Steve is a dancer/instructor who is dedicated to preserving the great American partner jazz dances of the 1920′s-1950′s. Originally from Dayton, Ohio Steve began dancing in 1998 at the age of 16. Falling in love with lindy hop and other dances of the swing era he traveled to the east and west-coasts to dance, study and learn the different styles of swing dancing.

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In 2005 he moved to Los Angeles and soon began teaching weekly at Joe’s Bar and Grill in Burbank. In 2009 he began competing, winning many Los Angeles contests such as the Bayside Lindy Battle and the Paladino’s Jitterbug contest. In 2010, 2011 and 2012 he won 1st place in the Collegiate Shag division at the National Jitterbug Championships with partner Fancy Dougherty. Also in 2011 he won 1st place with partner Chandrae Roettig at the National Jitterbug Championships and the US Open Strictly Lindy Hop divisions. In 2012 he and Chanzie won the Camp Jitterbug Strictly Lindy, US Open Strictly Lindy and came in 2nd at the International Lindy Hop Championships. In 2012 Stephen was inducted into the California Swing Dance Hall of Fame.

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Today Steve teaches weekly at Madilyn Clark Studios in North Hollywood and has started the California Jubilee performance teams. He is committed to improving and pushing the limits of his own dancing as well as those who take his classes. His focus of connection to partner and music are what makes his dancing and teaching so unique.

Chandrae’s beginnings warranted her an early career as a gymnast, after which she was

introduced to contemporary dance at Dance Vision, in Portland, Oregon.

Garnering a scholarship to The Edge Performing Arts Center in Hollywood, Chandrae

graduated from their professional program. Specializing and excelling in Jazz, Hip Hop,

Modern, Contemporary and Theater Dance Styles, her early training afforded her the

 scope, to bring her athleticism to Swing Dance. Her success as a graduate from The Edge

Performing Arts Center, has allowed Ms. Roettig to work with some of LA’s top

choreographers in film, television, music and stage. Often serving in the duel roles of

dancer/performer and co-choreographer.

Her true love and passion for preserving the history of classic Swing Dancing and its

various styles has garnered her a position of respect, as a celebrated teacher in the Swing

world for the past 7 years. Astute in the various styles of swing, Chandrae has focused

on teaching the skill of partnering for the past 10. Her cheerful and playful attitude

proves her a joy to watch.

Chandrae performed in the major motion picture entitled “Gangster Squad”, alongside

her dance partner Stephen Sayer. Together, they have taught at Swing/Jazz Camps and

won national titles in Swing Dance competitions with Festivals in the U.S. and

throughout the world. She and Steven have created 3 performance groups with a are

committed to seeing vintage Swing Dance and Collegiate Shag back on the main stage, in

a big way.

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Karine Hermes is a Brazilian dancer, with a background in Ballet, Jazz and Belly dance before Rockabilly and Swing dances, such as Lindy Hop, Collegiate Shag, Blues and others.

She gathered experience from learning many different styles and approaches from around the world, and after teaching Swing in Brazil since 2014, she started teaching in L.A. and internationally with world-renowned swing champions Stephen Sayer and Chandrae Roettig in 2016. Together, they are the center of the shag scene in LA, hosting the acclaimed LA Shag Festival, and as swing community leaders, they provide group and private classes, coach award-winning competition teams, organize festivals, perform in events/film, and more.

She leads the L.A. JV Shag team with Stephen, winning 1st place in 2017 and 4th place in 2018 at the National Jitterbug Championships., and also The Shag Shakers with Hunter.

Elegantly, she brings the malleability and gracefulness from Brazilian dances like forró and samba to her style. With a passion for Pilates and Fitness, she is especially keen on promoting good posture, a healthy strong yet mobile spine support, body awareness and isolations, which all together helps achieve good shape and create better lines in dancing. She believes that growing self-appreciation impacts all aspects of life. With this in mind, Karine also teaches ladies-only classes, focusing on feminine figure and movement.

She is fun and inspirational and will have you moving parts you did’t know existed!

Hunter has been professionally acting and dancing on stage since he was 13. Over the years, he has gained a wide range of professional experience through various performances around the world. His credits include, ”Art on Ice" Switzerland, Bellagio NYE Vegas, "Debbie Allen's Freeze Frame" D.C. and “The Silhouettes” Germany, just to name a few. He is a graduate of the Edge Performing Arts Center as well as, Larry-Moore Kelly and Lee Strasberg Acting School. You can also find him in many different commercials, fire breathing for General Electric, dancing for Sleep Number beds or just eating noodles for Shin Ramen. 

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Hunter has a solid commitment to entertain and passionately encourages people to create for themselves and never to give up on your craft. Currently, he is leading a competition team with Karine Hermes as his partner. Together they also teach Lindy and Shag at Madilyn Clark Studios.