P. O. Box 97459, Phoenix, Arizona 85060, United States 425-512-2168
Starting on Thursday!! July 3 rd, 2024
Welcome to The Phoenix Fourth of July!
As one of the longest running West Coast Swing Conventions, we strive to honor the traditions of where west coast swing originated and bridge to what it will become. Year after year, it continues to be “Where Legends are Made”. Held in a fabulous 5 star resort, the J.W. Marriott Camelback Inn, which graces the base of beautiful Mummy Mountain in Paradise Valley and it is the first choice for a luxury resort. They completed the all new Paradise Ballroom. This is where the main events take place. Comments included, "It was the best ballroom with the best vibe I've seen."
Top champions join together to teach, compete, entertain and amaze us. We offer a fun learning environment for juniors while offering the best in late night dancing for our other dancers - lots of social dancing for everyone.
The highest standard of excellence is maintained by our dance competitors and judging panel for all our competitive divisions: Champion, Jack & Jill, and the ever-popular Generational Strictly Swing and All American Hi-Lo. We have added a Switchly Strictly and if you didn't know it we are degendered. We are proud to be a WSDC event for 40 years - please join us!
Phoenix 4th of July
CONVENTION STAFF, Instructors and Champions
Returning as MC is Robert Royston
Robert is internationally renowned for bringing his wealth of knowledge, charisma, experience, and talent to any project in which he has a role.
Robert has won everything possible in the world of Swing including several US Open swing titles. Robert is a Champion performer, instructor, choreographer. His west coast swing intensive is definitely not to be missed. Additionally he has won the Country World Championships five times. Robert has performed on Broadway and is one of the original creators of the Off Off Broadway hit Swango.
Always a crowd favorite, Robert continues to MC, compete and perform at competitions worldwide, his first love.
Benji Schwimmer
Benjamin "Benji" Daniel Schwimmer is an American professional dancer, choreographer and actor. On August 16, 2006 he was announced as the winner of the second season of So You Think You Can Dance.
14 time undefeated Modern World Swing Champion. He is the only dancer in the world to have world titles in solo, partner and group dance divisions.
Founder of D.E.A.M.A.N.D. (Dancers Everywhere Making A Needed Difference.
Schwimmer knows the power of dance first hand - how dance can heal and celebrate the milestones of life. He is the co-owner of The Dance Center, a space created to help each student reach their highest potential while enhancing interest and emphasizing the importance of dance and physical literacy.
Michael Kielbasa
Michael has been inducted into the California Hall of Fame.
Michael has been training and dancing for the past 20 years, in most styles of Partner Dancing. As one of the top Master Instructors, Michael has been traveling, teaching and performing not only in the United States but in countries like Canada, France, Germany, Russia, United Kingdom, Brazil and Australia. He is known for his instruction, choreography, unique style, approach and quality. Michael is dedicated to the growth of all Dance, its recognition as a sport and exciting social activity for everyone to enjoy!
P J Turner
P J is from Knoxville, TN. If you have seen PJ at a dance event you know that he is one of the most approachable pros in the business. He always wears a backwards hat and a big cheesy grin, he may talk a little funny, but he’s down to earth, dances with everyone, is always animated on the floor, and brings a smile to your face with his southern charm. These are some of the reasons that he is one of the most sought-after pros!! His classes are always super fun with his BOOM MOMENTS so always be prepared for him to scare the pee out of you! LOL.
In 2015, PJ quit his job and commenced dancing professionally full time. It’s a decision he has never regretted. PJ loves dancing and is extremely passionate about teaching and social dancing. Now PJ travels all over the world teaching, judging, performing, competing, and always learning! Despite his rigorous travel schedule, PJ NEVER forgot that the most important thing is family. He has an AMAZINGLY SUPPORTIVE FAMILY that is his rock and cheers him on. If you see PJ out at an event, don’t ever hesitate, just ask him to dance. His motto is and will always be: Just make her smile!!!
Glenn Ball
Born in the UK now based in Texas with his champion dancer wife, Susan Kirklin. Glenn has been a top Champion for many years.
When in Phoenix he impressed the local dancers and quickly became a favorite instructor. We are happy to have him on staff for 2025.
There is so much I could say about Glenn and his carreer. I'll let you eplore more on his website. https://www.glennballcreative.com/
Glenn has been very happy to be. part of his community and being involved with the Dancing With The Stars Austin shows this committment. This is the biggest dance party of the year — filled with competition, philanthropy, and exhilarating entertainment. Glenn is very proud to help grow the largest fundraiser benefiting the Center for Child Protection and raise millions of dollars for the community’s most vulnerable children.
Laureen Baldovi
Laureen Baldovi has won 8 US Open Swing titles in the Classic (1995), Superstar (1996, 1997), Showtime Invitational (1998), Teams (1993, 1994 & 1996), and Showcase (2003) Divisions. She retired from UCWDC competitions in 1999 and moved to New York City to dance in a Broadway show called ‘Swing!’ until 2001.
The California Swing Dance Hall of Fame awarded Laureen the Nova Star in 1998, the Rising Star in 2002, the Shining Star in 2016, and in 2014, she was induced into the World Swing Dance Council’s Hall of Fame. In January, 2015, the UCWDC inducted Laureen into their first Legends of Country Dance category, and in 2016, they inducted her into their Hall of Fame.
Jesse Lopez & Ariel Peck
Jesse Lopez has developed a Language of dance. Teaching this enables any dancer to feel confident to enter the dance floor to dance with anyone.
Kyle Redd & Sarah Vann Drake
As a partnership, they have been teaching, competing, performing, judging and choreographing all over the world for 12 years. They are the only couple to hold a US Open Swing Dance Championship title in both the “Showcase” and “Classic” Divisions.
This innovative couple love what they do and it shows every time they step on the floor.
They have performed 24 West Coast Swing Routines all over the world and are constantly driving to evolve style while strengthening technique.
Kyle and Sarah are best known for their ability to teach their innovative style while preserving the fundamental roots of West Coast Swing.
Stacy Kay & Hugo Miguez
We believe in community and how a tribe of confidence surrounding us can empower us to do things we never thought possible.
We believe in connection, the kind that allows you to feel someone’s heart, someone choices, someone's passion, through one subtle movement. In the waiting, an energy builds between two people and it’s building up to the incredible visual display of emotions that tells a story.
Philippe and Flore Berne
Philippe and Flore Coming from two different backgrounds :
Philippe comes from the competition world and Flore from the world of social dancing (Boogie-Woogie, Swing, Salsa, West Coast Swing,...), which adds a lot of flow and style to their dancestyle, since the beginning of their partnership in 2009.
In 2013, they set their newest challenge: share their passion with the world and move to Montreal , Canada.
With this decision, they had the opportunity to dance more West Coast Swing. Since 2013, the became Champion and they placed 2nd at the Open 2019 in Showcase division.
They also did a lot of Ballroom, and represented several times the Canada at the World Ten Dance Championships.
Since they moved to Canada, things evolved and their community has grown a lot. They are today co-director of the dance school Studio 88 Swing/ Évolution Swing and co-director of the event Montreal Westie Fest. They invite you to come visit them in Montreal.
Tashina Beckman
Tashina began dancing at 2 years old. She had a professional international dance career for 13 years when she began her empowerment and soon was helping other to overcome their obstacles as well. Tashina recently provided a Free Confident Dancer Blueprint - Master Class. Tashina has many accolades to her name but she finds it more rewarding in coaching and helping others.
Nick King
Nicholas started his love of dance at Chico State University. After being involved in Hip Hop and Steppin, he found himself involved in Ballroom, where he was introduced to West Coast Swing and other various styles of dance. His 1st competition at Boogie by the Bay in 2003 reaffirmed that his love of dance would soon become his passion. Nicholas quickly rose through the ranks in West Coast Swing & has also competed in Showcase and Classic. He enjoys teaching and dancing domestically & internationally. Nicholas has a reputation of being one of the most enjoyable people to watch and dance with on a social dance floor. He always seems to make time to dance with everyone, and his love of dance truly shows through his smile and musicality on the floor.
Jung Won Choe
Jung started west coast swing in 1997 in Chicago. He went back to Korea to build up the Korean community there 2007-2014. Jung came back to DC in 2018 and started competing as an All Star. Jung is a professional dancer and teacher now competing as a Champion. He is a local favorite. We are so excited to have Jung back at Phoenix 4th of July 2024.
Melissa Rutz
Melissa Rutz began her training at age four at Star Dance Studio in San Francisco. Three years later, she found herself at the prestigious SAN FRANCISCO BALLET SCHOOL for seven years under the direction of Lola DeAvila. While at SFB School, Melissa studied classical ballet, and performed in various performances with San Francisco Ballet. From there, Melissa desired to expand her dance education and soon found herself at the Metronome Ballroom studying two of her favorite dance forms: swing, with champion LINDY HOP instructor Sharon Ashe, and THEATER ARTS ADAGIO with coach, and World Champion adagio cabaret dancer, Tom Slater. Under Tom’s wing, she won the 1998 title of United States Pro-Am Theatre Arts Adagio Champion.
While studying Lindy Hop for three years, Melissa dabbled in the social West Coast Swing scene. It wasn’t long before she found an intense passion for WCS due to the versatility of the dance and the music. Currently, Melissa teaches, competes, judges, choreographs, and performs all over the world. She is ranked among the top WEST COAST SWING dancers in the world and has won numerous champion level competitions including Showcase Swing, Classic Swing, Strictly Swing, Team, and Jack & Jill Competitions.
Melissa is known for her versatility as a dancer. She has performed in a variety of solo works on stage as well as on the industrial scene. Melissa had the pleasure of working as Christina Aguilera’s dance double in her music video, Candyman. You can also watch Melissa dance on the big screen in the movie, Love N’ Dancing. Besides Melissa’s dance background, she has also trained in New York City and San Francisco as a singer (classical, musical theater, jazz, pop, country) and actress. Melissa graduated Magna Cum Laude from Marymount Manhattan College with her B.A. IN DANCE!
Parker Dearborn
Parker has been dancing since he could walk, first learning
Country & Line dances, growing up trying out both solo and
partner dance styles eventually gravitating to specializing West
Coast Swing, with a background in Ballroom, Latin, Country,
and other foams of Swing. He became a professional dancer
in his hometown of San Diego, California at 17.
Parker has dedicated his life to dance and has earned the
most prestigious awards in the world of West Coast Swing.
Parker holds the title to every major championship in the
nation, including three time U.S. Open Swing Dance
Champion and two time Grand National Swing Dance
Champion.
He is in the Swing Dance Hall of Fame for his contributions to
WCS, his decorated career has since distinguished him as a
world renowned sought-after choreographer, instructor, coach,
and Champion of his craft.
Guigo Sortica
Guigo is an Allstar West Coast Swing dancer from Porto Alegre, in the south of Brazil. Gouigo owns a dance studio call 7 & 8.Different types of dancing is offered including West Coast Swing, A+Zouk, Salsa, Bachata among others.
He's been teaching for over 20 years. Mixing Zouk with West cost swing is his passon.
Guigo has been co-directing a JT Swing team with Bella Viramontes.
"I'm really excited to finally being back in Arizona. I have no doubt it's going to be an amazing event. I can't wait to teach and dance with everybody." We are very happy to have him back.
Junior Program
The members and board of directors at the Greater Phoenix Swing Dance Club make it part of our mission to provide safe, learning environments for our youth.
We have workshops though out the year to help them learn. Most of these are free or a minimal fee. We have brought in Ben Morris, Demetre Souliotes, Kara Frenzel and will have Tashina Beckmann-King, Ben and Cameo McHenry.
Phoenix 4th of July convention has a diverse youth/junior program
Juniors attend our weekly dances for free.
Dance Magic: A Photo Story of Greater Phoenix Swing Dance Club's Pro Staff
