Instructors
Photo by: Jesse Frome at Summer Swing Fest 2024
Jacob Wigger (Los Angeles)
Jacob started swing dancing in 2003 and has been hooked ever since.
He began his dance journey with Smooth/LA Style Lindy Hop which has the core of the his own unique style he uses today. Using the Smooth Lindy style as a base, he has created his own way of dancing to Soul music and is excited to share it with you.
Jacob’s first love is social dancing, but he also enjoys competing as a way to set goals and push himself. As a teacher, he enjoys using a mix of humorous analogies and serious instruction to create a fun and exciting learning environment.
He has been teaching at national and international events for the last 15 years, and has honed his ability to break down and analyze the dance to make complex and dynamic movement happen with ease and comfort. He is known for his continuous flow and effortless way of floating across the dance floor, while maintaining a highly rhythmic feel.
Jacob’s primary goal in all his partnerships has been to connect in a way that works for both him and his partner to find what they can create together. This has resulted in numerous placements and wins at all levels of competition, but more importantly, having ever-evolving social dances.
Olivia Hales (Los Angeles)
Olivia has had a passion for all things swing dance since the first time she saw the Lindy Hop at the Carnation Plaza inside Disneyland in 2005. From that moment, she dived head first into the scene. She met Justin Zillman, Steve Sayer, and many other LA based long time friends and dancers who have inspired her love for the dance and soul music. She incorporates her unique style into her Soul Lindy, Lindy Hop, and Balboa.
She’s traveled internationally for dance events and has competed periodically throughout her dance career. She’s always loved dancing Swing to any and all music types - different music brings new inspiration! She is looking forward to bringing some knowledge, technique, and hopefully some Soul dance principles and creativity that will help you grow as a dancer, inspire new ideas, and expand your view of what swing dancing can mean for you.
Todd Yannacone (New Orleans)
Todd Yannacone is a distinguished figure in the world of dance. He has taught Lindy Hop, Balboa, Shag, Charleston, Vernacular Jazz, and other jazz era dances both nationally and abroad since he was 16. His love and appreciation for various forms of swing dancing allow him to bring innovative versatility to the dance floor while simultaneously respecting the roots of each dance.
A proud member of the Camp Hollywood Hall of Fame and two time California Swing Dance Hall of Fame inductee, Todd holds a myriad of championship titles from the International Lindy Hop Championships, European Swing Dance Championships, American Lindy Hop Championships, U.S. Open Swing Dance Championships, National Jitterbug Championships, Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown, Lone Star Championships - to name a few.
He has been interviewed for Swing Dancer Magazine, "The Track" podcast, and various other publications. His demand as an instructor, performer, and judge has taken him to hundreds of festivals spanning 32 countries and five continents. Todd specializes in connection and musicality, which is apparent every time he steps on the dance floor. He has worked with dance and music legends alike - from Frankie Manning to Aretha Franklin - and was a member of the acclaimed dance troupe, the Silver Shadows.
Theresa Manney (Seattle)
Theresa Manney has been a passionate member of the jazz dance community for over 10 years. She values musicality, quality of movement and social dance etiquette. You can catch Theresa dancing and teaching lindy hop, collegiate shag, St. Louis shag, and solo jazz. When not teaching, you can catch her performing as a long time member of the Sister Kate Dance Company.
Jeron Tuell (Houston)
Jeron has loved dancing since he was a kid; whether he was dancing hip hop or just dancing around the house, he could not stop dancing. Since starting swing dancing in college in 2017, he has always wanted to spread his love for dance by teaching and attending social dances. He loves to teach Collegiate Shag, Balboa, and Lindy hop and he wants to give people the room to explore their creativity and make dancing more welcoming for everyone in and outside of the classroom. Outside of dancing, he loves playing video games, reading manga, and learning about cybersecurity and is always open to discussing them.
Jacklyn Walling (Phoenix)
Jacklyn “Jackie” Walling’s Collegiate Shag journey all started on the top of a parking garage—in the middle of a Flagstaff, Arizona winter, NAU campus, no money for a studio, and needing something to break up the work of graduate school. Inspired by Live Collegiate Shag and Steve and Chanzie’s classic 2013 routine, she broke down moves of this energetic, vintage dance.
In 2021, she moved to Phoenix, where she began digging into the fine details of technique and connection for both Collegiate Shag and Lindy Hop. A casual hobby soon morphed to obsession and the joy of competing. She has had individual successes in Collegiate Shag competitions in the U.S. and abroad, most recently Hot Rhythm Holiday and Barcelona Shag Festival. She's also a team member of the award winning 2023 team: Phoenix Bomb Squad.
While she enjoys all vintage swing dances, she really only knows one word. SHAG. She enjoys the fast pace of the dance, its spirited nature, and finding synergy with a dance partner at warp speed. Are feet worth having if the don’t go fast?
Photo by: Miguel Gonzalez
Carlos Quinio (Phoenix)
Carlos Quinio (he/him) is a Music Educator, instrumentalist, and dancer. He received his Bachelor’s in Music Education at Arizona State University and has been actively teaching for 6 years in the Chandler Unified School District.
Carlos has served as one of the coaches and choreographers for the Phoenix Swing Project (specializing in aerials) since 2023. Aside from projects and performances with the team, he has experience organizing events and collaborating with other performing groups such as the Arizona Wind Symphony, The World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra, Swing du Soleil, and 1-2-3 Andrés.
Carlos is passionate about creating experiences that will spark the joy of learning in his students while providing access points for anyone interested in exploring the arts.
Chiadikaobi Njoku (Phoenix)
Chiadikaobi "Chiadi" Njoku is from Arochukwu Local Government, Abia State, Nigeria, and is part of the Igbo tribe.
He started dancing as a kid with Anglican Children ministry, performing at his local Church and school in Gombe. He grew up learning tribal dance from various instructors that helped create the passion he has for dance. Every time he hears an Igbo song, he is so excited to express the joy he feels through movement.
After discovering Lindy Hop in college, he began learning the similarities between Jazz and Igbo music, and embodying different rhythms.
Lindy hop as become such a huge part of his life and, as of 2023, he started traveling and competing in the US and overseas.
Chiadi recently won the 2023 Lindy Focus Mix and Match competition and made finals in the Solo Jazz competition at All Lithuanian Weekend 2023. When he is not dancing, he likes reading and collecting antique books.
“Dance enables you to find yourself and lose yourself at the same time" - unknown
Julie Roman (Phoenix)
Julie Roman is a Phoenix-based artist.
As a classically trained concert pianist/vocalist (with a past career as a certified music educator and private vocal coach), she is passionate about pursuing excellence and spreading a love for the arts.
She enjoys working with people to find the aspects of dance that inspire them most so they can identify and pursue the spaces and skills that bring them joy. Julie also loves exploring the technical skills that give people mastery over their movement so they can embody the music in whatever ways they choose.
You can find Julie collaborating with vintage swing dancers from around the world to compete, teach, choreograph, and perform. While she studies and competes in as many Jazz dances as she can, she is especially in love with Collegiate Shag, Balboa, and air steps.
Jacob Spinney (Phoenix)
Known by his friends as "Spinney," Jacob Spinney has been obsessed with swing dancing for well over a decade. Achieving titles such as National Jitterbug Champion, Arizona Swing Dance Champion, Arizona Balboa Champion, and California Balboa Classic Champion, Spinney’s love for swing dancing has helped him create a unique style focused on creativity and expressiveness.
Co-Captain, Choreographer, Talent Developer, and Skills Coach for the Phoenix Swing Project which encompasses national award winning teams, Phoenix Bomb Squad, Phoenix Firecrackers, as well as the Sunny Side Stompers, Spinney enjoys sharing his love for swing dancing, doing slides, and being a goofball. He drinks a Roy Rogers, easy on the ice, extra cherries.