Anthony Chen

Anthony's (he/him) first ingress into the performing arts was at age 8 when his parents convinced him to learn and perform Chinese lion dances. Naturally, he then stumbled upon breakdancing during a national speech and debate tournament in middle school, and he had his first foray into swing dancing at age 16 alongside other young interns from a research laboratory. Since then, he has trained in other dance styles including West Coast Swing and various modern street dances, but most of all he enjoys using this background to expand upon his technique and creativity in Lindy Hop. On the social dance floor he is known to be playful, musical, creative, and clear.

He holds first place titles from events such as International Lindy Hop Championships, Montreal Swing Riot, Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown, Lindy Focus, and Lindyfest and Lone Star Championships. His love of both leading and following, combined with his professional background in education, make the classes that he teaches both clear and intuitive. He is an active scene builder in his community and founded Salt City Swing, a non-profit in Utah where he teaches locally.

Irina Amzashvili

Photo by Jerry Almonte

Dancing in all forms has been a lifelong passion for Irina (she/her). In 2009, at the age of 15, she stumbled upon Swing dancing and it took only one night of social dancing for her to fall head over heels in love with it. Though Lindy Hop was her gateway into the world of Swing, Irina's passion quickly expanded to include Balboa, Collegiate Shag, and solo jazz. She is proud to have spent her formative years of dancing in Southern California, home to some of the best Swing dancers, teachers, and music in the world. Irina has since received numerous accolades from events such as Camp Hollywood, The International Lindy Hop Championships, and Lindy Focus and has taught these dances all across the U.S., Asia, Europe, and Australia. Additionally, she is honored to have been inducted into the Camp Hollywood Hall of Fame in 2019 and the California Swing Dance Hall of Fame in 2022.

Irina's teaching style can best be described as patient and encouraging. Her goal is to guide her students through building solid foundations while inspiring individuality in personal movement, as well as helping build confidence through dance.

Cara DeGrandpré

Photo by Samantha Kunz photography

In 2013, Cara (she/her) stumbled upon the captivating world of swing dancing, igniting a passion that has since shaped her journey. Since becoming a balboa dancer in 2014, she has been actively engaged in the vibrant dance scene of Montreal, Canada.

Her involvement over the years has been multifaceted, spanning from teaching and mentoring to event organizing and founding/coaching troupes, notably Bal Gals from 2017 to 2020. Cara is one of the organizers of Apéros Balboa Montréal and a founding member of Campus Balboa, a nonprofit dedicated to fostering balboa growth and excellence. Additionally, she teaches weekly at Cat's Corner Swing Dance School.

Her extensive training at Cat’s Corner, recent certification in psychosocial intervention, and current work as a community center facilitator deeply influence her classroom approach. With a steadfast focus on comfort, safety, and creativity, Cara's teaching philosophy places empowerment at its core. She notably embraces the pedagogical use of "sound effects" in her lessons, considering it a tool for enhancing learning experiences. Her ultimate goal is to nurture dancers on their individual paths, enabling them to cultivate their love for dancing.

In the realm of Slow Balboa, Cara's achievements stand as a testament to her skill and dedication. Alongside Kim Bernatchez, she clinched the runner-up spot for Bal Love in Prague (2023) and secured finalist positions in New York Bal Week (2023). She has also excelled at events like the Chicago Great Lakes Balboa Escape, winning 1st place in 2018 and being a finalist in 2019. Her teaching endeavors have taken her to exciting events such as Toronto Bal Weekend, GLBE, Bal Moment Quebec & Montreal, along with classes in Toronto, Kingston, Ottawa, and various local classes, enriching the dance community with her expertise.

A self-professed night owl, Cara thrives on the energy of caffeine and the power of hugs, infusing her interactions with infectious enthusiasm and warmth. After all, it takes a little extra fuel to keep that fancy footwork going until the break of dawn!

Kim Bernatchez

Kim (she/her), a Montreal-based dancer, has fostered her passion for jazz dances for over a decade. With a deep-rooted affection for close embrace and slow dancing, she naturally gravitated towards slow balboa. For Kim, the allure lies in the profound connection with her partner and the music, cherishing the captivating synergy that emerges when every voice is heard.

In her teaching approach, Kim prioritizes empowering individuals to discover their unique expression within the dance, and she values fostering a collaborative environment where everyone's voice is valued and shared.