Lilli Ann Carey / Owner-Instructor

Lilli Ann began partner dancing with Living Traditions/Northwest Dance Network, where the draw of instruction, music, dance and community made her a complete convert. She loves to dance almost anything, but focuses her teaching on Waltz, Swing variations, Zydeco, Polka, Foxtrot, One-Step/Blues and a few vintage dance forms. Lilli Ann promotes dance through classes, workshops and events through her company, Dance For Joy!, including the Evening in Vienna Ball, now in its fourth year. You will find her teaching several nights a week in Seattle and conducting workshops in Portland. She has also taught workshops in the DC area and Atlanta and is a frequent instructor for Friday Night Waltz in San Francisco. Her spontaneous sense of humor, dynamic energy and right-on observations lead to a playful and effective learning environment. Lilli Ann teaches with her daughter, Claire, who has danced since the age of 7.

Claire Carey / Instructor

Claire Carey has been dancing for over 11 years, and had the great good fortune to have begun partner dancing at a mere 7 years of age — starting with East Coast Swing, Zydeco, and with all the challenges and delight we all have. Now 19, she also dances Waltz, Lindy Hop, Salsa and Cha Cha. She loves both to teach and work with students one-on-one, sharing her knowledge and her passion for dance and life.

Ari Levitt / Instructor

Ari Levitt has performed and taught social dances since 1990. He first toured with Stanford's Dunai Dance Ensemble, helped to start Stanford's first Ballroom/Swing dance club, and served as lead choreographer and dance instructor for the Stanford Viennese Ball. Ari was next involved in the creation of the Lindy Hop movement in Seattle, and actively taught and performed as a member of Seattle's first Savoy Swing Performance Troupe. In 1992 he introduced the first Night Club Two-Step classes to Seattle as a guest instructor with Living Traditions/Northwest Dance Network. During this time he also taught workshops in Swing, Salsa, Ballroom and Latin dance around the USA and Canada. Ari founded the Central Pennsylvania Swing Society; founded, choreographed, directed and performed with the Jumpcats Swing ensemble; was commissioned to choreograph and perform various Swing and Salsa numbers for the One Broadway concert series two years running; and ran a Swing week each spring at Hershey Park, while continuing to travel throughout the US and Canada teaching Swing, Salsa, and social dance workshops. Ari most recently lived in the Bay Area and performed with the Swingcats Rhythm Review and Stanford Salseros. Ari has now settled again in Seattle. Welcome back, Ari!

David Wilbur / Instructor

From an early age, David had a strong aversion to dance, brought on by formal Ballroom dance lessons at the age of 12. (It wasn't a happy summer) Not until his late 40s, when he got tricked into going to a pre-dance workshop at the Leif Erikson Ballroom, did David REALLY discover dance. Well, the workshop was so much fun, he signed up that night for a Swing class. After a good deal of struggle figuring out the difference between his left and right foot, he began to get more and more excited about partner dancing. The fear of not being competent, which had been the main reason to avoid dance, was soon replaced by just plain fun. He now loves not only Swing, but Waltz, Salsa, Cha Cha, Blues, Foxtrot and Zydeco. Now, his passion for dance has lead him to adapt moves from different styles, while retaining the flavor of the music at the moment to create his own distinct style. Mostly though, he concentrates on just having just fun! That's what dancing is really all about.

Jamie Shamseldin / Instructor

Jamie began dancing at Stanford University in 1997, and partner dancing soon became her favorite pastime. She took social dance classes, went out dancing almost every night, and joined the Stanford Vintage Dance Ensemble, a dance performance group that performed social dances from the Victorian to the Ragtime and Swing eras. She claims she would not have met the credit requirements for graduation without all the dance class credits. Throughout college and the years following, she continued to dance regularly and performed with the Viennese Ball Opening Committee and Danse Libre. She performed Waltz, Polka, Mazurka, Maxixe, One-step, Two-step, Quickstep, Foxtrot, and Lindy Hop, among others. In 2006, Jamie moved back home to Seattle to be closer to family and continued social dancing. Her favorite dances are currently Lindy Hop, Blues, and Waltz. She has recently had the wonderful opportunity to teach dance with Lilli Ann and has learned yet another way to have fun dancing.

Guy Caridi and Nancy Fry / Instructors

Guy and Nancy have over 36 years combined dance experience and have been dancing as a couple for over thirteen years. They are founding members of Seattle's Savoy Swing Club and are the first couple from the Pacific Northwest to teach Lindy Hop and Balboa. They have taught and performed internationally and are well known for their respectful, sensitive and humorous teaching style. Guy has been artistic director of the club's performance troupe for over twelve years. In 1999, Guy & Nancy took home trophies in the Lindy Hop and Team divisions at the U.S. Open Swing Dance Championships in Southern California. In total, four of five routines choreographed by Guy were place-winners.

Hairy Carey / Support Staff

Harry Carey (aka "Izzy") has been dancing for over 14 years. His 4-step pattern is legendary and although his presence on the teaching floor is minimal his support behind the scenes is immeasurable.