About our Instructors

Adam LaMontagne & Camille Fontanella Adam and Camille have been swing dancing since they met in 1998. After moving to Sacramento, CA, they participated in numerous Lindy Hop performance groups. Currently living in Western Massachusetts, Adam and camille host regular dances, teach and choreograph. When they’re not on the dance floor, both Adam and Camille are avid collectors of Swing Era jazz. Camille has been DJing throughout the region since 2003. In 2001, Adam and Camille formed CrazyLegs, a Lindy Hop performance group, as a means to spread their love of the dance. In 2002, they helped found the not-for-profit Lindy League of Western Massachusetts for the promotion of Lindy Hop events. Although primarily focusing on social dance and performance, Adam and Camille have recently started competing and placing in Jack & Jill competitions at national events, including the American Lindy Hop Championships and the Boston Tea Party. Adam and Camille are well known for their clarity in teaching solid basics, lead/follow technique, connection and innovative and energetic dancing.

Amber Woerner & John Leonard. believe that “Dancing is for Everyone.” Both Amber and John are regular instructors the Fuze Box. Amber has 30 years of dance experience including 8 years as an instructor. She is a former Arthur Murry instructor who has performed professionally in various venues. Amber teaches both private and group lessons in the Albany area. She also instructs college groups, choreographs dances for weddings, student performances, and competitive combinations. Both

Ben Oaks-Lee began swing dancing in 1998, primarily in Ithaca New York, where he took classes from Bill Borgida. He has taught swing dancing for the past 7 years, first in Hamilton, New York (1999-2001) then in Albany, New York (2001-present) as well as teaching workshops in various places in New York, Connecticut and Pennsylvania. His teaching and dancing focus on connection, technique and musicality.

Bill Borgida's emphasis on connection and technique has had a profound influence on the Lindy Hop scene in the U.S. and abroad for the past 11 years. An impressive list of dancers started their dance and teacher training with Bill and gone on to international recognition: including all the members of Minnie’s Moochers, the legendary Lindy Hop team who helped shape the modern Lindy Hop scene. But what makes Bill stand out among the many teachers around is his ability to explain the details of technique to the common dancer. And his ability to help people rethink their own dancing, no matter how long they've been dancing.

Jesse Hanus began dancing in 2003, starting with Ballroom and then moving smoothly into Lindy Hop. Her love of expressing herself to jazz and blues music has kept her interested ever since. Today, she teaches lindy for Yellow Pants Studio and co-leads the local performance group “The Atomic Lindy Machine” and has performed for Lindy Hop legends such as Frankie Manning and Dawn Hampton. Attending dance events and workshops around the US and Canada, she is passionate about spreading her love of dance to anyone willing to learn.

Marc-André Vachon started swing dancing in Montreal four years ago and has embraced the crazy attitude of Montreal swing dancers. His has studied with many instructors to hone his skills and has developed a creative and highly energenic style that is all his own. He has won him many Jack & Jill and Strictly competitions all over the Northeast.

Matt Mann & Miriam Impellizzeri

Michael & Joy Delaney

Noëlle Gray is the most prominent Lindy Hop and Blues dancing instructor in Connecticut, with a diverse dance background spanning 20 years. Known for her solid technique, flawless isolations, and great sense of humor, she is an increasingly sought-after instructor here in the US and abroad. She has taught blues and lindy workshops at Gargleblaster Blues, Swingout New Hampshire, in London, and most recently with Bill Borgida at the 2006 American Lindy Hop Championships. She also just took two first wins in Jack & Jill competitions at ALHC!

Solomon Douglas has been teaching dance since 1999, and specializes in Lindy Hop, Blues, Balboa, Charleston, and Vernacular Jazz. His teaching is both passionate and easygoing, both practical and philosophical. He has taught all over North America, Australia, Asia, and the British Isles. He is well known as a musician, playing piano and leading bands at swing dance events throughout North America and worldwide; the bands he leads include the Solomon Douglas Swingtet and Corner Pocket.

Sylwia Bielec is from Montréal and has been a regular fixture on local teaching and social circuits for many years. Dancing since the age of 10, Sylwia was drawn to lindy hop in 2000 when the Montreal swing scene was just discovering the dance. It was love at first sight. Today, Sylwia brings to lindy hop not only her love of partner dance but also her belief that each of us has primal internal rhythms and a biological impetus to move, baby! Recognized by her peers as a charismatic, sensitive and versatile follow, Sylwia is an articulate and highly skilled teacher who understands and works with individual learning styles. If you don’t get it, she will find a way to teach it to you! Her dance motto is “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine!” -- her biggest accomplishment is igniting the light in others. Sylwia most recently came in 1st at ALHC 2006 in the Strictly Lindy division with Eric Bertrand. She also competes within a team of talented dancers who like to dance fast and toss each other around.