS competitor and performer
Founder, Social Dance Studio
503 997-4567
Joydavina@socialdancestudio.com
Sandy Ninh
Sandy discovered her passion for Argentine Tango during her freshman year of college after taking several different partner dancing classes. She was mesmerized with the precise technique as well as the beautiful little nuances of the dance expressed through the music and positions. She exclusively studied Tango for 2 years before taking a break to focus on her studies. Now that she's done with graduate school, she's back to pursing her first love of Argentine Tango with the opportunity to delve deeper into this amazing art form as a teacher
BRIDGE CITY TANGO
(858) 205-9832
Lee Sobo
I have been dancing Tango for over 18 years and my journey into this dance has been transformational.
I began dancing at a ballroom studio many years ago. In fact, I met my wife at a Practice Party and got married a few years later. However, with two little children to raise, I didn't dance for over 10 years while my children grew up. I started dancing, once again, while taking the entire family line dancing.
An anniversary gift of lessons brought me back to the ballroom dance world, and eventually to Tango, studying first with Susan Lake and then at El Mundo del Tango with Ive Simard. After many years as a student and avid participant, I participated in the Argentine Tango Master's Association (ATMA) teacher's programs, and graduated several years later.
What began as a love of the tango has become a passion that I love to share. Tango means something different to each of us.the beauty of the music, the freedom of expression, a sense of community. The true joy is in being able to express the music with another human. They say that "You don't find Tango, Tango finds you!" The expression has never been more true in my case
I am a Fellow (Gold Level) of the ATMA. I am blessed with an excellent memory and a desire to master the dance. As such, I bring a deep knowledge of patterns, and technique to my students.
I have been teaching Tango, Milonga and Vals for over 15 years and have taken instruction from some of the best instructors in the world. I have taught the Tango, Milonga, Vals, and Pecho syllabusses and, along with my wife, am the only instructors, other than Ive Simard, to teach a course in the Masters series.
BRIDGE CITY TANGO
(858) 205-9832
Linda Springstead
DanceWell’s owner/director and Master Instructor,
Linda Springstead has played a key role in the development of partner dancing as a sport, art form and healthful activity in the Portland area for almost 30 years.
Certified since 1988, Linda gives easy-to-understand and fun-filled instruction for both adults and children. Teaching both American and International dance styles as well as most social dances.
Many current Portland area instructors have been trained by Linda over the years, including top-level National and International coaches.
For more info, please visit: www.dancewellballroom.com
Susan Vandervlugt
When Susan Vandervlugt wasn’t tip-toeing through the tulips during her summers in Holland, she was twirling around the house practicing turns and social dancing for fun with her father and Grandfather, both of whom were amateur ballroom instructors in their small Dutch farming town. However, it wasn’t until her first year of college that Susan discovered the exciting world of competition ballroom dancing. Her talent and passion for dance blossomed while studying at Purdue University where she competed and trained on Purdue’s ballroom dance team for many years. As a citizen of both the US and the Netherlands, she has competed in high open levels of both International and American styles with a strong emphasis in International Latin for over 18 years. During which time, she has trained extensively with professional US Rhythm Champions and top Latin & Standard World Champions, choreographed and performed numerous dance shows in both the US and Europe, and has won numerous awards in competitions all over the US. After making the move to the Pacific Northwest, Susan founded Bridge City Ballroom Dance in 2015 and has been sharing her talent and passion with the wonderful people of the greater Portland - Vancouver metro areas ever since. With her Dutch roots at heart, she’s committed to providing a warm, welcoming environment for all in the dance community and feels strongly that quality instruction in a fun, easy-going atmosphere will significantly enhance the learning experience. With over a decade of professional teaching and event experience, Susan is sought after as an instructor for her bright, welcoming personality, her ability to teach detailed technique and break down complex patterns, and her ability to help her students reach their goals while igniting their own confidence and inner passion for dance.
Susan teaches Social, Show Dance, Competition dancing and choreography in both American and International styles of Ballroom & Latin, as well as nightclub dances- Hustle, West Coast Swing, Jitterbug, and Salsa. (Yes, even Polka!)
She also specializes in music production and instruction for special events and wedding dance instruction/choreography.
Eric Zimmer
Professional Dance Teacher / Competitor
Health & Fitness Specialist
Certified Medical Exercise Specialist
Eric’s dance background began in Ballet, Modern and Jazz. He has performed as a soloist and partner dancer since 1994. Eric and his wife, Jenica, currently travel and compete with their students in the UCWDC (United Country Western Dance Council) and are considered to be one of the top couples in the circuit.
Stay tuned about upcoming dance lessons at Ballroom Parkrose
*if you would like to learn about available dance styles or wish to inquire about private lessons with Eric, you can reach him directly at 503-869-7278 or via his website at www.ericzimmer.com