JUDGE: Buddy Schwimmer
 

Buddy Schwimmer is known as "The King of Swing", as well as "The Man with a Thousand Moves”. In 1964, at the age of 15, Schwimmer invented a new American partner dance, which he called "Two Step". He developed this dance while practicing dance with his sister and searching for a way to dance to popular slow ballads. It is now called the “Night Club Two Step” He was a dancer on Channel 5 TV’s SheBang hosted by Casey Kasem, Ninth Street West with host, Sam Riddle on KHJ-TV (9); and on ABC’s American Bandstand hosted by Dick Clark. California Freestyle Champion four years in a row! He performed and choreographed on the 1973 movie, “American Graffiti”. He was a performer on the 1977 television variety show “Dance Fever” with Lynn Vogen. He was a choreographer, along with Ron Montez on the 1992 show special "Big Band Ballroom Bash", hosted by Juliet Prowse and Bobby Short.

Buddy has trained and produced many Champions and he is known throughout the dance world as one of the top promoters and instructors of our Youth to Young Adult students. Buddy’s studio moto is “bring a friend or come make new friends”, but most of the students consider Buddy Schwimmer’s DANCE CENTER as their second home! Buddy Schwimmer still travels all over the world as a renowned instructor and choreographer.

5678DanceStudio.com

JUDGE: Elizabeth Mustaro
 

Elizabeth focuses on partner dancing with an emphasis on International Standard. She has practiced this discipline weekly for nearly three years with Ted Ross of the East Bay and has performed with him in the past. While studying partner dancing at Stars Ballroom, she was invited to begin teaching dance. She taught and trained for several years with Stars Ballroom, teaching hundreds of classes and private lessons, before relocating to Bay West Ballroom of San Rafae in July of 2004.

Over the past few years Elizabeth has expanded her training to include West Coast Swing, Latin, and Country. Elizabeth has had the opportunity to work with numerous top teachers in various fields. She is proud to have studied regularly over the years with world-renowned Blackpool Finalists Glenn Weiss and Maya Serve of Denmark in both private lessons and seminars. She has also been coached by Gary McIntyre of Calgary, Alberta and the legendary Ray Rivers of San Diego. Elizabeth currently studies with Mark Nelson-Novak, specializing in Latin and has regularly been studying with U.S. Open Swing Dance Champion, Kelly Casanova since 2004.

Elizabeth is registered with the NDCA (National Dance Council of America) as a Pro/Am Teacher and Competing Professional.

BayWestBallroom.com

JUDGE: Stephen Nordquist
 

Stephen Nordquist teaches dance in Santa Rosa's Vets Building. One of Santa Rosa's most cherished traditions, Nordquist's Dance (nordquistdance.com) has been teaching teens for more than 30 years. Stephen and his wife, Shirley, took over from Bob and Shirley Burkart, who began teaching Sonoma County teens to dance in the late 1950s.

Every year over 300 young teens, boys & girls, attend social dance classes with Stephen & Shirley Nordquist. Classes meet weekly on Tuesday nights October through March at the Santa Rosa Vets Building. This program provides a safe and comfortable environment where junior high and high school students learn so much more than just American Style social ballroom dancing. These classes build the student's confidence and blend in a balance of social behavior, manners and dress for special occasions.

Stephen teaches the Waltz, East Coast Swing, West Coast Swing, Night Club 2-Step, Cha-Cha, Rumba, and Tango. He also coaches teams that compete locally.

NordquistDance.com

Co-Director: Vera Harvey
 

Co-Director: Joe Gellura