His name is NICK WILLIAMS and he's been chosen LINDY HOPPER OF THE MONTH for January-February. You can vote for future lindy hoppers of the month. The winner will be interviewed. Let's get to know Nick.
WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND RAISED?
Visalia, CA (central California near Fresno)
YOU ARE A USC STUDENT RIGHT? TELL ME ABOUT THAT.
Yes, I am a senior Theater major, due to graduate in May. (DANCE ACTIVITIES?) I'm the Director of the USC Dancing Club (which does swing and salsa) and I'm also the Director of the USC Ballroom and Latin Team I work on campus in an office doing odd jobs but it helps sustain my dancing habits.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN DANCING LINDY HOP?
I started to learn lindy hop in the spring of '98 here at USC with the Club that I now run.
WHAT OTHER DANCES DO YOU DO IN ADDITION TO SWING?
cha-cha, rumba, jive, samba, waltz, tango, foxtrot, Viennese waltz, salsa, merengue, hustle, west coast swing, paso doble, quickstep, bolero.
WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN NOT DANCING?
I like to watch movies, other than vintage movies. I'm a very social person so I'm not too picky.
TELL ME ABOUT YOUR SWING HIGHLIGHTS?
3rd Place in the 2000 Camp Hollywood Jitterbug Contest, 4th Place in the 2000 Camp Hollywood Shag Jam, 1st Place in the Fast Feet Contest, 3rd Place in the 2000 Jitterbug Ball Shag/Balboa Contest, 3rd Place in the 2000 Jitterbug Ball Jitterbug Contest, 3rd Place in the 2000 Jitterbug Ball Jack and Jill Contest, Finalist in the 2000 Camp Hollywood Jack and Jill Contest. Those are pretty much all the contests I've entered.
WHICH ARE YOUR FAVORITE BANDS & CLUB?
Today: Mora's Modern Rhythmists, Swing Session, Bill Elliott Swing Orchestra
Then: Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Gene Krupa. CLUB: Paladino's
BEST THING ABOUT DANCING?
I could lie and say that it's because
of the women, the exercise, being
able to show off, but the real truth is
that it makes me feel good about
myself.
BEST TIP FOR LEADS AND FOLLOWS?
Pay attention to your partner and the
music. You're never as good as you
think you are. You can never stop
learning.
DANCE GOAL?
I basically want to be the best. It sounds egotistical, but that's my goal. It'll be really hard because Erin and I are coming up behind a bunch of great dancers who are acclaimed world wide. I do want to teach later on, because I love teaching. I first want to win as many contests as possible with Erin before we really get into teaching in order to gain more respect from the swing community. I eventually want my own studio/club that I could run and teach at. I also love choreographing and I already have some good experience, not nearly as much as Kim and David though.
WHO'S YOUR DANCE IDOL?
I study Lenny Smith and Dean Collins for lindy hop. You can see their influence in my dancing, but I'm trying to stay somewhat original. I don't have a shag or balboa influence yet.
