Portland Swing Project Instructors
Gillian Davis
After attending her first swing dance in 2007 here in Portland, Gillian was hooked. She set out to learn as much as she could about the music and dances of the 1920s-40s, and traveled often to dance, learn and wear out shoes at an impressive rate. Since moving back home to Maine, she’s working to build a vibrant live music and dance community in Portland through weekly lessons, workshops and events. Her favorite things about dancing (in no particular order) include incredible music, connecting on the dance floor with people from all over the world, and the insatiable desire to learn more.
Gillian can also be found building things in her woodshop, struggling to get into her winter wetsuit for a morning surf, chasing her 2-year-old Rosa, and absolutely loving life in Maine.
After attending her first swing dance in 2007 here in Portland, Gillian was hooked. She set out to learn as much as she could about the music and dances of the 1920s-40s, and traveled often to dance, learn and wear out shoes at an impressive rate. Since moving back home to Maine, she’s working to build a vibrant live music and dance community in Portland through weekly lessons, workshops and events. Her favorite things about dancing (in no particular order) include incredible music, connecting on the dance floor with people from all over the world, and the insatiable desire to learn more.
Gillian can also be found building things in her woodshop, struggling to get into her winter wetsuit for a morning surf, chasing her 2-year-old Rosa, and absolutely loving life in Maine.
Jen Kain
Jen has been dancing since the age of 4, when she remembers being rewarded with popcorn for doing turns across the floor at dance class. Years of tap, ballet and jazz classes followed, topped off by teaching tap to college students for three years at Rutgers. After a decade-long hiatus, she triumphantly returned to dancing when she discovered Lindy Hop in NYC at Sandra Cameron Dance Center and Dance Manhattan. Instantly hooked, she's been learning and goofing off with her husband, Ray, at dance events ever since. She's excited to share the fun of this dance with you, and will still dance for food.
Jen has been dancing since the age of 4, when she remembers being rewarded with popcorn for doing turns across the floor at dance class. Years of tap, ballet and jazz classes followed, topped off by teaching tap to college students for three years at Rutgers. After a decade-long hiatus, she triumphantly returned to dancing when she discovered Lindy Hop in NYC at Sandra Cameron Dance Center and Dance Manhattan. Instantly hooked, she's been learning and goofing off with her husband, Ray, at dance events ever since. She's excited to share the fun of this dance with you, and will still dance for food.
Becca Pruente
Becca grew up participating in the Irish dance scene in Boston. She continued dancing into college, where she began teaching and choreographing Irish dance performances. After moving to Portland and becoming a public school teacher, she found herself looking for a new regular dance practice, eventually finding Portland Swing Project in the fall of 2016. She was instantly hooked, trying to learn as much as possible about the movement patterns and partnered momentum (and really practicing letting go of upright Irish dance posture). She soon found herself completely immersed in the Portland dance scene as well as traveling out of town for workshops and social dances. Becca appreciates any opportunity to combine her love of teaching theory with dancing.
Becca grew up participating in the Irish dance scene in Boston. She continued dancing into college, where she began teaching and choreographing Irish dance performances. After moving to Portland and becoming a public school teacher, she found herself looking for a new regular dance practice, eventually finding Portland Swing Project in the fall of 2016. She was instantly hooked, trying to learn as much as possible about the movement patterns and partnered momentum (and really practicing letting go of upright Irish dance posture). She soon found herself completely immersed in the Portland dance scene as well as traveling out of town for workshops and social dances. Becca appreciates any opportunity to combine her love of teaching theory with dancing.
Zane Baker
After receiving swing dance lessons as a Christmas gift, Zane reluctantly started taking classes with Portland Swing Project in 2013. He quickly dove into the unknown territory of jazz music, rhythm and swing movement to become an excellent lead in Portland's swing dance scene. His intense desire to learn sent him to out-of-town workshop weekends and deep into the nuances of dance videos and jazz music to teach himself more. Zane's desire to learn is evident in his many skill sets: he can build you a house, identify every bird on a hike (and then produce a beautiful drawing of said bird) and save you in a dark ally with his mixed martial arts know-how. He also loves Sam Cooke.
After receiving swing dance lessons as a Christmas gift, Zane reluctantly started taking classes with Portland Swing Project in 2013. He quickly dove into the unknown territory of jazz music, rhythm and swing movement to become an excellent lead in Portland's swing dance scene. His intense desire to learn sent him to out-of-town workshop weekends and deep into the nuances of dance videos and jazz music to teach himself more. Zane's desire to learn is evident in his many skill sets: he can build you a house, identify every bird on a hike (and then produce a beautiful drawing of said bird) and save you in a dark ally with his mixed martial arts know-how. He also loves Sam Cooke.
Portland Swing Project Guest Instructors
Stefan Durham and Bethany Powell
Stefan and Bethany first started swing dancing together in 2001, and have never since regretted it. Attracted by the aliveness and improvisational nature of swing—especially the original swing dance, known as "Lindy Hop"--they eventually became involved in the “scene,” both local and national, gaining skill as social dancers, choreographers, and performers. Over their 15 year dance career Stefan and Bethany have been invited to teach and perform at such events as the International Lindy Hop Championships in Washington, DC, Lindyfest in Houston, TX, Camp Jitterbug in Seattle, WA, the Frankie Manning Birthday Celebration in New York, NY, and Herrang Dance Camp in Sweden. They love how swing dancing brings people together to play with one another. They love seeing students reconnect to the joy of using their bodies in a creative, improvised, cooperative endeavor. They love how swing dancing offers challenges and rewards both for total beginners and for veteran dancers alike. And they love how it feels to be in a room filled with people enjoying dancing to great music!
Stefan and Bethany first started swing dancing together in 2001, and have never since regretted it. Attracted by the aliveness and improvisational nature of swing—especially the original swing dance, known as "Lindy Hop"--they eventually became involved in the “scene,” both local and national, gaining skill as social dancers, choreographers, and performers. Over their 15 year dance career Stefan and Bethany have been invited to teach and perform at such events as the International Lindy Hop Championships in Washington, DC, Lindyfest in Houston, TX, Camp Jitterbug in Seattle, WA, the Frankie Manning Birthday Celebration in New York, NY, and Herrang Dance Camp in Sweden. They love how swing dancing brings people together to play with one another. They love seeing students reconnect to the joy of using their bodies in a creative, improvised, cooperative endeavor. They love how swing dancing offers challenges and rewards both for total beginners and for veteran dancers alike. And they love how it feels to be in a room filled with people enjoying dancing to great music!
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Bradley Smith Bradley has been enjoying swing dancing for over twenty years. He strives to continuously grow as a dancer learning from old clips and modern masters alike. There is joy and comedy in Lindy Hop that he celebrates, and he hopes to inspire his students to discover the wonderful journey of jazz dancing. |