Not sure how to practice something you learned in a class? Need a little extra help with nailing that dance routine? Want to figure out an exercise to improve your dance skills? Set aside some time at Focus to work with our team of practice coaches.
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Giavanna Is excited to join the performance coaching staff this year! Giavanna started dancing in 2019 at Groove Juice Swing in Rochester, NY and has had a love of solo Jazz dance since 2020. She currently teaches Lindy Hop & Solo Jazz classes in Philadelphia. Giavanna values vulnerability, rhythm and feeling the music while dancing.
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Helen Garfinkle is a swing dancer and teacher living in San Francisco. She loves crisp rhythms, classic moves, and dancing that feels good. You can usually find her near the DJ booth doing three swingouts and a circle!
Her favorite style of jazz is Swing! What do you want me to say?!
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After nearly a decade in the #MidwestIsBest brigade, he now finds himself in Oakland, CA where he can be found enjoying long walks on the beach, sunsets over the bay, doing a little dance and getting nerdy about it.
He is excited to return as a Blues Practice Coach, and is looking forward to helping others with their dance goals!
His favorite style of jazz is SLOW.
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Her favorite style of jazz is chamber jazz.
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Lauren is excited to be returning as a practice coach this year! She has been dancing Lindy and Blues for over a decade and has taught in various scenes across the U.S. and Latin America. She loves helping newer dancers feel expressive, playful, and confident in their movement. Lauren’s home scene is Philadelphia, PA.
Her favorite style of jazz is Solo jazz and Lindy Hop.
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Maxwell Ramirez (he/him) is a Lindy Hopper from the San Francisco Bay Area who's been dancing since 2012. He loves rhythm, songs with almost too much saxophone, and dances that feel even better than they look.
His favorite style of jazz is Basie/Ellington/Goodman/associated sidemen small group stuff.
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Tom is excited to be a performance coach this year! From his musical theater days in high school and college to his choreography experience in recent years, Tom is excited to share his performance experience with everyone.
His favorite style of jazz is Straight-ahead.
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Will's a dancer from Charleston, SC that enjoys reading up on the history of Swing and Jazz in the Carolinas.
His favorite dance thing to practice are his dance faces.
