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WCS IS IN MY BLOOD

Arjay Centeno currently competes, judges, coaches, choreographs and teaches all over the world. He is amongst the top 5 male dancers in the swing circuit placing 3rd overall on the National Association of Swing Dance Events (NASDE) points. The NASDE tour consists of many participating events that award points to dancers for placing in high standings in Showcase and/or Classic routine divisions. Some of Arjay’s highlight winning dances include the 2009 Seattle Easter Swing Showcase division with Melissa Rutz, the Atlanta Grand Nationals Showcase division Champion with Melissa Rutz, first place at MadJam in the Invitational Jack and Jill with Tatiana Mollman, first place at Boogie by the Bay in the Champions Jack and Jill with Brandi Tobias, first place in Showcase and second place in Strictly with Sarah Vann Drake. Arjay recently teamed up with new partner Jennifer DeLuca, and the IHSC is excited to have these accomplished dancers teaching and performing together atthis year's event.
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Jennifer DeLuca began dancing at the age of five in ballet and jazz under the Royal Academy syllabus. She continued until the age of 13 when she was invited to join a college level ballroom dance team, competing and performing throughout Florida. She began learning and competing in West Coast Swing at the age of 15 - winning first place at her first national competition in the Intermediate level. Shortly thereafter, she was selected to perform as a featured dancer in the short film, "The Marionette." After completing her studies in hospitality, Jennifer started her own company, Floor On Fire, Inc. in Orlando at the age of 21. Floor On Fire held multiple annual contracts with area resorts for weekly ballroom dance classes for their guests, taught by one of three teachers on staff. Jennifer is currently performing, teaching and judging on the West Coast Swing circuit. She has placed second nationally with NASDE (National Association of Swing Dance Events) in 2007 and 2008. Jennifer also enjoys choreographing routines, teaching private lessons and workshops both domestically and abroad. In her spare time, she enjoys relaxing at home with her husband, Erik and their Yorkie named Lucy.
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Angel Figueroa, has received international acclaim for his performance, choreography, and dance instruction all over the U.S., Europe, and Japan. His choreography and dancing have been seen of film, video, television (most recently on All My Children), in print (Bridal Guide Magazine) and stage. Angel is an award winning competitor in Mambo, Hustle, West Coast Swing, Argentine Tango, and International Latin. He holds over 30 titles in American Style Rhythm including Ohio Star Ball Rising Star Division Champion. He has represented the United States at the World Cup in Switzerland. Angel is the 1998 ASDC, 1997 SOS Grand National, and the 1996 US Open Cabaret Champion.

Angel has been competing on the West Coast Swing circuit since 1999. Since then, he and his wife, Debbie, have won many major titles including the USA Grand Nationals, Dallas Dance, ASDC, and many others. Angel is also a top dancer in Invitational Strictly Swings and Jack and Jills. He has won the 2005 Invitational Jack and Jill competition at Swingtime in the Rockies in Denver, CO. He currently lives in Austin, TX and works teaching, judging, and preforming at events across the nation. Please visit his website at www.debbieandangel.com.
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John Lindo and Jessica Cox are two of the best-known west coast swing dancers in the world, and have garnered an astonishing number of awards and championship trophies between them. Among John's First Place competitive awards are the U.S. Open, Grand Nationals, and the coveted Phoenix Champion of Champions. Jessica has triumphed as a two-time US Open and four-time Grand Nationals Showcase Champion, and the coveted Phoenix Champion of Champions.

John & Jessica are both sought after domestically and internationally for their experience teaching and judging, and have been to more than a half-dozen countries this year alone to teach people how to swing. John resides in New Jersey, and is an influential presence in the New York City West Coast Swing scene. Jessica lives in California and is currently finishing her degree in Education.
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Erik & Anna Novoa (CT) Erik and Anna have worked hard to develop and maintain West Coast Swing and Hustle at some of New York City's major dance studios. Erik has been teaching and competing in Hustle and West Coast Swing since the mid 90's. He is a 2 time national Hustle champion and finalist on ABC's 2003 revival of Dance Fever. Erik has won 1st Place in the Professional Classic division at MADjam, Pacific Hustle & Salsa Dance Classic and Hustle USA in past years. He has extensive training in ballet, jazz, tap and musical theater. Anna uses the discipline of classical ballet with the creativity of partner dancing. She trained and performed with Minnesota Dance Theatre & School and Minnetonka Dance Theatre. She has also competed in ballroom and Latin while at University of Wisconsin-Madison. They are recent newlyweds and now reside in Connecticut. _________________________________

Cindy-Lee Overton & Hugo Miguez, Cindy-Lee is the owner and senior teacher of 1st Danz - a dance studio/club located in Ft. Myers FL. The studio specializes in excellent instruction for the social floor for the novice dancer, coaching for competitive dancers, teacher training and Pro/Ams for the new competitor. Hugo Miguez is the top male teacher at 1st Danz. Both Cindy-Lee & Hugo have extensive training in Ballroom, Latin, Argentine Tango and Swing. They are competitors on the National Swing circuit. Cindy-Lee’s career started as a jazz/ballet/tap dancer who could sing. She spent twenty years in the NYC musical theatre. She has vocal 2 CDs with her Jazz Band, has been nominated for the NYC MAC awards for vocal performance and she was a resident member of the Light Opera of Manhattan. Cindy-Lee is a member of Actors Equity - the professional actors Union. Hugo hails from Hialeah, FL. Hugo started his dance career in Hip Hop and dancing with Salsa Fever in Miami, Fl. Hugo has also taught for DanceTown and Fred Astaire Studios. Cindy-Lee and Hugo bring their passion for dance to their teaching and are proof that dance is for the young and young at heart! They are delighted to be a part of IHSC and look forward to a terrific weekend.
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Robert & Nicola Royston, She started her career as a NY actor, singer, dancer working with the Oasis Theatre Company in NYC, with appearances on ABC’s “All My Children”, and in National Tours. of Musicals. He started his career as a competitive Country and Swing dancer, winning many World and US Open titles before dancing on Broadway. He is also a UCWDC Hall of Fame member.

Together they compete, teach and judge all over the world and are USA Grand National Cabaret Champions, US National Cabaret Champions, Many Time Showcase Swing Champions, Top 5 NASDE finishers, Div 1 Country Grand Champions, UCWDC Star Award winners, Champion Strictly Swing and Jack n Jill dancers, and 2011 UCWDC World Champions in the Showtime Division.

They have performed on stage’s in NYC like Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, Broadway’s Palace Theatre, and Queens Theatre in the Park, on television shows, The Today Show, NY1, ABC’s Country Music Association Awards Show, and on film in “Love n’ Dancing”. They have also worked with artists like Brooks and Dunn, Rascal Flatts, Carrie Underwood, Kellie Pickler, SugarLand, Taylor Swift and Champion Ice Dancers The Kerr’s.

Robert’s Choreography can also be seen on film in “Crank 2 High Voltage” Starring Jason Statham and Amy Smart, and “Gamer” Starring Gerard Butler and Michael C. Hall, for Taylor Swift’s music video “Love Story”, CMT 2009 Video of the Year, and on her 2009 World Tour, and most recently the opening medley of the Academy of Country Music Awards on CBS.

He has also produced stage, film and TV. Creating commercial work for many other swing and country dancers! But above all Nicola and Robert love being parents!!!
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Tybaldt & Hazel Ulrich teach, choreograph, judge, and compete on the West Coast Swing and Hustle circuits. They teach group classes in New Jersey and New York, and have a combined teaching experience of over 25 years. With an emphasis on partnering essentials, they bring joy and confidence to your dancing, whether through patterns basic or advanced, complex or elegant, with groove and flow throughout. Together they will help you understand the fundamentals and add a creative edge to your Swing and Hustle dancing. As Competitors, Hazel and Tybaldt Ulrich are 2 time World Hustle Champions, and have each won Invitational Jack and Jills in WCS and Hustle, Often placing high in WCS Classic, Hustle, Cabaret, and Triple Threat (hustle/salsa/WCS) divisions. As Performers, Tybaldt and Hazel are known for their versatility, bringing power and subtlety to many dances, and showcasing regional varieties of swing- West Coast Swing, Carolina Shag, Lindy Hop, Texas Whip/Push, and Balboa to convey the richness and depth of American partner dancing.