Following is an interview I conducted with him in Ventura.
WHAT'S YOUR PHILOSOPHY ON LIFE?
It's better to try and fail than to fail to try.
WHEN AND WHY DID YOU AND HOLLY START DANCING?
We went to Disney for her birthday and PBDA (Pasadena
Ballroom Dance Association) was teaching East Coast Swing.
We tried to take a lesson but I couldn't do it. So we started
going to PBDA classes in 1997.
HOW DID YOU GO FROM THE GUY WHO COULDN'T DO
EAST COAST TO A NATIONAL LINDY HOP CHAMPION?
After taking privates from Erik & Sylvia (in Summer of '98)
I found my style and started dancing 7 nights a week.
WHAT WAS THE FIRST CONTEST YOU AND HOLLY
ENTERED?
I didn't want to compete, but Holly wanted the trophy THE
REDONDO BEACH LOBSTER FESTIVAL (1998) We got
third place.
MOST IMPORTANT TIP (from Tip) FOR THE LEADS?
Remember that every follow dances differently and you must adjust to her accordingly?
THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR DANCING EXPERIENCE?
Winning first place at Camp Hollywood in 1999
First place Monsters of Swing 2000 & 2001 couples plus 2001 Jack & Jill Second place American Lindy Hop Championships.
NASTIEST DANCE HABIT THAT YOU OVERCAME?
Bouncing my hand.
WHAT'S THE BENEFIT AND THE DOWNSIDE OF PARTNERING WITH YOUR GIRLFRIEND?
Benefit she's always there to practice with
Downside the dance frustrations overlap into the relationship
WHO ARE YOUR SWING HEROES?
1- Hal Takier 2- George & Freida 3- Dean
Collins
ASIDE FROM DANCING WHAT DO YOU
DO FOR FUN?
Drink
Watch the Food Network.
MOST INTERESTING JOBS YOU'VE
HAD?
Hairdresser, Bartender and Poker Dealer.
WHAT'S YOUR JOB NOW?
Teach dance privates and workshops. My
best friend "Sailor" Mike and I also run a
club in Pasadena called THE SWING PIT
at Domenico's on Thursdays.
FUTURE GOAL?
Being inducted into the CALIFORNIA
SWING DANCE HALL OF FAME and win
the U.S. OPEN. Die on the dance floor.
ADVICE FOR DANCE BEGINNERS?
Watch a lot of dance clips and keep dancing everyday and eventually you'll get it.
