Dance with Joel P.

For local San Diegans - there is no one more traveled than Joel. His experience with so many different dance communities is what sets his classes & dances apart. Know that the material you learn can be utilized anywhere you go dancing in the world. He is 100% committed to Swing Era dancing and shares the rich history of the dances in every class he teaches specially the Hang Ten Hopper program. Joel P. began his swing dance career in the summer of 1998 on a date in Chicago. He learned very quickly from countless workshops and non-stop dancing and brought his skills to Cleveland, OH. Joel taught swing full-time out in Cleveland, OH for 4 years (1999-2002) and started Get Hep Swing, LTD. He co-created the very first All Balboa Weekend with Valerie Salstrom (June 2001). He moved to San Diego in 2002, started productions and taught all over the world with Alison Scola. Joel continues to travel the globe sharing his love of Swing dancing teaching with many amazing partners. Joel has a high quality, energetic approach to the dance that makes every lesson with him and any partner a blast. As a regular teacher at major events all over the world, his down to earth, enthusiastic attitude is contagious. He has taught all over the US (32 states and counting) as well as Australia, Canada, England, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, New Caledonia, Scotland and Sweden. In 2011, Joel was inducted into the Camp Hollywood Hall of Fame. He has a full knowledge of various styles from years of study that he shares in his instruction of Balboa, Lindy, Charleston, Collegiate Shag, Jazz Movement, and Pre-Swing dances (Texas Tommy, One Step, etc) To 'preserve' a dance, you must understand the technique and characteristic fundamentals of that dance. For a dance to 'evolve', you must be open to everyone adding creative elements to that dance. Joel encourages students to study and be open to “differences” so that they can make the dance their own. He embodies these qualities in his instruction and dancing while remembering the true reason we dance - for fun! *** Lesson Details *** Any level of dancer welcome - especially beginners! We can focus on any of the individual Swing Era genres or work on a bit of each. wedding dance? No problem, let's pick a great song and get you on the way to looking fantastic for your first dance Impress that girl or guy? Again, no problem - Joel's down to earth teaching style will have you moving after just one lesson to get them out on the floor after that, it's up to you to Practice, Practice, Practice at any of our many dances in town. *** Specialties *** Lindy Hop, Jitterbug, Balboa, Blues, Collegiate Shag, St Louis Shag, Aerials, Vernacular Jazz Movement, Choreography, Wedding Dances