P. O. Box 97459, Phoenix, Arizona 85060, United States 425-512-2168
Starting on FRIDAY!! June 30 - July 4th, 2023
Welcome to The Phoenix Fourth of July!
As one of the original 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. The YASDA program offers great opportunities to the junior dancers to learn from the best. 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.
We have joined the AANCE tour for the novice and Intermediate dancers.
This gives the 1st place winners the opportunity to go to Meet me in St Louis in September for the Championship.
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
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.
Deborah Szekely
Deborah Szekely “say kay” started dancing when she was 3 years old. She is formally trained in ballet, tap and jazz since the age of 3. In 1995 she was introduced to WCS and became competing the next year. Deborah became partners with Robert Cordoba. In 1997. During their 15 years together they accumulated 4 more US Open Titles. Two in showcase and 2 in Sophisticated and a US Open Jack and Jill win for Deborah. Deborah has 8 Grand National Titles. She is in Dallas Dance and California Swing Dance Hall of Fame. In 2014 she was Inducted into the National Living Legends of Dance. For the past 7 years Deborah has been traveling the circuit solo sharing her knowledge and passion for Dance.
@dancingdeborah
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
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!!!
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.
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.
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.
We Believe
the best dances happen when we hold nothing back and leave our hearts on the dance 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 in All Star and became a professional dancer and teacher. He has become very well know in the dance circuit. We are so excited to have Jung back at Phoenix 4th of July 2022.
Jordan Frisbee & Tatianna Mollmann
Jordan & Tatiana have been partners since 2000, and are 11-Time US Open Classic Division Champions. They also are multiple Grand National, NASDE and Classic Division Champions, and are the most winning dance couple in West Coast Swing. Their TV and movie appearances include "30 Seconds to Fame", "Star Search", "Good Morning America", "The Polar Express", and "Love N’ Dancing". They have earned a great reputation teaching all over the world as Certified Teachers for the Golden State Dance Teachers Association. Their latest endeavor, JT Swing Teams, has created a new global community of dancers working together on a common goal to improve through choreography and gain exposure for West Coast Swing by performing in their local communities.
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.
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
YASDA tour comes to our convention providing the juniors with lessons from top Champions.
This year we have joined AANCE, which encourages novice and intermediate dancers to compete. The couples that win at our event are eligible to compete for the Championship title at Meet Me in St Louis in September.
Juniors attend our weekly dances for free.
Photo Gallery
